Ayurveda - Wellness Joy

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system has been used for more than 5,000 years. It is a science of life with a holistic approach to health and personalized medicine. It is known to be a complete medical system that comprised physical, psychological, philosophical, ethical, and spiritual health.

Ayurveda’s holistic approach towards good health and prevention and treatment of illness is through lifestyle interventions and natural therapies (such as massage, meditation, yoga, and dietary changes) and the use of herbal remedies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment.

The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words Ayur (life) and Veda (science or knowledge).

Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness, Ayurvedic treatment starts with an internal purification process.

The body’s constitution (Prakriti), and life forces (doshas) are the primary basis of ayurvedic medicine. Goals of treatment aid the person by eliminating ama(toxins), reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, reducing stress, and increasing harmony in life. Herbs and other plants, including oils and common spices, are used extensively in Ayurvedic treatment.

Ayurveda can have positive effects when used as a complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care.

Interestingly, this ancient science has the ability to treat many chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and asthma, which are untreatable in modern medicine. Unfortunately, due to a lack of scientific validation in various concepts, this precious gift from our ancestors is trailing. Hence, evidence-based research is highly needed for global recognition and acceptance of Ayurved, which needs further advancements in the research methodology.

According to the World Health Organization, about 70–80% of the world’s population rely on nonconventional medicines mainly of herbal sources in their healthcare.

Public interest in the treatment with complementary and alternative medicine is mainly due to increased side effects in synthetic drugs, lack of curative treatment for several chronic diseases, high cost of new drugs, microbial resistance, and emerging diseases, etc.

Refer Research Paper: Ayurvedic research and methodology: Present status and future strategies

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