Ayurveda: Adapting The Ancient Wisdom to Modern Challenges

Since the advent of the term “Cell” coined by British scientist Robert Hook in 1665, there has been tremendous advancement in the field of physics, chemistry, and biology. The application of science to human biology has created wonders in controlling communicable and contagious diseases like cholera, smallpox, diphtheria polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis, etc. Diagnostic parts like MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, and biochemical markers of modern medical science have made it easier to know about the diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and tumours at an early stage and save life.

Despite all this, the incidence of non- communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and many psychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression and psychosis are on the rise. We see private and government hospitals more crowded than before. This situation thirsts to adopt such a system of medical science that can combat such modern challenges of diseases. We are fortunate to be born in India as it has its own traditional indigenous, age-old, and time- tested system of health called Ayurveda. If we see the etymology of Ayurveda, it is made up of two Sanskrit language words; Ayur + Veda. Ayur means life and Veda means knowledge. Ayurveda is not only a health system but also the science of life.

It teaches us how to lead a healthy and happy life individually and socially. The definition of health as per Ayurveda (Sushrut Samhita) is a balanced state of body humours (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), balanced state of digestive and metabolic fire (Agni), balanced state of all bodily tissues (Dhatu), proper excretions and secretions (Mala), a state of homeostasis and happiness of mind and soul. One, who has all these attributes is said to be healthy. WHO defines good health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well- being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity which is close to the definition of health mentioned in Ayurveda classics. The above descriptions of health endorses that in modern times we can adapt the concepts of Ayurveda to meet the modern challenges of dreadful diseases.

The first preference of Ayurveda is the preservation of the health with prevention of diseases and the second is the treatment of diseases of the diseased person. Ayurveda considers that diseases appear in the human body when the homeostatic mechanisms are disturbed as a result of erratic diet and lifestyle and various toxins and unwanted metabolites collect in body tissues. Ayurveda also believes that inherited and genetic disorders play a big role to impair health.

For the prevention of health disorders, Ayurveda focuses on the:

• Din Charya (daily routine) which includes when to get up, when to eat, and what to
• Ritu Charya (seasonal regimens): we have six seasons (Ritu) in India like Varsha Ritu (rainy season), Sharad Ritu (autumn season), Hemant Ritu (early part of winter), Shishir Ritu (later part of winter), Vasant Ritu (spring), Greeshma Ritu (summer). The human body tries to adapt the seasonal changes differently in every season. Seers of Ayurveda understood this concept 3000 years back and prescribed different regimens for different seasons to adapt to seasonal changes without disturbing health.

For example, in Vasant Ritu (March to end of May in India) Kapha dosha (dampness) is aggravated and you are more prone to develop digestive disorders the advice is that one should avoid heavy and hard-to- digest food, oily food, food with cold energy. Adding diet beverages like honey mixed water for non-diabetics, boiled water with sandalwood extract, fruit, and vegetable juice fast for a day or two per week may help your digestive system to have a break and rekindle your digestive fire and enzymes. Regular exercise every day, and avoiding daytime naps may help to maintain the balance of the biochemical environment. This may also prevent and postpone autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s diseases, eczema, and bronchial asthma which sometimes are programmed genetically. When following the Ritu Charya, they do not find a proper environment to express themselves. Likewise, other seasonal diseases can also be prevented by following the rules of Ritu Charya.

Another important area of Ritu is Rasayan Chikitsa (rejuvenation). This part is specially meant for rejuvenation and preservation. In modern times we can say this can be applied to anti-ageing therapeutics. These are the premature senile cells which contribute to disease and ageing and senile cell ultimately lose their normal functioning and die. Common examples are degenerative health disorders of various systems of the body i.e., degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee, spine, and shoulder. Neurological degenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neuron Disease, Senile Dementia, etc. There are many herbs mentioned in Ayurveda which can play a big role to preserve positive health at a cellular level in various systems of the body. Recently COVID-19 witnessed the strength of ayurvedic herbs and decoctions to boost immunity. Basically, all the ingredients of kadha (decoction) are rasayanas and they have saved thousands of lives. A few examples are ashwagandha, Hareetaki, Yashtimadhu, Shatavari, Tulsi, Giloy, Brahmi, White Gourd, Amla, Triphala, Braham Rasayan, Chyavanprash, etc. If Rasayana Therapy is taken under the supervision of an ayurvedic doctor many modern health issues can be prevented.

Our health policies are now focusing to get the maximum benefit out of our traditional medical system Ayurveda. It has great potential to handle the health challenges of the modern society. We all need to come closer to nature and preserve our environment, flora, and fauna to keep Ayurveda in its original strength.