Ayurveda is considered to be one of the oldest healing systems in the world. The historical origins are documented in the Vedas, the ancient holy texts of India. Constituted of two words, Ayur meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge, ayurveda means the knowledge of life. Another accurate translation of ayurveda is 'the knowledge of longevity. The roots of ayurveda rest in the ancient Indian culture. Ayurveda can be thoroughly understood by getting woven up in the fabric of nature.

Ayurveda encompasses the secrets of why Man needs to cooperate with Nature completely in order to insure his well being.
There are 8 branches in Ayurveda ('Ashtanga Ayurveda'):- 
1. Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine) - It deals with the diseases which are caused by the impairment of digestion and metabolism. 'Kaya' means agni (Digestive fire) or the enzymes responsible for the digestion as well as metabolism.
2. Koumara Brutya (Paediatrics)
3. Bhoota Vaidya (Psychiatry)
4. Agadatantra (Toxicology)
5. Shalakya Tantra (ENT and Ophthalmology)
6. Shalya Tantra ( Surgery)
7. Rasayana (Geriatrics) - Science of Rejuvenation. It deals with health and care of old people.
8. Vajeekarana (Virilisation Therapy)