Ayurveda is an ancient alternative medicine that originates from the Indian subcontinent, and is also called the "mother of all medicine". Ayurveda has historically played an important role in the life and culture of the Indian Peninsula along with meditation and yoga. Although it has existed on the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years, Ayurveda broke into the Western world in the early twentieth century with its alternative views of medicine where pills, syrups and many other drugs with questionable side effects began to be replaced by herbal remedies, massage, meditation and yoga exercise, all in order to adhere to the principle principle of Ayurveda which says that one must constantly try to maintain physical, mental and spiritual balance. Balance consists of principles called doshas, and doshas consist of five elements: earth, water, air, fire, and ether. Although in the Western world Ayurveda is generally seen as an alternative medicine that deals with the preparation of herbal preparations, this paper will also explore 8 branches of Ayurveda that have played an important role and great influence on the development of modern medicine.