Ayurveda is the traditional system of healing practised in India and Sri Lanka. Like Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM, Ayurveda is a complex system with a variety of different components aimed at emotional, physical and mental health. The discipline is thousand of years old and was well established before the birth of Buddha and some biblical stories reflect the wisdom of Ayurveda teachings.

  Ayurveda is comprised of many branches in order to consider all aspects of health and healing. Ayurveda medicine is only one spoke on the Ayurveda wheel and to benefit fully from Ayurveda it is useful to consider other elements, including astronomy, meditation, yoga, colour therapy, massage, sound and music therapy a form of aromatherapy, breathing exercises and much more. While the approach is vastly different from conventional western medicine in some ways, it can be considered a programme for living which addresses every part of human life, and puts it into the context of our environment and even the universe. That is not to say that every element of Ayurveda is essential for health and well being, but by following a simple Ayurvedic approach, we can develop ways of keeping ourselves balanced in times of increasing stress, pressure and worry. Most importantedly, we can adopt a lifestyle that works to create harmony, preventing illness and encouraging our bodies to heal much more quickly when we do become ill.