The objectives of Ayurveda are to set up prime health in each living being, physically, mentally and spiritually. The necessary concepts and basic philosophy aim at establishing such a form through correct and thorough information of healthy living. The living body can function usually only when its Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni are in a state of balance. The Trigunas also play a very important role in the maintenance of three dimensional healths. When these factors turn into either increased or decreased, either partially or totally, the body may either become sick or dead.

Heath according to Ayurveda can be defined as a state of balance of the action of Doshas, Dhathus, Malas and Agni accompanied by an impression of well being (tranquility) of body and sense organs, mind and soul. Such a person is called Swastha.

The harmony and the balance of the Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni in the body is the primary condition of the health. The equilibrium is maintained through a life in conformity with the laws of nature.

Wrong behavior and food habits disturb the harmony and lead to diseases.

The vitiated Doshas are the prime causative factor for a disease. Because they are the only causative factors for the vitiation (derangement) of other body elements like Dhatus, Malas, and Agni etc. Both under pathological and healthy conditions, the Doshas behave in different patterns and elicit various signs and symptoms in regard to their vitiation, direction of spreading area of localization and manifestation.

The Doshas can be vitiated mainly by two ways normally and abnormally. The normal vitiation is produced by the inevitable and natural factors like seasonal variations, diurnal variations and various stages of digestion. This type of vitiation is easy to treat and often it does not require any treatment as the conditions subside automatically. Abnormal vitiation of Doshas is caused by deliberate exposure to specific etiological factors, both external-and internal. That is abuse of functions of sense organs, wrong bodily habits, suppression of body urges, ill food habits, avoidance of seasonal and daily regimes. Incompatible combination of food, lack of body care and preservation of health, constant exposure of mind to bad feelings like greed, Jealousy, anger etc.

Having a thorough knowledge of the signs and symptoms produced by the vitiated Doshas and Dhatus and through careful examination one can know causative factors of a disease.

This is very much helpful in aspect of treatment. The basic principles of treatment in Ayurveda is to eliminate the internal disease causing factors of disease, also to bring back the vitiated Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni to the normal functioning state.

There are three main methods mentioned in Ayurveda for diagnosing the Dosha imbalance and disease process in a person. They are

1. Darsana Pareeksha

By observing the patient's physical sign and symptoms, Example-color of skin, hair, eyes, behavior, and body condition etc.

2. Prasana Pareeksha

By asking minute questions regarding the imbalance of each Doha.

3. Sparsana Pareeksha

By touching the patient, the pulse diagnosis, palpation, percussion and auscultation are included in this method.

Nadi Pareeksha

(Pulse diagnosis) is a very important tool for diagnosis. The Physician feels the radial artery pulsations on the wrist of the patient and through his experience he can get a clear picture of the milieu interior.

“There are two specific diagnostic procedures that can be included in the above division. They are

Ashta Sthana Pareeksha (Eight step diagnosis)