Ayurveda is esteemed as the ancient of all medical sciences, with a historical lineage extending over 5,000 years. It is regarded as a very distinguished discipline within the medical field, giving equal attention to both the prevention and treatment of ailments. This unique health science holistically establishes comprehensive guidelines for optimal dietary practices, lifestyle choices, and healthcare methodologies. The practice of Ayurveda is distinguished by its unique principles and concepts, as well as its specialized approaches to treatment. As professionals in Ayurveda, we frequently encounter a multitude of misconceptions. Given their potential to mislead, we deem it necessary to address these myths to ensure that this time-honored ancient wisdom remains robust, thereby providing humanity with the utmost benefit.
Ayurveda: Just a Trendy Pseudo-Science!!! It is a Medicine by chance….
I guess this confusion comes from the difficulty in comprehending concepts like pancha-mahabhoota, tridosha, and prakruti, from the existing conventional methodology — which are important for preventive and health care in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is the world’s oldest ongoing medical system and the mother of all medical systems, with a ton of literature found in texts like the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. It takes a holistic approach to health that gives equal weight to preventive care and curative treatments, including surgeries, all built on a solid foundation of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and diagnostics, backed by strict rules and ethical standards. That clearly makes it more than just a collection of remedies. Key concepts like PANCHAMAHABHUTA and TRIDOSHA highlight the need for treatments to be personalized, a concept that’s slowly being recognized in mainstream medicine too. When we take a closer look at those seemingly abstract Ayurvedic ideas through scientific research, we’re actually seeing promising results. While the basic theories might not fit perfectly into our current biological sciences and are beyond the reach of contemporary scientific analysis due to their operation on a different background, the proven effectiveness of many Ayurvedic medicines and treatments puts to rest any claims of it being pseudoscience and a medicine by chance.
Ayurveda – Too Slow… Only for Chronic Conditions…
This is half-truth…
Ayurveda gives importance to identifying and addressing the underlying causes of health issues, with the objective of restoring the inherent balance of the psycho-physical system.
As an Ayurveda practitioner with over 20 years of experience, I have observed that many individuals seek my assistance only after they have been unable to achieve satisfactory results through conventional medicine. By this point, the underlying imbalances are often deeply rooted, requiring a prolonged duration to realize meaningful outcomes. When a patient consults an Ayurveda doctor for a chronic health issue, the initial step typically involves detoxification, which goes hand in hand with modifications in lifestyle and dietary habits to enhance tissue quality, in conjunction with the appropriate therapeutic interventions. It is also essential to ensure that, during the process of alleviating and addressing disease pathology, we do not harm the body’s tissues and organs. Furthermore, the speed of recovery may vary depending on the severity of the condition being treated and the specific medicines prescribed by the practitioner. Ayurveda does offer “quick fixes” for numerous acute conditions, which are well documented and effectively practiced by Ayurveda physicians throughout India.
You Can Grab Ayurveda Medicines Over the Counter, No Side Effects…..!
I frequently encounter patients who are already consuming triphala, ashwagandha, and guggulu after purchasing over the counter, without consulting an Ayurveda doctor, under the impression that they are “HERBAL AND NATURAL”. However, it is a misconception that Ayurveda is devoid of side effects. Ayurveda medicines and herbs can indeed be detrimental when prescribed without-a proper diagnosis, an understanding of the severity of the disease and prognosis, consideration of existing allopathic medications, appropriate dietary and lifestyle guidelines; with-inappropriate adjuvants, incomplete instructions, incorrect dosages, at unsuitable timings. It is equally imperative to select medicines from a reputable manufacturer, ensuring that these products undergo rigorous scrutiny with certifications from both government bodies and third-party organizations. Given that Ayurvedic medicines are both herbal and herbo-mineral, these certifications are crucial for patient safety and to avoid any potential toxicity (such as a monograph study for Rasa Kalpana, which serves as a detailed, scientific, and factual document that delineates a specific herbo-mineral formulation, focusing on its properties, preparation, quality standards, safety, and efficacy).
Here are a few examples for you!
Garlic and guggulu can put you at risk of bleeding if you take them with warfarin or aspirin.
Certain medicines used for diabetes in Ayurveda, if not monitored closely, can dangerously lower the blood sugar level if you are on insulin.
Ashwagandha can cause drowsiness or interact with thyroid function in a few people.
Guggulu can cause stomach upset, and some individuals may experience skin rashes from certain herbal ingredients.
It is highly recommended to consult with your Ayurveda practitioner prior to the consumption of any Ayurvedic medicines, as the selection of herbs and remedies is significantly tailored according to an individual’s prakruti (body type), vikruti (imbalances), as well as their agni (digestive fire) and bala (strength in relation to both the individual and the ailment), among other factors.
Ayurveda Medicines Never Expire, Right?
Not completely right…….Again, it is a half-truth to claim that medicines do not have a date of expiry. In fact, there exists a specific category of medicines that exhibit increased efficacy as they age, notably those ending with the terms asava, arishta, kupipakva rasayana, and ghritham. Ancient texts have explicitly stated the expiry dates for the medicines. For instance, once the packaging of powders (termed churnas) is opened, they are generally usable for a duration of 2 to 3 months; however, with proper storage, they may have a shelf life extending to 2 years.
Anything Herbal is Ayurveda!!!!
Ayurveda and herbal are not synonymous. Ayurveda uses not only lots of herbs but also minerals, metals, animal products, and salts (after strict purification methods as prescribed by the ancient literature) in the medicines where the combinations are disease-specific and the choice of these is disease- and person-specific. So if you choose any single herb extract like ajwain(carom seeds) extract in liquid form, you can term it as herbal which is not necessarily ayurvedic; if your Ayurveda doctor prescribes ajamodadi churnam, it falls under Ayurveda medicine with dosage, time of intake, and appropriate adjuvants, which is very disease specific, backed by dietary and lifestyle modifications.
Ayurveda Propagates Vegetarianism…
Ayurveda promotes a comprehensive approach to diet, which is not exclusively vegetarian. The classical texts of Ayurveda meticulously outline the nutritional properties of various meats, devoting entire chapter to the subject in text books like sushruta samhita. For instance, goat meat is regarded as the BEST among meats. Additionally, there are medicinal formulations that incorporate meat as a component; the preparation of meat-based soups for convalescence from certain ailments is elucidated in detail. Furthermore, specific panchakarma treatments, referred to as rajayapana-vasthi, may include meat among their ingredients. Nonetheless, for those who choose a vegetarian lifestyle, Ayurveda offers suitable vegetarian alternatives without compromising their effect.
Ayurveda: It’s All About What You Eat and How You Live!
Ayurveda is the Sanskrit term denoting the knowledge of life, aiming at the preservation of health in individuals and the treatment of diseases in those affected. This science provides a comprehensive and highly practical framework concerning dietary practices and lifestyle choices, specifically tailored to an individual’s unique prakruti (body type), while also addressing imbalances to prevent the onset of disease in its full manifestation. Furthermore, for the prevention of diseases, Ayurveda elaborates on lifestyle guidelines such as daily routines, seasonal regimens, and ethical codes of conduct in its classical texts. Ayurveda also encompasses eight specialized branches dedicated to the treatment of various ailments, which include internal medicine, surgery, ENT and ophthalmology, pediatrics and obstetrics, toxicology, psychiatry, and reproductive health. Ultimately, it revolves around your eating habits and lifestyle choices, as well as a thorough medical framework that manages diverse ailments through a broad array of medications and unique panchakarma treatment techniques.
Ayurveda Medicines Taste Horrible…..
The statement presented is partially accurate. Indeed, many Ayurvedic medicines possess a bitter taste and are often not palatable due to the various combinations of herbs in their formulations. This is particularly true for preparations that conclude with terms such as churnam (although some may have a pleasant taste), kashayam, and ghritam, which tend to be less acceptable to the palate. Conversely, there are formulations ending in lehyam and arishtam/asavam (some of which are likewise not particularly palatable) that exhibit a notably superior taste. Over the years, practitioners of Ayurveda have dedicated considerable effort to modifying the form of certain medicines, ensuring they are both user-friendly and palatable without sacrificing therapeutic efficacy. The liquid concoctions known as KASHAYAM and some CHURNAMS are now available as tablets, while MEDICATED GHEE is offered in softgel capsules, enhancing their usability. Traditional Ayurvedic texts emphasize the significance of adjuvants like honey, jaggery, and ghee, which are recommended to enhance bioavailability and mitigate unpleasant tastes in Ayurvedic medicines.
Ayurveda exhibits variations across different regions of India!!!
It is a singular discipline, with all practitioners adhering to ancient texts – Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Sangraha. However, the nomenclature of treatments and medicines may differ from region to region, reflecting local expertise, while the fundamental principles of Ayurveda remain consistent. So next time when you hear Kerala Ayurveda and many more nomenclatures, do not get confused.
Let Us Conclude….
Ayurveda, a time-honored system of medicine, has provided its benefits to living beings since time immemorial and will continue to do so indefinitely. This ancient practice has upheld the health of individuals through its emphasis on preventive care. Furthermore, it has offered hope to those deemed hopeless and life to patients suffering from ailments that traditionally carry a poor prognosis, thanks to its foundational treatment principles and medicinal formulations.
Going Forward!!!
Each medical system present in the current context possesses its own significance. Undoubtedly, contemporary medical sciences have achieved remarkable advancements. It would be immensely beneficial to humanity if the most effective aspects of all medical systems were integrated, resulting in a comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of the ailing population, assigns equal importance to preventive care, and mitigates the burden of health issues.
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