Choice A reason: Ayurveda is based on the concept of the balance of five elements in the body and the environment. These elements are ether, air, fire, water, and earth. They are the building blocks of all life forms and are present in different proportions in different individuals and situations. Ayurveda believes that health is a state of harmony between these elements, while disease is a state of disharmony or imbalance¹²³.

Choice B reason: The harmony of yin and yang forces in the body and the universe is not a concept of Ayurveda, but rather of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Yin and yang are opposite but complementary principles that represent the dynamic balance of all phenomena. They are constantly changing and influencing each other, and health is a state of equilibrium between them, while disease is a state of excess or deficiency of either one⁴.

Choice C reason: The integration of body, mind, and spirit in health and disease is a concept that is shared by many systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, but it is not unique to Ayurveda. Ayurveda recognizes that health is not just the absence of disease, but a state of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Ayurveda also considers that each individual has a unique constitution (prakriti) and life force (dosha) that determine their physical, mental, and spiritual characteristics and needs¹²³.

Choice D reason: The stimulation of specific points on the body to restore energy flow is not a concept of Ayurveda, but rather of acupuncture, which is a part of TCM. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body that correspond to different organs and functions. Acupuncture aims to regulate the flow of vital energy (qi) along the pathways (meridians) that connect these points. Acupuncture can treat various conditions by restoring the balance and harmony of qi⁴.

Choice A reason: Homeopathy is based on the principle that like cures like. This means that a substance that can produce symptoms in a healthy person can cure similar symptoms in a sick person. For example, coffee can cause insomnia in some people, so homeopathy may use a very diluted form of coffee to treat insomnia¹². This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice B reason: Homeopathy uses very diluted substances to treat diseases. Homeopathy believes that the more a substance is diluted, the more potent it becomes. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by repeatedly diluting and shaking (succussing) a substance in water or alcohol until there is little or no trace of the original substance left. The dilution is often indicated by a number and a letter, such as 6C or 30X¹². This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice C reason: Homeopathy can be used along with conventional antidepressants. Homeopathy is considered a complementary medicine, which means that it can be used together with other treatments, such as conventional drugs, psychological therapy, or lifestyle changes. Homeopathy does not interfere with the action of antidepressants, but it may help to reduce their side effects or dependence¹³. This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice D reason: Homeopathy can treat the root cause of my depression. This statement is incorrect and indicates a need for further teaching. Homeopathy does not claim to treat the root cause of depression, but rather to address the individual symptoms and personality of the person suffering from depression. Homeopathy believes that each person has a unique constitution and susceptibility to disease, and that depression can have different causes and manifestations in different people. Therefore, homeopathy does not offer a single remedy for depression, but rather selects a remedy that matches the totality of the person's physical, mental, and emotional state¹²³.

Choice A reason: Naturopathy is a system that uses natural remedies to support the body's selfhealing ability. Naturopathy is based on the principle that the body has an innate power to heal itself, and that disease is a result of an imbalance or obstruction of this vital force. Naturopathy aims to restore health by using natural substances and methods, such as herbs, nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling¹². This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching.

Choice B reason: Naturopathy is not a system that uses manipulation techniques to correct structural problems in the body. This description applies to chiropractic, which is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially those of the spine. Chiropractors use manual adjustments or other devices to manipulate the spine and other joints, with the aim of improving nerve function, reducing pain, and restoring mobility³.

Choice C reason: Naturopathy is not a system that uses energy fields to balance and harmonize the body. This description applies to energy therapies, which are a type of complementary and alternative medicine that involve the use of energy fields. Energy therapies include biofield therapies, such as Reiki, therapeutic touch, and qi gong, and bioelectromagneticbased therapies, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternatingcurrent or directcurrent fields. Energy therapies are intended to affect energy fields that surround and penetrate the human body, or to use electromagnetic fields to stimulate biological processes.

Choice D reason: Naturopathy is not a system that uses whole medical systems from different cultures to treat diseases. This description applies to integrative medicine, which is an approach that combines conventional medicine with complementary and alternative medicine from various traditions and disciplines. Integrative medicine may include practices from traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Native American medicine, Tibetan medicine, and others.

Choice A reason: Lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. This statement is partially correct, but not the best answer. Yoga may help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, but this is not the main mechanism of action. Yoga may relax blood vessels by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction¹². However, the main effect of yoga on blood pressure is mediated by the nervous system, not the vascular system³.

Choice B reason: Raising systolic and diastolic blood pressure by increasing cardiac output. This statement is incorrect. Yoga does not raise blood pressure by increasing cardiac output, but rather lowers blood pressure by decreasing cardiac output. Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and it depends on the heart rate and the stroke volume. Yoga can lower the heart rate by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows down the heart and reduces stress hormones¹²³. Yoga can also lower the stroke volume by reducing blood volume and venous return, as a result of improved kidney function and fluid balance³.

Choice C reason: Lowering systolic blood pressure by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity. This statement is correct. Yoga can lower systolic blood pressure by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity, which is the main cause of hypertension in most cases³. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fightorflight response, which prepares the body for action by increasing the heart rate, constricting the blood vessels, and releasing stress hormones. Yoga can reduce sympathetic nervous system activity by using breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques that calm the mind and body¹²³⁴. Systolic blood pressure is more sensitive to sympathetic nervous system activity than diastolic blood pressure, because it reflects the peak pressure in the arteries during each heartbeat.

Choice D reason: Raising diastolic blood pressure by stimulating reninangiotensinaldosterone system. This statement is incorrect. Yoga does not raise diastolic blood pressure by stimulating reninangiotensinaldosterone system, but rather lowers diastolic blood pressure by inhibiting reninangiotensinaldosterone system. The reninangiotensinaldosterone system is a hormonal system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. It involves the production of renin, a hormone that converts angiotensinogen into angiotensin I, which is then converted into angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor that raises blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates the release of aldosterone, a hormone that increases sodium and water retention in the kidneys, which also raises blood pressure. Yoga can inhibit reninangiotensinaldosterone system by reducing stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which stimulate renin production³.