INTRODUCTION TO AYURVEDA INTRODUCTION Ayurveda or the “Veda of Life” stands for Indian System of Medicine Etymologically, the ‘Ayus’ means span of life and ‘Veda’ means unimpeccable knowledge. Ayurveda is named the Science of Life wherein are laid down the principles of the good and bad life; the happy and the unhappy; what is wholesome and what is unwholesome in relation to life and also the measure of life. Apart from human beings, Ayurveda also covers the treatment of animals and plants. Ancient saints, like Nakula, Palkapya, Salihotra and Parasara composed treatises on Asva-Ayurveda, Gaja-Ayurveda, Gava-Ayurveda and Vriksa-Ayurveda