Ayurvedik system of medicine is of great antiquity and dates back to about 5000 years B.C. Ayurveda is a branch of Vedas. The Rig Veda and the Athar Veda are replete with information on various aspects of this system of medicine. Ayurveda is not only a system of medicine but also represents a "way of healthy living". Ayurveda is formed by the combination of two words viz. "Ayur" means "life" and "Veda" means "knowledge". Thus, Ayurveda means the "knowledge of life". It is holistic in approach. The universe, according to ancient Indian thought, is composed of five basic elements, the Pancha Mahabhootas, namely: Prithvi (earth), Apya (water), Teja (fire), Vayu (air), and Akash (ether). As the human body is similarly constituted, there is fundamental harmony between universe and man, a healthy balance between "macrocosm" and the "microcosm". Ayurveda believes in the theory of Tridoshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is a combination of two elements of the universe, namely air and ether, Pitta and amalgam of fire and earth and Kapha the combination of ether and water. According to this theory, the "Tridoshas" remain in a balanced state in the human body in a healthy state and disequilibrium causes disease. True medicine, according to Ayurveda, is one which cures the disease without causing any side effect. It is in this respect that Ayurveda enjoys an advantage over the modern system of medicine.