To understand Ayurveda, it is very essent ial to know its basic concepts.

These are the backbone of Ayurvedic philosophy. Ayurvedic approach to

health care is based on their applicat ions.

A. Pancha Mahabhuta (The f ive basic elements)

B. Doshas (Biological elements)

C. Dhatus (Basic t issues)

D. Malas (Waste products)

E. Agni (Biological f ire)

 

1. PANCHA MAHABHUTA (The Five Basic Elements)

Ancient Indian phi losophy is of opinion that all materials, living or nonliving

are made of f ive fundamental elements called Panchamahabhutas,

represent ing f ive fundamental categor ies of mat ter. These are:

• Akasha (ether )

• Vayu (air )

• Teja (f ire/energy)

• Jala (water) , and

• Prithvi (ear th)

All material on this earth contains Panchamahabhutas in dif ferent

proport ion.

 

2. DOSHA (Three biological humors)

Biological applicat ion of Panchamahabhutas ref lects in the form of

Tridosha. Here ‘Tr i’ means three and Dosha’ represents to humor (bioent

ity). Thus the word ‘Tr idosha’ denotes to three humors i.e. Vata, Pit ta

and Kapha. These are said ‘Dosha’ because these have tendency to get

vit iated and also to vit iate others. This bilateral tendency of Dosha is

cause of health and diseases. State of balance of Dosha represents

health whi le imbalance to the disease. Every Dosha has def inite

place/ locat ion and funct ions in our body. Al l have their f ive types

respect ively.

 

3. Dhatus:

Our body is supported and sustained by seven Dhatus (basic t issues).

Beside this, Dhatus have property to vit iate. Dosha and Dhatus have

relat ion with each other in heal th and disease. In pathogenesis of disease

these both play key role.

 

Following are the seven Dhatus:

i. Rasa (Plasma)

ii. Rakta (Blood)

ii i. Mamsa (Muscle)

iv. Meda (Adipose)

v. Asthi (Bone)

vi. Maj ja (Marrow)

vii . Shukra (Reproduct ive t issues)

 

4. Malas –

The word 'Mala' means excretal products. Ayurveda has a unique concept

of Malas. Sustenance of Mala in appropr iate l imits, sustain the life. To

understand it in a bet ter way, take the example of common excreta –

urine. Excess ur inat ion may cause dehydrat ion and elect rolyte imbalance.

 

5. Agni –

Agni is considered as biological f ire. In our body ent i re range of digest ive

and metabolic act ivit ies are performed by it . Ayurveda considers about

thirteen types of 'Agnis'.

a. Jatharagni – I t performs digest ion of food and considered to govern

other 'Agnis' .

b. Dhatvagni – Every Dhatu has a part icular type of Agni , which

is responsible for that for that part icular t issue metabolism. These

are seven in number.

c. Bhutagni – Each of the f ive Mahabhuta (elements) has a specif ic

Agni , which is responsible for molecular metabolism.

 

6. Trigunas –

The word l iteral ly means three qual it ies or three propert ies. These are the

three specif ic propert ies of the Mind. They are Satwa, Rajas and Tamas.