Q1: In your experience what is your perception of Indian Ayurveda System?
Though Ayurveda is popularly known in the world as the ancient Indian system of medicine, as per the basic definition, Ayurveda is the science of life, which encompasses virtually every aspect of life and health. It is much more than just the medicinal system. For centuries together, Ayurveda has served millions of people by offering the complete medical therapy for numerous acute as well as chronic diseases.
For maintenance of health, Ayurveda has advised the daily regimen – Dinacharya and seasonal regimen – Rutucharya. Ayurveda also describes the principles of health maintenance – Swasthavritta and goes in the depths of describing the principles of ethical regimen – Aachara Rasayana.
For curing the diseases, Ayurveda insists on trapping the advancement of disease right at its base, treating and eradicating the root cause of the ailment instead of satisfying the patient with symptomatic relief. The thousands of simple prescriptions hidden and scattered throughout the ancient Ayurvedic Scriptures, still serve as home remedies for common health problems even in the present times, irrespective of the vast change and increasing complexity in the life style of the people.
Ayurveda is the pioneer of the art of surgery, which has advanced at present as the curative therapy by using the most complex techniques.
Ayurveda also offers some excellent para-surgical therapies, which serve the dual purpose of eradicating the chronic disease as well as avoiding the complex surgical procedures, such as KsharaKarma (Alkali Therapy), Agni Karma (Cauterization) and the procedures included in the Panchakarma therapy.
If effectively interpreted, the unique areas of Ayurveda can be used very effectively for disease management and health maintenance even today.
Q2: In your opinion what are the top three challenges which Ayurveda needs to correct to catapulate itself into a universally accepted Medical practice?
According to me, the top challenges that Ayurveda faces today and the areas where drastic changes are required so that it can be comprehended and accepted universally as medical practice are –
1. Incorporation of correlation of Ayurveda and modern medicine in the education system for Ayurveda
2. Effective interpretation of excellent Ayurvedic theorems as well as therapeutics and also exploring several areas which are unique to Ayurveda so that they can be put in practice to gain effective results.
3. Lot of efforts are required to study herbo-mineral or metallo-mineral preparations which are used very frequently in Ayurvedic therapeutics – in terms of their toxicity, therapeutic range, restrictions in dosage viz., quantity as well as duration of therapy etc.
4. Standardization of generic Ayurvedic drugs and proprietary formulations in compliance with global GMP standards
Q3: What are the experiences of being an Ayurvedic Practitioner?
Though Ayurveda practice is gaining better acceptance even in major cities and by educated patients, unfortunately, it is observed that generally the patient approaches Ayurvedic practitioner only for treatment of chronic and lifestyle related diseases; that too very often only after the disease has reached its final stage.
While Ayurveda can offer very effective therapy regimens for chronic diseases, its prescriptions are equally effective for many acute diseases as well.
Patients must know and understand that like any other logical medical science, even Ayurveda has clearly described the limitations of treatment for EACH disease. Ayurveda DOES NOT say that every disease in every stage is treatable.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Buzz (News in a Nutshell)
Free medical camp for Thaloor woman Indians are slavish even in matters of Health: Ayush Director AMOAI moves Kerala HC challenging state order granting practicing rights to Traditional helaers ISM director set to resolve ongoing shortage of ISM medicines in hospitals Rane to put a check o0n health centres Ramdev's fight continues yoga on a mission to save the country Indian herbs to cure breast cancer
Interview with Dr. Anwar, Chairman & Managing Director , Punarnava Ayurvedic Hospitals,Kerala & Oman
Q1: What is the basic philosophy of health, disease and treatment in Ayurveda?
A-Ayurveda- the science of life is the oldest health care system in the world. More than 5000 years ago, even before the emergence of recorded history, the great saints of India researched, professed and practiced Ayurveda and all their findings and vision of this great science were transmitted to generations. Unlike most of other regimens, its very approach to the innumerable number of ailments appeared by the present mankind is widely acclaimed and accepted as holistic, which means treatment not only to the human physique but also to the mind and soul as well.
The method of Ayurveda is unique and universal. It sees man in relation to his natural habitat. Instead of treating the symptoms of a disease, it treats the individual. Thus it is caring not just for the affected part but for the entire body.
Q2: What are the greatest challenges faced By Ayurveda?
A-Ayurveda is an evidence based science. All the concepts of Ayurveda are derived from the experiments and observations made by scholars’ long back. At that time, no other science systems were much developed as Ayurveda was. Advanced innovations in the field of modern sciences, especially Physics & Chemistry were incorporated by other inter disciplinary sciences like Allopathy and they made huge trust and sustantiability in the mind of people. Though public believe in the healing power of Ayurveda, they are less aware about the science and logic behind it. The first mission of Ayurveda clinicians is to address this issue. This can be achieved by proper R&D, Documentation and Standardization and by gaining support from the respective government machineries.
R&D, Documentation and Standardization: In Ayurveda, medicines administrated internally are herbals which means they are not given in the active ingredients form. It is our body which decides what all are to be absorbed from the medicines given. This means the actions of a prepared medicine vary from patient to patient and from conditions to conditions. Opposite of this is seen in case of modern medicine. So anything cannot be suited to anyone and Ayurveda have to approach each and every individual in particular. Though protocols can be formed, it may suit only to 50 or 60 percent in patients. Clinicians have to document each and every patient complaints systematically and this documented data can be used in further development of the science
Support from the Government machineries: No sciences can prevail in this world without the support of statutory authorization. It’s the duty of every sovereign government to facilitate the growth of curative sciences for the benefits of public. This doesn’t means to liberalize the concern about Ayurveda to make more business. Govt. have to set up quality control systems for the advancements of the practice of Ayurveda. It should propagate the merits and science behind Ayurveda to other nations of the world. We have good QC Labs but the sad thing is that the concern about providing quality treatments is less. Majority of the foreign countries expecting initiatives and correspondences from our government to approve Ayurveda there. But patients from all over the world come to us for treatment believing in the healing power of Ayurveda. We are getting testimonials and not the approval. I strongly believe that India can uphold Ayurveda as its USP among other nations. We need is we have to promote the curative aspect of Ayurveda and not its tourism aspect.
Q3: What are the experiences of being an Ayurveda Practitioner?
A-I am very proud to say that I came from a family without any tradition in Ayurveda. I had undergone my medical education in Ayurveda, from a govt medical college 16 years back. The policy guided me at that time was if I start practice in a rural area, patients will come in search of doctor and if I’m practicing in an urban area people will come in search of the hospital. Thanks to my father who wisely advised me to start practice in a village near my home. God give me the chance to bring cure to many and when people from other places start to come my hospital, I planned a move to Cochin to cater the requisites of them. Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital was started thus at Cochin in 2004.
What I gained from my rural practice was not mere experience but it made me a strong believer of the curative aspects of my science and living, Ayurveda. I have got evidences from my practice that Ayurveda can successfully intervene in the cases of life style disorders and also in arresting the progression and improving the quality of life in autoimmune disorders which modern health sciences find it difficult to manage. Cochin made me a renounced physician and patients around the globe came to my hospital for their ailments getting treated. I’m a strong believer of God, Ayurveda and Hard work. Our vision at Punarnava is to make Ayurveda a globally recognized science and most trusted curative system by patients from all backgrounds and countries.
A-Ayurveda- the science of life is the oldest health care system in the world. More than 5000 years ago, even before the emergence of recorded history, the great saints of India researched, professed and practiced Ayurveda and all their findings and vision of this great science were transmitted to generations. Unlike most of other regimens, its very approach to the innumerable number of ailments appeared by the present mankind is widely acclaimed and accepted as holistic, which means treatment not only to the human physique but also to the mind and soul as well.
The method of Ayurveda is unique and universal. It sees man in relation to his natural habitat. Instead of treating the symptoms of a disease, it treats the individual. Thus it is caring not just for the affected part but for the entire body.
Q2: What are the greatest challenges faced By Ayurveda?
A-Ayurveda is an evidence based science. All the concepts of Ayurveda are derived from the experiments and observations made by scholars’ long back. At that time, no other science systems were much developed as Ayurveda was. Advanced innovations in the field of modern sciences, especially Physics & Chemistry were incorporated by other inter disciplinary sciences like Allopathy and they made huge trust and sustantiability in the mind of people. Though public believe in the healing power of Ayurveda, they are less aware about the science and logic behind it. The first mission of Ayurveda clinicians is to address this issue. This can be achieved by proper R&D, Documentation and Standardization and by gaining support from the respective government machineries.
R&D, Documentation and Standardization: In Ayurveda, medicines administrated internally are herbals which means they are not given in the active ingredients form. It is our body which decides what all are to be absorbed from the medicines given. This means the actions of a prepared medicine vary from patient to patient and from conditions to conditions. Opposite of this is seen in case of modern medicine. So anything cannot be suited to anyone and Ayurveda have to approach each and every individual in particular. Though protocols can be formed, it may suit only to 50 or 60 percent in patients. Clinicians have to document each and every patient complaints systematically and this documented data can be used in further development of the science
Support from the Government machineries: No sciences can prevail in this world without the support of statutory authorization. It’s the duty of every sovereign government to facilitate the growth of curative sciences for the benefits of public. This doesn’t means to liberalize the concern about Ayurveda to make more business. Govt. have to set up quality control systems for the advancements of the practice of Ayurveda. It should propagate the merits and science behind Ayurveda to other nations of the world. We have good QC Labs but the sad thing is that the concern about providing quality treatments is less. Majority of the foreign countries expecting initiatives and correspondences from our government to approve Ayurveda there. But patients from all over the world come to us for treatment believing in the healing power of Ayurveda. We are getting testimonials and not the approval. I strongly believe that India can uphold Ayurveda as its USP among other nations. We need is we have to promote the curative aspect of Ayurveda and not its tourism aspect.
Q3: What are the experiences of being an Ayurveda Practitioner?
A-I am very proud to say that I came from a family without any tradition in Ayurveda. I had undergone my medical education in Ayurveda, from a govt medical college 16 years back. The policy guided me at that time was if I start practice in a rural area, patients will come in search of doctor and if I’m practicing in an urban area people will come in search of the hospital. Thanks to my father who wisely advised me to start practice in a village near my home. God give me the chance to bring cure to many and when people from other places start to come my hospital, I planned a move to Cochin to cater the requisites of them. Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital was started thus at Cochin in 2004.
What I gained from my rural practice was not mere experience but it made me a strong believer of the curative aspects of my science and living, Ayurveda. I have got evidences from my practice that Ayurveda can successfully intervene in the cases of life style disorders and also in arresting the progression and improving the quality of life in autoimmune disorders which modern health sciences find it difficult to manage. Cochin made me a renounced physician and patients around the globe came to my hospital for their ailments getting treated. I’m a strong believer of God, Ayurveda and Hard work. Our vision at Punarnava is to make Ayurveda a globally recognized science and most trusted curative system by patients from all backgrounds and countries.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Interview with Dr. Danny Devasy, Sr. Manager (Marketing), Cholayil Sanjeevanam, Sharjah
Q1: In your experience what is your perceptions of Indian Ayurveda System?
A-Well, Ayurveda is more of philosophy intertwined with healing guidelines. People perceive ayurveda as the system with bitter medicine, powders, decoctions etc. But as any systematic science, it talks about prevention first and then curative part comes in. Ayurveda has all the general principles in the form of 'sutra' or couplets. The tricky part comes in deciphering these sutras and interpreting these right. The principles still holds true even after 5000 years so I believe that ayurveda principles are not merely assumptions. There is no science that is so intricately woven into a fabric with religion, science, philosophy, art, medicine and culture. It is a diverse science and all we need is to understand, ponder and spread the correct awareness.
Q2: In your opinion what are the top three challenges which Ayurveda needs to correct to catapulate itself into a universally accepted Medical practice?
A-Documentation and research oriented methodology of study. This is difficult as Ayurveda deals in individuality rather than a mass approach. We give our prescription and advises based on a number of physical, mental, physiological stage of the patient and also as per the doctors experience. The results vary from person to person as we all belong to different background, physical condition, educational and familial backgrounds, etc. So documentation would be a challenge. Many of the vaidyas or traditional doctors have a lot of knowledge which they fail to pass on to the next generation due to many reasons. So this could be a challenge.
2. Perception of mass in general- AYURVEDA HAS NO SIDE EFFECTS- of the many commercials that I have watched on Ayurveda based products, No side effect is the claim. Drugs are drugs and they have their indications and contraindications. Every medicine has to be taken under strict medical supervision.
3. Limited opportunities for young doctors: Budding doctors are given limited opportunities in terms of Post Graduation and also limited practise under reputed vaidyas. This will eventually lead to frustration and finally opting for other fields other than Ayurveda. This might coax them to practise the modern system of medicine as that is happening in the northern Indian belt. This is a big challenge.
Q3: What are the experiences of Being an Ayurvedic Practitioner?
A-My experience of being an ayurveda practioner: Well, I am pretty satisfied now. I had made a vow that come what may, I shall practise ayurveda only. I also believe that you need to work hard to achieve something. Challenges are there in every field but persistance and perseverance pays in the end. I am educating people in corporates (the most sought after industry) about ayurveda, current problems, natural ways to live healthy etc through various workshops and health talks.
I believe that a doctor should not limit himself / herself on practise alone, but get into educating the masses as well. This will create more clarity in the mindsets of people as well as the doctor would gain confidence and reputation.
A-Well, Ayurveda is more of philosophy intertwined with healing guidelines. People perceive ayurveda as the system with bitter medicine, powders, decoctions etc. But as any systematic science, it talks about prevention first and then curative part comes in. Ayurveda has all the general principles in the form of 'sutra' or couplets. The tricky part comes in deciphering these sutras and interpreting these right. The principles still holds true even after 5000 years so I believe that ayurveda principles are not merely assumptions. There is no science that is so intricately woven into a fabric with religion, science, philosophy, art, medicine and culture. It is a diverse science and all we need is to understand, ponder and spread the correct awareness.
Q2: In your opinion what are the top three challenges which Ayurveda needs to correct to catapulate itself into a universally accepted Medical practice?
A-Documentation and research oriented methodology of study. This is difficult as Ayurveda deals in individuality rather than a mass approach. We give our prescription and advises based on a number of physical, mental, physiological stage of the patient and also as per the doctors experience. The results vary from person to person as we all belong to different background, physical condition, educational and familial backgrounds, etc. So documentation would be a challenge. Many of the vaidyas or traditional doctors have a lot of knowledge which they fail to pass on to the next generation due to many reasons. So this could be a challenge.
2. Perception of mass in general- AYURVEDA HAS NO SIDE EFFECTS- of the many commercials that I have watched on Ayurveda based products, No side effect is the claim. Drugs are drugs and they have their indications and contraindications. Every medicine has to be taken under strict medical supervision.
3. Limited opportunities for young doctors: Budding doctors are given limited opportunities in terms of Post Graduation and also limited practise under reputed vaidyas. This will eventually lead to frustration and finally opting for other fields other than Ayurveda. This might coax them to practise the modern system of medicine as that is happening in the northern Indian belt. This is a big challenge.
Q3: What are the experiences of Being an Ayurvedic Practitioner?
A-My experience of being an ayurveda practioner: Well, I am pretty satisfied now. I had made a vow that come what may, I shall practise ayurveda only. I also believe that you need to work hard to achieve something. Challenges are there in every field but persistance and perseverance pays in the end. I am educating people in corporates (the most sought after industry) about ayurveda, current problems, natural ways to live healthy etc through various workshops and health talks.
I believe that a doctor should not limit himself / herself on practise alone, but get into educating the masses as well. This will create more clarity in the mindsets of people as well as the doctor would gain confidence and reputation.
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