The Sri Lankan Ayurvedic tradition is a mixture of Ayurveda systems of North Indian origin, the Siddha system from South India, Unani system of medicine from the Arabs, and most importantly the Desheeya Chikitsa which is the Indigenous medicine of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka also claims to be the first country to have established dedicated Ayurvedic hospitals in world history, Mihintale still has the ruins of what is believed to be the first ever Ayurvedic hospital in the world.

Ayurveda emphasizes prevention and encourages maintaining good health through close attention to the balance in one's life. Patients must learn to make life style changes to bring about and maintain this balance.

Ayurvedic medicine is based on the system of prevention. Often times the patient is treated before actual symptoms of disease appear.

The philosophy of Ayurveda states that it is centered on five elements that are the foundation of the system: ether, earth, air, fire, and water. They act with other elements to influence the human body. A combination of these elements is called doshas. The body is made up of different proportions of the three types of energy or doshas. The doshas have to be in balance to maintain good health.

To achieve balance, Ayurvedic medicine involves a wide range of elements including the tissues of the body; the channels of elimination and energy; and the normal functioning of the five senses.