TRADITIONAL INDIAN MEDICINE SYSTEM

Ms. V.Vidhya, Asst Professor, Department of MBA

Indian Traditional medicine system always play an important role in global health care needs. Its origin is unidentified as we have this system way back in BC and AD. The system which has been originated in India or the medicine system came from outside India and assimilated into the Indian culture is called as the Traditional Indian Medicine System. We have nearly 6 such medicine systems prevailing in Indian medicine. They are Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Naturopathy, Yoga and Homeopathy. Homeopathy is the medicine system that came outside India and got attached to our Indian culture. This article is about the traditional medicinal systems which were prevailing in India before Allopathy came into existence.

Ayurveda

Most of the traditional medicinal systems in India have its roots from the folk medicine. Ayurveda has well defined conceptual framework through out the ages. It has the integrated approach between health and disease. An important feature of Ayurveda is, it will have a therapeutic practice with good effects which will be long time cure. Ayurveda takes not only the traditional form of medicine but it also involves physical, psychological, philosophical, ethical and spiritual approach in treating a health disease. It not only treats the diseases but it will emphasise the importance of balanced life style for healthy life. The WHO also emphasise the same now and it advices people to develop a healthy life style to get free from various diseases. Ayurveda uses 10 examinations before it reveals the disease in the human like, body build, psychotherapy, mental health, exercise endurance and so on. The treatment is based on restoring doshas in a person’s body. The drugs in Ayurveda are the herbs that have been grown in India for many decades. Recently Ayurveda has its familiarity among the foreign people that medical tourism has developed well in this traditional medicine system.

Siddha

Siddha medicinal system has its origin from southern part of India especially Tamilnadu. It has been said that siddha means siddhi which in turn means achievement. In southern part it is been said that siddha is knowledge of medicine system which the Siddhars acquired and transferred their knowledge to their disciples. The difference between Siddha and Ayurveda is, Siddha uses metal and mineral for drug preparation and Ayurveda uses drugs of vegetable origin.

Unani

Unani system of Medicine has its origin from Greece. According to Unani the body is made up of 4 basic elements, air, water, earth and fire which have different temperament like hot, cold, wet and dry. The disease occurs when these temperaments are disturbed in one’s body. The disease conditions are treated with four types of therapies like Regimental therapy, Dietotheraphy, Pharmacotherapy, and Surgery.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy system of medicine has its origin from Germany 200 years back. It is based on the two facts that is, “like cures like” and “law of minimum dose”. Homeopathic drugs come from plants, minerals and animals. The fact “like cures like” is medicine that can cure the sick person if it can cause similar sickness in the healthy person. Next fact is the lower dosage of medicine greater the effectiveness. Many Homeopathic medicines are diluted in such a way that its original substances do not remain in the drug.

Naturopathy and Yoga

Naturopathic system of medicine uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. It involves many therapies, which includes herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counselling.

It has its origin from Germany in the 1800’s, some of its treatments are centuries old. In today’s fast like it combines traditional treatments with modern science.

Naturopathy and Yoga goes hand in hand for healing a person. Yoga is a traditional way of exercise which has a global acceptance. Yoga has its origin in India way back in pre vedic period. Yoga largely consists of postures or asanas. Some believe that by doing Yoga our body, mind and spirit gets purified which gives us disease free healthy life.

To conclude apart from allopathic way of medicine there are other forms of medicinal systems also prevailing in India which does not involve side effect. In recent days all these forms are gaining importance due to some failure notes in allopathic medicine system. All these forms have common problem which is its long-term nature which is the strength of allopathic medicine. We can get cured immediately or within day or two in allopathic system but these forms require long term treatment, but assures cure.