But in order to find balance, we need to know the nature of the energies that swirl within us—and without. Ayurveda describes five master elements that make up everything within our bodies and everything outside of our bodies: space, air, fire, water and earth. In turn, those five elements form the basis of the three doshas, or constitutions, that govern our way of being in the world.
In addition to changing our lifestyle (sometimes radically), Ayurveda relies on specific herbs to help us come into a better state of balance. While that looks different for each person, there are several herbs that serve as the workhorses of wellbeing. Here is a quick primer of six of the most important Ayurvedic herbs.