Ayurveda: Does It Have A Place In Modern Society?

Ayurveda is an ancient healing system that comes from the Indian subcontinent. The basic concept behind Ayurveda is that every disease is caused by an imbalance. This balance between the body and nature — or even the universe as it were — is what leads to the manifestation of disease.

Ayurveda and Ayurvedic medicine is growing in poularity, with over 200 universities around the world teaching courses about the Ayurvedic system of healing. The United States recognizes Ayurveda as a form of complementary and alternative medicine.

Proponents of the system claim that it has answers to the growing scourge of food allergies as well as many auto immune diseases. Is there truth to these claims? Does Ayurveda stand up to scientific scrutiny?

Basic Principles Of Ayurveda

The Ayurvedic system divides the body into seven tissues consisting of plasma, blood, fat, bone, muscles, semen and marrow. It also presumes that the five basic elements of Earth, fire, water, air and ether combine to form these tissues.

Apart from this, Ayurveda also names three doshas, which need to be in balance with each other otherwise diseases will afflict the body. These three different doshas are said to be found in different proportions in the human body, and are determined by the temperament and characteristics of the body.

Similarly, a detailed methodology for the diagnosis of treatments is given based on the observation of changes in urine, vision, speech, tongue, pulse and appearance. There are books written on surgery as well, some scholars argue that they were even more advanced than the western systems of healing in place at the time and that very well might be true.

The treatments are meted out using plant based substances, purified and even fermented to bring out their healing properties. Opium was one of the substances that was used in Ayurveda, however its well known pain reducing and sedative properties are not mentioned, instead is advocated for increasing sexual potency and for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Does Ayurveda Work?   

Ayurveda can be best described as an ancient system of medicine that held a lot of promise and seemed to be founded on the principles of observation and understanding. Every ancient system of medicine made assumptions based on religion, spirituality and a higher power that we now know not be true. The same is true for Ayurveda. 

However, the truth of the matter is that Ayurveda is no better or effective than any other system of ancient medicine. Every major civilization has had a system of medicine, but none of them eventually continued on the path of scientific discovery and observation.

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As it stands today, not willing to accept the tenets of scientific measurement, observation and standardized tests of its components, Ayurveda is nothing but a pseudoscientific system of healing.

Ayurveda Is Untested And Potentially Dangerous

Why Is Ayurveda Taught In Universities?

It is a fact that Ayurveda is continued to be taught in over 200 universities around the world, however a deeper look needs to be taken as to the laws that govern its existence.

In India, the country of its origins, a concerted effort is being undertaken to protect what the nation sees as "intellectual property". The government wants to make sure that it has ownership on any patents, usage of terminology and most importantly tourism that is borne out of Ayurveda.

There is nothing wrong with that. It is, after all, a part of the history of a nation and should be taught to help understand how modern medicine has evolved, taking aspects from ancient systems from all over the world. It should not, however, be allowed to function as an alternative system of medicine. That is dangerous, foolhardy and in fact downright devious.

Ayurveda does not submit itself to any accepted scientific method of verification or measurement. The studies undertaken on it by proponents are biased, not adherent to research protocols and thus of little significance or value.

The government of India has exempted Ayurvedic preparations from being subjected to safety and efficacy studies. This is preposterous. The tenets for belief in Ayurvedic principles seem to be based on spirituality and faith rather than any rational thought.

This is extremely convenient. How can you argue with something that portrays itself to be above the rules or beyond the understanding of science? Should the fact that it has existed for thousands of years be proof enough that Ayurveda works?

Ayurveda should be continued to taught in universities but only as a part of history and culture. Not as medicine.

Toxic Metals   

Ayurvedic medicines are sold all over the world without being subjected to any sorts of tests or efficacy. The most that they are tested for is the presence of hazardous materials that may cause long term damage and irreparable harm.

Studies conducted in 1991 in India found that over half the medicines sold contained Arsenic, Mercury or Lead. High levels of these same toxic metals were found in Ayurvedic medicines being sold in the United States in 2004. Over 40 percent of medicines purchased at random from the internet from suppliers based in India and USA were found to have high levels of toxic elements. This study was conducted in 2011. The use of toxic metals is described in ancient texts as something to enrich the herbal concoctions.

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Conclusion

There is nothing more dangerous than blind faith. It is astounding that people continue to believe in knowledge that only the "ancients" possessed. This belief is found in people all over the world and through all levels of society. Science and its principles have been responsible for every major breakthrough, convenience and advancement our world has seen. Have faith in that instead. Trust science to help you decide and make the right decisions.