In a global environment of enormous health challenges medical anthropologists offer a significant and insightful understanding of traditional health systems and healing practices around the world. The authors critically examine the major issues and themes and their attendant controversies in the pursuit of medical anthropology today. Also presented in this book is a thorough assessment of a specific area of study in medical anthropology?the traditional and indigenous system of medicine in North India. As the first text of its kind, on the basis of the existing literature and a detailed field-work, it explores the full spectrum of indigenous and traditional systems of medicine in India, particularly Ayurveda. The book is likely to be useful to anthropologists, sociologists, ecologists, human geographers, non-governmental organisations (NGO), community health functionaries, planners and others interested in the socio-cultural issues pertaining to human health and illness.