The field of medicine offers various methods for treating diseases, each with its history, principles, and benefits. Three major treatment types that stand out are allopathy, homeopathy, and Ayurveda. It is often debated which one is more useful - allopathy or Ayurveda and here renowned scientist and NITI Aayog member VK Saraswat’s insights are pertinent that these are different useful systems of medicine though more research is required to be done in Ayurveda to ensure that it is acceptable to people. A report by the Ministry of Ayush states that homeopathy is the second most popular system of medicine after allopathy in India with roughly 10% of the population relying solely on this alternate form of medicine for treatment.
As healthcare evolves, these approaches are becoming more integrated and accepted. Learning about these different systems not only broadens our understanding but also provides us with additional options for maintaining health in today's world. Here’s a lowdown.
Understanding Ayurveda and Its Wonders
Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India over 6,000 years ago. India is treasure of herbal plants in a way making it green gold. Ayurveda is the oldest form of therapy and is widely practised throughout India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The term "Ayurveda" comes from two Sanskrit words "ayu" meaning life and "veda" meaning science or knowledge". This practice is based on the concept that the body is made up of three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which are responsible for the physiological, mental and emotional health of a person. Ayurveda is based on the idea that every individual has certain doshas and everything in the universe is interlinked. Imbalance in doshas can lead to disease and illness. Ayurveda mostly comprises changes in nutrition and lifestyle, along with natural treatments. These are used for supporting health and balancing doshas. Ayurveda focuses on overall health, but may use specific treatments for certain diseases.
For instance,Vat dosha is responsible for nervous and digestive issues, pita dosha is believed to be the cause of blood toxicity, inflammation and infection while kapha is for increase in mucus, lung diseases, edema and weight. Treatment typically starts with an internal purification process, followed by a specific diet, herbal treatments, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation. Hygiene practices, such as regular bathing, teeth cleaning, oil pulling, tongue scraping, skincare, and eye care, are also important.
The advantage of Ayurveda is its personalised approach to healing. Practitioners consider a person's unique body type, nature of disease, lifestyle, and environmental factors when developing a treatment plan. Herbs and plants, including oils and common spices, are extensively used in treatments. About 90% of the remedies are plant-based, such as ashwagandha and tulsi.Various herbs used as treatment in ayurveda have been found to be affective, offering a holistic approach to health with natural remedies. Other health benefits of ayurveda include reduced anxiety and stress, improved digestion, skin health, heart health, sleep quality and better brain and immune health.
However, although Ayurveda can positively complement standard medical care, it should not replace conventional medicine for treating serious disease conditions.
Understanding Homeopathy
In 1796, German physician Samuel Hahnemann founded the system of medicine known as homeopathy. Homeopathy operates on the principle of "like cures like," involving the use of highly diluted substances as an alternative medicine, allowing the body to heal itself. The idea is that these diluted substances stimulate the body's natural healing processes, restoring balance and curing the diseased condition.
Homeopathic products come from various sources, including plants like red onion and poison ivy, minerals, and animal source. These products are often made into sugar pellets for placement under the tongue, but they can also come in other forms such as ointments, gels, drops, creams, and tablets. Treatments are personalised, so different people with the same condition may receive different remedies.
Homeopathy is a subject of debate, as some of its core principles do not align with basic scientific concepts. For instance, remedies are sometimes diluted to the point where the active ingredient cannot be detected, making them difficult to study. However, recent research is exploring the physical properties of these remedies to better understand them.
The advantage of homoeopathy is that it is non-toxic and non-invasive, meaning it does not cause harmful side effects and the medicines are easy to digest. Homeopathic remedies, made from natural substances, are diluted to a degree that makes them safe for use even by infants and pregnant women. Making them affordable for use can be a suitable choice for alternative treatment.
Allopathy: The Modern-Day Saviour
Allopathy, also known as conventional medicine, emerged with the advancement of modern science. WHO classifies allopathic medicine as the broad category of medical practice that is also called Western medicine, biomedicine, evidence-based medicine or modern medicine. This is the most widely used form of medicine worldwide, focusing on drug and surgical treatments. Samuel Hahnemann coined the term "allopathy" to distinguish conventional medicine from homeopathy. Allopathic therapies implies that medicinal treatment should produce positive outcomes on a particular disease.
Allopathy relies on scientific methods and evidence-based treatments to diagnose and manage illnesses. This approach is generally accepted and has proven effective for treating acute and chronic conditions. Healthcare professionals practising allopathic medicine often use diagnostic tests to determine the actual disease condition and its best course of treatment.
Despite undergoing rigorous clinical trials and approval processes, allopathic medicines are not completely without risk. Some individuals may experience side effects, which can be minor or, in rare cases, serious.
On the positive side, allopathy offers quick relief from symptoms and is effective in emergencies and acute conditions where homeopathic and Ayurvedic treatments may take longer to show results. Allopathic medicines are modified and formulated according to latest scientific researches giving access to best medicine available for benefiting in a particular disease. The major disadvantage of allopathic medicines is that they only suppress symptoms not completely curing. Allopathy carries with it the risks of side effects, nutrient-drug interactions, allergic reactions, destroying the good bacteria in the body and focusing on a particular part of the body instead of overall health.
Understanding these different medical systems helps us make informed choices that best suit our needs and beliefs. Whether you choose the advancements of allopathy, the personalised care of homoeopathy, or the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, the ultimate goal remains the same: achieving optimal health and wellness.
