Ayurveda
Ayurveda – the science of life – is a very ancient medicinal form. More than 5000 years old, it was developed during the vedic times and its mention can be cited in the Rigveda. During 3,000 to 2,000 BC the Atharva veda (the fourth Veda) was authored. Ayurveda is an upaveda (subsection) in it. Though it had been practiced since very long, it was during this time that Ayurveda in India, took to book form as an independent science from the traditional oral version. Ayurveda promotes comprehensive healthcare with the help of natural and alternative medicine.

As per the references in the verses of Rig Veda, the panchamahabhut and the three doshas are the basic principles of ayurveda. The panchamahabhut consists of the five basic elements of the entire creation - air, water, earth, ether, fire. The three doshas or primary forces are of prana or vata (air), agni or pitta (fire) and soma or kapha (water and earth).
The Ayurveda has eight branches: Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine), Shalakya Tantra (surgery and treatment of head and neck, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology), Shalya Tantra (Surgery), Bhuta Vidya (Psychiatry), Agada Tantra (Toxicology), Kaumarabhritya (Pediatrics), Rasayana (science of rejuvenation or anti-aging), and Vajikarana (the science of fertility).

An interesting aspect of ayurveda is that it incorporates different methods of healing like lifestyle regimen, yoga, aroma, meditation, gems, amulets, herbs, diet, jyotishi (astrology), color and surgery etc. Apart from Atharvaveda, Ayurveda is closely related to other Vedas also. The Yajur Veda, which suggests rituals to appease the panchamahabhuts in order to heal both the cosmic being and the individual soul, is related to ayurveda in its principles and regulations of lifestyle. The Dhanur Veda, also known as the upaveda (the martial arts) and ayurveda complement each other in the treatment of marmas or sensitive points in the body. There are specific ayurvedic massages, exercises and body exercises for this purpose.