Ayurveda, the holistic, time-tested and affordable healthcare is a viable alternative to the western healthcare 

Ayurveda, the age-old medicinal system of India, stands as one of the oldest and still-practised traditions, rooted in a solid foundation of philosophy and experimentation. The foundational concepts of Ayurveda can be traced back to the Vedic period in ancient India. The earliest texts containing knowledge related to health and healing practices are found in the Vedas, particularly the Rigveda, which contains hymns describing the benefits of certain herbs and plants for healing.

Over the years, modern medicine has hijacked the essence of our traditional systems. The basis of modern medicine in reality is traditional systems like Ayurveda. Most of the medicines that we use in allopathic systems are derived from the knowledge gathered from traditional systems. But when it comes to modern medicine, they use only the active principle or its chemical analogue making its targeted use and quick relief.

It is a holistic approach to health and personalised medicine, representing a comprehensive medical system that encompasses physical, psychological, philosophical, ethical, and spiritual well-being.

Unfortunately, the majority of people shift to Ayurveda only when modern medicine fails or when it doesn’t have any solutions to a particular disease. There are many reports of people regaining health and being cured in such instances. As per the World Health Organisation, approximately 70–80% of the global population depends on unconventional remedies, primarily sourced from herbs, for their healthcare needs. The growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine is largely attributed to the rising concerns over side effects associated with synthetic drugs, the absence of definitive treatments for numerous chronic ailments, the high expenses related to new medications, microbial resistance, and the emergence of new diseases, among other factors.

In recent times there has been an organised effort by the proponents of Ayurveda to include this system in a similar line to allopathy. In many multi-speciality hospitals ayurvedic treatments have become more costlier than allopathic systems. The emergence of Ayurveda as a part of tourism is destroying the quality and essence of this priced medical system. The effects of ayurvedic treatment cannot be availed in two or three days. It's based on your lifestyle and only if you manage your daily lifestyle systematically would be able to get the results. Booming Ayurvedic pharma companies are also destroying the essence of Ayurveda. The culture that made allopathic treatment unaffordable has crept slowly into our traditional system. There is stiff competition among the ayurvedic companies which often deviate from what is prescribed in the texts.

In recent times the world has started appreciating the contributions of Ayurveda and the Indian knowledge system towards healthcare and it's our duty and responsibility to provide quality healthcare to the whole of humanity. Stringent regulations should be formulated to check the quality of medicines sold in the market to prevent adulteration which is becoming rampant in recent times.

Since 2016, the government of India has been observing National Ayurveda Day annually on Dhanwantari Jayanti (Dhanteras). Dhanvantari Jayanti was chosen as the occasion for commemorating Ayurveda Day, to promote this medical system on a national scale, recognising its potential to become a fundamental pillar in its eventual global expansion. This year, Ayurveda Day was observed on 10th November 2023 with the focal theme “Ayurveda for everyone on every day”. By promoting Ayurveda we are not only promoting our age-old affordable medical system but also promoting living sustainably with nature.

(The writer is an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, views are personal)