At A Glance Traditional Indian medicine has a 5000-year-old history and has been used by millions, while modern medicine is merely 150 years old.
Although traditional medicine cannot replace modern medicine as far as diagnosis, investigation and emergency care are concerned, certain 'alternative' systems which focus on overall health, have shown remarkable and swift results even in chronic illnesses like diabetes, leucoderma, cancer as well as hard to cure diseases like arthritis, asthma and even AIDS.
Until recently, traditional medical systems were considered obscure, esoteric and shrouded in mysticism.
But now the healing methods of the East are not only gaining acceptance not just as an alternative line of treatment, but are also being integrated into mainstream healthcare as complementary systems.
Ayurveda Ayurveda, literally meaning the science of life, aims at healing the individual as a whole, instead of merely at the molecular level.
This ancient healing system is based on the theory that everything is composed of panchamahabhutas, or the five basic elements (akaash, jal, vayu, agni, dharti).
The main source of our knowledge of Ayurveda is the Atharva Veda, which dates back to around 1200 BC.
Siddha The basic principles and doctrines of Siddha are similar to those of Ayurveda.
The human body is considered a conglomeration of three humors, seven body tissues and waste products.
Proper consistency of these constituents in the body ensures good health.
Unani The Unani system of medicine originated in Greece during 460-377 BC, and was brought to India by the Arabs and Persians.
Unani medicine is based on the 'humoral theory' (relating to four bodily fluids) with each humor leading to a specific temperament in a human being.
The Unani system makes use of plants, minerals and animal products as curative agents to re-establish the person's original humoral constitution.
Naturopathy Popularly referred to as the drug-less treatment of diseases, Naturopathy is based on the practice of applying the simple laws of nature to cure diseases.
It pays particular attention to balanced dietary and living habits, adopting purificatory measures, and using natural techniques such as hydrotherapy, cold packs, mud packs, baths (water, oil & sun), massage, etc.
Yoga Elements of yoga have been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years, though yoga therapy in its present form is a mere 80 years old - created by the marriage of traditional yoga with modern medicine.
Yogic therapy comprises a wide range of mind/body practices, ranging from postural and breathing exercises to deep relaxation and meditation for promoting positive health and well-being as well as helping particular medical conditions.
Homeopathy Homeopathy lays emphasis on strengthening the immune system and curing like with like.
Homeopathy today enjoys wide acceptability, both here and abroad, because of its holistic and intrinsic values, the low cost of medication coupled with ease of administration and absence of toxic side effects.
An indication of its popularity lies in the fact that the best homeopathic medicines are manufactured by German and American companies.
In India there are over 1.
5 lakh qualified homeopaths.
Tibetan Medicine This ancient system of medicine recognises three forms of energy in the body -- flame, wind and bile.
An imbalance of these energies in any organ leads to illness.
Inherent in the medicinal tradition is the use of precious pills made of herbs and other natural substances and prescribed according to the calendar.
Reiki Reiki practitioners believe that we are born with a certain level of energy, which gets depleted through our daily activities.
If the energy is depleted at a rate faster than it can be replenished, it leads to ill health.
Reiki attempts to increase the overall energy stores of the body by activating the seven chakras.
Chiropracty Chiropracty is a 5000-year-old non-invasive, non-surgical approach for managing ortho-neuro-skeletal disorders, problems of the spine and other chronic disorders by restoring normal body function.
Circumventing surgery (in most cases) cuts down recovery time and cost of treatment virtually by half.
Chiropracty is quite popular in countries like USA, UK, Australia and Germany.
Although traditional medicine cannot replace modern medicine as far as diagnosis, investigation and emergency care are concerned, certain 'alternative' systems which focus on overall health, have shown remarkable and swift results even in chronic illnesses like diabetes, leucoderma, cancer as well as hard to cure diseases like arthritis, asthma and even AIDS.
Until recently, traditional medical systems were considered obscure, esoteric and shrouded in mysticism.
But now the healing methods of the East are not only gaining acceptance not just as an alternative line of treatment, but are also being integrated into mainstream healthcare as complementary systems.
Ayurveda Ayurveda, literally meaning the science of life, aims at healing the individual as a whole, instead of merely at the molecular level.
This ancient healing system is based on the theory that everything is composed of panchamahabhutas, or the five basic elements (akaash, jal, vayu, agni, dharti).
The main source of our knowledge of Ayurveda is the Atharva Veda, which dates back to around 1200 BC.
Siddha The basic principles and doctrines of Siddha are similar to those of Ayurveda.
The human body is considered a conglomeration of three humors, seven body tissues and waste products.
Proper consistency of these constituents in the body ensures good health.
Unani The Unani system of medicine originated in Greece during 460-377 BC, and was brought to India by the Arabs and Persians.
Unani medicine is based on the 'humoral theory' (relating to four bodily fluids) with each humor leading to a specific temperament in a human being.
The Unani system makes use of plants, minerals and animal products as curative agents to re-establish the person's original humoral constitution.
Naturopathy Popularly referred to as the drug-less treatment of diseases, Naturopathy is based on the practice of applying the simple laws of nature to cure diseases.
It pays particular attention to balanced dietary and living habits, adopting purificatory measures, and using natural techniques such as hydrotherapy, cold packs, mud packs, baths (water, oil & sun), massage, etc.
Yoga Elements of yoga have been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years, though yoga therapy in its present form is a mere 80 years old - created by the marriage of traditional yoga with modern medicine.
Yogic therapy comprises a wide range of mind/body practices, ranging from postural and breathing exercises to deep relaxation and meditation for promoting positive health and well-being as well as helping particular medical conditions.
Homeopathy Homeopathy lays emphasis on strengthening the immune system and curing like with like.
Homeopathy today enjoys wide acceptability, both here and abroad, because of its holistic and intrinsic values, the low cost of medication coupled with ease of administration and absence of toxic side effects.
An indication of its popularity lies in the fact that the best homeopathic medicines are manufactured by German and American companies.
In India there are over 1.
5 lakh qualified homeopaths.
Tibetan Medicine This ancient system of medicine recognises three forms of energy in the body -- flame, wind and bile.
An imbalance of these energies in any organ leads to illness.
Inherent in the medicinal tradition is the use of precious pills made of herbs and other natural substances and prescribed according to the calendar.
Reiki Reiki practitioners believe that we are born with a certain level of energy, which gets depleted through our daily activities.
If the energy is depleted at a rate faster than it can be replenished, it leads to ill health.
Reiki attempts to increase the overall energy stores of the body by activating the seven chakras.
Chiropracty Chiropracty is a 5000-year-old non-invasive, non-surgical approach for managing ortho-neuro-skeletal disorders, problems of the spine and other chronic disorders by restoring normal body function.
Circumventing surgery (in most cases) cuts down recovery time and cost of treatment virtually by half.
Chiropracty is quite popular in countries like USA, UK, Australia and Germany.
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