Ayurveda, term for Indian indigenous system of medicine, means knowledge of life and it deals with measures for happy, healthy and peaceful life. For achieving this goal it takes help of herbs, food, aroma, yoga, mantra and life style.

The philosophy of Ayurveda is based on theory of origin of universe from five elements called Panchmahabhutas viz. Akasha ( space or ether), Vayu ( air), Aap (Water), Agni or tejas (fire), Prithvi (earth). All objects and living bodies are composed of Panchamahabhutas.

Human body matrix is governed by single or combination of Panchamahabhutas, giving rise to Tridoshas viz.

1. Vata (akash + Vayu or ether+ air) controls movement of body.

2. Pitta ( agni or fire) controls chemical reactions and bio-synthesis of various compounds.

3. Kapha ( aap+ prithvi or water+ earth) controls development, growth and functioning of body.

Perfect balance of these three gives healthy life to human being. Any imbalance due to internal or external factors leads to ailment. To combat imbalances of tridoshas internal structural, anatomy, pathology, etc. of human body is thoroughly studied in Ayurveda. To fight illness or for restoring balance of tridoshas, wide range of therapeutic measures based on herbs, animals and minerals; adopting processes like plastering, fumigation, decoctions, timing of medicines, surgeries etc. forms the basic of Ayurveda.

Primarily, the stress has been based on herbal medicines and animal products. Moreover, human beings from ancient time depend on animals and plants for survival. These aspects led to scientific study of animals which has been recorded in Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, in purana like Garud,Agni, Bhavishya, Vishnu etc. Nakul and Shadeva, two younger Pandavas, were known as veterinarians specialized in horses and cows, respectively. Even Charaka Samhita and Sushrut Samhita contains chapter on animal health. Later specialized texts like Asvayurveda by Shilhotra, Hastayurveda by Plapakaya, Vishu-dharmottara’s Mahapurana on cows came in light.

For proper regulation of plant food and herbal medicine supply, which constitutes major source of human medicine, plants were studied in scientific way based on principles of Ayurveda and finding were noted as Vrikshayurveda or Ancient Indian Plant Science.