Chronic disease, ailments of the mind and the body will naturally involve a lengthy process of therapy, accompanied by adhering to a diet and regimen. Recovery will necessarily be naturally gradual. The speed of recovery depends on several factors including length and strength of illness and strength of person. Usually, the patient opts for Ayurvedic therapy after other systems have been tried and failed. As we have already emphasized, even before the dosha determination is formed and the therapy of a patient is begun, it is essential to identify the client?s individual constitution.         

In general, three types of therapies are used in Ayurveda to correct a dosha imbalance. These constitute internal cleansing, external cleansing and surgical therapy. Where diseases of the mind discerned, Ayurvedic psychotherapy is employed. Medicines meant for internal cleansing, as a rule, are used to treat disease caused by improper diet, which can include excessively rich food, food eaten at irregular hours, stale food and so on. External cleansing which has a curative effect includes massage, fomentation and unction and entails external contact with the body. Surgical therapies comprises excision, incision, puncturing, scraping, uprooting, rubbing with a rough surfaced substance, suturing, probing and application of leeches and alkalis.           

Basics of Therapy in Ayurveda           
Ayurveda offers many therapies to heal and rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul. These include lifestyle, nutrition, herbs, mantras, Homa (fire ceremonies), aromas, and many more. The Ayurvedic physician, in suggesting a therapy, examines both the patient and the disease carefully. The selection of medicines depends upon several factors.           

Doshas: These may get diminished or aggravated in quantity. Seasonal changes, the constitution of the individual and the tissue elements affected by the disease also influence variation in the doshas.    

The nature of the herbs: The herbs suggested may vary in their effect due to the age, feature and the combination of constituent herbs. Herbs also vary in their effectiveness by virtue of their qualities: taste, potency, post-digestive effect and the specific effect the herb provokes.         

Time: Therapy may vary according to changes in seasons, the time of day and night, or the duration of the disease.

Strength: The client?s strength or general resistance to disease is a factor that influences the selection of the therapy.         

Body Structure: The patients body may be fat, lean, porous loose-limbed or compact. The condition of the vital organs may differ too.      

Diet: The kind of food the patient eats may affect the selection of the herb. The way the food is prepared and the quantity the patient eats are important factors in choosing a herbal preparation.           

Mental State: The client?s mind may be affected with grief, fear or happiness. This would influence the choice of medicine.   

Age: Different stages of life such as infancy, youth, old age may also cause variations in the therapy selected.