Ayurveda and modern medicine differ in one basic sense: Modern Medicine is driven by Structure or the 'Part' and is thus substantially dependent on laboratory tests and diagnostic investigations such as x-ray, scans, etc., in the diagnosis process as well as the basis of medical management. But, Ayurveda gives importance to Function or the effect of the 'Whole' . When every sub-system functions properly, it is health. When there is some difference or difficulty in the function, ill-health is caused.

The scope of treatment in Ayurveda is two fold:

1. promotion and preservation of health and strength in the healthy, and
2. the elimination of the disease in the ailing and afflicted, i.e. curative treatment

The term 'chikitsa' implies:

1. removal of the causative factors of the disease, and
2. Restoration of the doshic (dosha-dhatu-mala) equilibrium. The achievement of these twofold aims depends upon effective fulfillment of the role of the four essential limbs of therapy or Chatushpada

The human body sustains vitality through a continuous process of disintegration and integration of each and every tissue in the body, coordinated and enabled by the doshas. The word dosha has a two-fold meaning: that which instigates proper function in proper conditions of life, and that which pollutes the tissues and disturbs the various functions of the various sub-systems of the body. With proper life style (physical, mental, spiritual), the instigation of the doshas ensures health.

Ayurveda considers that every living being is made from the combination of Panchamahabhutas, i.e. the 5 basic eternal substances or elements. These are: Solid (Prthvi), Liquid (Jala), Energy as heat and light (Tejas or Agni), Dynamic energy state of matter (Vayu) and the time-space entity (Akasa) and the soul. Similarly, the universe and everything contained within it is made of the Panchamahabhutas and the universal consciousness.

"Ayurveda" is a compound of the word ayus meaning "life" or "life principle", and the word veda, which refers to a system of "knowledge" (based on the root word ‘vid’ i.e. ‘to know’ as interpreted by Sage Charaka) as well as the “steps to attain” a long and health life (based on the root word ‘vid’ i.e. ‘to attain’ as interpreted by Sage Susruta). Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the "knowledge of life" or alternatively the ‘practical steps to attain good health and longevity’.