Ayurveda - the most reliable word that pops up in one's mind when the question is about preserving health and cure, with minimal to no risk of side effects. Rightly so!
This fundamental is advocated in authentic Ayurvedic scriptures as the foremost objective of Ayurveda i.e., "Maintenance of health of the healthy individuals". The state of Health, as per Ayurveda, is an amalgamation of Dosha, Agni, Dhatu, Mala in their natural equilibrium, along with elated Atma (soul), Indriya (Senses) and Mana (Psyche). Various codes of conduct pertaining to Diet (Aahar) and Lifestyle (Vihar) have been suggested by Vedic Sages to attain and maintain this state of health.
The other aspect of Ayurveda objective emphasizes upon "Pacifying the ailments of those suffering from diseases." An ailment arises as a result of disparity in Dosha (Vata-Pitta-Kapha), Dhatu (Rasa-Rakta-Mamsa-Meda-Asthi-Majja-Shukra), Mala (Sweda-Mutra-Purisha) which are considered as foundations of human body in Ayurveda. These three Doshas may be simply defined as the *acting forces* behind all the functions in body. Each of these doshas have been further divided into five sub-types and each sub-type serves specific functions as defined in Ayurvedic texts as:
Vata - Broadly manages all the sensory and motor functions.
Pitta - Deals with secretion of hormones, digestive juices and maintenance of skin lustre.
Kapha - Deals with body fluids, strength and overall health.
Maintenance of Doshas in state of equilibrium is a cardinal factor in one's health. For allaying the vitiation of Doshas and to maintain their state of equilibrium, one should follow Ayurvedic principles with utmost reverence. As rightly quoted in Astanga Hridaya (Treatise of Ayurveda) -
"आयुष्कामयमानेनधर्मार्थसुख साधनम।आयुर्वेदोपदेशेषु विधेयःपरमादर: ।। (अ.हृ.)
(Those yearning to attain healthy, significant and delightful life, should follow the doctrines of Ayurveda with utmost respect.)