Ayurveda is a traditional, holistic approach to medicine that originated in India. The system promotes mental, physical, and spiritual wellness through exercise, diet, and other lifestyle changes.

People who practice Ayurveda report that the traditional approach to medicine has several proven benefits. Results from an older 2014Trusted Source study proposed that researchers should do more to incorporate the knowledge from Ayurveda with clinically proven, modern medicines.

Certain herbs and spices play a major role in Ayurveda. The nonprofit Art of Living organization claims they can provide benefits such as:

• improving vitality
• purifying and detoxifying the body and blood
• boosting mental health
• improving digestion
• aiding weight loss
• improving skin tone
• helping to reduce the side effects of cancer

People may use Ayurvedic herbs internally or externally, depending on the specific herb and its intended purpose.