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|title=Contemporary Ayurveda

|title=Contemporary Ayurveda

|titlemode=append

|titlemode=append

|keywords=carakasamhitaonline, charak samhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, current status of ayurveda, research, management of emergency conditions, strengths of ayurveda, education system, unexplored research areas, integrative healthcare,  Indian system of medicine, alternative medicine, health, preventive medicine, rasayana

|keywords=carakasamhitaonline, charak samhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, current status of ayurveda, research, management of emergency conditions, strengths of ayurveda, education system, unexplored research areas, integrative healthcare,  Indian system of medicine, alternative medicine, health, preventive medicine, rasayana, RH Singh, Deole Y.S., Basisht Gopal

|description= Interactive session on Contemporary Ayurveda  

|description= Interactive session on Contemporary Ayurveda  

|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg

|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg

'''Answer:''' There are many things which are unexplored in [[Ayurveda]]. However, as per my experience the following are more important things to be explored. Number 1 is classical Ayurvedic pharmacology. Rasa, [[Guna]], Veerya, Vipaka, Prabhava were the methods of drug testing in ancient times. They are not used nowadays. The reason is they have not been formatted or updated in current views. Most of the research done today, is done by modern pharmacological methods. The result goes in the favour of modern medicine, not [[Ayurveda]]. [[Ayurveda]] is not becoming strong by research. This is one thing that affects to me.  

'''Answer:''' There are many things which are unexplored in [[Ayurveda]]. However, as per my experience the following are more important things to be explored. Number 1 is classical Ayurvedic pharmacology. Rasa, [[Guna]], Veerya, Vipaka, Prabhava were the methods of drug testing in ancient times. They are not used nowadays. The reason is they have not been formatted or updated in current views. Most of the research done today, is done by modern pharmacological methods. The result goes in the favour of modern medicine, not [[Ayurveda]]. [[Ayurveda]] is not becoming strong by research. This is one thing that affects to me.  

Similarly, the clinical Ayurvedic methodology, which is so nicely described in [[Ayurveda]] in the form of roga pariksha, rogi pariksha, prakriti, vikriti etc. These can be developed in a practical way, so that the Ayurvedic diagnostics can be used effectively. This is not happening.  Probably the reason is that it has not been clearly updated and brought in the form of contemporary tools. And therefore, most of the practitioners of [[Ayurveda]], do modern diagnosis and [[Ayurveda]] treatment. This was a situation in 1958, when Udupa committee commented on that. Things have not changed since then. They have become worse, I would say. This needs more work and to be re-examined.  

Similarly, the clinical Ayurvedic methodology, which is so nicely described in [[Ayurveda]] in the form of [[roga]] pariksha, rogi pariksha, [[prakriti]], [[vikriti]] etc. These can be developed in a practical way, so that the Ayurvedic diagnostics can be used effectively. This is not happening.  Probably the reason is that it has not been clearly updated and brought in the form of contemporary tools. And therefore, most of the practitioners of [[Ayurveda]], do modern diagnosis and [[Ayurveda]] treatment. This was a situation in 1958, when Udupa committee commented on that. Things have not changed since then. They have become worse, I would say. This needs more work and to be re-examined.  

   

   

Third thing that is important is the [[tridosha]] theory of [[Ayurveda]] itself.  Lot of research has been done on [[dosha]] prakriti, lots of clinical methods have been developed. But what is actually Vata, Pitta and Kapha, we do not know. Clearly, they are to be known. I consider the [[tridosha]] as a kind of formula or a conceptual construct to explain triangular physiology.  Why there is a need to have a triangular physiology? It is because the whole globe, according to [[Ayurveda]] is (regulated by) triangular forces. The three important powers of nature are The Sun, water and the air. Similarly, the three natural powers are present in our body in the form of three [[dosha]]. The Sun in the globe is the Pitta of our body; the air in the globe is Vata of our body, and the water of the globe is Kapha of our body. It is something like that. Probably this was the purpose to copy the nature into the biology. Therefore, [[tridosha]] theory was evolved. This is according to my thinking. Otherwise, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are nothing but just a formula. This is what looks to me.  

Third thing that is important is the [[tridosha]] theory of [[Ayurveda]] itself.  Lot of research has been done on [[dosha]] [[prakriti]], lots of clinical methods have been developed. But what is actually [[Vata]], [[Pitta]] and [[Kapha]], we do not know. Clearly, they are to be known. I consider the [[tridosha]] as a kind of formula or a conceptual construct to explain triangular physiology.  Why there is a need to have a triangular physiology? It is because the whole globe, according to [[Ayurveda]] is (regulated by) triangular forces. The three important powers of nature are The Sun, water and the air. Similarly, the three natural powers are present in our body in the form of three [[dosha]]. The Sun in the globe is the [[Pitta]] of our body; the air in the globe is [[Vata]] of our body, and the water of the globe is [[Kapha]] of our body. It is something like that. Probably this was the purpose to copy the nature into the biology. Therefore, [[tridosha]] theory was evolved. This is according to my thinking. Otherwise, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are nothing but just a formula. This is what looks to me.  

The next part of your question is about current research.  What is the situation of current research?  I classify current research into three categories.  

The next part of your question is about current research.  What is the situation of current research?  I classify current research into three categories.  

'''Q 2. Nowadays we have a discussion on unified healthcare system in India. How can we connect or bridge fundamental concepts of [[Ayurveda]] with contemporary basic sciences? Please explain with an example.'''

'''Q 2. Nowadays we have a discussion on unified healthcare system in India. How can we connect or bridge fundamental concepts of [[Ayurveda]] with contemporary basic sciences? Please explain with an example.'''

'''Ans:'''  This needs a rigorous integrative approach. Integrative means the modern medicine and Ayurvedic medicine have come closer, sincerely closer. Not only closer, sincerely closer. Then only it can happen. I will give an example of a small experiment done at B.H.U. years ago on [[dosha]] prakriti.  We selected 100 normal healthy volunteers. Their  prakriti was decided by a panel of experts. Their blood samples were taken to assess acetylcholine, catecholamines and histamine, the three important neurohumors.  It was observed that those who had vata prakriti, higher levels of acetylcholine were observed. Those, who had pitta prakriti, higher levels of catecholamines were observed. And, those who had kapha prakriti, they had higher histamine levels. This was a small experiment. It can be an example of how we can link ancient [[Ayurveda]] with modern knowledge.   

'''Ans:'''  This needs a rigorous integrative approach. Integrative means the modern medicine and Ayurvedic medicine have come closer, sincerely closer. Not only closer, sincerely closer. Then only it can happen. I will give an example of a small experiment done at B.H.U. years ago on [[dosha]] [[prakriti]].  We selected 100 normal healthy volunteers. Their  [[prakriti]] was decided by a panel of experts. Their blood samples were taken to assess acetylcholine, catecholamines and histamine, the three important neurohumors.  It was observed that those who had [[vata]] [[prakriti]], higher levels of acetylcholine were observed. Those, who had [[pitta]] [[prakriti]], higher levels of catecholamines were observed. And, those who had [[kapha]] [[prakriti]], they had higher histamine levels. This was a small experiment. It can be an example of how we can link ancient [[Ayurveda]] with modern knowledge.   

== Use of technological aids in diagnosis ==  

== Use of technological aids in diagnosis ==  

'''5. Sir, as you have served more than 50 years as a teacher, we will be happy to listen about what are the tools or teaching methodology techniques to teach [[Ayurveda]] to non-ayurvedic medical students? How can we make [[Ayurveda]] simpler for a newcomer? What are the hurdles and solutions?'''  

'''5. Sir, as you have served more than 50 years as a teacher, we will be happy to listen about what are the tools or teaching methodology techniques to teach [[Ayurveda]] to non-ayurvedic medical students? How can we make [[Ayurveda]] simpler for a newcomer? What are the hurdles and solutions?'''  

'''Ans:''' When I was teaching in B.H.U., there was a course for allopathic students (M.B.B.S.) to do M.D. in [[Ayurveda]]. If we teach them with a lot of integration, or examples of correlation , it doesn’t develop interest in learning [[Ayurveda]]. They are more interested in learning what actually [[Ayurveda]] is? I will suggest to teach them [[Ayurveda]] as it is, rather than comparing other things which is not successful. So let us teach them [[Ayurveda]] as it is, so that they can understand triangular nature of physiology through vata, pitta and kapha. They shall understand what is [[panchamahabhuta]]? They understand why  [[tridosha]] theory was brought in, when [[panchamahabhuta]] theory was already there. What is the need of talking of [[tridosha]]? Many people now say that [[tridosha]] are not understood. It is easier to explain the [[panchamahabhuta]] relations. All these singular things shall be taught to them. So that they can judge themselves, that is what is new in [[Ayurveda]]. It is their judgement about what to take from [[Ayurveda]]. We have to improve their judgement, not to teach them. Because they are already doctors, they understand.   

'''Ans:''' When I was teaching in B.H.U., there was a course for allopathic students (M.B.B.S.) to do M.D. in [[Ayurveda]]. If we teach them with a lot of integration, or examples of correlation , it doesn’t develop interest in learning [[Ayurveda]]. They are more interested in learning what actually [[Ayurveda]] is? I will suggest to teach them [[Ayurveda]] as it is, rather than comparing other things which is not successful. So let us teach them [[Ayurveda]] as it is, so that they can understand triangular nature of physiology through [[vata]], [[pitta]] and [[kapha]]. They shall understand what is [[panchamahabhuta]]? They understand why  [[tridosha]] theory was brought in, when [[panchamahabhuta]] theory was already there. What is the need of talking of [[tridosha]]? Many people now say that [[tridosha]] are not understood. It is easier to explain the [[panchamahabhuta]] relations. All these singular things shall be taught to them. So that they can judge themselves, that is what is new in [[Ayurveda]]. It is their judgement about what to take from [[Ayurveda]]. We have to improve their judgement, not to teach them. Because they are already doctors, they understand.   

'''Dr. Gopal Basisht:'''  

'''Dr. [[Gopal Basisht]]:'''  

I practiced modern medicine for fifty years. And I found that our mindset is about disease management. It is just focusing on disease management “if you remove the disease, the person becomes healthy”. This may not be the newer definition, that is there, but this is the mindset of us all who go into modern medicine. On the other hand, [[Ayurveda]] looks at the whole environment and the things that can affect the person. And this is a major problem. Because of the mindset, it is very difficult to change mindset of modern medicine persons. Diseases are continuously increasing. We continue to find newer treatments for better outcome. We have not placed any significance to what are the factors which keep people healthy. While I was looking at various systems, I found, this ([[Ayurveda]]) is the only system in the world, which has described the components of health, that can be taken care of by a practicing physician. If you look at the WHO definition of health, it says that physical, mental and social wellbeing and not just absence of diseases is health. With knowledge of this definition, if I sit in the office to advise the patient, then it can’t be followed. But, if we understand the definition of health in [[Ayurveda]], describing equilibrium of [[[[dosha]]]], [[agni]], [[dhatu]] and [[mala]], Prasanna [[atma]], [[indriya]] [[mana]]. We focus on five factors which have been described and specifically start taking care of people, which helps overall and should be much more effective. And it is. This is what I saw. When I was practicing, I used to give modern medicines, but I advised patients about doing meditation, yogic exercise and diet. And what I started to find  was that those patients who followed this advice felt better and their requirement for drugs started to come down gradually and many of them were able to get off the medications. This is how I very strongly feel that the current modern medical system is very deficient and diseases will continue to increase, unless Ayurvedic principles are included there.

I practiced modern medicine for fifty years. And I found that our mindset is about disease management. It is just focusing on disease management “if you remove the disease, the person becomes healthy”. This may not be the newer definition, that is there, but this is the mindset of us all who go into modern medicine. On the other hand, [[Ayurveda]] looks at the whole environment and the things that can affect the person. And this is a major problem. Because of the mindset, it is very difficult to change mindset of modern medicine persons. Diseases are continuously increasing. We continue to find newer treatments for better outcome. We have not placed any significance to what are the factors which keep people healthy. While I was looking at various systems, I found, this ([[Ayurveda]]) is the only system in the world, which has described the components of health, that can be taken care of by a practicing physician. If you look at the WHO definition of health, it says that physical, mental and social wellbeing and not just absence of diseases is health. With knowledge of this definition, if I sit in the office to advise the patient, then it can’t be followed. But, if we understand the definition of health in [[Ayurveda]], describing equilibrium of [[[[dosha]]]], [[agni]], [[dhatu]] and [[mala]], Prasanna [[atma]], [[indriya]] [[mana]]. We focus on five factors which have been described and specifically start taking care of people, which helps overall and should be much more effective. And it is. This is what I saw. When I was practicing, I used to give modern medicines, but I advised patients about doing meditation, yogic exercise and diet. And what I started to find  was that those patients who followed this advice felt better and their requirement for drugs started to come down gradually and many of them were able to get off the medications. This is how I very strongly feel that the current modern medical system is very deficient and diseases will continue to increase, unless Ayurvedic principles are included there.