Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre started its Ayurveda specialty on 1st November 1996, being the first medical centre in Delhi to have this facility, with free consultation and free distribution of ayurvedic medicines at the Free OPD of the Hospital. The patients are treated and diagnosis is based on the ayurvedic CHIKISTASA SYSTEM. In the free OPD apart from the consultation the patients are given three days medicines free of cost.

The Sanskrit term Ayurveda is composed of two words-Ayus which means life and veda which means knowledge or science thus name itself reflect the purpose of the science-knowledge about life or sensible way of living based on knowledge.
According to Ayurveda health is not merely considered to be a state of freedom from ailments or disease, BUT rather a state of enjoying uninterrupted physical, MENTAL and spritual happiness and fulfillment.

MANTRA OF AYURVEDA IS TO HELP PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES
There is quote by great sage charka about this mantra "that no doctor on this earth can provide you perfect health unless you yourself are not interested to live healthy."Ayurvedic science is also known as 'mother of all healing systems" because it predates all healing systems and all forms of natural medicine. The focus of ayurveda is on absolute perfect health not disease. Ayurveda is not merely a healing system, but complete knowledge of life. It is not a mere treatment of diseases but a knowledge of how to lead one's life in tune with nature to enable one's elevation into higher relams of happiness.This science gives a step by step knowledge of how to achieve ultimate goal of life. It describes how to take care of body and mind and how to keep it free from disease.As the whole knowledge of ayurveda is its application in day to day life for the maintenance of health and not limited only to the practicing physicians, thus everyone can learn this science and can apply the basic principles for own benefit as well as for the wellbeing of family and community.

Unique Features of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is based on subjective understanding of body.
Ayurveda does not belong to any particular civilisation or country; it aims at the well being of everybody.
Treatment of the individual as a whole.
The first and basic principle of ayurveda is that whatever is present in this universe is also present in human body.
Universe according to ayurveda is composed of five great elements or Panchmahabhota-Ether, Air, Fire,Water,Earth.
These five great elements are responsible for all the living and nonliving substances in this universe.
Human body is also composed of these five great elements.These Elements in the body are recognised in the form of three doshas or biological humors- Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Air+ether combine together to constitute-Vata
Fire+water-Pitta
Earth+water-Kapha
Man thus is said to be the microcosom of this macrcosom.
They govern psychobiological changes in the body and physio-pathological changes too.
These three biological humors are present in each cell, Tissue and organ.
In each person they differ in permetation and combinations and thus determine individual's body type or prakriti.
These three biological humors have certain qualities and functions through which they manifest into an individual.

VATA is responsible for all the movements in our body.
VATA Qualities are-, Rough, Cold, Mobile and Light, Active, Clear & Astringent.
Through these qualities we can understand the presence of vata humor in the body.

PITTA governs all physical and biochemical changes that take place in the body.
Through this process foodstuffs are transformed into energy, HEAT and vitality. these functions are performed throughout one's life by pitta dosha.
PITTA Qualities are- Hot, Sharp, Light, Liquid, Sour, Oily & Fleshy..

KAPHA IS responsible for stability, stamina and structure. Kapha qualities are- Cold, Damp, Dense, Heay, & Oily, Slow, Sweat & Stable.
When these three biological humors are in balance state in body, they perform their normal functions and are responsible for the prefect balance of an individual. But when this balance is disturbed due to incompatible diet, lifestyle, lack of or excess exercise, mental stress then body's Immune Strength (Ojas) start depleting, & bacteria and viruses show their effect in body or in other words person get sick.
Second fundamental principle of ayurveda is Balance State of Dhatus (seven tissues), Three Waste (three malas) & Agni (digestive fire). A balance in the biophysical and physiological states of body and a contented state of consciousness, senses and mind is regarded as the state of perfect health.
To enable one to keep track of one's health. The sages have given twelve points of awareness. the presence of these points enable s one to recognise the state of health in daily life. They are;

Proper hunger for food
Normal bowel movement
Normal passage of flatus
Proper functioning of the sense organs
Freshness after sleep
Good mental faculties
Normal sleep
Proper easy digestion
Normal urine out put
Feeling of lightness of the body
Good strength
Good complexion

The basic aim of the concepts and fundamental principles of all sciences is to establish eternal happiness in the human being. Ayurveda is not a science, that restricts the pleasure of life. But Ayurveda in true word is a science which makes one aware that excessive indulgence for the momentary happiness is the first step towards illness.