How does Ayurveda understand the human body?

The answer

Ayurveda, meaning 'science of life' in Sanskrit, originated in India at least 3,000 years ago and is based on the concept that health depends on the balance of three fundamental energies or doshas: Vata (air and space, governing movement), Pitta (fire and water, governing metabolism), and Kapha (water and earth, governing structure). Each person has a unique constitutional balance called prakriti, determined at conception, and illness arises when doshas become imbalanced. Treatment involves personalized combinations of herbal medicines (over 8,000 formulations are documented), dietary modifications, yoga, meditation, and detoxification practices called panchakarma. Modern research has validated several Ayurvedic practices, including the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric and the adaptogenic effects of ashwagandha.