In ancient India,  for many thousands of years, a system of complementary medicine called Ayurveda flourished in an oral tradition from teacher to disciple. Ayurveda is deeply intertwined with the spiritual and philosophical traditions of India, particularly Hinduism.  Vedic Roots: The core concepts of Ayurveda are found in the Vedas, the ancient Hindu scripture called the Atharvaveda that contains extensive information on herbs, healing, and other aspects relevant to Ayurvedic practice. Holistic Approach (Mind, Body, Spirit): Ayurveda views health not merely as the absence of disease but as a state of balance among the body, mind, and spirit. Spiritual practices like meditation and yoga are considered integral to achieving and maintaining this balance, nurturing the soul and promoting overall well-being. Dharma, Karma, and Rebirth: Ikigai, a Japanese concept, refers to a person's reason for being or the value that makes life worthwhile. Ayurveda takes that concept a notch further. Our dharma is based on the idea of the soul's journey through different births as it works through bad karma, birth after birth. Disease is not just caused by lifestyle and die,t but also from our previous life karma. Consciousness: Ayurveda is a lifestyle that our inner consciousness as the foundation of healing and self-regulation. It asks that a person maintain not just physical self through dosha balancing diet and exercise, mental balance through meditation and yoga, but spiritual balance through spiritual practices.  In essence, Ayurveda incorporates spiritual and philosophical elements, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all aspects of life and the importance of living in harmony with nature and divine principles to achieve and maintain health and well-being.  DISCLAIMER- Ayurveda and its practitioners are NOT allowed to treat, cure or diagnose a disease, and Ayurveda is not recognized by the FDA. It is merely considered alternative or complementary medicine.