Ayurveda Books Overview
Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, is a broad and interesting subject. If one wants to further their understanding of it, the following are some of the recommended books that are excellent resources. Whether you're just getting started with Ayurveda or you know your dosha thoroughly and out, these books provide excellent introductions as well as deeper insights into the world of Ayurveda and how to apply it to everyday life.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, a natural medical system, emerged in India over 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit terms Ayur (life) and Veda (science)/(science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda means "life knowledge." Ayurveda's fundamental idea is to prevent and heal illness by preserving balance in the body, mind, and consciousness through correct drinking, nutrition, and lifestyle, as well as herbal treatments. Ayurveda is classified into two types: conventional and Maharishi. They advocate for preventative measures and medical guidance to help individuals live free of physical and mental disease.
Types of Ayurveda Books
If you are new to Ayurveda, you should be aware that there are two kinds of books-
- Old texts written in classical (ancient, Vedic) Sanskrit or derivative Indian languages.
- New books written in local languages or English that are accessible to the general public.
If you are interested in pursuing Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Read our article on BAMS. |
History of Ayurveda Books
The Vedas are the world's oldest written documents, and Ayurveda grew greatly throughout the Vedic period. The four Vedas are as follows-
- Atharvaveda
- Rigveda
- Samaveda
- Yajurveda
Ayurveda is a subset of Atharvaveda. According to Ayurveda, life, or ayu, is a combination of samyoga, which implies balance of mind, body, and soul. This science is constantly rethought and refined, which is why it is still developing and improving now. Several achars (scholars) like Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhata chronicled their expertise by generating Sanskrit manuscripts over time.
Also read more about the- Ayurvedic Pharmacy.
List of Top 10 Ayurveda Books
The following is a list of the top 10 best Ayurveda books to read-
Name of Ayurveda Books | Authors | Description |
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing |
Dr.Vasant Lad | The ideas are explained clearly, and there are several instances of how to recognize balance and imbalance in the body. There are a lot of practical suggestions for getting back into balance, as well as a thorough table of which foods and spices may or may not be helpful for a specific dosha. Tastes, constituents, treatments, and therapies are all presented in a straightforward and understandable manner. |
Ayurveda and the Mind |
Dr. David Frawley | This book delves further into Ayurveda, focusing on its physical, mental, and emotional aspects. There are also numerous tests for assessing physical and mental constitutions, which add a deeper layer of insight into the workings of the mind from an Ayurvedic perspective. This book is recommended for individuals with a basic understanding of Ayurveda since it will allow you to delve further into Ayurvedic psychology. |
The Chopra Centre: Herbal Handbook | Deepak Chopra and David Simon | This book is for individuals who want to learn about the usage and effects of various plants. It combines Eastern wisdom and Ayurvedic knowledge with Western science. Everything from Aloe Vera to Gurmar, to Boswellia and Tea Tree, as well as a plethora of common and exotic plants, is covered. The book provides practical advice, cautions, and an Ayurvedic viewpoint on the herb. |
Ayurveda and Marma Therapy: Energy Points in Yogic Healing | Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Subhash Ranade and Dr. Avinash Lele | This is an excellent book to use for self-care as well as when helping others if one have a background in massage or acupuncture or a strong interest in how the body responds to physical contact. This is more of a reference guide than a book to read in its whole, therefore some knowledge of Ayurveda, meridian lines, or energy points is recommended. |
Ayurveda For Women | Robert Svoboda | Focusing on the many stages of a woman's life, there is also much of beneficial and practical advice. This is an accessible and interesting book for people with a little or a lot of Ayurvedic expertise. |
The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook | Kate O'Donnell | There are an increasing number of Ayurvedic recipe books available these days, and this one is especially simple to follow and comprehend due to its Western influence. This book is an excellent place to start if you're interested in Ayurvedic cookery. |
The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies: A Comprehensive Guide To The Ancient Healing of India | Vasant Lad | A comprehensive book that includes nutrition and lifestyle instructions, as well as seasonal guidance. Tips are offered to fit each person's dosha (mind and body type), and the Illnesses and Remedies A-Z section takes up a substantial chunk of the book. It's an interesting read for anybody interested in natural health and healing. useful for having and preserving as a reference you may refer to throughout your life. |
A Practical Approach to the Science of Ayurveda | Acharya Balkrishna | This book refers to the fundamental concepts that underpin the Ayurvedic perspective on life. It goes through the fundamentals in greater depth and with additional vocabulary. A chapter on yoga and home remedies for everyday use is included in the book. |
Clinical Diagnosis In Ayurveda | M. Srinivasulu | The book goes into further detail on Ayurveda's understanding of the illness process. It is intended for advanced students and focuses on the diagnostic aspect of the disease as well as the disease process. This is useful for individuals who want to learn more about the illness process in the body. |
One can also refer to the official website to read more books on Ayurveda.
Ayurveda Colleges in India
The table below shows 8 Ayurveda Colleges in India where you can study to pursue Ayurveda:
College | State |
| Institute of Ayurveda & Alternate Medicine Education Research | Uttar Pradesh |
| Government Ayurveda College - Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala |
| Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College | Kerala |
| Mannam Ayurveda Co-operative Medical College | Kerala |
| Govt Ayurveda College | Punjab |
| Shubhdeep Ayurveda Medical College | Madhya Pradesh |
| Nangelil Ayurveda Medical College | Kerala |
| Rajasthan Ayurveda University | Rajasthan |
Ayurveda in Modern World
Ayurveda is still growing and expanding its fan base today. Its ultimate purpose is to assist individuals in achieving longevity in health and harmony- both within themselves and with the rest of the planet. If one wants to reach these aims, they need to first learn about Ayurveda's history and core concepts. Fortunately, there are many of new generation publications that offer Ayurveda's profound information in a straightforward and clear manner. As a result, they make it more accessible to individuals who lack specific expertise and skills.
List of 30 Ayurveda Books for Beginners and Advanced
The following books may also be appropriate for people who desire to update or enhance their understanding of Ayurvedic medicine and philosophy-
- Practical Prescriber for Ayurvedic Practitioners by Dr. Abrar Multani
- Practical Ayurveda by Atreya
- Everyday Ayurveda: Daily Habits That Can Change Your Life in a Day by Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya
- A-Z Ayurveda Practical Prescriber: (Atreya's Guidelines for Ayurveda Practice) by Vaidya Vasant Patil
- SAMS (Samhita of Ayurvedic Medical Specialties) Book of Clinical Practice in Ayurveda (2 Volume Set)
- Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing: A Practical Guide to Ayurveda by Vasant Lad
- The Handbook of Ayurveda: A Practical Guide to the Medical Wisdom of India by Shanta Godagama
- Ayurvedic Treatments: Introduction to Practical Ayurveda by David Ray
- Ayurveda: A Simple and Short Practical Guide to Self-Healing by Adam Johnson
- Keraliya Panchakarma Therapies: A Practical Guide On Keraliya Panchakarma of Ayurveda by Vaidya Vasanth Patil
- Complete Ayurveda Workbook: A practical approach to achieving health and well being with Ayurveda by Anna Selby
- Practical Ayurveda by Sivananda Yoga Center
- Ageless Body, Timeless Mind 10th Anniversary Edition: A Practical Alternative To Growing Old by Dr. Deepak Chopra
- Ayurvedic Paleo Diet: The Practical Paleo Diet Recommended in Ayurveda Classics for Rapid Weight Loss and Optimum Health (Volume 1) by Advait
- Ayurveda Works: A Practical Guide to Self-Healing through Ayurveda and Herbs by Sandy Olsin
- Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives: A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon
- Healthy Living Through Dosha Healing: Ayurveda by Dr. Sonika Krishan
- Vishnu's Kitchen: A Practical Guide to Ayurvedic Cooking by Vishnu Dass
- Ageless Body with Ayurvedic Ritucharya: Practical and Easy to Follow Seasonal Ayurvedic Regimen (Swasthyavritta Book 1) by Dr. Kanika Verma
- The Complete Book of Ayurveda Home Remedies by Vasant Lad
- The Ayurveda Book of Books by Judith H. Morrison
- A textbook of Ayurveda by Vasant Lad
- Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing – A Practical Guide by Vasant Lad
- Yoga and Ayurveda: A Book of Self-Healing and Self-Realization by David Frawley
- Charaka Samhita
- Ayurveda: A Life of Balance: A Complete Guide to Ayurvedic Nutrition and Body Types with Recipes by Maya Tiwari
- Prakruti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution by Robert Svoboda
- Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing Book by Usha Lad and Vasant Lad
- Ayurveda Cookbook: A Personalized Guide to Good Nutrition and Health, book by Amadea Morningstar and Urmila Desai
- Sushruta Samhita – a religious text.