To Those Who Call Ayurveda Pseudoscience – Read This

Referring to Ayurveda as pseudoscience will be a sign of pure ignorance and innocence toward a comprehensive understanding of traditional medical systems. According to the ancient scrolls, Ayurveda is one of the ancient traditional medicine systems that have existed since the Vedic period. But today, some people call it pseudoscience. Is that fair? Let’s dig deeper.

It is not a set of folklore and myths that people may have thought; indeed, it is Ayurveda, a system of medicine that is diverse and has a vast historical background. Consequently, the majority of India’s populace exercises Ayurveda medication knowing and unknowingly as a therapeutic procedure. Ayurveda transforms everybody’s home into a first aid center with varied home tips.

Wow! That is more than a billion individuals!

However, it has been practiced worldwide and does not pertain to India. There is emerging significant global interest in Ayurvedic products, which is expected to reach $14. 9 billion by 2026. This is a clear indication that the key population has placed their confidence in Ayurveda.

People thought it was completely different from the Western system of medicine. It is based on moderation and encompasses preventive measures. It regards each person as an individual.

However, modern science is slowly beginning to recognize these manifestations of the ancient ayurveda principles. Currently, about 10,000 articles of literature related to Ayurvedic products are indexed in well-known journals and medical databases regarding the efficiency of Ayurveda and plant products. So, let’s consider some facts about Ayurveda. For as long as history can recall, it has been treating people. There may be more to it than one can see.

In this blog, we will discuss information regarding Ayurveda and its bioavailability aspects. We will also see how and why millions continue to turn to it even today.

Ready to know? Let’s dive in!

Understanding Ayurveda

As most people thought, Ayurveda is not just about the plant products, its concoctions, and the body massage with oil. It is an extensive form of medical science that handles the balance of human body, mind and spirit which has dated back over 5000 years in early civilization. Ayurveda, derived from Sanskrit, is the ‘Science of life.’ It depends on the understanding that the human body is designed such that for utmost healing capacity which can be enhanced by natural artifacts such as plants and earth. Thus, every person’s life can be improved rather than focused on dealing with diseases. It’s all about bringing health in general natural practices.

Generally, Ayurveda opines that an imbalance of Tridosha is something that precedes the occurrence of diseases. They look at the individual as a combination of specific components known as doshas. They are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha; Vata corresponds to air and space, Pitta comprises fire and water, and Kapha corresponds to earth and water. If all these doshas are in proportion, the body is in order, and you are fit.

Advocates’ Perspective

On the other hand, Ayurveda has many ardent supporters who can also find benefits and use them. They explain that people have been using Ayurveda for a long time. If contemporary medicine started in Hippocrates’s era, it has assisted people for roughly 5000 years.

That is something one should take seriously!

While the Ayurvedic approach has a lot of potential and variations, critics claim that this very advantage turns into a vice. It does not only focus on solving symptoms. This system does not focus on a particular part of the human being. This can bring about improved total health status, not just alleviate one’s symptoms or condition.

Many individuals may testify to the efficacy of such treatments as Ayurveda. Other studies report that it has benefited along with the conventional practices. A survey has shown that as many as 62% of people were sticking to Ayurvedic treatment for acute and some chronic ailments too.

Insights of Ayurveda

Ayurveda treatment works at the root level in the complex human system as it is an individual based method. The individual progression will be the Ayurveda’s robust treatment system, that enhances the overall health and looks majorly to impact the immune system.

Ayurveda also involves dealing with energy forces, i.e., Vata, Pitta, and Kapha that emphasises the working status of different systems in the body. That is why numerous things observed in a given person’s body, like the prana or a life force, are observed with the expertise of ayurveda vaidyas. Even many devices are available to predict.

At the same time, it is essential to underscore that many of the concepts found within Ayurveda are relatively sophisticated.

Outline of Western and Eastern Medical Systems

Even Western and Ayurveda have some differences in their perceptions of disease outcomes, Western approach is usually centered on the use of drugs to combat effects of particular illnesses. Unlike many modern approaches, Ayurveda accepts the patient as a whole and attempts to attain a general imbalance.

The Western body of knowledge mainly advocates the effective use of chemical derivatives and operations as treatment procedures. Ayurveda is more noninvasive and tends to incorporate things like diet, plant products, and changes in behavior to solve problems.

Both have their place. Some people have noted that when used together, they yield the best outcome.

It also should be recalled that the Western approach to medicine is comparatively young—just a few hundred years old. Ayurveda has been operating and, therefore, honing the processes for about five thousand years. The public is ignorant of the history of these medications.

Here’s something interesting

Many modern medications are derived from Ayurvedic formulations. Let us take turmeric, for example.

Ayurvedic cultures have used it for years, and today, Western scientists have started analyzing it for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Aspirin is another example. It is derived from the salicylic acid of willow tree bark. Guess what? For centuries, Ayurveda has incorporated Willow bark for its ability to decrease pain.

No single drug on the current market can claim immunity from Ayurveda, not even artemisinin, which is used to deal malaria.

It originates from sweet wormwood, a formulation used worldwide, especially in Ayurveda, for ages.

Indeed, some of the plants in modern medications are related to those used in traditional medicine, and at least a quarter of today’s formulations produced globally are derived from plants.

Lack of awareness of origins of several Modern Medications

Another disadvantage that has been frequently used to discredit Ayurveda is the shortage of study work. But is it fair?

This is because society places people in standardized categories and gives them pre-determined roles they cannot control. Let us look at the numbers.

From January 2020 to date, scholars have published more than 5000 papers relating to Ayurveda in PubMed. Still, that is a significant number; however, it does not even scratch the surface compared to the number of studies reviewed and published on Western medicine.

Why the gap? 

Well, research is expensive. But things are changing. More universities are turning to Ayurveda for examinations. Promisingly, the Indian government is funding ayurvedic studies. As per record, they budgeted approximately $250 million for research into AYUSH in 2020.

Let’s be honest: modern systems are one of the leading players in healthcare around the world. It relates to what most people consider medicine when they hear the term or word, and this can often give a tough competition to other systems like Ayurveda.

The last time one read positive news about Ayurveda was perhaps after the ancient Indian medicinal practice was featured as an essential support for the British Empire.

There is also a common language that has been proven to hinder the growth of the business. Some of the original Ayurvedic documents are written in Sanskrit or some local Indian language, making it difficult for Western scholars to research them. A conspiracy is sustained as many Ayurvedic texts were taken by Western societies, and they are following our medicinal system practices to reduce the effects of side effects.

Insurance Reimbursements

Here’s a practical issue: The insurance system also plays a significant role in the functioning of the general healthcare system. In Malaysia, most insurance plans exclude Ayurvedic treatments as one of the non-counted covered services, which makes them less disseminated to many people.

Today, in India, some insurance companies are beginning to pay for Ayurveda. However, this trend is not very common worldwide. This gap identifies the financial factor as a barrier to experimenting with Ayurvedic treatments. The absence of Ayurveda in insurance policies prevents people from choosing or including Ayurveda. However, it means that it is possible to be aware of the importance of Ayurveda in treatment regimes and its insurance policies that may enhance Ayurveda usage.

Covid

The outbreak of COVID-19 paved the way for Ayurveda to be recognized. In India, the health ministry came out in support of Ayurvedic cures that enhanced immunity. These were natural spices such as curcumin, ginger, holy basil, and other spices.

Some accused it of embracing quackery and recommending premature treatment that has not been proven effective. Some viewed it as a convenient tool to enhance a person’s well-being during an emergency. According to a recent Indian survey, 45% of respondents used Ayurvedic treatments while facing the pandemic.

However, it does not mean that Ayurveda has replaced the COVID-19 treatment. Still, the fact that it is designed to increase the body’s well-being and immunity can be beneficial at any time for preventing health issues.

Final Thoughts

Have an Introspect, is Ayurveda pseudoscience? A review of Ayurveda shows that it is a complex system with merits, but its limitations have yet to be determined.

Unfortunately, Ayurveda lacks the high range funding from the pharma companies to conduct the multi varied research, clinical trials, pharmacovigilance and other surveillance programs compared to the modern medical system which has been supported by huge pharma companies.

Ayurveda has benefited millions of people for many millennia. It is a comprehensive concept of wellness that many consumers find very useful. Instead of dismissing it, we should ask: What knowledge or information can we gain from Ayurveda?

It could also be integrative medicine, which aims to combine the different aspects of medicine to develop an overall approach. This integration has to be done in modern ways with other systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda. It is all about hand in hand to extract great benefits as a strategy from one corner and applying it anywhere there is a need, irrespective of the source.

Thus, nothing is as important as health, or so one tends to believe when discovering the truth and realizing that it is too late. If this Ayurveda can increase health or vice versa, don’t we want to tread that path? Let me leave it open, and we hope a broad prospect is required. Indeed, that is what real science is all about.