The language of Ayurveda is Sanskrit. This shlok is from Charak Samhita. In Sanskrit, ayur means an ancient system of life and veda means knowledge.
So the knowledge of happy, unhappy, healthy and unhealthy state of life is called Ayurveda.
Ayurveda explores life and all its layers. Ayurveda has been arising in India from thousands of years ago.
The goal of Ayurveda
Ayurveda helps to maintain good health, and to prevent disease in order to promote quality of life and long life.
It focuses on prevention of diseases and helps to cure them.
It pays more attention to organism energy and their functions for the destruction of the cause.
So it means Ayurveda doesn't just try to cure the symptoms of a disease but it tries to cure the root cause (from its Samprapati).
Some characteristics and advantages of Ayurveda:
the oldest form of medical care
only makes use of natural resources
improves quality of life
attacks health issues from the source
has methods to remove toxins and pollution from the body, considerably improving the immune system
reimbursed by most health insurances
recognised by the WHO (World Health Organization)
The basic principles of Ayurveda
The human body is made with three bio-energy forces, known as Tridosha (Vatta, Pitta, Kapha), Sapt Dhatu (Ras, Rakt, Mans, Med, Asthi, Majja, Shukra) and Trimal (Mal, Mutr, Swed).
Each person is made with unique combination of these Tridosha which defines the person's temperament and characteristics called Prakruti.
Panchmahabut: Earth (Pruthvi), Water (Jal), Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu) and Ether (Akash). According to Ayurveda everything around you made with Panchmahabhut.
According to Ayurveda, health is the harmony of a healthy body, a peaceful mind and a happy spirit.
Advantages of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic treatments
Ayurvedic treatments use natural products so no side effects at all, it's safe and chemical free
cures diseases from the roots so the chance of getting same diseases again as is a lot less, it aims at a long term cure for diseases
helps to make a good digestive process and the patient gets eventually a healthy and strong digestive system
helps the soul and mind to work in a natural way and gives peace in body, mind and soul