Ayurveda has eight branches dealing with various aspects of medicine. Ayurveda being a very vast science these branches help to learn & understand Ayurveda deeply.

The branches are as follows:

1. KayaChikitsa (Internal Medicine) : 'Kaya' means body. The treatment of this is studied under KayaChikitsa. All systematic diseases are treated by this branch.

2. KumarBhrutyaTantra (Pediatrics) : 'Kumar' means child, 'Bhrutya' is service and 'Tantra' is technique. The science that deals with development of newborn baby, the diseases of children (upto 12 years) is KumarBhrutyaTantra. Truly it also includes prenatal and antenatal care for females. That way it includes Gynecology and Obstretics in this branch.

3. GrahaChikitsa or Daivavyapashrya (Cosmic therapy) : 'Graha' is planet. This branch is related with Astrology and gem stones. The treatment by precious stones like diamond, ruby, pearl is studied under GrahaChikitsa.

4. ShalakyaTantra (E.N.T. and Ophthalmology) : The study of body parts above clavicle bone is done under ShalakyaTantra. Surgical views of E.N.T. and Ophthalmology are also included under this branch.

5. ShalyaTantra (Surgery) : Various operative procedures along with pre-operative and post operative are studied in detail. Also study of scars and instruments etc. are incorporated under ShalyaTantra.

6. VishaTantra (Toxicology and preventive medicines) : 'Visha' is poison. Study of various toxic herbs and animals like snake, insects, etc. and their antidotes come under VishaTantra.

7. Rasayana (Geriatrics and Rejuvenation therapy) : As ayurveda also aims in the maintenance of health, how one should make his life healthy, happy, live longer life, this branch explains that. This is the unique, prime branch of medicine in the world today.

8. Vajikaranam (Aphrodisiac Treatment) : Vajikaranam is a treatment given for the production of progeny with better healthy and mental capacities by increasing reproductive potential.

Each branch has an wealth of knowledge. We also have lots of reference of surgeries, which are now considered as part of plastic surgery and other specialized surgical methods and techniques. Charaksamhita, ShushrutSamhita, AshtangaRhudayam, AshtangaSangraha, Madhavnidan, SharangadharSamhita, Bhavaprakash and Nighantu are few of the ancient texts. These manuscripts are the bibles of Ayurveda.