Ayurveda - An Overall Wellness Mantra
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine and a general philosophy of health and wellbeing. It includes advice on diet, exercise, sleep, hygiene, and the use of herbal supplements.
Like most traditional medical systems, it has been developed and refined over thousands of years based on observation and experience and here the name ayurveda means “science of life”.
Though ayurvedic medicine is considered pseudoscientific because its premises are not based on science, BW Businessworld had a detailed discussion with Amul S Bahl, Inventor, Director of Yogic Naturals on how Ayurveda is a wellness mantra. Excerpts;
Ayurveda is considered one of the oldest of the traditional systems of medicine, as per you how can it be proven a wellness mantra?
Ayurveda, often known as the "Mother of All Healing," is a combination of the Sanskrit terms ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge), which means "the science of life." It focuses on achieving harmony and balance in all areas of life, including the mind, body, and soul.
Considered the "ancient Wikipedia of health," it describes the traits, qualities, and values of natural plants and herbs as well as how humankind might profit from this knowledge. Ayurveda utilises the medicinal capabilities of plants to help the body's natural ability to heal itself at the cellular or nano level, enabling the body's systems to efficiently balance many interrelated systems, fix important processes, and promote health and wellness.
The legacy of Ayurveda and its position in the Vedic knowledge is proof of its efficacy but for the modern generation, the relevance and importance of scientific validation of this traditional knowledge can further prove to be a wellness mantra by standardising protocols and undergoing in-depth scientific research, study and analysis.
As Ayurveda has roots in India, please throw some light on how is it now being globally adopted.
The AYUSH and alternative medicine sector in India are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.6 per cent during the forecast period of 2022–2027.
Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and homoeopathy make up India's system of alternative medicine (AYUSH). India is regarded as the centre of alternative medicine, due to the wealth of traditional scientific knowledge here.
The market in India is now seeing a surge in demand for AYUSH and alternative medicines as a result of growing public awareness of the usefulness and effectiveness of traditional medical systems, as well as increased government backing for these systems and expanding R&D.
India is currently one of the top exporters of alternative medicines worldwide. India is positioned to be a worldwide leader and is expected to experience an outstanding 50 per cent increase over the next five years thanks to a strong foundation in ancient Ayurveda and the large use of ayurvedic medications.
The United States and European nations like Germany and France are major export destinations. With the increase in scientific research and validation by AYUSH Ministry the sector can be a leader in global medicine. With the development of the essential infrastructure and the regulatory framework, the Indian government is consistently promoting the sector.
Do you think, after the covid 19 pandemic, people have started embracing Ayurveda nationally or internationally?
With the awareness of the importance of having a strong immune system during the tough time of covid 19 and also with the government of India and the Ayush Ministry promoting the importance of Ayurveda and home remedies, people at large started having faith back in Ayurveda.
In fact, in the last two years, Yogic Naturals has seen more than a 3 fold jump in patients nationally and internationally. People are using our products not just for their treatment of covid 19, post covid recovery or as preventive measures and strengthening immunity but also for conditions related to brain and nerves, gastric, joints, lifestyle, skin and hair, sexual wellness, respiratory, women's health and viral and bacterial infections. This is an indicator that people have started believing in Ayurveda, as it treats the root cause of an illness, which is the need of the hour.
Amid a long-term belief that Ayurveda lacks scientific evidence, can it be said that with developing time and research, Ayurveda should be backed by science now?
Ayurveda is based on traditional knowledge which dates back thousands of years. The current time is seeing a lot of research and methods of validation that have come up and what we need is to match it to the scientific standards of today.
In fact technologies such as Ayurveda Nanocellopathy have undergone rigorous scientific validation and are building standardised protocols which are safe and effective. The atmosphere of the 21st century is ridden with complications, and doubts and driven by extraneous considerations. In such an atmosphere modern scientific validation adds a layer of trust to Ayurveda and helps people adopt it in their lifestyle.
An example of this highlights how Ayurveda Nanocellopathy is at the forefront of providing a safe and effective treatment for the current pandemic, covid 19. When the world is searching for a treatment from the scrouge of this pandemic, Yogic Naturals, using a unique blend of polyherbal extracts that are used topically presented a highly effective and quick-acting solution. The treatment using 2 such blends is now a part of the WHO Research Database for covid. Repairing afflicted lungs, and treating covid is path-breaking by any standard and that too for a topical use solution. Collaborating research with AIIMS Delhi in tackling covid and associated Lung Damage, this Research is also available on Pub Med and Elsevier amongst others.
There are different medical systems other than Ayurveda, definitely their studies are unique in their place, but people generally have a question that which one is the best among them for "treatments". What is your take on this?
Prevention is the best treatment in real-life terms. However, any treatment that is safe, effective and without side effects is the best. "Food is medicine but medicine is not food" and that forms the basis of a healthy being. Food for the mind is ‘vichaar’; food for the body is what we eat and how we exercise; thus watch all food as it becomes one with the body and that is the key mantra of wellbeing in Ayurveda.
As a complementing step pure herbal extracts as developed in Ayurveda Nanocellopathy can serve as help in restoring your homeostasis and wellbeing. Since the extracts are blended in the form of an oil serum and used externally the chances of side effects are negligible. Such products provide a safe and effective treatment or prevention regime that is rooted in Ayurveda.
This has to be a self-sustaining approach that reduces the burden on healthcare facilities around the globe to address other critical health issues. Standardised, effective, easy to use, fast acting and yet safe, treatment providing man with a healthy long life and not merely a long life, is the best treatment
The government of India and the Ayush ministry are constantly taking initiatives to promote Ayurveda and its benefits, do you agree that more steps should be taken for making more scopes of Ayurveda in education, healthcare, business, etc?
India’s medicine system is a testament to its status as a scientifically evolved society. The wealth of Ayurveda is unparalleled and many try to hijack this science by using poor quality and protocols. This will not help Ayurveda and this is where the AYUSH ministry is doing sterling work in presenting this science as a validated science and technology.
People today have high faith in AYUSH and are convinced of its effectiveness. This increases the need to create further awareness and accessibility to India's traditional medical systems. To build a knowledge foundation that satisfies international standards, interdisciplinary research, standardisation, quality control, and validation of Ayurvedic medicine are required. With investments in AYUSH scientific research and the development of the essential infrastructure and regulatory framework, the Indian government is consistently promoting the sector.
Lastly, what would you suggest to the youngsters and the coming generation about Ayurveda?
As we all know, covid 19 severely affected the world last year, radically altering our lifestyles and eventually forcing us to stay inside. We were forced to turn to our kitchens and our 5000-year-old history of Ayurveda to improve our immunity and find ways to lead a healthy and secure lifestyle. This led us to focus on our ancient science in the form of home remedies and natural food supplements.
The primary focus of Ayurveda's daily and seasonal routines or regimens, which serve as a preventive technique, is helping us preserve our health.
Before the pandemic, the main issue was getting people to understand the true value of Ayurveda. These natural herbs and home cures have helped with that.
Having served well in covid 19, to commemorate 75 years of freedom - Amrit Mahotsav, Ayurveda and Nanocellopathy have started 2 major initiatives- Gogo India, and Diabetes Free India- as an expression of freedom from joint pain and freedom from diabetes. Such a mission to reduce the number of diabetics, its severity and its associated effects and help the aged to keep moving without any joint pains is a tribute to the freedom to be healthy. The youth can participate and build on these missions as brand ambassadors, or as part of the value chain as each of you is most likely impacted by these conditions in your near and dear ones.
The younger generation needs to recognise the value of this science, respect nature and add a bit of nature to their life every day, in the form of food, relaxation and effort. The young can also help promote Ayurveda scientifically by doing more research and developing careers in this. Ayurveda Nanocellopathy, the art of using polyherbal oil serums externally on the body, is a fine example of such research and is today poised to help people globally be in the pink of health.
