Ayurveda has two features that make it a unique science and separate it from other health modalities.
Body Type
Firstly, it is based on the principle that each individual has their own unique body make up known as Constitution or Prakruti, which is determined by the makeup of their parents and becomes apparent at birth.
Once you know your body’s constitution it becomes much easier to for an individual to live a healthy life by following a compatible lifestyle and diet that keeps the body’s constitution in balance. If at any stage an in-balance occurs, it is much easier to structure a specific program to redress the imbalance rather than just treating the symptoms of the illness as they occur.
Body Intelligence
The second feature of this science is that each individual has a unique bodily intelligence. When this intelligence is kept in a balanced state the body has the ability to flush out waste products from cellular metabolism more easily. When the body is unable to regularly flush out these toxins they will start to collect in the tissues leading to more wear and tear on the body, both physically and mentally. Therefore a balanced body intelligence is necessary for flushing out toxins, keeping the body healthy by maintaining this equilibrium and preventing problems from manifesting. When these imbalances occur, it is important to be able to identify what has influenced this change and to redress these factors through diet, lifestyle and environmental changes. This is the role of the Ayurvedic practitioner