Ayurveda: an introduction by David Frawley

Ayurveda shows the practical aspect of Vedic, Yogic and Vedantic knowledge, how to use these great dharmic principles of harmony with both Spirit and Nature (Purusha and Prakriti) for health and well-being of body and mind, including proper diet and life-style relative to both individual constitution and our special social and environmental conditions in the world today. Ayurveda is an integral part of all Yogic and Vedantic disciplines. Many of modern India 's greater gurus have emphasized the value of Ayurveda including Shivananda, Yogananda, Aurobindo and many others. Many of their ashrams offer Ayurvedic treatment.

Ayurveda has a materia medica of herbs and minerals perhaps larger than any other in the world, which also deserves greater examination. In the history of medicine, practices from cosmetic surgery to immunization were pioneered by Ayurvedic doctors. Ayurvedic literature, both in classical Sanskrit, starting with Sushruta, and in the local dialects of India , is enormous and contains many secrets of both physical and spiritual healing.

Today there is a new interest in Ayurveda in the United States and in the western world as a whole, but mainly among non-Indians. Several dozen books on the subject have been published, some, like those of Deepak Chopra, becoming national best sellers. European countries like Germany and Russia now have recognized the practice of Ayurveda. In some form or another Ayurveda can now be found on all the continents of the world.