Food is considered to be the life (prana) and hence every individual seeks out food. The virtue attributed to food includes the physical growth and development, appearance, intellect, the voice, physical and mental strength and stamina, finally the very existence. Thus for both health and disease food is the cause. Hence food becomes primary focus in the management of disease. 

Reviewing decades of Ayurvedic research shows that there was not much progress in understanding the unique principles of Ayurveda - especially Dravyaguna (pharmacology of medicinal plants).

This is because the methodology of the Ayurvedic studies carried out are mainly a sort of mimicking modern drug study methods. Though this type of study helps in understanding/ reproving the pharmacological activity a drug may have, will not contribute in total understanding of the drug.

Ayurveda envisages the effect of daily oil massage and recommends the practice of abhyanga as one important component of dinacharya- the daily regimen one has to follow in order to be healthy. The merits of abhyanga are-

One who follows these eight powerful steps, will lead a quality life and keeps the diseases at a distance.