All living and nonliving elements in the universe are made up of five fundamental elements that are called Panchabhuta (Pancha means five and Bhuta means elements). The five fundamental elements are Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. This very view is further supported by the ancient science of Ayurveda. The main objective of Ayurveda is to achieve and maintain good health. Ayurveda believes in creating that ultimate harmony with nature and in generating natural rhythms. According to Ayurveda, the Panchabhutas condenses in the living bodies to form three basic principles or Doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Ayurveda opines that each individual has a unique doshic constitution called Prakriti. The Prakriti depends on the ratio of the combination of three doshas. When single dosha is dominant the result is different from the condition where two dishas are predominant. When doshas are in the state of dynamic balance health is maintained but when doshas are imbalanced disease occurs. There are various signs and symptoms that indicate that the dosha imbalance has taken place.

Since each individual has uniqueness in their body constitution and the kind of food consumed, the activities to maintain health should also be unique. The food consumed, its quality and quantity all affects the fine dynamic balance of doshas. When the balance is lost, treatment is done to regain the balance.

According to Ayurveda, what exists in the Universe also exists in the internal body of every individual. The ancient Rishis were conscious about the nature that is subjected to the creation, evolution and dissipation of the cycles. The rishis identified three principles (Dosha), which delimit all the material forms.

There are three types of Doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata dosha represents the principle of movement and activation, Pitta Dosha is for the transformation and production principle of energy and heat, while the Kapha dosha represents the cohesion and structure.

The Panchabhuta or the five fundamental elements take origin from this doshas or the immaterial qualities. The Akasha or Ether is the container. Vayu or air is the force, which helps in movement to galaxies and electrons. The Tejas or Fire is energy that controls transformation, metabolism, hormonal and enzymatic activity. Jala or Water is the cohesive force for the bodies, molecules and atoms. Prithvi or Earth is the inorganic and organic solid substance.

The five fundamental elements combine in infinite possible combinations to give rise to variety of individuals. The human physiology is entirely governed by three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When the three doshas are balanced, they produce health otherwise their imbalance cause disease. According to Astanga Hridaya " Vata, Pitta, Kapha are the three Dosha, they support the body and destroy it, when they are balanced or unbalanced respectively". The main purpose of Ayurveda is to maintain the three humours in a good balance so that good health is maintained.