Overview Ethnomedicinal Facts In Ayurveda
Today, when we are ill, we opt to choose one medicinal system which are – Ayurvedic, Allopathic, or Homeopathic. What preferably would be your choice?
The one which has chemicals in it or the natural ones?
The one with side-effects, or with none of it?
The ones which are fast reacting or the slow ones?
Basically, it’s a personal decision. But before choosing any one system, it becomes important to know how each medical system works and on what basis are the drugs formulated. Moreover, sometimes it does depend on how much time you have to cure a disease and how well you have to cure it – either on a temporary basis or by evading the disease from its root cause.
In India, we have six types of medical systems which are Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Yoga, Naturopathy, and Homoeopathy. Amongst these, Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani are the oldest medical sciences that existed when humans were first born. Here comes a question in mind, how did these ancient people build strong ways of treatment?
Did they cure using chemical-based drugs or natural ones?
Earlier, people studied the root cause of whatever happened to them. When they felt weak, they focused on understanding what changed their body; what did they have prior to those changes. And later they conceptualized everything to effects and side-effects just by understanding their body and mere observations. From then till now, human beings evolved and we have a better understanding of many concepts and techniques. But the root remains the same, understanding the eternal body and soothing it. So which medical system amongst the above-mentioned has these?
It’s Ayurveda.
And here comes the basis for why we have to study Ethnomedicinal facts when we are studying Ayurveda. According to the definition, “Ethnomedicine is a study or comparison of the traditional medicine based on bioactive compounds in plants and animals and practiced by various ethnic groups, especially those with little access to western medicines, e.g., indigenous peoples”. It’s the study of how a compound within the plant affects a body, and how that helps in healing.
India is blessed with ample herbs that are used in Ayurveda to heal many diseases. It does take time to cure, but it’s curative from roots. The very first and oldest document written on evidence of medical plants’ usage for the cure of disease was found on a Sumerian Clay slab from Nagpur. It’s approximately 5000 years old and it had 12 recipes mentioned, referring to over 250 varieties of plants like henbane, poppy, and Mandrake.
The ayurvedic practice has been going on for 5000 years. But the basic principle of Ayurveda is the same, called the three Doshas and Panchamahabhutas. These Doshas are regulatory authorities within a living system. Vata Dosha regulates motions within the body; Pitta Dosha regulates energy within the body; and Kapha Dosha brings about structural aspects, storage, and lubrication within the body.
An imbalance in these Doshas is the cause of the disease. Factors such as food, activity, climate, or stress can hamper these Doshas. Ayurveda opts to regulate these Doshas in different ways like Panchakarma, Shalya Chikitsa, etc. Ayurveda primarily seeks to diagnose a patient’s condition before treatments. A person is then treated with herbs or animal residue, only when its (herbs and animal) constitution is known completely.
In Ayurveda food plays a major role, as it supports the body’s healing process. Food directly impacts the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic process and also affects the skin, muscles, joints, psychology, gynecology, and neurology of a person. The advice for food is dependent on the ratio of Doshas a person has.
The second influence on patients’ Doshas is seen due to spices. These are obtained from fruits, roots, seeds, and bark or herbs. The phytochemicals in spices are secondary metabolites that protect a plant from getting damaged by animals, insects, etc. Spices when consumed aid the digestion process by releasing digestive enzymes. When they are mixed with digestive juices, they aid absorption.
Ayurvedic preparations are 90% plant-based, which have stronger action than food and spices. Such actions get plants to reverse the pathophysiological process to stabilize Doshas. Polyherbal combinations have also proven to be more effective than a single herb. In polyherbal combinations, every herb will have its specific role, some may be active, and others in supporting roles like acting as a catalyst, helping in absorption, transportation or reducing toxicity.
Polyherbal combinations have two proposed mechanisms:
Pharmacokinetic synergy: These herbs facilitate absorption, transportation, metabolism and elimination of other herbs.
Pharmacodynamic synergy: These bring in synergistic actions similar to receptors or physiological systems.
The above discussion was on how herbs are formulated. But later, how much they get absorbed in the body and how well they are able to erode the disease becomes a point for discussion. The extent to which a medicine gets absorbed in the body is termed Bioavailability. This depends on the chemical composition of a herb due to its synergistic and antagonistic effects. If a drug is hydrophobic, it is able to cross the luminal wall and can make some chemical modifications. A drug must be able to create synergistic interaction with blood for better absorption. Black pepper, long pepper, ginger, etc, can increase the Bioavailability of a drug.
Thus, the above context in short says that, before prescribing any herb, it's necessary to know it's constitution. Further, the method of intake of medicine should also be taken into consideration. Herbs are thus proven to be a great cure for disease when taken with precautions.
Polyherbal combinations have two proposed mechanisms:
1. Pharmacokinetic synergy: These herbs facilitate the absorption, transportation, metabolism, and elimination of other herbs.
2. Pharmacodynamic synergy: These bring in synergistic actions similar to receptors or physiological systems.
The above discussion was on how herbs are formulated. But later, how much they get absorbed in the body and how well they are able to erode the disease becomes a point for discussion. The extent to which a medicine gets absorbed in the body is termed Bioavailability. This depends on the chemical composition of a herb due to its synergistic and antagonistic effects. If a drug is hydrophobic, it is able to cross the luminal wall and can make some chemical modifications. A drug must be able to create synergistic interaction with blood for better absorption. Black pepper, long pepper, ginger, etc, can increase the Bioavailability of a drug.
Thus, the above context in short says that, before prescribing any herb, it’s necessary to know its constitution. Further, the method of intake of medicine should also be taken into consideration. Herbs are thus proven to be a great cure for a disease when taken with precautions.
Ayurvedic care at EliteAyurveda
As a cure to every illness, concentrate on progressing gradually and keep on encouraging yourself, even if the results are not immediate. The symptoms of diabetes will take some time to turn around, but with moderation and a shift in diet, workout, and lifestyles, your clients are able to cure diabetes and live a long and stable life.- Dr. Soumya Hullannavar – Diabetes Reversal Clinic
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