Sri Lankan Ayurveda has been practiced on the island for over a thousand years, with Ayurveda still being the predominant medical system in the island nation today. In the last 15-20 years, Sri Lanka has also become a popular destination for foreign guests seeking Ayurveda. Many are attracted by the holistic perspective of Ayurveda – the very broad approach to health, incorporating physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. Many are also appreciative of a medical system that does not rely so heavily on medications, instead turning to changes to one’s diet and lifestyle to effect better health.

The warm tropical climate found along the southern coast of Sri Lanka is an added advantage. This warmth assists in opening the skin’s pores, intensifying the deep cleansing and the disposal of toxins from the body. Psychologically, the calming effect of a stay near a tropical beach also aids in the overall effectiveness of Ayurveda. It provides the ideal setting to take time out, to recharge and assess one’s priorities in life.

Originating in ancient India, Ayurveda is one of the oldest scientific medical systems in the world. Ayurveda focuses on two main considerations:

• The removal of the cause of an illness.
• The active promotion of one’s good health and longevity.

Health in Ayurveda is understood in the holistic sense of incorporating one’s body, mind, and soul/spirit. Therefore, Ayurveda describes a way of life: yoga, meditation, lifestyle practices, behavior, diet, detoxification and rejuvenation procedures (Panchakarma), etc., which will satisfy the basic instinct to keep fit, stay healthy, and to live a long, fulfilling life. This holistic view of health sets it apart from “conventional” systems of medicine, which seek to treat the symptoms of an illness and don’t attach as much importance to the role of diet and lifestyle in curing illness and maintaining good health as does this holistic view of health.