Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural & medical healing originated in India. Ayur means life and Veda means Science. Thus Ayurveda means science of life. It gives a total approach to health, healing and Longevity. The holistic system of medicine is supposed to be the oldest form of health care system available on planet today. It is believed that other healing systems were influenced by the knowledge of Ayurveda.
The unique system of healing believes is not only treating the ailments of body alone but also the mind and spirit. The most amazing part of ayurveda is that it uses almost all methods of healing like yoga, meditation, purification, regime, astrology, and incorporates herbs, gems, colour, massages, diet, exercise etc, which can be individually used to heal a number of ailments in a suffering person.
According to Ayurveda everything in nature -the body, foods, season etc are all composed of five elements originally called panchmahabhuts. These are Earth, water, Fire, Air & Space. Practioners or Vaidyas group these five elements into three categories called Doshas. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. They believe that an imbalance in these doshas causes illness. Ayurveda believes is treating the sick and restoring the health of a healthy person.
Why Kerala
Marcopolo the famous Venitian traveller who visited Kerala during the 13th century writes that “here, in Kerala there are many good doctors and astrologers”. All these people were in one way or other learned in Ayurveda. Other evidences are there to prove that a system of medicine existed in Kerala even before the advent of the Aryans. Owing to the great variations in climate and soil condition and good rainfall Kerala had a rich and varied flora and fauna and this has definitely played a major role in the development of the medical system in Kerala.