Ayurveda or Ayurveda medicine, is a system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent.
Globalized and modernized practices derived from Ayurveda traditions are a type of complementary or alternative medicine. In the Western world, Ayurveda therapies and practices (which are manifold) have been integrated in general wellness applications as well as used in some medical cases.

The main classical Ayurveda texts begin with legendary accounts of the transmission of medical knowledge from the Gods to sages, and thence to human physicians. Ayurveda therapies are varied and evolved over more than two millennia; they are typically based on complex herbal compounds, and mineral and metal substances.
Ancient Ayurvedic texts also taught surgical techniques, including rhinoplasty, perineal lithotomy, the suturing of wounds, and the extraction of foreign objects.

Although laboratory experiments suggest it is possible that some substances in Ayurveda might be developed into effective treatments, there is no evidence that any are effective as currently practiced. Ayurvedic medicine is considered pseudoscientific. Close to 21% of Ayurveda U.S.- and India-manufactured patent medicines sold through the Internet were found to contain toxic levels of heavy metals, specifically lead, mercury, and arsenic.

Ayurvedic doctors regard physical existence, mental existence, and personality as a unit, with each element able to influence the others. This is a holistic approach used during diagnosis and therapy, and is a fundamental aspect of Ayurveda. Another element of Ayurvedic treatment is based on the concept that there are channels that transport fluids, and that the channels can be opened up by massage treatment using oils and steam therapy. Unhealthy channels are thought to cause disease.

Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Internet. Accessed on October 5, 2016.