Traditional medicine plays a major role in the healthcare system in rural sectors of India. This type of medicine involves the utilization of herbal products to maintain balance in one’s body to prevent illness. The medicinal traditions of Ayurveda and Siddha have been considered to be originated in India and have played an important role in the healthcare system for many centuries after previously being used for therapeutic purposes. “The World Health Organization estimated that 80% of the worlds inhabitants still rely mainly on traditional medicines for their healthcare” (Parasuraman, et al. 73). In this research I set out to prove that traditional medicinal practices in India, such as Ayurveda, directly lead to living a long healthy life
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According to “Polyherbal formulation: Concept of Ayurveda” by Subramani Parasuraman, Gan Slaw Thing, and Sokkalingam Arumugam Dhanaraj, Ayurveda, meaning “the science of life” involves the use of natural means such as diet, spices, minerals, meditation, and smells to eliminate the root causes of a disease by resoring balance in one’s body (Parasuraman, et al. 73). The Indian Ayurvedic system has included herbals as one of its most powerful healing ingredients (Parasuraman et al. 74). Similar to Ayurveda, Siddha medicine is considered to be one of India’s oldest systems of medicine that is based on a combination of ancient medicinal practices and spiritual disciplines. The main concepts of these practices is to balance the three fundamental doshas. These include Vata meaning air, Pitta representing fire, and Kapha representing earth or water. This type of medicine is fairly popular in rural villages in India due to the relevance of medicinal plants in the country. Of the 15,000 medicinal plants in the country, about 700 types are listed in the medicinal system (Parasuraman, et al. 75). The authors argue that if there is rational use of traditional medicinal practices like Ayurveda, it can lead to fewer side effects and exert the best effect in human health. The authors argument directly relates to my …show more content…
Alamellu had heart disease due to damage of her mitral valve that was causing severe joint pain throughout her body. When Alamellu visited a doctor that practiced western medicine, he suggested heart surgery as a form of treatment. However, Alamellu was very apprehensive about the surgery because she was not persuaded that heart surgery could remove her joint pain. After declining the doctor’s suggestion, Alamellu consulted a doctor who practices Ayurveda in her community. She was then admitted to a hospital where she would receive medicated oil massages and prescriptions while being put on a strict diet. The medicated oils used during massage where used in attempt to relieve her pain and illness. Although she did not fulfill her recommended stay time in the hospital, significant improvements were seen in her overall health following her stay. After 23 days, she instantly felt better as her swelling and acute pain disappeared. She is able to walk, taste food, and enjoy her life with her husband and family without suffering traumatic aches and pains. Supported by the arguments above, traditional medicine proved to have healed Alamellu of all of her pains from her illness even if it did not cure her illness itself. The western medicinal options she was given such as aspirin and the possibility of
According to “Polyherbal formulation: Concept of Ayurveda” by Subramani Parasuraman, Gan Slaw Thing, and Sokkalingam Arumugam Dhanaraj, Ayurveda, meaning “the science of life” involves the use of natural means such as diet, spices, minerals, meditation, and smells to eliminate the root causes of a disease by resoring balance in one’s body (Parasuraman, et al. 73). The Indian Ayurvedic system has included herbals as one of its most powerful healing ingredients (Parasuraman et al. 74). Similar to Ayurveda, Siddha medicine is considered to be one of India’s oldest systems of medicine that is based on a combination of ancient medicinal practices and spiritual disciplines. The main concepts of these practices is to balance the three fundamental doshas. These include Vata meaning air, Pitta representing fire, and Kapha representing earth or water. This type of medicine is fairly popular in rural villages in India due to the relevance of medicinal plants in the country. Of the 15,000 medicinal plants in the country, about 700 types are listed in the medicinal system (Parasuraman, et al. 75). The authors argue that if there is rational use of traditional medicinal practices like Ayurveda, it can lead to fewer side effects and exert the best effect in human health. The authors argument directly relates to my …show more content…
Alamellu had heart disease due to damage of her mitral valve that was causing severe joint pain throughout her body. When Alamellu visited a doctor that practiced western medicine, he suggested heart surgery as a form of treatment. However, Alamellu was very apprehensive about the surgery because she was not persuaded that heart surgery could remove her joint pain. After declining the doctor’s suggestion, Alamellu consulted a doctor who practices Ayurveda in her community. She was then admitted to a hospital where she would receive medicated oil massages and prescriptions while being put on a strict diet. The medicated oils used during massage where used in attempt to relieve her pain and illness. Although she did not fulfill her recommended stay time in the hospital, significant improvements were seen in her overall health following her stay. After 23 days, she instantly felt better as her swelling and acute pain disappeared. She is able to walk, taste food, and enjoy her life with her husband and family without suffering traumatic aches and pains. Supported by the arguments above, traditional medicine proved to have healed Alamellu of all of her pains from her illness even if it did not cure her illness itself. The western medicinal options she was given such as aspirin and the possibility of