Ayurvedamagazine

Hello

  • In the name of Ayurveda

    Since the days of Charaka and Susruta, India has been blessed with a glorious code on medical ethics. An Ayurvedic master and his student were always being reminded that their profession aims only at the welfare of the patient. At the same time, fair compensation was not frowned upon. Acharyas said thus: “Patients trust their physicians implicitly to the extent of placing their lives unhesitatingly under his care. This is true even of patients who have no trust in their own relations, parents and sons. Hence a physician should take as much care of each and every patient as he would of his own family.”

    There were some basic principles followed by all who had chosen their profession as a ‘vaidya’. A passage in the Charaka Samhita sums up the ethical injunctions of that time: “He who practises medicine out of compassion for all creatures rather than for gain or for gratification of the senses surpasses all.” But now, in this modern period, one can see a slow but progressive decay of character in many members of the medical profession. Some are forgetting its glory and responsibility. Indian Medical Council Regulations (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) states: ‘The prime object of the medical profession is to render service to humanity; reward or financial gain is a subordinate consideration. Who-so-ever chooses his profession assumes the obligation to conduct himself in accordance with its ideals.’

    The relevant rules bans advertisements of all kinds. Unfortunately, very often advertisements which are quite against the above said norms appear. It can be said as clearly against the medical ethics. Though being given in the name of ‘authentic Ayurveda’, some of the advertisements are really confusing and are even against the fundamental principles of Ayurveda! Some of them argue that the regular usage of certain products for a particular problem (sometimes single product for a number of problems) will cure you easily. They sell the product in the name of Ayurveda, and they don’t want to know the patient, his body constitution, digestive capacity etc.! The basic diagnostic method of Ayurveda is simply being ignored, and still they all claim them as ‘100 per cent Ayurveda’. Treatment in Ayurveda is a positive, long-lasting relationship between the patient and the physician.

    For any problem, the physician has to see the patient and through proper diagnostic methods, he understands the patient’s problem and helps him cure that with proper lifestyle and medications. The term Ayurvedic cure never means ‘over the counter cure’. Some advertisements are being decorated with a photograph of certain ‘vaidya’ who claims generations of Ayurvedic treatment and ‘research’ experience, though, in fact, there would be none. These kinds of advertisements are smearing the pristine purity of Ayurveda with faulty, misleading claims. All those money motivated individuals and companies, who are playing behind these kind of negative trends, should step back from their activities which are harmful to authentic Ayurveda. There are advertisements which may inspire drunkards by claiming all-cure for lever problems. Some advertisements are on ‘Vajikarana’, the ‘ideal therapy’ for the enhancement of male vigour. Their much-indemand product will be ‘hassle free’ and with ‘no side-effects’.

    They offer great relief to the men who lead a hectic stressful life. These medicines are said to give one the strength and potency of a horse and enhance erection for a longer duration! There is no magical cure in Ayurveda. These advertisers are sure that, those who buy these medicines, just by seeing the advertisement, will be silent, even if they couldn’t get the expected result! Recently, there was an advertisement given in some main news papers and magazines claiming that their newly found medicine can cure diabetes completely! These tendencies should be removed as soon as possible from the field of Ayurveda. Faulty and misleading advertisements on over the counter products attract a number of ignorant public and they misunderstand these fake claims as of Authentic Ayurveda.

    This demoralises Ayurveda and its genuine followers. Moreover, as it is against rules and regulations, authorities should take action against those people who are making Ayurveda a cash cow.

  • Back to health

    Ayurevda, which had been the science of health through the ages, went into a phase of decline in the 18th and 19th centuries, before making a comeback in the 20th century. What led to the loss of sheen for Ayurveda? There are three reasons.

    1. Possession of knowledge

    Painting

    Painting of Susrutha, the patron saint of surgeons, performs a surgery.

    From ancient times onwards, across the cultures worldwide, there has been a tendency to possess and hide knowledge, without sharing. People who had custody of knowledge in a particular field always kept it as their secret possession and exposed that knowledge only to limited hands, mostly of the same clan. This mystification of knowledge was in vogue in India also. The old Indian system of education— the Gurukula tradition— was a face-to-face transmission of knowledge, and this individuality was its main characteristic. But this method had certain limitations. On due course of time, it became just repetitions or re-distribution of same old information. Research, an important facet in the process of knowledge creation, is found missing here. All ancient Indian sciences, including Ayurveda, faced this saturation point. This means, knowledge, possessed by a certain group, had to face a declension in growth in due course of time.

    2. Lack of well trained physicians

    Only a limited percentage of students were lucky enough to get proper, complete training in the Gurukula tradition due to several reasons. This limited number of experts could not cover the healthcare problems of all members of society. This resulted in the entry of a number of non-experts in the field, which adversely affected the quality of treatments. This problem became severe when the British rulers of India brought a rule which insisted on the arbitrary registration of all traditional healthcare professionals. The presence of non-experts was a reason for Ayurveda’s decline.

    3. Foreign rule

    The main factor which catalysed the downfall of Ayurveda in 19th century was the introduction of the allopathic system of medicine to India. Foreign rulers brought this system and practitioners to India for their own healthcare, but it spread fast in society and took the prime position with the whole-hearted support of the rulers. In the beginning, Ayurveda vaidyas neglected ‘English’ medicine and they were not ready to accept it as something worth in healthcare. But it was too late when they could understand that they were losing the soil under their feet so fast. By this time, the rulers could conduct a good campaign against Ayurveda and its efficacy. They spread the message that Ayurveda is unscientific and it is just a tribal/folk subject. Not only Ayurveda, but also its practitioners, became disrespected in society.

    A new integration

    health
    Ayurveda entered a phase of rejuvenation in the 20th century in the background. The reforms occurred in two areas. The first was the removal of the weaknesses entered into Ayurveda and to strengthen it from within. The second was to make it capable of standing in its own feet, in par with allopathy. In order to strengthen Ayurveda, the new government in independent India promoted scientific restructuring of Ayurvedic education. Instead of individual gurukulas, governments started academic institutions which opened the horizons of Ayurveda to all. It really became as asset for all. This was also the starting point of a number of institutions and research centers in the field of Aurveda. At present, there are more than 250 Ayurveda colleges in India which produce more than 9000 Ayurveda graduates every year. More than 60 colleges have post-graduate programmes and approximately 1000 post-graduates pass out a year. Till the last century Ayurvedic treatment was limited to the relation between the physician and the patient. It was the physician who visited the patient at his home, and not the other way as is practised now. He will examine the patient thoroughly and give a detailed prescription or list of herbs out of which he can make the medicine at home. Occasionally patient may visit the physician also.

    During the effort to compete with the western medicine, many other elements replaced the very simple ‘physician patient’ relationship. New companies which manufactured medicine in huge quantities, hospitals with inpatient facilities, modern diagnostic methods- all these helped popularizing Ayurveda. Today, Ayurveda in India is a business with an annual turnover of around `4,000 crore with about 9000 Ayurvedic pharmacies, 22,000 dispensaries, 2,500 hospitals and 4.4 lakh of Ayurveda doctors! At a glance this may be counted as a huge development. But the reality is different. If we take the healthcare industry as a whole, the role of Ayurveda in it is very less. It was not so in centuries back. Ayurveda was the healthcare system of the total society. In that sense, the current status indicates not a growth, but a slight relief from the decline it had faced.

    The global scenario

    Image of Charaka, the first physician

    Image of Charaka, the first physician

    It is just recently that Ayurveda gained global acceptance. And this popularity is not older than two decades. The first official discussion on Ayurveda in a foreign country was held in 1984 in Indonesia. It was a meeting of the world wide traditional medical practitioners. That meeting was focused on studying various traditional medical practices in Asia. And Italy hosted the first such meeting held outside of Asia, in 1985. Representatives from various countries took part in that conference. But most of the participants in that meet were not really aware of Ayurveda and its legacy. But that global meet witnessed the formation of a worldwide holistic society. Several such meets were conducted later in various countries. Altogether, through those conferences Ayurveda got more popularized and a number of doubts regarding the efficacy and genuineness of Ayurveda had been cleared. Till that time, Ayurveda was considered something like a folk medicine. It was not known to much of them that Ayurveda was backed up by a proven, written knowledge store of more than 3000 years. Through those conferences, the Western world was convinced that Ayurvedic wisdom is formed through centuries of research and is being enriched by a number of basic texts and their interpretations. Now no foreigner would dare say that Ayurveda is not a scientific system.

    Another such incident which helped to popularise Ayurveda in the West was the well known Alma Ata declaration from Russia. The International Conference on Primary Health Care, held under the auspices of the World Health Organisation, in the declaration, said: “Globally, 80 per cent health care issues are being taken care by the traditional treatment modalities and the modern medicine covers only the remaining 20 percentage’s healthcare requirements. Hence all traditional medical systems should be recognised and supported with due importance.” After the Alma Ata declaration, traditional methods like Ayurveda were entitled as ‘Alternative ‘or ‘Complementary’. All the above said factors helped Ayurveda’s global acceptance today.

    Future

    preparation
    In fact, it is not fair to say that Ayurveda has got global acceptance. Most of the foreign countries have not officially recognised Ayurvedic healthcare system. Ayurvedic medicines, mostly, are being exported to other countries in the label of ‘food supplements’. The countries which officially accept Ayurveda as a treatment system are Srilanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Mauritius, South Africa, Thailand and Pakistan. Ayurvedic centres are functioning as an alternative system in the US, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Australia, Japan, Holland, Brazil, UAE and Canada. But a number of patients from abroad visit India every year for Ayurvedic treatments. Last year people from around 45 countries had visited Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, the pioneer in Kerala’s Ayurveda. More than official recognition, their own experience drives western people to seek the help of Ayurveda.

    This is quite a favourable and positive development for Ayurveda and its practitioners. Unfortunately, some narrow minded business men are trying to exploit this situation. Massage parlors are sprouting everywhere like mushrooms. It is a must that followers of authentic Ayurveda should be more and more vigilant against these negative minds. It is the only way to protect the purity of this age-old science of natural healing.

  • The beacon light

    A branch of science attains glory when great human beings appear on its horizon and practise it for the benefit of larger mankind, with little selfish motive. Vaidyabhooshanam K Raghavan Thirumulppad was an Ayurveda practitioner who used his knowledge and skills in this branch of medicine for the betterment of humanity.
    An accidental convert to Ayurveda—he became a disciple of Vasudevan Nambeeshan, an Ayurveda vaidya who cured him of TB—Thirmulppad took his profession seriously. He mastered its theory and practice so well that Ayurveda students find his books the most simple and comprehensive. He not only practised Ayurveda in its pristine form, but also ensured that it remained affordable. He often said, “A physician’s job is to cure a disease with medicines available in his courtyard.” He postulated this noble theory, practised it, and proved to the world that it was worthwhile to do so. The best way to pay homage to this great physician is to preserve and practise Ayurveda in its pristine form. A difficult calling, indeed. We hope that more and more physicians, especially of the younger generation, would find him a great beacon light to follow.

  • Faster Higher Stronger

    Sportspersons want to break records, not their bones. They neither want to sprain their muscles, nor suffer from some other injury and say good bye to their chosen field. But sometimes fate has it that they sustain injuries. Treatments in modern medicine are often helpless. But do not lose hope, yet. Daisman Ayurkendra, Sports Medicine & Nutrition Research Centre, with its nuanced approach of combining India’s ancient medical science and yoga, has become a beacon of hope for hundreds of sportspersons who were on the verge of leaving their chosen field. Daisman is India’s first and only Ayurvedic sports medicine injury management and rehabilitation centre. Our doctors are specialised in sports medicine, sports injury management and rehabilitation. The services of sports physiotherapists, fitness trainers, sports nutritionists and sports psychologists are also available here.

    We are the only centre in India that has treated more than 7,000 cases of injuries to sports persons including national and international athletes. Many medal winners of the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games have been successfully treated by us. Our centre has conducted official training programme for the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and organised more than 100 sports medicine workshops across the country. We were the first ones in Asia to develop a body composition analysis software. Apart from treating bone and spine disorders, fractures, etc., we also offer orthopaedic rehabilitation.

    Sports injuries

    We specialise in the management of sports injuries like meniscal tear, ligament tear, rotator cuff tear, hamstring tear, groin injury, shin pain, calf muscle strain, plantar fascitis, unknown foot pain, mid foot pain of athletes, thigh injuries (quadriceps), shoulder dislocations, ankle sprain grade I, II and III, ankle fracture, wrist injuries, triangular fibrous cartilage tear, muscle imbalance, back pain, disc prolapse, neck pain, achilles tendonitis, pattellar dislocation, fracture of fore arm, ankle, lower leg (conservative treatment), chronic muscle injuries, chronic shoulder injuries and myofascial pain.

    What’s unique about Daisman

    Combining Ayurveda and Yoga gives excellent results The unique approach to the management of sports injuries that combines Ayurveda, physiotherapy and Yoga has attained excellent results in various cases. We have successfully treated 7,000 cases including 276 national level and more than 800 State-level athletes. Management of sports injuries and rehabilitation are to be carried out with great care and responsibility as an athlete is a national asset. The treatment methods at our centre include Ayurvedic medication, Marma therapy, oil massage, range of motion exercises, strength training, proprioception, conditioning, core stabilisation along with physiotherapy modalities, muscle stimulators, bandaging with herbal combinations (upanaha swedha), deep heat therapies (with oil, stone, herbal leaves,dried herbal powder, sand and salt bag), etc. Expert knowledge in modern sports medicine , training modalities, periodisation, biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, sports physiotherapy and sports nutrition is essential for the management and rehabilitation of injured sports persons. Many of the treatment modalities adopted for sports injuries are very specific. Any faulty training or exercise may adversely affect a sportsperson’s career. The treatment mode should be chosen scientifically based on the nature of the sport.

    Back to the pole, thanks to Daisman

    Dija Chandran, national record holder in pole vault, is the beneficiary of the nuanced approach of Daisman Clinic towards sports injuries. Daughter of Chandran, Vazhikkadavu, Nilambur Via, Malappuram district, Kerala, Dija was suffering from static lower back pain for one year. She started getting slight back pain during practice. Later, it aggravated while sitting and standing. She consulted many doctors at superspeciality hospitals in Kerala and Coimbatore. Many orthopedic surgeons did not have an answer to her problem. They asked her to stop sports activities and take rest. She was told about the option of surgery in case of the problem getting worse. Finally, one of the orthopaedic surgeons told her about their limitation in treating her kind of condition, and referred her to us. We combined Ayurveda treatment procedures and Yoga to treat her. The condition of the patient was quite promising after two months. She was able to sit and bend the spine without pain, and started doing sports-specific exercises. After five months, she remarkably improved and was totally pain free while doing almost all activities. She went on to win the gold medal in pole vault by creating a personal record of 3.30 metres.

  • WITH A PASSION FOR AYURVEDA

    Peter Waldner from German is a teacher and performer of keyboard instruments such as organ, harpsichord, virginal, spinet, clavichord and fortepiano. Music and travel were his passions. His visits to Kerala added two more things to the list – Ayurveda and Yoga. “I had thought of Ayurveda as nothing more than some beauty therapy for women. But my perception changed completely after I attended a three-day Ayurveda and Yoga camp in Vienna six years ago. It refreshed my body and mind, and Yoga lessons enlightened me. My first two visits in search of Ayurveda treatments were to Sri Lanka. I first came to Kerala in 2006. The greenery, the backwaters, the elephants and a friendly people…I realised why some call it God’s Own Country. Kerala’s atmosphere itself has a natural healing effect. When I came here last year, I stayed at a resort in Palakkad. A Kashmiri friend told me about a centre of the Nagarjuna Ayurvedic Centre at Kalady. So this time I decided to come here. I feel very much at home at the centre.

    I consider Ayurveda as a branch of preventive medicine, and firmly believe in the healing power of herbs. I don’t have any health problem now, and I normally opt for a course in pancha karma. As it is a deep cleansing process, it will help me stay healthy. Every year, I would like to re-energise myself and enjoy the healing power of Mother Nature through Ayurveda. I would like to explore your rich music tradition too. In the West, life is so fast and people long to relax. For me, Ayurveda and yoga are the best options. There is an upsurge in the quest for holism the world over. I feel Kerala has much to do in this area.”

  • Ayurveda for sale

    It seems that life is a commodity that can be purchased at a cost. Advertisements of Ayurveda products are exploiting our faith in the ancient science and our desire to lead a healthier and happier life endowed with youth and beauty. We are being looted by the money minded who make promises they know they can never fulfill. Any ethical business should result in profit for the seller as well as the buyer. Unfortunately, in the case of Ayurvedic products, the buyer ends up being the loser on most occasions. Worse, the perpetrators of such fraud escape legal action citing loopholes in the law. Things have come to such a pass mainly because of people’s ignorance of the principles of Ayurveda. They have wrong notions too, thanks to the sellers. For instance, Ayurveda is generally considered to be herbal. But actually, it is not. Ayurveda uses herbs, minerals and drugs of animal origin.

    For example, the kastooryādi pill contains musk which is of animal origin. It also contains civet musk,
    a drug of animal origin, and minerals such as red oxide, magnetic ore, borax, red arsenic (realgar or arsenic disulphide), antimony sulphide and cinnabar (mercuric sulfide). It also contains poisonous herbs such as aconite (Indian aconite, monk’s hood = Aconiyum napellus Linn. = A. ferox Wall.) It is generally believed that all Ayurvedic medicines are safe. Any medicine can be safe only if it is applied in a safe manner. The condition of a patient, his/her age, strength, stage of the disease, mode of application, time of administration, additives used, dosage, etc., are to be taken into consideration before prescribing medicines. For this, you need the services of a physician. No guidelines are followed when one buys medicines over the counter. Some say such medicines do not create any problems. If so, it simply means that it is not a proper medicine, that it is bland enough to be inert.

    A medicine is a powerful material targeted at the human body and mind to amend the physiology, psychology and pathology. Hence it should be active. If not, it is bland and not fit to be considered as a drug. Over-the-counter products are not a possibility in Ayurveda if we go strictly by the principles. However, we have a lot of them in the market as the buyers are ignorant of the principles of Ayurveda and treatment procedures. The promise of miraculous remedies is just a tool to increase sales. Most of the advertisements are illegal, but the culprits often escape prosecution with the help of loopholes in the law. The fact remains that most of these advertisements are unethical as they are primarily intended to cheat the public.

    Some advertisers claim that they have proved the efficacy of their products through research. Ayurvedic research is done at the academic and the industrial levels Academic research does not always follow strict norms followed elsewhere, and industrial researches sometimes produce questionable results. I have noticed one irrefutable fact about Ayurvedic research. It follows modern or western research lines which are incompatible with Ayurvedic ideas which are concepts, defying objective evaluation. Tall claims are being made by companies. A five-year old firm claims that it is backed by the tradition of many centuries. But Ayurveda is part of our common heritage. Many over the-counter products do not have any basis in Ayurveda. For instance, advertisements being flashed in the media project salt as being good for treating obesity. While talking about the properties of salty substances (Ashtānga Hṛdaya Sootrasthāna chapter 10, verse 4), there is no mention of their ability to reduce fat.

    Many manufacturers claim that they are using not common salt, but rock salt (saindhava lavaṇa.) which has medicinal properties. Rock salt is nothing but common salt mined from the earth. People think that rock salt is potassium chloride. It is true that there is some potassium chloride in it as an impurity. This is there in common salt too. Moreover, rock salt contains many other impurities such as sand and mud. Any authentic book on drugs will tell you that rock salt is impure sodium chloride. The properties of rock salt mentioned in Ayurvedic treatises do not state that it will reduce fat (A.H.Soo.Ch.6.144). Also, mining of rock salt is minimal now. What is marketed as rock salt is made by adding impurities to industrially produced sodium chloride and pressing it to form rocky masses. If at all rock salt has some special property, the market sample of rock salt will not have any. In Ayurveda, there is mention of medicating oil with rock salt. The product is known as saindhavādi oil. There are two types of this oil — one used for treating fistula (bhagandara) and the other for cervical lymphadenopathy (apaci). None of these will reduce fat.

    Another instance of applying salted oil on the body is for treating asthma and hiccups. This is done to prepare a patient for vomiting. The oil is applied on the body and the patient subjected to sweating by fomentation or sudation. This is to detach mucous and bring it to the gastro-intestinal tract. After sudation, he/she is given meat soup or curd to enable proper detachment of the mucous. Vomiting is then induced to eliminate the dislodged mucous. In the oil sold over the counter, this elaborate procedure is not even mentioned. Bhaishajya Ratnāvali of Govinda Dasa written in the 19th century is the latest authentic treatise on Ayurveda.

    It has a separate chapter on obesity or diseases due to fat (medo-roga-adhikāra). The book prescribes certain formulations to reduce fat, but none of these contain rock salt. Ashtānga Hṛdaya Sootrasthāna (chapter 14, verses 21 to 28) deals with the treatment of obesity. But here too, there is no mention of rock salt. All the drugs mentioned in the text are for oral consumption, not for external application. The oils containing salt that are sold over the counter do not have any scientific basis. They seem to be innovations by manufacturers. Since these formulations have no basis in Ayurveda, the manufacturers should have conducted research to prove the efficacy and safety of the products. But they do not provide any information to this effect All they do is to repeatedly vouch that the product is Ayurvedic. Oil, rock salt and some of the other ingredients used in these formulations may be used in Ayurveda, but not for reducing obesity. Hence these products are not Ayurvedic. Many medicines sold as allopathic drugs earlier are now being sold as Ayurvedic drugs. They are sold not only in drug stores but also even in pan shops. The same is the case with over-the-counter “Ayurveda” products.

    The manufactures proudly announce that their products are available in modern drug stores, Ayurvedic drug stores and even in departmental stores. Selling medicines in departmental stores is illegal and unethical. Ayurveda texts have laid down the rules for manufacture and sales of medicines. Charaka Saṁhita permits the study of Ayurveda by the business class (vaiśya) for professional purposes. In Rasa-ratnasamuchaya, a book on medicinal chemistry written in the 13th century, rules are laid down regarding the profit to be taken by the manufacturer and the commission to be granted to the physician when he purchases medicines for his patients. Such regulations are mentioned in Kautilya’s Arthasāstra too. This indicates that manufacture of medicines for sales is legal In the beginning of the 20th century, Kerala witnessed a major change in the field of Ayurveda. Till then, Ayurvedic formulations were tailor made, excepting certain emergency medicines in the form of pills and fermented products. But gradually, Ayurvedic medicines, including formulations with short shelf life, were made available in readyto- use format. This ultimately led to production of medicines without any scientific basis. In some cases, it has even created artificial demand.

  • Indulge your body

    Human body resembles a machine in its functioning. Most of its parts function without a break to ensure that we go about doing our duties and live our life to the full. It is only prudent that we take care of our bodies well, ensuring that it is not fatigued due to wear and tear. And if there is any, the repair is done in time.

    Ayurveda suggests that perfect health is a result of a balance among the tridoshas: Vata, Pitha and Kapha. When any of the three is vitiated, the balance gets upset. During monsoon, Vata, the most important of the thridoshas, is vitiated the most, and moves around disturbing the body metabolism. The other two also leave their own functional areas in this season. Hence monsoon is considered the best time to pacify them and restore the balance by eliminating impurities. In the process, the body enhances its immunity also.

    Ayurveda, despite its unquestionable efficacy as a curative regimen, also advocates preservation of good health (Swasthya samrakshanam). It has stipulated daily regimen and seasonal regimen so that one retails health, improves immunity and diminish susceptibility to disease. Monsoon is the time when one can take a break and attend to the body. Follow the healthy practices Ayurveda prescribes. Allow the age-old system to take care of you.

    Kesa Dhoomam

    Kesa Dhoomam

    It has scientific means to do a perfect job of it. So how does life look life if you choose to submit yourself to Ayurveda during monsoon? How does a day’s life go? It would definitely vary from person to person. However, there are certain general processes one undergoes. The day could begin with brushing teeth with herbal powders (Dandadhavana) scraping the tongue (gihwa nirlekhana), instilling nasal drops of specific formulations (pratimarsa nasya), Kavalam and Gardoosam (gargling) followed by fumigation therapy for nose and throat (Dhoomapanam), fumigation therapy for ear (Karna dhoopanam) and instilling eye drops (Aschothanam).

    Khizi

    Khizi

    Yoga comes next. It helps energise the body and to stabilise the mind. The art of breathing/pranayama brings in positive energy and reduces oxidative stress to the body. Oil bath, or abhyangam, which involves massage after application of oil over the entire body and head for about 45 minutes, comes next. It is followed by a steam bath for 10-15 minutes. If there is no contra-indication, one is given a foot massage for 30 minutes to relieve the muscular aches and stress.

    Bathing is a ritual from ancient times to guard personal hygiene. Water sanctified by cleansing herbs, powders of pulses instead of soap, and natural base organic shampoo, gets one back to perfect cleanliness. Fumigating of hair, or Kesha dhoopanam, not only gives fragrance to hair but relieves headache, sinusitis and infestations if any. Diet or Ayurvedic “pathya ahara” as per classics is recommended according to the natural constitution and age of the person. Nutrientrich food, which includes seasonal fruits, nuts and soups are advised.

    Kativsthi

    Kativsthi

    The other usual procedures include: Fomentation or Elakizhi , using a bundle made of a piece of linen filled with finely chopped medicinal leaves warmed in medicated oil, is performed over the entire body by two therapists in different postures. Elakizhi helps relieve muscle tension and wear and tear. It overhauls the musculo-skeletal system in order to perform efficiently. Body scrub or Udwarthana, with dry herbal powders enhances exfoliation of the dead skin cells and improves peripheral blood circulation. It also assists in mobilisation and elimination of fat and keeps the body supple.

    Steam bath

    Steam bath

    Sirodhara, in which medicated milk or butter milk is poured over the forehead, promotes rejuvenation and revitalisation and even works to diminish the effect of ageing. It also helps relieve stress. Vasti, one important part of panchakama, cleanses the alimentary/digestive tract. It is performed strictly after assessing the body constitution. Most of these procedures are performed strictly under the supervision of a qualifies Ayurvedic physician. Every procedure has been designed after a careful study of the human body in its entirety, and hence their right administration can be done only by a qualified physician.

    Fly-by-night operators who offer massage in the name of Ayurveda will do only harm to the body. So next monsoon, you could choose to indulge yourself by taking to a rejuvenation treatment. All that you have to ensure is that you go to an authentic centre.

  • For the health of Ayurveda

    Kerala is finally waking up to the myriad possibilities of Ayurveda. The State has long established itself as home to institutions offering reliable and authentic Ayurveda through centuries. But little did it do to make use of technology and research and development in its advancement.This was a weakness that held Ayurveda back from establishing its superiority over alternative systems of medicine across the globe. This is in for a change. And leading the effort is Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra). It has set up CARe-KERALAM (Confederation for Ayurvedic Renaissance-KERALAM,) a consortium with 53 Ayurvedic product manufactures with the help of the De partment of AYUSH, Government of India.

    “The formation of CARe-KERALAM has its seeds in a study on Ayurvedic segment in 2003,” said Mr S Ramnath, Managing Director, Kinfra. “The study revealed that of the total turnover of Rs 4000 crore by the Indian Ayurvedic industry as a whole, Kerala’s contribution accounts to only Rs 200 crore.” The State, known worldwide for its authentic practice of Ayurveda, has a lot of scope if it introduced modern management practices, and hence the project, Mr Ramnath said.

    The main objectives of the project, being set up on a fiveacre land at KINFRA Park, Koratty in Thrissur district, are:
    • To upgrade the process technology of Ayurvedic drugs.
    • To develop an R&D Centre.
    • To promote exports.
    • To develop a Centre for Excellence for Research.
    • To establish a Kerala brand of Ayurvedic products.
    • To train manufactures on the importance of safety, quality and efficacy in medicinal plants.
    • To protect Ayurveda from adulteration and lowering of standards.
    • To provide plantation facilities to farmers.
    The first phase of the project, which includes facilities for raw material storage and quality control lab, is expected to go on stream by August this year, Dr K Anil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, CARe-KERALAM, said.

    CARe-KERALAM seeks to achieve these objectives with the help of a number of imaginatively conceived tools.
    They include:

    Analytical lab: The analytical lab in CARe KERALAM For the health of Ayurveda Kinfra, the Kerala government’s arm for creating industrial infrastructure, sets up CARe-KERALAM for the renaissance of Ayurveda. 19 with all the state-of-the-art analytical testing, method development, and contract research will provide reliable, dependable, economical and timely analytical data for the companies. This will be a full-fledged laboratory, well equipped with some of the latest equipment.

    Toxicology Study Centre: Lack of information on adverse drug reaction of the herbal preparations makes it difficult to compare their benefit-risk profile. It also comes in the way of integrating the traditional medicine with the modern medicine practices. This requires clinical validation by conducting controlled clinical trials. The Toxicity Study Centre will conduct studies on the side effects of herbal medicines considering the interaction with other herbs and modern drugs. The risk-benefit ratio of the herbal drugs will also be examined in the centre. For the purpose of conducting Toxicity studies, an ‘Animal House’ is also proposed in the park.

    Process Validation Lab: Mainstream medical science has not yet accepted Ayurveda as a scientific method of treatment. The Process Validation Lab will provide laboratory facilities for R&D to small and medium enterprises, thus contributing to the growth of innovation and the continuous regeneration of the Ayurveda industry. These facilities would be oriented towards working in the areas of scaling up of activities of various processes developed through process validation in the proposed Analytical Lab.

    Raw Material Store & Mini Lab: All the basic raw materials needed for the production of Ayurvedic drugs in the consortium will be procured and supplied by CARe Keralam so as to prevent the exploitation of small and medium scale manufactures by the middlemen. For this a raw material store with an area of 48420 sq.ft is being built in which around 500 items can be stored at a time. The Mini Lab will test quality of raw materials brought by the consortium.

    IT & Marketing Infrastructure:The loss of many valuable documents, including manuscripts, have adversely affected the growth of Ayurveda. Plants used for long life and good health are eradicated. Many renowned families of specialised Vaidyas could not stand to run their traditions. The IT & Marketing Infrastructure will provide the database on the long and lively history of Ayurveda. It will introduce the origin, development, and application of traditional Indian Ayurveda and its role in the world history of medicine. The Marketing infrastructure division will collect, preserve and exhibit the traditional medical heritage of India’s Ayurveda in history and will introduce the origin, development, and application of traditional Indian Ayurveda and its role in the world history of medicine. The main objective behind setting up this IT & Marketing Infrastructure is to extend the public’s knowledge of health by giving detailed information on herbs, formulas and ingredients of the total Ayurvedic health system.

    Kinfra Film and Video Park

    The Kinfra Film and Video Park at Thiruvanathapuram

    Common Facility Center for Production & Packaging:Currently India’s share in the Ayurveda market is only 5 per cent and there exists immense scope for expanding its share in the world market from the present level of Rs 4000 crore. The Common Facility Centre will contain sophisticated equipment to carry out testing and certification, measurement, quality and safety certification and certain key processes, to produce high quality products to meet international standards for hygiene, product specification and quality. “The project will be a milestone in the development of Ayurveda,” says Mr Ramnath. “The project will bring scientific tools in every stage of medicine manufacturing: research and development, raw material collection, production, quality control, packaging, branding and marketing. This will help Ayurveda gain accessibility in more countries.”

    To grow medicinal herbs near Airport

    Apparel Park

    Women at work at Apparel Park at Thiruvanathapuram

    CARe-KERALAM has an unusual partner in its efforts to ensure quality raw material for the Ayurveda industry: the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL). The company which runs the country’s first private airport will grow medicinal plants on the vacant land adjacent to the airport in association with CARe-KERALAM. CIAL has already handed about 140 acres of land to CARe-KERALAM for the cultivation of medicinal plants which do not grow more than five feet in height. “The area will be cultivated in phases,” said CARe-KERALAM CEO Dr K Anil Kumar. “About 45 acres will be taken up for cultivation in the first phase,” he said.

    Creating the base

    Mandated to create infrastructure for Kerala’s industrial development, Kinfra, for the last 17 years, has worked towards meeting its objective. The experiment was unique: to acquire land, mainly at relatively backward areas, create basic industrial infrastructure such as developed land/building, power, water, telecommunication and banking so that entrepreneurs would be spared of the initial bottlenecks. That Kinfra parks have single window clearance system for permits and licenses were an added attraction for investors. Kinfra today run 20 parks with world class infrastructure facilities across Kerala. While some are theme parks such as the Film and Video Park at Thiruvanthapuram, textile in at Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur and food processing park at Kakkanchery, the others are multi-product parks.

    Kinfra food processing park

    The Kinfra food processing park, Kakkanchery, Malappuram district

    The parks host units operating in IT, manufacturing, services and healthcare. It has two ventures—the Seafood Park at Aroor in Alappuzha district and Rubber Park at Irapuram in Ernakulam district. Kinfra has facilitated the entry of central Public sector units to Kerala in a big way.The manufacturing facility of BEML Limited, a PSU under the Defence Ministry, is fast coming up in the Palakkad park. The Railway wagon manufacturing unit is also coming on the Kinfra park in Palakkad. “Kinfra seeks to build on the resources Kerala has on offer to entrepreneurs,” said Mr Ramntah. “We have one of the best connectivity—be it air, sea, rail or road—among all Indian States. We have skilled manpower for any industry, which is unique to us. Our labour relations have so improved that the number of man-days lost is very less, and our record is better than most other States.”

    Kinfra is also the nodal agency of the Government of India for food processing industry in Kerala. It is also designated as the agency of the government of Kerala for the development of a green field airport in Kannur. “With the commissioning of the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal at Kochi this year, Kerala will be uniquely placed with respects to industries which have an import/export component,” Mr Ramnath said. “We expect more entrepreneurs to make use of the unique facilities Kerala can offer. Kinfra is geared to welcome them and arrange infrastructure facilities so that Kerala realise its full potential.”

  • Pact with US

    AYUSH has signed an Access Agreement with the US Patent office giving it access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, marking an important step in protecting India’s traditional knowledge.

  • AYUSH News

    Quality control

    The Department of AYUSH has launched a voluntary scheme under which manufacturers can avail themselves of certification of quality of their Ayurveda,Siddha, Unani drugs and pharmaceutical products.

    Pact with US

    AYUSH has signed an Access Agreement with the US Patent office giving it access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, marking an important step in protecting India’s traditional knowledge.

    College norms

    AYUSH has approved minimum standards for granting permission to AYUSH colleges from next academic year.