Ayurveda is an ancient medical science from India, now spreading all over the western world as it has proved beneficial for many people. Ayurveda which literally means the science of life (Ayur = Life, Veda = science ). It is a philosophy of life concerned with the preservation of a healthy life style. It arose about 5000 years ago in India and is considered world’s oldest documented system of medicine. It is holistic system of medicine that provides guidance regarding food and lifestyle so that healthy people can stay healthy and people with health challenges can improve their health. Ayurveda advocates that every living being has five basic elements ( Panchamahabhoothas ) in them namely earth, water ,fire ,air and either which manifest itself in the human body as vatha ,pitha and kapha (tridoshas).
Every human being has his Prakruthi ( constitutional Nature ) determined by the dominance of Vtha ,Pitha or Kapha or their combinations.Harmony in prakruthi indicates good Health. Kerala possesses an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda that has surpassed many invasions and intrusions both foreign and native. For hundreds of years the Ayurveda Vaidyas (traditional practitioners of Ayurveda) were almost the only solution for people seeking healing from every kind of disease in Kerala. The legendary eight families of Vaidyas (Ashta vaidyas) and their successors treated the entire state for centuries. Unlike the other Indian states the status of Ayurveda in Kerala is not that an alternative but is main stream. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.