(ī″yŭr-vād′ă )
(ī″yŭr-ved′ă)
[Sanskrit ayus, life, lifespan + veda, knowledge, science]
An ancient Indian medical system, promoted as a means of restoring balance and health by harmonizing mind and body. Ayurveda uses herbal remedies, massage therapy, yoga, and pulse diagnosis. It bases its beliefs on five elements (fire, air, earth, water, and sky), which combine to influence a classification of body types that must be harmonized with nature to maintain well-being.
SYN: SEE: Ayurvedic medicine ; SEE: vedic medicine
Ayurvedic (ī″yŭr-vād′ik ) (ī″yŭr-vād′ik), adj.