Sir,
Kindly refer your editorial titled ” Safeguarding Ayurvedic Heritage”(Daily Excelsior, October 12,2024).President Droupadi Murmu’s concern for the proliferation of misleading claims by unscrupulous elements for their ulterior motives is not only relevant today but meaningful too. It will be very pertinent to mention here that on August 27, a Bench of the Supreme Court of India found itself reaching, once again, for idioms over a matter involving misleading advertisements of Ayurveda, Siddha, and unani products. Earlier this year, another Bench had concluded proceedings against Patanjali Ayurved over its defiance of an order to not publicise unproven or unprovable medicinal claims attached to its products. Towards the end of that matter, various State-level regulatory agencies were finally roused to act against Patanjali Ayurved over these claims while the Court ordered it to publish media advertisements apologising for its actions. Being myself Ayurvedic professional, I strongly believe that only law is not going to demolish menace of fake and misleading claims, public awakening is of paramount significance. I fully subscribe to your call for ‘robust investment in research’ and ‘rigorous scientific inquiry’.
Young Ayurvedic scholars, although enthusiastic, are not clear about their views on the future of Ayurveda. Moreover, they are not even very clear that how to expose their valuable research outputs on Ayurveda Only a few organizations have well-established research infrastructure for exclusive research in Ayurveda. Experienced researchers with knowledge of modern technologies are required to conduct advance and quality research in Ayurveda.
There is a lack of cooperation and willingness of Biomedical Scientists who are often unduly skeptical and carry prejudice
More than a thousand Ayurvedic postgraduates pass out each year and enter into the streamline of academics and practice. Among them, only a few choose their profession as researcher in Ayurveda. Neither has the Ayurvedic teaching changed in the last 50 years nor have the textbooks been enriched with new research methodologies. At the time of deciding research methodology in Ayurveda following things should be kept in mind.
Basic differences between Ayurveda and modern science should be taken into account when designing the research protocols The main concern must be given to the classical approach of Ayurveda
Research protocols should be designed on the basic concepts of Ayurveda, i.e., Prakriti, Agni, Dhatu, Srotas, Rasayana, Shatkriyakala, Agnibala, Ojabala, Manobala, etc.
The research work should involve experts both from Ayurveda and biomedical specialties. The holistic and integrative approach involving body, mind, and spirit should be considered for research.
Before starting the clinical studies; a complete knowledge about diagnosis of the disease, materials to be used, process to be adopted, and accurate dosage form is highly needed The approach of personalized medicine should be followed during treatment.
Dr H N Patwari
Former Dy Director (Ayd).
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