i.e. Health is that condition when the bio-energies (vata, pitta and kapha) are in equilibrium, the digestive fire (agni) is in a balanced condition; the seven bodily tissues (rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja and shukra) are functioning normally, the three waste products (urine, feces and sweat) are produced and eliminated normally and the mind, senses and consciousness are in state of happiness.

Ayurveda treatments consisting of four basic forms: Panchkarma (the five detoxification procedure), medicine or drug therapy, dietary regime and the regulation lifestyle are designed to return three bioenergies to the harmonious disease All foods, herbal medicines, special purification and rejuvenation procedures, exercise therapy, meditation and life styles have an effect on over all balance of these three bioenergies or Doshas.

In order to keep the Doshas in a state of healthy equlibrium and Agni - digestion & metabolism; in proper order Ayurveda prescribes preventive methods for each individual such as Dincharya (daily routine), Ritucharya (seasonal corrections), Sadachara (appropriate behaviour), Rasayana (rejuvenation) and Vajikarana (virlification).

According to ayurveda, success in treatment of disease depends on the reliability of four factors Vaidya (doctor), Aushadhi (medicine), Paricharak (nurse) and Rogi (patient).
Ashtanga Ayurveda
There are eight branches in Ayurveda:

• Kayacikitsa (Internal medicine)
• Koumara Bhrutya (Paediatrics)
• Bhootavidya (Psychiatry)
• Agadatantra (Toxicology)
• Shalya Tantra (Surgery)
• Shalakya Tantra (Eye & ENT)
• Rasayana (Geriatrics)
• Vajeekarana (Virilation Therapy)
  
  Kayacikitsa (Internal medicine)
  The branch of Ayurved which deals with internal medicine and treatment through various means like Mantra, Mani and Aushadhi. The Ayurvedic therapeutics are not limited to dravya chikitsa only i.e treatment with medicines but also in the form of bhava chikitsa i.e treatment without medicines in the form of Thoughts.

Bhootavidya (Psychiatry)
This branch of Ayurved deals with diseases acquired or inherited from apparently unknown causes. In modern terminology it can be considered as idiopathic diseases in which the exact cause of disease is unknown.

According to Ayurveda these diseases are caused by affliction due to Deva, Asura, Gandharva, Yaksha, Rakshasa, Pitara, Pishacha, Naga etc. The exact pathophysiology of these disorders will have to be extensively researched.

Koumara Bhrutya (Paediatrics)
This branch deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to preconception, childbearing (Pregnancy), childbirth (delivery) and diseases of children (Pediatrics).

Agadatantra (Toxicology)

This branch deals with the various types of poisons and there antidotes.

Shalya Tantra (Surgery)
It deals with the shalya in the body and the methods to remove it from the body. It deals with the means such as Yantra (Tools), Shastra (Instruments), Kshara (Alkalies) and Agni (Fire).

Shalakya Tantra (Eye & ENT)
It deals with the disease of Urdhva Jatru region i.e diseases in the organs above the Clavicle (Jatru) and their treatment. In other words it deals with the diseases related to Nose, Ear, Throat and Eyes.

Rasayana (Geriatrics)
This branch deals with various aspects of preventive health care. It includes longevity, improved memory, health, youthfulness, glow, complexion, generosity, and strength of body and senses. Without rasayana it is possible to gain neither oratory nor the desirable aura. Rasayana improves the metabolic activities, which results in best possible biotransformation leading to health.

Vajeekarana (Virilation Therapy)
This branch deals with sexual aspect. It includes medications for diseases related with reproduction namely spermatogenesis, aphrodisiacs etc.

It must be emphasized that Ayurveda is not a substitute for Western allopathic medicine. There are many instances when the disease process and acute conditions can best be treated with drugs or surgery. Ayurveda can be used in conjunction with Western medicine to make a person stronger and less likely to be afflicted with disease and/or to rebuild the body after being treated with drugs or surgery.