Imbalancing forces or stresses on the mind are believed to lead to unhealthy lifestyles and unhealthy life decisions. These in turn promote ill health. Proper states of mind, often attained through the proper kinds of meditation, form the basic elements to Ayurvedic healing systems. Herbal medicines are prescribed based on the different evaluations of the patient. Interpersonal and social health are supported, including methods directed toward proper diet as well as clean food and water.
Ayurvedic medicine is state-supported in India.
In the United States there is an American Association of Ayurvedic Medicine with a membership of between two and three hundred practitioners. For Western cultures further objective evidence is needed to document where and how Ayurvedic medicine can be helpful. Again, for believers it is undoubtedly helpful in maintaining hope and stabilizing health, particularly once a person is in remission. It offers at this time no exclusive, documented treatments for cancer. Some of its herbal preparations have been identified as having very interesting, biologically active effects and are being studied for both cancer prevention and anticancer properties.