Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of medicine. The origins of Ayurveda have been traced to around 6,000 BCE. Some concepts have existed from around the Indus valley civilization. Ayur in Sanskrit means “life” and Veda means “science” or “knowledge”; thus Ayurveda is the science of life.
The Ayurveda texts of medicine have evolved from the Vedas. Hence, a very trusted source of medicine. The Charaka Samhita or the compendium of Charaka is one of the oldest and the most important ancient authoritative writings on Ayurveda. It is written by Agnivesha, one of the six disciples of Atreya Punarvasu.
Dhanvantari, an avatar of Vishnu, is the Hindu god associated with Ayurveda.
He is mentioned in the Puranas as the god of Ayurveda. He, during the Samudramanthan arose from the Ocean of Milk with the nectar of immortality.
Ayurveda medicines are nature based. They are derived from plants which have special healing abilities. Ayurveda deals with a holistic approach towards physcial and mental well being. It has adapted and revolutionized over the years with modern medicine but the base and moral teachings remain the same.