The concept of Prakriti

A characteristic feature of traditional medicinal systems is that they consider the individual as a whole, rather than just the disease. Treatment is fine-tuned, taking into consideration the individual's constitution, susceptibility to diseases, mental make up, lifestyle and other factors. This has been refined to a very high degree in Ayurveda with its powerful concept of prakriti.

This article aims at providing a general introduction to this concept. The word prakriti means "nature" or natural form of the build and constitution of the human body. Pra means the "beginning", "commencement" or "source of origin" and kruthi means "to perform" or "to form". Put together, prakriti means "natural form" or "original form" or "original source".

Disease occurs when there is a change in this original form at the psychological or physiological level. Ayurveda lays emphasis on examining the prakriti or the natural state of an individual first. The disease vikruthi is examined later. While the expert in modern medicine analyses the disease, the Ayurvedic expert is also interested in the individual who is suffering from the disease. Continue Reading >>