All World
Gayatri Pariwar

Ayurvedic Therapies: New Frontiers of Alternative & Complementary Medicine

[Ayurveda – the Vedic Science of Health, is being seen by many as the leading mode of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Therapy in the future because of its comprehensive approach to the mind-body system. In the earlier series of articles on useful health-tips from Ayurveda, we had looked at the daily routine and diet control as prescribed in the Ayurvedic scriptures for prevention of diseases and attainment of natural health. Now we shall focus on some of the therapeutic aspects of this ancient medical science. 

Our major objective in presenting this new series on Ayurvedic Therapies is to provide new information on Himalayan herbal medicines based on first of its kind research carried out at the Brahmvarchas Research Centre, Shantikunj, Hardwar (India).  In this first article of the series, we shall briefly review the overall status and expanding acceptance of Ayurveda worldwide in recent times. From next issue onwards, a series of articles is planned to be published which will cover "Decoction Therapy". The latter has been extensively studied and applied in the Kadha Lab of this centre. Thousands of people have been benefited from this therapy and got rid of diseases of different types and severity.  Following this will be a series of articles on yagya-based herbal healing and vibrant health. Rare knowledge from the scriptures will be presented here; pioneering experimental research in this field is also going on in the Yagyopathy Lab of Brahmvarchas centre.

Interpretations of the scriptures imply that Ayurvedic mode of healing was derived from rich field of sublime knowledge and high quality, comprehensive science of medicine.  It is said that, this Vedic knowledge descended (realized through the vision of the rishis) with the advent of life on Earth.  It is said to have been propounded by Lord Brahma – the Supreme Creator – Himself, and is therefore regarded as originating from eternal knowledge. It is referred in the Vedic literature as a sub-Veda (upaveda). Most scholars of Vedic disciplines have recognized it as emanating from Atharva Veda, while a few also cite it as an upaveda of the Riga Veda.  Both affirm it as a Vedic science of ayu (life-span) and hence as the first science of medicine and health.   


Maharshi Shushrut and Maharshi Charak are revered as the great rishis (vedic sages) who founded Ayurvedic Therapy. They studied, experimented and brought its original knowledge into healing practice for the integrated well-being of the world. Maharshi Shushrut referred it as a primordial science. Similar were the views of Maharshi Charak who also discovered this eternal natural science through inner realization.  He defined it as –

As the above definition indicates, Ayurvedic approach takes into account all aspects of an individual's life that directly or indirectly affect his physical and mental wellbeing and accordingly provides the benefits of preventive as well as therapeutic health care.  The Ayurvedic philosophy regards the (physical) body as a fine-tuned instrument for soul growth bestowed by the Almighty to help an embodied soul to excel in material as well as spiritual realms of life. While it focuses at eliminating the deficiencies, infections and untoward elements from the body and balancing the presence of those elements, which are vital and useful for its harmonious and healthy functioning, it also stresses and incorporates the subtle but prominent role of the mind in influencing the state and activities of the somatic system.

In ancient times Ayurveda was found effective in inducing kayakalpa (transformation of a diseased or weak body into a young vigorous one) and providing longevity of youthful health and charm.  The present day polluted environment and inability of people to stick to the ascetic disciplines desired for kayakalpa certainly restrain such magical effects in the modern times. However, the total healthcare and natural healing offered by this ancient medical science continue to justify its superiority in several respects.  Most importantly, the fact that Ayurvedic therapies are risk-free and do not generate any negative or suppressive effects on other kinds of medicaments or modes of treatments that might be used simultaneously, makes it an excellent substitute of Allopathy.  Moreover, yoga is an integral part of the total healthcare approach under this Vedic Science. This, perhaps, is the reason why more and more people, not only in India but also across the globe, are getting attracted towards Ayurveda.

Last decade has witnessed a steep rise in the research and use of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in general and Ayurveda and herbal medicines in particular. Several new colleges and/or research centers have opened in the USA, which focus exclusively on Ayurveda. A committee of the members of the House of Lords was constituted in the UK to consider the scientific recognition and expansion of "Alternative and Complementary Medicine".  A high-level commission in the USA had recommended in favor of the Indian System of Medicine vis-à-vis the modern modes of medical treatment. It has also emphasized at innovative scientific research in the fields of Ayurveda to expand its practice in hospitals, clinics and other healing centres.


The world today is in dire need of a system of healthcare that could rescue it from the growing agonies of ailments. Most of the so-called 'progressive and advanced' people are suffering the painful consequences of an artificial life-style and choosing the quick (though short-lived) remedies of Allopathy.  The toxic effects of antibiotics and risks of side effects –– apart from upsetting the digestive system and sleep –– of the synthetic chemicals used in allopathic drugs have shaken people's faith in this dominating science of medicine of the modern age. Still worse is the fact that Allopathy has failed to allay or cure varieties of psychosomatic disorders and diseases and abnormalities pertaining to problems of endocrine glands or hormones, while these happen to be alarmingly rising complaints in the urban sections of the society.  The integrative approach of Ayurveda provides promising solutions in this regard. Research in modern laboratories is showing excellent supportive results in its favor. 

The scenario is threatening for the weaker or poorer sections of society. Ignorance, lack of hygiene, malnutrition and uncontrolled population growth, etc add to their pathetic health conditions.  Single-tracked approach of the public healthcare policies that rely solely on Allopathy have been unsuccessful in improving their wellbeing even at the level of physical health. The risks of dreaded diseases like AIDS have further worsened the situation. The preventive approach of Ayurveda acquires special significance in this context as an ideal substitute of Allopathy. The use of medicinal plants (many of which are easily available at practically no costs), as recommended by Ayurvedic experts, would be most suitable as natural tonics and risk-free effective drugs in most cases here.  Above all, the scope of collective Ayurvedic healing of the masses through yoga and yagya ensures remarkable positive effects at large scale. Studies and implementation of dedicated schemes of rural healthcare at places like Brahmvarchas, Shantikunj, Hardwar, have affirmed these possibilities.

As per a survey, in year 2003, the total number of doctors practising  Ayurvedic or some other Alternative Therapies in England was about fifty thousands. The total number of cases cured by them in year 1999 alone was about fifty hundred thousands. These data were presented by the 67th British Parliamentary Select Committee for Science and Technology. According to an independent survey conducted by the BBC a couple of years ago, on an average the British people spend about 1.6 billion pounds per year on Alternative and Complementary Medicines; of which about 50 million pounds are for Ayurveda. The popularity of plant (herbal) medicines is increasing in U.K. at a rapid rate.

Similar trends are recorded in USA. In its report, a commission headed by the American Health Minister at White House, had reported a few years ago that the choice of most Americans for healing is now shifting from Allopathy to Ayurveda, Yoga and oriental herbal medicines in general. This is a positive sign of increasing popularity of Ayurveda there. 

This trend was noticed way back in a survey conducted during 1990-1997 in the USA. It showed that the number of persons preferring these modes of therapies had increased from 33.8 to 42.1 percent during this period; the increase in this number for Ayurveda alone had been the sharpest – from 2.5 to 12.1 percent. The average expenditure in the USA on Ayurvedic therapies alone was estimated to be around 27 billion dollars in the year 1997.  This had had an impact on the government policies as well. Ayurveda is now considered to be a part of the state-sponsored medical education.  There are already some recognized non-government institutes and colleges for Ayurveda teaching and research in America, which are having a growing profile of success.     


The risk-free, naturally effective healing science of Ayurveda has also attracted people in other parts of the world, where yoga has already been quite popular.  Germany is much ahead of other countries abroad in Ayurvedic research and medical practices.  Ayurvedic therapies are also gaining significant place in the healthcare systems in Canada, France, Hongkong, Australia and several Arab countries.

Russia is no exception in this regard. The popularity of Ayurvedic medicine is growing there, too.  Ayurvedic therapy of panchkarma has been given official recognition by the Government of Russia.  The Russian administration has also communicated to the Government of India emphasizing the need to translate and publish the textbooks and other literature on panchakarma and other modes of Ayurvedic therapy and medicine in Russian language for disseminating Ayurvedic knowledge, education and healthcare applications in Russia. Similar developments have taken place is some East European countries. Moving a step ahead in the future direction, Poland has initiated several research projects on Ayurveda in collaboration with some governmental and non-governmental institutions of India.   

The global recognition and expansion of the ancient Indian Medical Science of Ayurveda vindicates its comprehensive scientific approach that works in total harmony with Nature and takes into account the multiple dimensions of human life. In fact, many facets of this Vedic Science yet remain unexplored in the modern times.  Decipherment and thorough study of these would pose challenging research projects with enormous potential benefits. The interdependence of mind and body as considered in Ayurvedic approach is truly remarkable. It has proved its relevance and importance in healing psychosomatic disorders and offers greater hopes and promises to rid the world from the ailing state of people's health. We, the inheritors of the Vedic culture, have the responsibility to preserve its originality and prevent its rapidly growing expansion from being entrapped in commercialization. 

In view of its prominent role as an alternative and complementary science of medicine, and its rising popularity worldwide, and considering its proven scope in providing total healthcare with youthful vigor, Ayurveda may well become the leading medical science of the present century.  The divine vision of the Vedic rishis had seen and discovered the deeper aspects of spiritual wellbeing as well. Knowledge of the predominant role of the five basic elements (pancha tatvas) in manifestation of Nature and also in the gross and the subtle bodies of an embodied being and the spiritual philosophy of life incorporated in Ayurvedic scriptures would guide the dedicated researchers to rediscover these aspects in scientific light.   Success in this regard would bless the world with celestial boons of Ayurveda and Vedic Spiritual Disciplines.