Why Is India the Most Populated Country in the World?

India is now the most populated country in the world. Is it just a lack of sex education? Partially. But it’s also because India has long traditions that kept people healthy for centuries — from Ayurvedic practices to the adoption of Western medicine when critical care was needed.

Ayurveda: A 5,000-Year-Old Science of Life

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old medical practice that focused not only on treatments for the sick but also on preventative care for the healthy. Similar to Western medicine, the early hypotheses were developed by Vaidyas (healers) and refined over time.

What makes Ayurveda unique is its ability to customize treatment based on the individual. It considers not just body type but also the environment a person lives in. Even more, Ayurveda respects the interdependency between humans and nature. It promotes holistic well-being — not only for the body but also for the mind and soul. 😉

The Five Elements: Nature Within Us

Thousands of years ago, without the fancy MRI machines we rely on today, people understood life through the lens of the five elements:

• Earth

• Air

• Water

• Space

• Fire

Ayurveda teaches that humans are a microcosm of the environment we live in. Do you think it’s a coincidence that the human body is about 70% water — just like our planet Earth?

Each element plays a role in our biology. For example:

• Metabolism is a reflection of the fire element, transforming food into energy.

• Circulation depends on air and space to move nutrients through the body.

• Water keeps our blood fluid and our tissues nourished.

• Earth provides the structure in our bones and muscles.

Personalized Health Through the Doshas

The Vaidyas used this philosophy to treat the body as a whole system. They emphasized daily rhythms: morning rituals, bedtime routines, and food or movement customized to each individual’s nature.

Based on the composition of the five elements in the body, Ayurveda classifies people into three primary doshas:

• Vata (air + space)

• Pitta (fire + water)

• Kapha (earth + water)

Think of it like skincare: oily, dry, or combination. Just as you would choose products for your skin type, Ayurveda helps you choose foods, habits, and routines based on your dosha.

✨ Want to know your type? Take the quiz linked.

The Best of Both Worlds

The practice of Ayurveda is deeply woven into everyday cooking, rituals, and lifestyle. For centuries, this knowledge contributed to a healthier population. When combined with the advances of Western medicine, especially during and after the colonial era, India has embraced the best of both worlds.

And perhaps that’s the real lesson: true wellness comes not from choosing one system over another, but from finding balance.