Traditional Āyurvedic Medicine (TAM) includes a vast store of classical literature, primarily in Sanskrit. Extensive, detailed treatises have been recorded over millennia. Some, like the famous Charaka Saṃhitā, have over one hundred commentary works in various languages spanning over a thousand years.

Perhaps one of the most interesting facts is that the works remaining today are only the surviving literature. Historical accounts bear out events that destroyed large libraries that suffered the loss of unknown numbers of works.

Accessing the true, complete source of Āyurvedic knowledge requires navigating and reading the classical texts. In India, these comprise the standard learning tools for professional Āyurvedic education.