Ayurveda is grounded in a metaphysics of the 'five
great Elements' (
Devanāgarī: [महा] पञ्चभूत;
earth,
water,
fire,
air and
ether)—all of which compose the
Universe, including the human body.
[1] Chyle (called
Rasa dhatu),
blood (called
Rakta dhatu),
flesh (called
Mamsa dhatu),
fat (called
Medha dhatu),
bone (called
Asthi dhatu),
marrow (called
Majja dhatu), and
semen or female reproductive tissue (called
Shukra dhatu) are held to be the seven primary constituent elements (Devanāgarī: सप्तधातु) of the body.
[7] Ayurveda stresses a balance of three Humors or Energies:
vata (wind/air),
pitta (bile) and
kapha (phlegm). According to Ayurveda, these three regulatory principles—
Doshas (Devanāgarī: त्रिदोष)—are important for health, because when they are in balanced state, the body is healthy, and when imbalanced, the body has diseases. Ayurveda hold that humans possess a unique combination of
Doshas. In Ayurveda, the human body perceives attributes of experiences as 20
Guna (Devanāgarī: गुण, meaning qualities).
[8] Surgery and surgical instruments are employed.
[8] It is believed that building a healthy
metabolic system, attaining good
digestion, and proper
excretion leads to vitality.
[8] Ayurveda also focuses on exercise,
yoga,
meditation, and
massage.
[9] Thus, body, mind, and spirit/consciousness need to be addressed both individually and in unison for health to ensue.
Eight disciplines of Ayurveda treatment, called Ashtangas (Devanāgarī: अष्टांग), are given below:
[11]
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