Ayurveda, defines Svastha in Sanskrit as:
“sama dosah samagnis ca sama dhatu mala kriyah prasannatmendriya manah svastha ityabhihiyate”- Sushruta Samhita
 
One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas, balanced agni, properly formed dhatus, proper elimination of malas, well functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul, and senses are full of bliss, is called a healthy person .”
 
In this Ayurvedic definition of health, not only is the western concept of health encompassed, but there are other layers, that of the doshas, agni, dhatus, and malas. Hence, Ayurveda views health as a balance of the doshas which are vata, pitta, kapha (in consideration of one's prakruti), properly formed/functioning dhatus (seven tissues of the body), and proper elimination of malas (waste products). Thus, when Ayurveda looks at a disease such as leucoderma, invariably, these aforementioned factors are taken into account and discussed. Unique to Ayurveda, is its understanding and articulation of disease.

In western medicine when a disease or a group of symptoms is examined, analyzed, then given a name, the disease has been ‘diagnosed'. In contrast, the Ayurvedic approach to disease diagnosis seeks first to define its' root, or its' roganam mulakaranani; it is considered as important to define the root of a disease as it is to name a disease.

In Ayurvedic medicine, the process by which a disease is understood and diagnosed is called sarvaroga nidanam and is composed of five parts: nidanam (causative factors or etiology), purvarupa (earliest signs/symptoms), rupa (clinical signs/symptoms), samprapti (pathogenesis of the condition), and upasaya (diagnostic tests). Traditionally, when a disease is being discussed, the five parts of the sarvaroga nidanam will be presented.

Its holistic approach to a patient makes Ayurveda unique and highly effective in the treatment of most diseases, which are not cured by other system of medicines.

Unlike modern medicine, Ayurveda treats the individual and not merely the disease. It takes a holistic view of health, emphasizing a balanced diet; physical fitness, healthy lifestyle, hygiene and body care for disease free, long and healthy life. Basically herbs in form of powder, juices, pastes, and decoction are used as medicines but now Doctor’s of Ayurveda also frequently uses herbal extracts for prompt and fast healing. The name and fame of Ayurveda is fast spreading to many countries across globe because of its neutrality, permanency in results, no side effects and uniqueness to deal with many diseases, which are not being treated by other system of medicines.