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[S1108]Study Medicine In India

by Alex Ellorde, Ale

In contrast, Eastern medical and therapeutic philosophy focuses on the more metaphysical side of human illness and treatment. Its practice is hinged on the use of a variety of methods ranging from the use of medicinal plants and herb, massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, pulse reading, and other alternative healing methods. These methods are now gaining acceptance even in modern societies, in a large measure, due to the increased awareness about the healing arts of China and India. There are volumes of literature on traditional Chinese medicine. But what also deserves wide recognition is the folk remedies and traditional practices in India which are also ancient and effective, at least, according to those who have tried them.

Ayurveda, a healing system native to India, is a centuries-old practice that has recently been given attention by Western science. Like traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda practitioners adhere to a particular medical philosophy that regards illness as an imbalance in the body and influenced by internal and external factors, similar to the Chinese principles of yin and yang. Ayurveda also takes into consideration a patient's emotions and state of mind alongside the study of infections that make the body sick. It places a high importance on the patient's sense of taste and diet.

In Ayurveda, it is believed that the healing of a person must take into consideration three elements found in nature: air, water, and fire. Each of these elements has a deep philosophical background. These elements also govern the major functions of the body. Ayurvedic theory rests on the belief that the balance of the three elements is the basis of health. Any imbalance, blockage, or weakening in these elements causes illness. It is the task of the Ayurveda practitioner to determine and restore the patient's elemental harmony. In other words, an infection or ailment is the result of an imbalance in the patient's natural internal or elemental harmony. These imbalances can be caused by internal or external factors, and may be aggravated or alleviated by the patient's emotional state and, in some cases, mental health.

The primary concept of Ayurveda is that the restoration of imbalances in the body requires a very personalized concept. Treatment can involve the use of natural oils, minerals, herbs, metals, and even animal ingredients. Similar to how herbal medications are administered in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda medications are given base formulas that are modified by the physician according to the patient's needs. This process makes getting a treatment for an infection different from Western medicine, where the formulas are constant and only the dose is altered based on the patient's metabolism and constitution. As mentioned earlier, diet and taste play a central role in Ayurveda. However, unlike Chinese medicinal doctrine, the taste and quality of the food plays a much larger role in traditional Indian healing arts. Different tastes correspond to different conditions in the body. These tastes are taken into account by an Ayurveda physician before prescribing an appropriate treatment. For example, food with a bitter taste is generally considered to cool the body, dry out moisture, and work to remove toxins. This concept also extends to the herbal and animal ingredients that are used in Ayurveda medication.

Ayurveda also prescribes a particular form of massage known as ?Panchakarma? for the treatment of emotional distress. This practice is highly similar to acupuncture except that no needles are used. The strokes, presses, and body manipulations used in Panchakarma supposedly stimulates energy flow throughout the body, a process that is necessary to ensure good health. Problems arise when the energy flow is disrupted, clogged, or stalled. Massage is often prescribed in conjunction with a diet plan and herbal remedies to relieve problems such as sinusitis, conditions associated with stress and anxiety, and other problems that Ayurveda practitioners see as symptoms of emotional disharmony rather than just purely physical ailments.

Alternative Healthcare that refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being healthcare have spread beyond health care institutions. It emphasizes a holistic approach, equilibrium between the mind, body and environment and an emphasis on promoting health rather than disease;The healing methods of the Far East (particularly China, India and Korea) are now finding increasing acceptance all over the world as an alternative line of treatment. For instance, the market for ayurvedic drugs is growing in the US with more and more Americans trying to ''return to nature''. According to recent research, about 18 million Americans practice yoga, making yoga- and its affiliated products and services an industry in itself in the USA. The market features the obvious, like mats, props, clothes, CD's, videotapes, books, and DVD's. It also features the not-so-obvious eye pillows, plastic toe-spreaders, and scented mat spray. This marks a trend of the increasing commercialization of spiritual and alternative healthcare practices.

Interestingly, herbal medicine accounts for 45 per cent of the European market. In fact, a WHO survey shows that 60 to 90 per cent of people in the UK rely on complimentary systems of medicine- which explains the renewed interest in these systems. Home to 15,000 medicinal plants, and as one of the 12 mega bio-diverse countries of the world.

The future of alternative medicine in India is bright. In a developing country like India, alternative systems of therapeutics, which encompass ayurveda, homoepathy, unani, reiki, pranic, healing, acupuncture, acupressure etc have a definite role to play in alleviating sickness- both chronic and acute. The cost-effectiveness, efficacy, low toxicity, and few adverse effects render them invaluable as viable alternatives to conventional medicine. Similarly, homoeopathy is now a widely accepted system of medicine that has a worldwide following.

Awakening to the potential, the Central Government has announced a separate national policy on the Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy (ISM&H) to boost and promote indigenous medicine. The Department of ISM&H has set up National Institutes India is sitting on a veritable green mine.

Indian position in each of the major disciplines which are meant to act as centers of excellence providing with quality patient care, teaching and research. These centers will play a pivotal role in improving teaching, patient care and research .

Some of these centers are
National Institute of Unani Medicine Bangalore
National Institute of Homoeopathy, Calcutta,
National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune
Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi
National Institute of Siddha, Chennai
Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, New Delhi

The health care infrastructure under Ayush available in India consists of 3,845 hospitals with 65,159-bed capacity, 23,630 dispensaries, 439 undergraduate colleges. 96 colleges having Post Graduate Departments 9,226 licensed manufacturing units and 6.95 lakh registered practitioners of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy in the country. An outlay of Rs 775 crore has been allocated under the Tenth Five - Year Plan. The Plan allocation for 2004-2005 is Rs 181 crore.
With the opening of the Indian economy, has gained in popularity overseas which is reflected in thronging of Ayurvedic clinics in Kerala and other places by foreigners. Some of the therapies have naturally found a niche in hotels and resorts. As a result, Ayurveda mixed with tourism has become a great source of foreign exchange earnings.

According to CII, India has the potential to attract 1 million tourists per annum, which could contribute up to US $ 5 billion to the economy. The Ministry of Tourism is set to tap the great potential of international medical tourists visiting India. Most Indian states have either established themselves as destinations for health care and tourism or are building medical brand images. Add to this, Yogic healing, Transcendental Meditation (TM) along with alternate therapies of ayurveda in India has been repackaged and redefined and goes hand in hand with India's rise in Health Tourism. According to a CII study "With , meditation, ayurveda, allopathic, and other systems of medicine, India offers a unique basket of services to an individual that is difficult to match by other countries".

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