Ayurveda is the science of positive health and fulfillment in life. The aim of Ayurveda is threefold:

•    To achieve positive health for the individual
•    Protection of the masses
•    Ultimate liberation

The last goal can be achieved by following regulations of daily conduct and by following strict seasonal regimens, so that one can be constantly healthy. Being continuously healthy is comparable to achieving ultimate liberation, as it involves the eradication of the factors that bring about suffering.

To understand Ayurveda, it is very essential to know its basic concepts. These are the backbone of Ayurvedic philosophy. Ayurvedic approach to health care is based on their applications.

A.    Pancha Mahabhuta (The five basic elements)
B.    Doshas (Biological elements)
C.    Dhatus (Basic tissues)
D.    Malas (Waste products)
E.    Agni (Biological fire)

1. PANCHA MAHABHUTA (The Five Basic Elements)

Ancient Indian philosophy is of opinion that all materials, living or non-living are made of five fundamental elements called Panchamahabhutas, representing five fundamental categories of matter. These are:

•    Akasha (ether)
•    Vayu (air)
•    Teja (fire/energy)
•    Jala (water), and
•    Prithvi (earth)

All material on this earth contains Panchamahabhutas in different proportion.

2. DOSHA (Three biological humors)

Biological application of Panchamahabhutas reflects in the form of Tridosha. Here ‘Tri’ means three and Dosha’ represents to humor (bio-entity). Thus the word ‘Tridosha’ denotes to three humors i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These are said ‘Dosha’ because these have tendency to get vitiated and also to vitiate others. This bilateral tendency of Dosha is cause of health and diseases. State of balance of Dosha represents health while imbalance to the disease. Every Dosha has definite place/location and functions in our body. All have their five types respectively.

3. Dhatus:

Our body is supported and sustained by seven Dhatus (basic tissues). Beside this, Dhatus have property to vitiate. Dosha and Dhatus have relation with each other in health and disease. In pathogenesis of disease these both play key role.
Following are the seven Dhatus:

i.    Rasa (Plasma)
ii.    Rakta (Blood)
iii.    Mamsa (Muscle)
iv.    Meda (Adipose)
v.    Asthi (Bone)
vi.    Majja (Marrow)
vii.    Shukra (Reproductive tissues)
4.  Malas -
The word ‘Mala’ means excretal products. Ayurveda has a unique concept of Malas. Sustenance of Mala in appropriate limits, sustain the life. To understand it in a better way, take the example of common excreta – urine. Excess urination may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
5. Agni –
Agni is considered as biological fire. In our body entire range of digestive and metabolic activities are performed by it. Ayurveda considers about thirteen types of ‘Agnis’.
a.    Jatharagni – It performs digestion of food and considered to govern other ‘Agnis’.
b.    Dhatvagni – Every Dhatu has a particular type of Agni, which is responsible for that for that particular tissue metabolism. These are seven in number.
c.    Bhutagni – Each of the five Mahabhuta (elements) has a specific Agni, which is responsible for molecular metabolism.

6. Trigunas –

The word literally means three qualities or three properties. These are the three specific properties of the Mind. They are Satwa, Rajas and Tamas.