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The word Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words, “Ayur” meaning life or longevity and “Veda” meaning knowledge or truth. Ayurveda, then, can be translated as “knowledge of longevity” or the “truth of life.” Both meanings convey the profound understanding of the nature of health and healing contained within this system of medicine.
Ayurveda is over 5000 years old and is considered the mother of all natural medicines, having given rise to Tibetan Medicine and then Chinese Medicine, as well as Greek Medicine. It is a complete system of medicine and many are surprised to learn that it contains surgery as one of its subspecialties.
However, Sushruta’s surgical expertise went far beyond fine motor skill. His phenomenal success was created by a refined understanding of health and healing in Ayurveda. Sushruta understood the flow of energy in the body and which energy flows should not be cut through if healing were to take place normally. He understood health and what creates it. He gave it this definition:
He whose Doshas [physiologic functions] are in balance, whose appetite is good, whose Dhatus [tissue layers] are functioning normally, whose Malas [body wastes] are in balance, and whose body, mind and senses remain full of bliss [24 hours a day], is called a healthy person.
This is a positive definition of health, not just “an absence of disease.”
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Ayurveda
is a science that understands how Nature works. It understands how
to utilize nature to heal. And it understands human nature. In
understanding how an underlying field of energy and intelligence
gives rise to material creation, it contains deep insight into the
workings and effects of mind on the body. It understands how we can
remain in tune with our unique nature and recognizes that we are all
unique -- "one man's meat is another man's poison." It also contains
over 23 different modalities to restore balance when we get out of
tune with our nature. These modalities range from Yoga and
meditation to herbs and gemstones. 
Vata
is composed of the qualities and energies of Air and Space and just
as air gives rise to wind, and wind moves things in a subtle manner,
Vata is responsible for all subtle movement in the body -- movement
of respiration, movement of food through the digestive tract,
movement of information to the brain and through the brain.
Pitta
is composed of the qualities and energies of Fire with a little
Water. It is responsible for the "fires" in the body -- digestion
and metabolism.
Kapha
is composed of the qualities and energies of Earth and Water.
It is responsible for strength, structure, lubrication, and
immunity. 
Sushruta was
the most famous Ayurvedic surgeon. He lived around 220 BC and designed
many of the instruments used in modern surgery. He described over 60
operations on the eye alone and was able to perform amazing
reconstructive surgeries – one of which is still used today in
reconstructive surgery and is called the “Indian flap.” Sushruta is the
Indian referred to in the name of this technique.