Broad Categories

1. Santarpan or strengthening
   The ayurvedic strengthening therapies are basically the rejuvenation therapies like (Rasayana) and aphrodisiacs (Vajikarana). These therapies further aim at enhancing the immunity, Ojas, happiness, peace of mind and longevity.
   
   
2. Apatarpan or emaciating
   These therapies refer to the removal of toxins from the body and balancing the aggravated dosha. Internal medicines and specialized cleansing therapies are included in this.

According to Charaka Samhita the therapies depend on the status of the doshas. such as:

• If the disease is new and the aggravated dosha are not very strong, fasting on its own may be sufficient to balance the dosha.
  
  
• If the dosha are medium in strength, specific medicines are induced to balance the dosha inside the body and this type of therapy is termed as shamana therapy.
  
  
• If the disease is in a chronic stage and the dosha aggravation is strong, shodhana therapy is applied to eliminate the excess dosha from the body.