ENRICHMENT OF MODERN MEDICINE BY AYURVEDA

INTRODUCTION: Modern medicine, despite its remarkable achievements, to deal

with the present situation, it is necessary to drop prejudices and to recapitulate the
historical development of scientific medicine. Ayurvedic medicine greatly influenced and
directly contributed to the development of Greek medicine. Subsequently, Arabic medicine
borrowed heavily from Greek medicine and eventually came to be recognized as Unani
medicine. Thus, it is evident that the 3 "Pathies" in India, i.e., Ayurveda, Siddha, and
Unani medicine actually represent the ontogeny -- the past stages -- in the evolution of
modern medicine. Needed is a coherent synthesis of the valid elements of the different
"systems of medicine" into a modern scientific health science. This requires work,
experiments, and experience. Medicinal plants and herbs have been studied by many
phytochemists and pharmacologists for the isolation and pharmacodynamic activity of
their active ingredients. Many popular and widespread practices of herbal therapy have
been validated by scientific experiment. It is necessary to educate the practicing doctors
and lay people about the scientific knowledge on the mechanisms of action of Ayurvedic
drugs commonly used by them. Such an educational program serves the following
objectives: scientific world view can affect other activities beneficially; people may come
forward to share their experiences with scientists, which may lead to research and new
drugs; and a reinforcement of the existing therapeutic practices with scientific data may
popularize the use of such plants on a wide scale; and the scientific use of herbs and
plants would tend to reduce the widespread quackery and witchcraft prevalent in India's
rural and backward areas.
Ayurveda vis-a-vis Modern Medicine: Ayurveda and modern medicine differ in one basic
sense: Modern Medicine is driven by Structure or the 'Part' and is thus substantially dependent on
laboratory tests and diagnostic investigations. But, Ayurveda gives importance to Function or the
effect of the ‘Whole’. When every sub-system functions properly, it is health. When there is some
difference or difficulty in the function, ill-health is caused. It is said that modern medicine is
disease-centric, while Ayurveda is patient-centric.

There need not be any contradiction between Ayurveda and Modern Medicine. The two systems
may truly and effectively complement each other, when structural knowledge is judiciously
integrated and interpreted .Contrary to common perception, through the ages, the seers of Ayurveda
recognized the need to ensure that Ayurveda was relevant to contemporary needs and
developments. Vagbhata, the latest of the acharyas, says in his text that he is trying to make the
system up-to-date and suitable for the times (yuganuroopa).

MODERN MEDICINE IN COMBINATION WITH AYURVEDA:

IN AN ERA OF EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE, TRADITIONAL INDIAN PRACTICES, LIKE

AYURVEDA AND UNANI, CANNOT SURVIVE IN ISOLATION, BUT NEED TO BE EFFECTIVELY
COMBINED WITH MODERN MEDICINE
Citing areas of common interest in both ayurveda and modern medicine, like the attention deficit
disorder among children. Better results can be drawn by combining the modern and traditional
medicine practices.
 WHAT IS AYURVEDA? 
Ayurveda is a holistic science of wellness based on creating harmony between two fundamental
complementary forces, movement, observed in respiration, circulation, digestion, elimination and
in the nervous system, and stability which provides the structure to support movement. Behind
these two forces is the one energy which makes it all happen. Ayurveda works through keeping
these forces in balance, which creates harmony with this natural rhythm found in all life. Harmony
reflects itself in wellness just as all disease grows from an imbalance.

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVES ON MODERN DISEASES &

CONTRIBUTION OF AYURVEDA TO MODERN MEDICINE:
Ayurvedic Guidelines for Cancer Prevention ;
Our body cells are surrounded by fluids which should be slightly alkaline in order to sustain life. If
these fluids, especially the blood, become more acidic our body will begin to deposit these excess
acid forming substances in some area of the body such as breasts in women or the prostate in men.
Cells which adapt to an acid environment are called malignant. 
Ayurveda recommends an on-balance alkaline forming diet to maintain healthy cells. High acid
forming foods such as eggs, red meats, cheese and sugar should be replaced with moderate to low
acid forming foods such as whole grains and legumes. The majority of foods should be alkaline
forming such as those found in seasonal fruits and vegetables and natural condiments such as soy.
Herbs should be taken which help clean the blood of excess acidity and restore health.
Traditionally, bitter herbs such as amalaki, manjista or guggul have been incorporated into
balanced formulas such as triphala which can be taken over longer periods of time for health
maintenance.
Maintaining Healthy Blood Glucose Levels:
Ayurveda looks at proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients as a the root of health or disease.
In blood sugar problems it is important to create an orderly breakdown of carbohydrates in the
system. The simplest forms are the monosaccharides, of which the most important for us is glucose.
Being small molecules, monosaccharides reach the intestinal wall and are directly absorbed into the
body. However, in the case of polysaccharides, the larger molecules have to pass through many
levels of digestion, slowing the rate of absorption into the bloodstream. Therefore, a diet including
more whole grains is helpful in maintaing healthy blood sugar levels. 
Balancing Herbs:
Gymnema sylvestre (shardunika) has been used in Ayurvedic formulas for centuries to assist in
maintaining healthy blood glucose levels, stimulate the production of insulin and reduce the craving
for sweets.It can be purchased as a single herb in tablet or capsule form or purchased in proprietary
formulations such as Sweet Ease or Glucosim. 
Stress Management: 
According to Ayurveda, disease and delusion develop when this vital life force is blocked by
continued holding tension in the body as a reaction to stressful situations. Stress is a mind-body
reaction which occurs when we do not have the energy needed to deal with the situation at hand.
Long term situations often are job or relationship related or just from living from modern social
values related to over achievement without taking time off to rejuvenate body and mind. We can
certainly question our beliefs if we find that they are not supporting us! 
Providing understanding and guidelines for balance in body, mind and spirit, Ayurveda gives us
Polarity Therapy as well as herbal healthcare to maintain the flow of this vital energy throughout
our mind and body. Ashwagandha can be taken daily for its adapogenic or anti-stress effects.
Formulas such as Geriforte by HPS or Stress Ease by Banyan build energy reserves and increase
our tolerance to potentially stressful situations. 
Polarity Therapy has been used for centuries to clear our wireless energy system of painful blocks.
Once energy circuits are reconnected, we feel rejuvenated and relaxed as our vital systems have
the energy they need to function. The mind is like an empty vase of consciousness. We can choose
our feelings by the contents that we put in it. When we put in a relaxing sensation created by
Polarity Therapy, we feel energized and a sense of well being. With each breath, we let the
pleasure flow in and the stress flow out.
CONCLUSION:

Ayurveda is the one of the oldest forms of medicine. Its contribution to the origin and
development of modern medicine is far great than any other forms of medicine.

Ayurveda is one form of medicine where solutions to many of the modern diseases can be found.

Modern system of medicine (allopathic) and the ayurvedhic systems of medicine have some basic
differences, even though a well combination of both these is the need of the hour.

Many diseases which find difficulty in treatment using modern systems (for ex:- when allopathic
drugs gives more side effects that cannot be tolerated )allopathic principles holds good. Also
modern concepts of disease diagnosis, understanding & treatment help in potentiating the
Ayurvedic form of treatment.

By the above cited examples (AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVES ON MODERN DISEASES & CONTRIBUTION
OF AYURVEDA TO MODERN MEDICINE) it can be well understood that ayurveda has enriched the
potency of modern medicine to a greater extent.