Major Functions of the department
The Department undertakes medical aid to the people through its vast network of Ayurveda Hospitals, Dispensaries, Naturopathy Hospitals, Siddha & Unani Dispensaries throughout Kerala. In-patient and out-patient treatment is given by the Department through 768 dispensaries and 119 hospitals spread across the length and breadth of state.  It is with pride and privilege that Department is rendering yeoman service, by catering to the preventive, curative and promotive health aspects of the population of the state. Field administration of the Department in Administration and professional matters is through 14 District Medical Offices (ISM) and 14 District Ayurveda Hospitals (ISM).
 
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the traditional Indian System of Medicine that deals with the life of an individual.  It is  the science of life which is meant not only for curing the diseases but also for prevention of the occurrence of illnesses.  Ayurveda is unique in the sense it keeps the healthy people healthy and cures the ill healthy.
 
Origin and history
Ayurveda is the life science existing from time immemorial, before the vedic period.  The practice of ayurveda as a treatment science is mentioned mainly in Rig-Veda and Atharvaveda.  Ayurveda is mentioned as the upaveda of Atharva Veda.  Rishi Brahma had memorised this science and advocated it to a chain of saints Prajapathi, Ashwini devas, Indra, Athri and others.  This life science which is more than 6000 years old and was constituted for the management of illness of not only human beings but also for the other living entities like animals and trees.


The term Ayurveda originated from the two words 'Ayu' meaning life and 'Veda' meaning science.  Ayurveda defines life as the combination of Shareera (body), Indriya (sense organs), Satwa (mind) and Atma (soul).

Uniqueness of Ayurveda
1.    It is the only health system which recommends varied life pattern to each and every individual based on their Dehaprakrithi (body constitution) and Sara Prakrithi (Mental constitution).
2.    The life science which treats patient as a whole along with curing a disease.
3.    The medical science which is designed to maintain the health of the healthy and curing the ill healthy.
4.    The treatment principle is based on the panchamahabhootha sidhantha, the 5 primordial / fundamental elements. The basic body elements 'vatha', 'pitha' and 'kapha' (tridoshas) which are panchabhouthic in nature also is maintained using the drugs which are panchabhouthic (Herbs, Animal products and Minerals). 
5.    The only life science which give importance to both body and mind in curing a disease.

Clinical Ayurveda have eight branches and each branch treats the person as a whole with specific importance to one body part.  The eight branches (Ashtangas) are:-


1.    Kaya chikitsa (General medicine)
2.    Bala Chikitsa (Paediatrics)
3.    Graha chikitsa (Psychological diseases)
4.    Urdhwanga chikitsa (Eye and ENT illness)
5.    Shalya chikitsa (Surgical and para surgical)
6.    Damstra chikitsa (Toxicology)
7.    Jara chikitsa (Geriatrics)
8.    Vrisha chikitsa (Rejuvenatives and Aphrodisiacs)

All these eight branches treats the patients by Darsana (sight),  Sparsana (touch) and Prasna (interrogation) – to elicit the root causes of diseases.
The Indian Systems of Medicine department have expert doctors in each of eight branches and they deliver excellent service through dispensaries and hospitals.