BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA
One must know some of the basic Ayurvedic principles to know Ayurveda. Here are some of the principles which will help the reader to understand the Ayurvedic concepts.
1. Panchmahabhoota Siddhanta (Concept of Five Elements)- Ayurveda believes that all the matter, whether organic or inorganic, dead or alive is derived or prepared from the mixing of the five basic elements namely-
Pruthvi ( The Earth), Aapa ( The Water), Tej ( The Energy or heat), Vayu ( The Wind) and Aakasha ( The Space).
Every substance is made up of a different combination of these elements. And depending on the amount or quantity of each element, the substances are grouped together. i.e. a substance constituting with majority of Earth will be called Parthiva or made up of pruthvi, i.e. Earth, although it will be containing all the other elements also in smaller proportions. In the same manner a substance made with majority of Tej i.e. energy will be called Tejus or made up of Tej although it will be containing all other elements also.
A question may arise in one's mind, how this knowledge is going to help a person ? The answer is simple.
Ayurveda believes that all the diseases occur because of imbalance in the Three Doshas. These Doshas are also made of above five elements. So if one knows the qualities and properties of these five elements and understands the properties of the three Doshas, then he can very well understand by which properties or qualities the Doshas are disturbed i.e. to say imbalanced. Then the only thing one needs is to take the appropriate diet, so as to create a state of balance between the three Doshas.