Ayurveda Elements

The Indian subcontinent has been a land of great medical advancements from ancient times. Most of our healing techniques are based on the resources of nature and not on chemicals and artificial remedies. One such natural method of is the Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a form of medicine and health care practiced in India since almost 5000 years. Ayurveda is said to origin from the Atharvaveda, which contains 114 hymns and incantations described as magical cures for diseases. The system has now evolved to become one of the most trusted forms of natural healing processes.
Ayurveda, along with Yoga, talks about maintaining good health in general rather than fighting diseases only when you fall sick. This could be done, according to Ayurveda, by taking a healthy diet and maintaining an appreciated balance between mind, body and soul.
The followers of Ayurveda believe that the five basic elements of the universe are:
Ether, Air, Fire,Water and Earth. These five elements are believed to form the balance of the human body as well as the rest of the universe. These five elements, in turn, operate the three basic flows of your body: vata, pitta and kapha. If your body goes out of balance with the rest of the universe, then, Ayurveda says, you would be suffering from diseases.
Agni (Fire) : It is for transformation and metabolism. It predominantly manifests as the fire of intelligence and comprehension, balance of body temperature, the absorption and assimilation of food and the transformative power of the liver.
Vayu (Air) : Movement is signified by Vayu. This element has more to do with the electrical energy in the nervous system, movement of all tissues and cell functions, and the formation of gases. It governs all of the senses due to its affinity with the nervous system.
Prithvi (Earth): Earth or Prithvi is synonymous to stability, permanence and rigidity. Within the body it predominantly manifests as the solid structures such as bones, muscles, cartilage, nails, hair, teeth and skin.
Jal (Water): Jal is for transportation. It is one of the two elements that flow. In the body, the plasma and lymph which transport nutrients to the cells, and toxins away from cells are made up of it.
Akash (Ether): Akash is what makes up the entire universe. The ether element is dominantly represented by the empty spaces within atoms and the ethereal body. It governs the sense of hearing and the action of the mouth and vocal cords which both move through the ether element and subtle vibrations.

Ayurveda is regarded with a lot of respect by both the believers of science and the non-believers of modern day medicinal techniques. Since it derives most of its healing techniques from the nature itself, it is believed to have minimum or no side-effects. The better implementation of the valuable knowledge that Ayurveda has, combined with the technology that the modern world has, might lead to an even more effective health care system