Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system, has a strong philosophical background and scientific approach developed by keen observation, proper perception and experimental work by saints and sages.
Ayurveda has accepted loka purusha samyavada, according to which, whatever is there in nature, is also present in our body. As nature is basically made up of panchamahabhootas, our body is also made up of panchamahabhootas. Being one of the oldest systems of medicine, there are many myths associated with the practice. We look at a few here:
Ayurveda means only herbal medicines
Ayurveda has selected and used substances, which are available in nature. Plants being a major part of nature are extensively used in Ayurveda. But along with herbal medicines, Ayurveda has also used animal-origin substances (like conch shell, pearl, coral and the like), as well as mineral-origin substances (gold, silver, mercury and the like) in the form of medicine, after processing them.
Ayurvedic medicines are slow in their action
Ayurvedic medicines, being natural, are easily accepted by our body system. Ayurvedic medicines, which contain only herbal ingredients, are slow in action, but in ayurvedic pharmaceutics, medicines are made fast acting, by mineral drugs in the form of herbo-mineral combination. We can use such drugs in moderate
conditions of a disease also.
For example, shwasa kuthara rasa and kankasava for respiratory disorders; chandraprabha and chandanasava for urinary tract infections. Ayurvedic medicines don’t produce any adverse reaction. The safety of ayurvedic medicines depends upon several factors, such as:
n Precautions taken during preparation of the medicines. (For example, any arsenic or mercury containing drugs may show adverse effects, if proper purification is not done during its preparation.)
n Rational use of medicine for suitable patients with suitable disease. (For example, bhallataka (marking nut) containing drugs may cause blisters or ulcers if the patient is sensitive to it (pitta prakrati).
Ayurvedic medicines contain heavy metals, which are toxic
Ayurvedic medicines contain heavy metals like mercury, iron, copper, gold and the like. But they are used only after proper purification methods are performed.
Scientific studies have already proven that heavy metals used in Ayurvedic medicines are not toxic and can be safely taken under the supervision of an Ayurvedic physician.
Ayurvedic medicines don’t have an expiry period
There are mentions of different Ayurvedic formulations and their expiration periods in Ayurvedic texts (sharangadhara samhita).
Like, choorna (powder) has about two months of expiry and vati (tablet) has about a year, while asavarista is said to last infinitely (they contain self-generated alcohol).
Ayurvedic & folklore medicines are the same
Folklore medicine is developed based on one’s personal experience and is propagated from generation to generation. It is lacking in rational explanation. However, in Ayurveda, use of any medicine can be rationally explained.
Ayurvedic system lacks a scientific approach
The fact of the matter is that Ayurveda consists of three basic parts:
n Study of cause of diseases.
n Study of signs and symptoms of the diseases.
n Medicines for the diseases.
Ayurveda has its own pharmacology to explain the action of the drugs in terms of rasadi panchaka under which, taste, quality, potency, transformation of drugs inside the body and action of each and every drug is studied. Presently, Ayurveda has adopted the modern quality control tests and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) to maintain the standard of Ayurvedic medicines.
Ayurvedic medicines cannot be taken along with other systems of medicine
This is a misconception. You can take other medicines combined with Ayurvedic drugs. For instance, diabetes patients can take Ayurvedic drugs such as asanadi kashaya and vasanta kusumakara rasa along with regular anti-diabetic drugs, by which, complications arising due to the disease can be prevented.
We need to remember that Ayurveda aims not only at the treatment of diseases, but also for their prevention. The treatment of any disease in Ayurveda essentially involves:
n Planning the drugs for treatment.
n Counselling the patient (psychological treatment).
n Spiritual treatment — Rejuvenation therapy is one of the unique treatments which help patients lead a disease-free, long life.
n Ayurvedic medicines aim at root-level relief of the diseases.
n They carry a lesser chance of damage to vital organs even after prolonged use.
n We can avoid surgery in many serious conditions through panchakarma and ksharasutra. In other words, money, time and risk of post-operative complications can be avoided.
(The author is reader, SJG Ayurvedic
Medical College, Koppal)