Ayurveda maintains that there is a definite relationship between illness and the metaphysical state of an individual. Its approach to medical treatment is to focus on the person rather than the disease.

Ayurveda has eight distinct branches. And these can be mentioned as follows.
Kayachikitsa i.e. general medicine;
Shalya tantra i.e. major surgery;
Shalakya tantra i.e. ear, nose, throat, eye, and mouth related diseases;
Bhuta vidya i.e. psychiatry;
Bala tantra i.e. obstetrics, gynaecology, and paediatrics;
Agada tantra i.e. toxicology;
Rasayana tantra i.e. rejuvenation; and
Vajikarana tantra i.e. aphrodisiacs.

It is because of this eightfold development that this system of medicine is sometimes called the Ashtanga Ayurveda. The present book, however, concerns itself essentially with Kayachikitsa, the practice of general medicine.

There are systems that developed out of Ayurveda or were influenced by it. One such system is the Tibetan system of medicine, which is the mainstay of the majority of Tibetan people not only in India, but also in neighbouring countries.

Researches in traditional medicine are an epithet that Ayurveda richly deserves. Ayurveda have confirmed the efficacy of most of the natural substances used by the practitioners of Ayurveda. The study of this say that bitter gourd can be used to revive a failing pancreas. Papaya seeds are used to be killing intestinal worms without causing harm. These are just two cases that can be pointed out. The Charaka Samhita elaborates on the qualities of these two substances and many more for the amelioration of morbid states.