Does it matter as who is treating instead of rejoicing on obtaining a cure?

Many of the professionals around the globe are prejudicial about the career and its effects. This is true in case of medical profession too. The science of healing is an age old one created, developed, practiced and propagated from time immemorial by various civilizations that the world has seen. Out of these, the art of healing that has still been existing are Allopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Tibbi, Chinese medicine, etc. Now due to the political upheavals that has resulted in changes of the world maps for centuries have undoubtedly made the Allopathy or the European system of medicine a more accepted and most applied system today. But still in the third world countries the folklore practices or the so-called complementary or alternative systems of medicine have many a times catered the needs of the local people with their knowledge. 

Among the various existing systems many are not acknowledged today due to its failure to provide a scientific data in lines to the existing know-how. Even though these so-called have shown encouraging and sometimes amazing results where the main system have shown considerable failure, these systems have not been encouraged or recognized as a medical system by many governments of most countries of the world. In-fact among these systems of medical practice now-a-days are well organised and learnt in its homeland but with little or less recognition world-over. Now the question is why do the medical fraternity fight with each other for dominance. Instead it would be better that the knowledge is exchanged among the practitioners and take the best among them. This when passed on to the needy will give a better and effective treatment leading to a everlasting effect of treatment. 

All systems of medicine that exist today in the world has emerged with only one aim and that is to give health for those who have asked for by the best possible means. Hence an exchange of ideas and open acceptance of the systems will surely lead to a more healthy and disease free world. Isn't this that is to be achieved by us? If yes, then why do we think of who has given the effect rather than rejoicing on obtaining a desired effect............................. CFEIA

Rise of Ayurveda – An illusion or reality

It is a fact that Ayurveda is getting ready for a rise in the 21^st century. Many of us do feel it to be happening in the near future. But how much are we ready to absorb the pressure of this new awakening. Infact, it would become an illusion rather than a reality if not equip ourselves with necessary knowhow to handle the great responsibility.

As early as the 1990, there were hardly any physicians or students who had taken up its study considered practicing Ayurveda completely as the main stream of medicine. Infact, it was considered as a backdoor entry for the practice of Modern system of medicine. But later, the trend slightly and surely changed. Thanks, to the constant terrorising side effects of chemotherapy (Includes the most used Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) as these are all chemicals artificially done or derived in Laboratories) of Modern system of Medicine. This not only created a sense of awareness in India, but also in various other countries around the globe. The system thus became an object of curiosity to the Western countries. This created a sensation of an broader market and application of the science. But unluckily, the people in the west like Indians were not ready to accept as it is, in its complete form, due to many short coming like unable to understand the language and also to interpret the principles that guard the science in its totality.

Hence, they accepted what they understood like massage, steambath, etc, therapies which they felt are soothing and relaxing in nature. Thus, it has resulted in the rise of Resort business all over India and the Globe. In the name of Ayurveda, the trend was wrongly directed by many vicious people (mainly unqualified, but sometimes aided by qualified) to extract and attain financial benefits not only by unethical ways and means but also by highlighting wrong interpretations. Along with the above situation, the problem of standardisation of drugs with respect to its quality, consistency, etc. exists even today. Though there are many stringent rules and regulations for standardising the same, but as usual in India anything is possible to manipulate with corruption.

Unfortunately the law doesn’t mention the use of specialised and well qualified personal related for monitoring the procurement of quality raw materials and procedures of various medicinal preparations in various pharmacies in India. As a result there is use of unrelated, under qualified, underpaid or cheap labour in these firms. This not only led to poor quality, adulterated or uneven substitution of raw materials along with improper methods of production leading to loss of valuable raw materials and low quality medicines. The poor quality medicines have thus resulted in a negative outcomes resulting in loss of faith in it. Incidentally, it is very painful situation that even some of those who belong to this science do comment negatively on it leading to more pathetic situation.

The situation can be corrected by employing those who are specialised in the related field qualified from different institutions of Ayurveda all over India. Primarily, it is necessary to empower them with sufficient technical knowhow to face the challenges of the Pharmaceutical Industry along with monitoring of quality standards of medicines. This will lead to standardise of quality leading to positive approach and thus help in globalisation of Ayurveda. To really globalise Ayurveda, it is quite necessary that we really look into such grave problems that can be corrected by us. Else, the globalisation will be a myth or an illusion to be initiated by us. It may as well done by some others in some other part of the world........................................CFEIA 

Plants Loyal Friend of Mankind – A medicinal Perspective.

Plants are the greatest wealth of creation. It has served every need of the animal kingdom especially the basic needs namely Food, Clothing and Shelter from the time of creation. Even we human beings are not an exception. It has been used for various purposes to fulfil our basic needs and also in some of the special occasions like to furnish our houses, maintain health and to cure ourselves from diseases. It is that part of nature that had helped in not only sustaining life but also helped in the maintenance of the ecological system on earth.

Use of plants in the medicinal purpose has been from ages. It has been used by various medicinal systems like Chinese, Tibetian, Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha. These systems of medicine are known today as Alternative system of Medicine have stood the different tides of time.

Ayurveda too is one such system of medicine. Use of plants in Ayurveda is quite to a large extent. Its use has been in different formulations which can be broadly classified into 2 major types namely Single drug formulations and Multiple drug formulations.

Most of the single drug formulations are usually suggested on the basis of the knowledge obtained from experienced folklore practitioners while are also taken from the various classical texts too. The single drug formulations are usually herbal in origin which is used in their raw wet or dried form. These are given in these form and told to the patient or his attendant to prepare a simple formulation which is used immediately or within the span of one day.

Multiple drug formulations are generally Classical oriented but now a days there are even patented formulations of different companies. These formulations are timely tested while the patented formulations have been claimed to be scientifically validated by the extensive research on them.

Earlier these forms of medicines were prepared by the physicians themselves. But presently due to the scarcity of raw materials and unavailability of time needed for preparation, these medicines were taken up by a corporate setup giving rise to a drug industry. As these industries manufactured in large scale, the raw materials too are in great demand. This led to irrational use of the raw materials and its wastage. The irrational use of medicinal plant species led to its loss or even extinct.

It is now that we really have to think to safeguard our rich medicinal flora. Even government too has taken initiatives to do so. But more than controlling irrational exploitation of medicinal plant species, it is more necessary to control the rapid deforestation in the name of development leading to loss of green cover over the earth.

Another important aspect that can be adopted is cultivating potable plants or developing home gardens with medicinal plants. These not only give a ready availability of medicinal plants for small ailments but also give a better environment around the house. It also helps in preserving these useful species which have been a loyal friend of mankind since time immemorial for protecting our next generation..........................CFEIA 

Development at the Cost of Flora – How far can we do it?

Plants have been the indispensable materials that have taken care of man right from the point of creation. It has given immense service in different manner clothing, shelter, medicine, etc. Its use especially in the field of healing has been an immense sense of relief for all living organisms. It is infact the main ingredient of many medications that have been used to treat the mightiest and most horrible disease since time immemorial.

The main source of various plant sources observed in the forests, around 2000 species in India are known to have medicinal properties and some of them are used as even home remedies in the rural and remotest parts of the country. Infact many systems of what is known now as alternate system of Medicine like the Ayurveda, Chinese System of Medicine, Tibetian System of Medicine, Unani, Siddha, etc around the world have used plants as major components of their medicinal formulations or even as single drug formulations.

It is a known and a natural phenomenon that one cannot exist in place of the other especially when they are opposite in character. This is true in case of Development and Forest cover also. Development cannot exist without deforestation. This is because both are opposite to each other. For a well needed development of infrastructure like roads, buildings, industries, etc, it is quite necessary that we need land. This need for land in its turn fetches itself in forests and other areas for its fulfilment. This leads to rapid deforestation. The question is how much land does the man need? And what is the end for the road of development?

The two questions have been pondering in my mind quite often. The answers for these questions are quite tough to seek. But let’s think of the fact that the forest not only a good controller of environmental events but also is a rich abode of Medicinal Plants which is well depended by an Ayurvedic and other similar industries. The rapid deforestation has resulted in loss of many species of plants. Some of them have become extinct and some others have become endangered i.e. they have reached the verge of being extinct. If at all we still continue to do so, we may end up in a situation where we have only development and no forests or plant on earth.

The danger has been visualised by many including the government and as a result they are trying to maintain a balance between the two by different programmes. Most of these plants can be cultivated in a small scale for us to use as home remedies for small ailments that we come across quite routinely due to seasonal variations. Hence, it is our duty to understand the importance of medicinal plants, identify them and then even cultivate it to preserve for the future generation to the most possible extent....................CFEIA

How to have Genuine Ayurvedic Knowledge?

Knowledge of Ayurveda is a gift to mankind given by the earliest known Scholars of the world mostly from India. It has stood the various tides of time to give the service to all living beings that exist on earth till today and would be doing so whoever approaches it in future too. But how we consider anyone is an expert in the field of Ayurveda such that one can consult the person for getting a proper guidance or where and how to obtain the knowledge of Ayurveda in a most agreeable and better mode with authenticity.

There are many sources in the world especially in India and Srilanka who give Ayurveda education formally. But the same is not seen in other parts of the world. This has resulted in the shunted growth of the science too. Now the question is does the science doesn't exist in any other part of the world. The answer is; it is not so. The science exists in every part of the world but the existence is less or rather not recognized formally by the administration of the country. Now a new question arises why is this condition of Ayurveda seen even though it is providing the possible benefits to mankind. The reason is very simple the existence of Ayurveda in other parts of the world is only a part of the knowledge (undoubtedly well patronized) pertaining to the science while the rest is not being recognized due to difficulty in communication and understanding. 

Today in many parts of the world Ayurveda is considered as a method to earn money by setting up Spas or relaxation centers which deliver the massages and external therapeutics which are safe, controllable and appreciable by the individual directly. Infact, these business establishments have rewritten Panchakarma (the basis of these therapy centers) as Snehana (Massages), Swedana, etc instead of the classical ones. Infact Snehana and Swedana are the Purvakarma (Pre-operative procedures) for Panchakarma which has become the main procedures. The reason for this pathetic condition is these procedures are easily communicable and understandable by the recipient. Even the administration of the country too finds easily convinced by this, hence it too doesn't have any objection for the same. But for the main science to be understood which appears to be as Greek and Latin to the recipient is still not extracted by anyone. Hence, where and how can we have Genuine Ayurvedic Knowledge?..............

To have a Genuine Knowledge of Ayurveda, it is important to know it right in the form it is present. For this to be possible it is important that we learn and understand the basic ideologies and theories on which the science has developed. The idea is just like how we learn the basic theories present in Physics, Chemistry and Biology to study the medical science such that it is easy to understand, in the same way the basic principles have to be understood clearly for the proper understanding of Ayurveda. 

To know this it would be important to have a detailed course of study present in any of the countries namely India and Srilanka which is for a period of 5 years and 6 months officially such that we have a better idea and better knowledge for one to practice. If not for practice and only for having a better knowledge and understanding, one can go for the short term courses of the various institutions around the world. Again the preferential region is better from India and Srilanka rather than any part of the world as the people who teach are well acquainted with the basic principles and treatment of Ayurveda is a better option. But to have a well dedicated learning it is always better to dedicate oneself for the full-time official course such that there is ample of time to achieve the purpose. 

LEARN AYURVEDA AND PROPAGATE GENUINE SCIENCE SUCH THAT ONE CAN TO HELP IT TO GROW AND FLOURISH UNTAINTED.............................CFEIA