Ayurveda is an ancient medical system that provides primary medical care to more than 800 million people in India and Southeast Asia . Literally translated, Ayurveda means “knowledge of longevity” or “the truth of life.” It recognizes that physical well-being is connected to the biological cycles of nature, to the deeper laws of nature, and to the universe itself. Ayurveda is the premier holistic medicine, incorporating detailed knowledge of the interactions between consciousness, mind and body. Its knowledge was almost wiped out by British rule, which left less than 10 Ayurvedic Medical Colleges standing, in spite of there having been over 100 when they took over India. In 1985 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi undertook to revive this knowledge in its purity and sent experts to the United States to train physicians and health-care providers. The result has been a revival of health knowledge that has a rich herbal tradition and a precise knowledge of the medicinal properties of food. Ayurveda i
