Biju Dharmapalan
Ayurveda, the ancient medicinal system of India, stands as one of the oldest and continuously practised traditions, rooted in a firm foundation of philosophy and empirical observation. The foundational principles of Ayurveda can be traced back to the Vedic period in ancient India. The earliest texts containing knowledge related to health and healing practices are found in the Vedas, particularly the Rigveda, which contains hymns describing the benefits of specific herbs and plants for healing. According to Ayurveda, every cell is seen as an inherent manifestation of pure intelligence, earning it the designation of a self-healing science. Alongside this philosophy of self-healing, the use of herbal remedies holds equal importance in this ancient Indian medical tradition.
Since 2016, the government of India has been observing National Ayurveda Day annually on Dhanwantari Jayanti (Dhanteras). Lord Dhanvantari is revered as a divine proponent of Ayurveda. Therefore, Dhanvantari Jayanti was chosen as the occasion for commemorating Ayurveda Day, to promote this medical system on a national scale, recognizing its potential to become a fundamental pillar in its eventual global expansion. This year, Ayurveda Day was observed on 10th November 2023 with the focal theme “Ayurveda for everyone on every day”. By promoting Ayurveda we are not only promoting our age-old affordable medical system but also promoting living sustainably with nature.
Over time, modern medicine has adopted and integrated elements from our traditional systems. In reality, the foundation of modern medicine traces back to traditional systems like Ayurveda. Many of the medications utilized in allopathic practices are derived from the knowledge accumulated in traditional systems. However, in modern medicine, the emphasis is on isolating and utilizing the active principle or its chemical equivalent for targeted and swift relief. Consequently, the drugs prescribed for conditions such as heart disease or diabetes often come with a range of side effects, as practitioners tend to adhere to a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. This is where traditional Ayurvedic practitioners have an advantage. A proficient Ayurvedic doctor tailors drug selection and dosage based on the patient’s unique physiological status, akin to the personalized medicine envisioned by our scientists. It embodies a holistic approach to health and personalized medicine, encompassing physical, psychological, philosophical, ethical, and spiritual well-being, presenting a comprehensive medical system.”
Unfortunately, the majority of people shift to Ayurveda only when modern medicine fails or when it doesn’t have any solutions to a particular disease. There are many reports of people regaining health and being cured in such instances. As per the World Health Organization, approximately 70-80% of the global population depends on unconventional remedies, primarily sourced from herbs, for their healthcare needs. The growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine is largely attributed to the rising concerns over side effects associated with synthetic drugs, the absence of definitive treatments for numerous chronic ailments, the high expenses related to new medications, microbial resistance, and the emergence of new diseases, among other factors.
Even in cases where modern medicine prescribes surgical procedures, ayurveda has managed people without surgeries. Some specialized practitioners even treat people with multiple fractures without surgery. Proponents of modern medicine and even a few policymakers may object to such traditional healers. But for the common man affordable and reliable healthcare system is the top priority. In today’s world allopathic system has become a big business managed by pharma companies, diagnostic centres and big corporate establishments, making it unaffordable to the common man.
In recent times there has been an organized effort by the proponents of Ayurveda to include this system in a similar line to allopathy. In many multi-speciality hospitals ayurvedic treatments have become more costlier than allopathic systems. The emergence of Ayurveda as a part of tourism is destroying the quality and essence of this priced medical system. Many people simply take Ayurveda as a wellness thing. The effects of ayurvedic treatment cannot be availed in two or three days. It’s based on your lifestyle and only if you manage your daily lifestyle systematically would be able to get the results. In many tourist places, these centres are managed by unqualified personnel bringing disrepute to the system.
Booimg Ayurvedic pharma companies are also destroying the essence of Ayurveda. The culture that made allopathic treatment unaffordable has crept slowly into our traditional system. There is stiff competition among the ayurvedic companies and in many cases to get quick action most of them shift from what is prescribed in the time-tested ancient texts. When companies shift from what is written in texts, especially in the processing of drugs it may sometimes bring adverse effects. There should be stringent regulatory checks to maintain the quality of Ayurvedic drugs.
Many people are wary of this test-tested healthcare system and are crying for its scientific validation. We indeed need to validate and document the knowledge in traditional texts using modern scientific approaches. But people have to understand that most of the discoveries of modern medicine people ‘enjoy’ today have taken a heavy toll on human lives. Ayurveda has grown over the years without harming human lives. Even without any sophisticated scientific techniques like molecular biology techniques or cell culture, if an Ayurvedic practitioner could identify and treat diseases like cancer what scientific evidence one would require? Of course, government machinery should check fake practitioners who misuse and bring disrepute to Ayurveda.
In recent times the whole world has started appreciating the contributions of Ayurveda and the Indian knowledge system towards healthcare and it’s our duty and responsibility to provide quality healthcare to the whole of humanity. Commercialization of Ayurveda should not take away its essence from the common man.
(The author is a science communicator and an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore)
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