A unique approach of Ayurvedic system of medicine is that it takes into account an individual in his entirely, rather than just trying to cure a disease in isolation. The treatment is fine tuned, taking into consideration the individual's constitution, susceptibility to diseases, mental makeup, lifestyle and other factors. This has been refined to a very high degree in Ayurveda with its powerful concept of Prakriti. Prakriti is the health profile or unique psychosomatic temperament of an individual encompassing his or her physical, functional and behavioural characteristics.

The word Prakriti' means 'Nature' or natural form of the built and constitution of the human body. 'Pra' means the 'Beginning', 'Commencement' or 'Source of origin' and 'Kruti' means 'to perform', 'to form' or 'creation'. When combined together, Prakriti means 'Natural form', 'Original form' or the 'First creation'.

The healing science of Ayurveda is based totally upon the knowledge of Prakriti. So it is very essential for every individual to know his own Prakriti to determine his own diet and life style which will leads towards a more balanced and meaningful life and to prescribe specific therapeutic solutions to health related problems also. Ayurveda has also drawn the most comprehensive picture of human body and the natural world, saying that, the elements of the nature- panchamahabhutas (akasha, vayu, agni, jala and prithvi) are also the components of human body, which are menifested in the types of physique. According to Ayurveda, from birth to death, doshas influence the health status and physical constitution of a man, either positively or negatively. The combination of doshas that was present in the individual at the time of conception is maintained throughout his lifetime. The human constitution or Prakriti is comprised of three doshas. This means that every individual has within himself the dynamic forces of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The difference between individuals is the degree to which the three doshas interact with one another within each body type. That is why two people react differently when exposed to a similar situation.

Prakriti is defined as the group of characters inherited by an individual from the Shukra and Shonita of the parents depending upon the predominance of doshas at the time of conception. Though the word Prakriti is used in many meanings, Ayurveda mainly considered it as the Swabhava of the individual. This swabhava (nature) is determined by physical, physiological and psychological characters of an individual. Thus it represents the total psychosomatic constitution of the man. The constitution of a person neither gets aggravated nor does it suffer from any deterioration or abatement. A change, abatement or deterioration in any particular case should be regarded as the harbinger of death.

As an insects produced out of poison does not die of its own poison, in the same way the doshas responsible in the formation of the constitution of the individuals will not be able to harm them.