How Ayurveda Works
The basic model of illness progression in ayurveda is aggravated toxins of a particular type(guna) get deposited in various tissues throughout the body in a progressive way, in a simple example, A toxin would manifest first in the gut, then the lymphatic system and blood, then it would affect the fat then muscles, then it would move into the bone and nervous tissue, and finally it would affect the reproductive fluids, although it would appear linear this is an oversimplified example of progression of a toxic state that would manifest as illnesses on every step listed.
Ayurveda is the science of life or how to live healthy and long, it is known that all diseases start in the mind through the bad choices that we consistently make, eg eating fast food, an addiction to sweets or cigarettes etc, yet this choice starts with thought.
as your thoughts become your words.
Be careful of your words,for your words become your actions.
Be careful of your actions,for your actions become your habits.
Be careful of your habits,for from your habits comes your destiny.
Once a thought takes hold in the mind and becomes a bad habit, the behavior becomes ingrained and we begin to poison ourselves. for example, laziness can lead to not exercising and eating unhealthy food(eg fast food) your digestive system is placed under strain and toxins start to accumulate first in the ailimentary canal, then the lymph and blood, then the muscle, fat,bones ,brain and nervous system and finally the reproductive system are affected.(this is a logical progression of illness but does not necessarily follow a strictly linear path as it is dependant on the nature of the illness)
Ayurveda will seek to detoxify and reverse the accumulation of a specific sick dosha in the affected tissue by hitting it at the root and reversing it out of all affected body tissues.
In ayurveda toxins are calle Ama, - the closest definition of ama is toxins but it really means the unhealthy accumulation of a certain dosha in bodily tissues where they do not belong.
For a really good explanation of Ama Toxins check out this essay by Ven Losang Jinpa of Medicine Buddha Healing Center
What are Doshas?
Doshas are elements that are present in nature in everything in varying degrees the doshas are:
Vata
Vata is characterised by sound and ether, it is cold, dry, brittle, spacey or unfocussed ,intuitive anxious, and the dominant emotion is anxiety and fear. people with dominant vata tend to be small or petite, with angular or brittle nails and hair.
Pitta
Pitta is characterised by water and fire, (steam) it is hot, oily, moist, driven, focussed, knowledgable and the dominant emotion is anger.