Suman Ayurveda

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes an Ayurveda is Vedic medicine, considered one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world, and was developed in India during the period 2000-1000 B.C. The seers of ancient India used their observation, experience and natural resources to develop a unique system which they named Ayurveda or the “science of life”. This Ayurveda institution has always strived to maximize the benefits of this holistic science for its patients/healthy person. Recognizing the needs of people beyond India.

The vision is clearly summed up in the words as, 'We believe that people all over the world are looking for safer and natural modes of treatment and therefore to cope with this demand, we are setting up this unit called “Suman Ayurveda”.
Successfully combining the advantages of modern technologies with the time proven goodness of Ayurveda, "Dr. Bharat’s Suman Ayurveda" has truly been providing world-class Medicines to patients globally.

Ayurveda, considered one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world as per the World Health Organization (WHO), Ayurveda has thus been a tradition in India for thousands of years. It is also practiced in various forms in neighboring countries of South-East Asia, according to their own sociocultural background.

Being practiced in over 80 countries and used by up to 80% of the world’s population worldwide, is gradually commanded the respect that it is rightfully deserved.
The global herbal medicine market is expected to reach USD 117.02 billion by 2024, driven by rising popularity of herbal therapeutics compared to conventional drugs. The market for herbal medicines and remedies is anticipated to record profitable growth due to their cost-effectiveness as compared to allopathic ones.

Worldwide Ayurvedic Market is accounted for $3,428.0 million in 2015 and is expected to reach $9,791.0 million by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 16.2% from 2015 to 2022. Germany, France, UK, Switzerland, Japan & USA are major importers of Indian Medicinal Plant Products. Within the European Union botanical medicine represent an important share of the pharmaceutical market. With annual sales of US $ 7 billion. In India, the value of medicinal plant related trade is about US $ 10 billion per annum and this industry is growing at the rate of 7.15% annually with exports of US $1.1 billion per year.

Milestones in the development of Ayurveda

Over 1000 BC of years old, Ayurveda was derived from the Vedas, the compendium of ancient Indian knowledge. The Atharvaveda, or “fourth Veda” (1500-1000 BC) also mentions many medicinal plants and concepts from Ayurveda. The CharakaSamhita(1000 BC), SushrutaSamhita(1000 BC) AshtangaHridayaSamhitaare the original texts of Ayurveda. These three texts, known as "the great triad" (brhattraya), Sushruta (The Father of Surgery) & Vagbhata are the authers respectively.The AshtangaHridayaSamhitareached Tibet, probably through Nepal, in the 11th century AD.In Hindu mythology, the origin of ayurvedic medicine is attributed to the physician of the gods,

Acharya Charak (600 BCE) - Father Of Medicine

The CharakSaṃhita is an early text on It is believed to be the oldest of the three ancient treatises of Ayurveda. It is central to the modern-day practice of Ayurvedic medicine and along with the SushrutaSamhita it is identified as an important source of medical understanding and practice in antiquity. According to Charaka's translations health and disease are not predetermined and life may be prolonged by human effort and attention to lifestyle. As per Indian heritage and science of Ayurvedic system, prevention of all types of diseases have a more prominent place than treatment, including restructuring of life style to align with the course of nature and four seasons, which will guarantee complete wellness. A physicianwho fails to enter the body of a patient with the lamp of knowledge and understanding can never treat disease. He should first study all the factors, including environment, which influence a patient's disease, and then prescribe treatment. It is more important to prevent the occurrence of disease than to seek a cure. These remarks appear obvious today, though they were often not heeded, and were made by Charaka, in his famous Ayurvedic treatise CharakaSamhita. The treatise contains many such remarks which are held in reverence even today. Some of them are in the fields of physiology, etiology and embryology. Charaka was the first physician to present the concept of digestion, metabolism and immunity. According to his translations of the Vedas, a body functions because it contains three dosha or principles, namely movement (vata), transformation (pitta) and lubrication and stability (kapha). The doshas are also sometimes called humours, namely, bile, phlegm and wind. These dosha are produced when dhatus (blood, flesh and marrow) act upon the food eaten. For the same quantity of food eaten, one body, however, produces dosha in an amount different from another body. That is why one body is different from another. For instance, it is more weighty, stronger, more energetic. Further, illness is caused when the balance among the three dosha in a human body is disturbed. To restore the balance he prescribed medicinal drugs. Although he was aware of germs in the body, he did not give them any importance. Charaka knew the fundamentals of genetics. For instance, he knew the factors determining the sex of a child. A genetic defect in a child, like lameness or blindness, he said, was not due to any defect in the mother or the father, but in the ovum or sperm of the parents (an accepted fact today). AcharyaCharak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine. His renowned work, the “CharakSamhita”, is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda. His principles, diagnoses, and cures retain their potency and truth even after a couple of millennia. When the science of anatomy was confused with different theories in Europe ,AcharyaCharak revealed through his innate genius and enquiries the facts on human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation and diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, etc. In the ” CharakSamhita ” he has described the medicinal qualities and functions of 100,000 herbal plants. He has emphasized the influence of diet and activity on mind and body. He has proved the correlation of spirituality and physical health contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences. He has also prescribed and ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries prior to the Hippocratic oath. Through his genius and intuition, AcharyaCharak made landmark contributions to Ayurveda. He forever remains etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of rishi-scientists. Unique scientific contributions credited to the CharakSaṃhitā include 1) A rational approach to the causation and cure of disease. 2) Introduction of objective methods of clinical examination. The Object of Ayurveda to protect health of the healthy and to alleviate the disorders in the diseased.

Sushruta is the father of Surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted complicated surgeries like cesareans, cataract, artificial limbs, fractures, urinary stones and even plastic surgery and brain surgery. Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India. Over 125 surgical equipment were used. Deep knowledge of anatomy, etiology, embryology, digestion, metabolism, genetics and immunity is also found in many texts. He describes over 125 surgical instruments, 300 surgical procedures and classifies human surgery in 8 categories. It discusses the use of surgical devices such as tourniquets and setting plasters, and surgical tools and procedures. Instruments described in the SushrutaSamhita were further modified in the Western World.Operations are described for amputations, hemorrhoids, hernia repair, eye surgery, and Cesarean section. An operation using skin flaps, for example, to repair a nose, was also described in Sushruta. The procedure was observed in India by a British surgeon in 1793 and published in London the following year, thus changing the course of plastic surgery in Europe. Sushrutha is also the father of Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery since his technique of forehead flap rhinoplasty (repairing the disfigured nose with a flap of skin from the forehead),that he used to reconstruct noses that were amputated as a punishment for crimes, is practiced almost unchanged in technique to this day. The SusruthaSamhita contains the first known description of several operations, including the uniting of bowel, the removal of the prostate gland, the removal of cataract lenses and the draining of abscesses. Susrutha was also the first surgeon to advocate the practice of operations on inanimate objects such as watermelons, clay plots and reeds; thus predating the modern practice of the surgical workshop by half a millenium. British physicians traveled to India to see rhinoplasty being performed by native methods. Reports on Indian rhinoplasty were published in the Gentleman's Magazinein 1794.Sushruta’s coverage of toxicology (the study of poisons) is more extensive than that in Charaka, and goes into great detail regarding symptoms, first-aid measures, and long-term treatment, as well as classification of poisons and methods of poisoning. He lived and taught and practiced his art on the banks of the Ganges in the area that corresponds to the present day city of Varanasi in North India. Many of the complicated procedures for dissolving, macerating, extracting, and combusting a variety of solid, squashy, and liquid substances remain part of modern Ayurvedic pharmacological practice. Because of his seminal and numerous contributions to the science and art of surgery he is also known by the title “Father of Surgery.”

Work of Vagbhata is undoubtedly of very great importance for us, for it is a direct connecting link between India and Tibetan medical literature. AshtangaHridayaSamhita earned priority among Indian Ayurvedic scholars. It presents a more systematized method of medical therapy.
Today, at a time of electronic networking, the AshtangaHridayaSamhita has been released as e-text onto the Internet in the Indology Archive for scholarly use.

“Direct observation is the most remarkable feature of Ayurveda, though at times it is mixed up with metaphysics. The Saṃhitā emphasizes that of all types of evidence the most dependable ones are those that are directly observed by the eyes. In Ayurveda successful medical treatment crucially depends on four factors: the physician, substances (drugs or diets), nurse and patient. The qualifications of physician are: clear grasp of the theoretical content of the science, a wide range of experience, practical skill and cleanliness; qualities of drugs or substances are: abundance, applicability, multiple use and richness in efficacy; qualifications of the nursing attendant are: knowledge of nursing techniques, practical skill, attachment for the patient and cleanliness; and the essential qualifications of the patients are: good memory, obedience to the instructions of the doctors, courage and ability to describe the symptoms.”

Ayurveda clinical practice is becoming more standardized and Ayurveda pharmaceutical companies are now adhering to regulatory norms. Ayurveda is based on the dosha, dhatu, mala, Thus, the logic is to evoke a healing response from the body itself rather than trying to suppress the disease manifestation.

However, it was more than just human medicine; it also included the study of animal disorders, (Mrugayurvedam) and plant diseases, (Vrukshayurvedam).

A Holistic Science

Ayurveda is based on an individual approach to correct imbalances before they develop into diseases. It's a science of wellness for one’s health - both physical and mental. Roughly translating as 'knowledge of life', Ayurveda seeks to promote health and well-being by sustaining the ayush or life principle and prescribing therapeutic solutions to health-related problems.
Being a holistic healing science, Ayurveda has always recognized diseases to be having both physical and psychological components. This truth has been accepted by modern medicine only now. Also, the fact that diseases are not caused by the mere presence of disease-causing organisms in the internal or external environment, but rather due to the weakening of the body's defense mechanisms, was propounded by Ayurveda long before even the microscope was invented and consequently followed by the discovery of microbes. Ayurveda has had a futuristic approach right from the beginning.
There has been a paradigm shift in recent years with healthcare and medical professionals focusing on preventive medicine along with therapeutic medicine. The concept of working towards developing an overall sense of well being in individuals is gaining grounds rather than merely keeping people disease free. Since Ayurveda remedies boost the natural defense mechanisms of the body, they play a vital role in preventive medicine. Studies have shown that a very large number of diseases are actually due to faulty dietary habits or erratic lifestyles. Simple things such as reverting back to healthy eating, resting adequately, and exercising regularly can really go a long way in restoring health.

Healing with Ayurveda

Treating patients individualistically by virtue of the diversity of its repertoire, this system of medicine provides quick relief and long lasting cures safely, reliably, painlessly, non-invasively, and cost-effectively. Ayurveda was never limited to mere herbal practice. It uses a vast range of natural products of herbal, mineral and animal origin. Ayurveda stresses the use of plant-based medicines and treatments. Hundreds of plant-based medicines are employed, including cardamom and cinnamon. Some animal products may also be used, for a of pharmaceutics, which includes detoxification processes, oxidation and reduction processes for the bioavailability and mostly the drugs are used in combinations that the desired effect is achieved. Unlike medicines from other medical systems that target only the disease-causing germs or aim to offer symptomatic relief, Ayurveda medicines act upon the immune system and restorative energies of the body so that it heals itself.
While other systems of medicine simply suppress symptoms and treat the body in parts, Ayurveda recognizes the body as a unified whole of physical as well as psychological components and confronts the problem from deep within. This is why it offers hope to many cases deemed 'incurable' by other medical systems. "AcharyaVagbhata"has successfully treated numerous such difficult cases using the goodness of Ayurveda.
Go ahead and experience for yourself the benefits of this wonderful Science and Art of Ayurveda!
• Ayurveda works by analyzing the function of body and prevent any disease resulting from it. It understands the relationship of mind and body and treats the illness resulting from bad synchronization of two. Each and every individual has different body types and Ayurveda treats the ailment according to the body type of individual.
Ayurveda is a perfect stress buster and tries to reduce it as much as possible. It creates a perfect balance between body and mind. Ayurveda provides energy by the following activities:

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Massage
• Various Breathing Exercises

It treats the ailments through herbal medicines without leaving any side effects. Ayurveda is a way of life and brings you more close to nature and even closer to God.
The biggest advantage of Ayurveda is that irrespective of the number of organs or systems involved, only a single remedy needs to be given at a time or the constitutional remedy that covers the entire case. Ayurveda remedies are easy to take with no special dietary or lifestyle restrictions, unless a particular disease calls for them.
Additionally, Ayurveda is against animal testing as this tends to harm them irrevocably or kills them. Ayurveda remedies, being infinitesimally small doses, are absolutely safe and therefore directly tested on healthy human beings through a scientific process called drug proving. Another benefit is that while animal testing only provides information about structural pathologies, Ayurveda drug proving enables recording of even mental and emotional symptoms.

Effective, safe and gentle treatment

The curative effects and the symptomatology of every Ayurveda medicine are proven only on healthy human beings, not rats and rabbits, making Ayurveda uniquely reliable. Ayurveda medicines are prepared by a complex process of pharmaceutics, which includes detoxification processes, oxidation and reduction processes for the bioavailability and mostly the drugs are used in combinations that the desired effect is achieved so as to liberate its healing bioenergies whilst getting rid of its ability to produce any side-effects. Being infinitesimally small doses, these medicines do not produce any adverse reactions even when taken for prolonged periods of time and can therefore be safely given even to babies, children, and elderly people.

Rasa shastra, the practice of adding metals, minerals or gems to herbs, is a source of toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic. Adverse reactions to herbs due to their pharmacology are described in traditional ayurvedic texts, but ayurvedic practitioners are reluctant to admit that herbs could be toxic and the reliable information on herbal toxicity is not readily available.

A 2004 study found such toxic metals in 20% of ayurvedic preparations that were made in South Asia for sale around Boston and extrapolated the data to the United States more broadly. It concluded that excess consumption of these products could cause health risks. A 2008 study of more than 230 products found that approximately 20% of remedies (and 40% of rasa shastra medicines) purchased over the Internet from both US and Indian suppliers contained lead, mercury or arsenic.

Traditionally the toxicity of these materials are believed to be reduced through purification processes such as samskarasorshodhanas (for metals), which is similar to the Chinese paozhi, although the ayurvedic technique is more complex and may involve prayers as well as physical pharmacy techniques.
One medical journal reported: Crude aconite is an extremely lethal substance, yet ayurveda looks upon it as a therapeutic entity. Crude aconite is always processed, i.e. it undergoes 'samskaras' before being utilised in the ayurvedic formulations. This study was undertaken in mice, to ascertain whether "processed" aconite is less toxic as compared to the crude or unprocessed one. It was seen that crude aconite was significantly toxic to mice (100% mortality at a dose of 2.6 mg/mouse) whereas the fully processed aconite was absolutely non-toxic (no mortality at a dose even 8 times as high as that of crude aconite). Further, all the steps in the processing were essential for complete detoxification.
Following concerns about metal toxicity, the Government of India ruled that ayurvedic products must specify their metallic content directly on the labels of the product. The harmful effects of the samples is attributed in part to the adulterated raw material and lack of workers trained in traditional medicine. In a letter to the Indian Academy of Sciences, director of the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of PunePatwardhanBhushan stated that the metal adulteration is due to contamination and carelessness during the much faster modern manufacturing processes, and does not occur with traditional methods of preparation.

Patient-friendly and convenient

Ayurveda is a complete system of medicine that assists the natural tendency of the human body to heal itself. Ayurveda medicines being easy to administer, non-invasive and free of side-effects, are extremely convenient for the patient and therefore command better patient compliance. They are absolutely safe even if taken for prolonged periods of time. Unlike other medical systems where many drugs need to be administered to treat multiple symptoms in a single patient, Ayurveda advocates the administration of a single remedy that is capable of treating all the disease symptoms in a particular patient. It is a subtle yet effective therapy that can correct small imbalances long before the appearance of the more serious symptoms that indicate the onset of a particular disease. The doctor-patient relationship is vital in Ayurveda, where the Ayurveda becomes a friend, philosopher, and guide to the patient, a healer as well as a preserver of good health.

Cost-effective treatment

Ayurveda treatment is extremely cost-effective in the long run especially keeping in mind that treatment is sought for chronic diseases that need long-term treatment. Ayurveda believes in employing a single remedy, in minimum dose and minimal repetition when treating any patient. Since Ayurveda medicines are prepared after a complex process of pharmaceutics, which includes detoxification processes, oxidation and reduction processes for the bioavailability and mostly the drugs are used in combinations that the desired effect is achieved. Preparation costs are also low. Ayurveda medicines are therefore inexpensive as compared to medicines from the other medical systems. Moreover, Ayurveda also obviates the need for surgery in a number of conditions such as warts, piles, fissures, tonsillitis, ovarian cysts and kidney stones for which patient may otherwise have to pay up a lot for conventional treatment methods.

Myths busted

The science of Ayurveda has been the subject of many debates and discussions - people bombarding the propagators and followers of this science with allegations and accusations of various kinds. But even after all this, Ayurveda has emerged victorious and put a stop to all of these with the help of research-based evidences and successfully treated cases. Here are some of the common myths (about Ayurveda) that have clearly fallen apart:

Myth 1: Ayurveda medicines are placeboes

Our answer to this: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Ayurveda as an accepted system of medicine and the world's oldest system of medicine. There have been many double blind trials conducted where the efficacy of Ayurveda medicines have been proved. Studies have shown the ability of Ayurveda Medicines to induce physiological changes in the body temperature. Ayurveda even works on animals in diseases like distemper and fifty percent of veterinary doctors use Ayurveda. It shows effective results in infants even in acute diseases such as abdominal colic. This would not have been possible if Ayurveda remedies were placeboes.

Myth 2: Ayurveda medicines are slow to act and cannot be used in acute cases

Our answer to this: Most people take recourse in Ayurveda for chronic problems such as arthritis, allergic asthma or skin conditions, etc., which take a longer time to be treated with any other system of medicine too. However, in acute ailments like fever, diarrhoea, acute cold, cough, etc., Ayurveda remedies act as fast as conventional medicines, sometimes even faster.

Myth 3: Ayurvedacannot help surgical cases at all Our answer to this:

A number of surgical conditions can be treated effectively with Ayurveda, for e.g. recurrent tonsillitis, piles, fissures, fistula, chronic ear discharge, vocal cord nodules, kidney and gall bladder stones, small-sized uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, warts and corns ect. However, every medical science has its set of advantages and limitations. Thus, in certain cases where the disease has reached an advanced stage or in emergency cases, surgery is essential and cannot be avoided. In fact, many surgeons and dentists use Ayurveda pre and post operatively. An Ayurveda remedy Vranaropantailam is recommended as an external application by many surgeons to facilitate better surgical wound healing without leaving behind ugly scars.

Myth 4: There are too many dietary restrictions to be followed during Ayurvedatreatment

Our answer to this: The only medical restrictions that a Ayurveda may impose depend upon the disease that the patient suffers from; for example, diabetics should avoid sweets and a high carbohydrate diet. as this could affect the action of Ayurveda medicines. Ayurveda recommend placing the medicine below the tongue for best results.

Myth 5: Ayurveda and Allopathy cannot be taken together

Our answer to this: In patients suffering from drug-dependant diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, allopathic drugs cannot be suddenly withdrawn; hence, Ayurveda medicines may be taken with allopathic medicines. However, allopathic medicine is often palliative or suppressive. For example, if a patient with headache takes a painkiller, his symptoms would get masked and therefore a good prescription by a Ayurveda could become difficult. Similarly, some medicines in Allopathy tend to suppress rather than cure while Ayurveda medicines may expel toxins. In such cases, it is better to take Ayurveda alone.

Facts revealed

After busting some of the common myths that have existed for a long time now regarding the science of Ayurveda, we now move on to give you some interesting facts about Ayurveda. It is interesting to see how this science has created a special place for itself today in India as well as globally!

Facts about Ayurveda- Global

Academic institutions related to traditional medicine in India have contributed to ayurveda's international visibility. Kurup (2003) comments on the role of Gujarat Ayurved University.
Several international and national initiatives have been formed to legitimize the education and practice of ayurvedic medicine as CAM in countries outside India:

As part of its global strategy ‘Health for All’ in the 21st Century, WHO (World Health Organization) has supported the integration of conventional and alternative medicines to improve the quality of health care.
According to WHO, Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine with a growth rate of 20-25% every year. The growing popularity of Ayurveda and its legal acceptance has been seen in many countries.
WHO policy of traditional medicine practice and standardized benchmarks for training of Ayurvedic practitioners.
The European Federation for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
The European Ayurveda Association.

In Sri Lanka

Institute of Indigenous Medicine affiliated to University of Colombo.
GampahaWickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute affiliated to University of Kelaniya.
Ayurveda Lanka Hospital Pvt Ltd.
DrEliyantha White - ayurvedic doctor from Colombo, Sri Lanka

In the United States

The Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA)
The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA).
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the United States National Institutes of Health.
California Association of AyurvedicMedicine(CAAM).
The National Institute of AyurvedicMedicine(NIAM).
The California College of Ayurveda(CCA).
The Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCUHS).

In 1995, the California College of Ayurveda became the first State-Approved institution for training practitioners of Ayurveda in the United States marking the beginning of the formalization of Ayurvedic education in the United States. In 1997, Dr. Marc Halpern and several graduates of the California College of Ayurveda formed the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. This association was the first State association promoting the interests of Ayurveda in the United States. In 1998, four individuals founded the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. These four individuals were Dr. Marc Halpern, Wynn Werner, Dr. Kumar Batra and Cynthia Copple. In 2009, the United States of AmericaNational Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health expended $1.2 million of its $123 million annual budget on ayurvedic medicine-related research.

Other countries

All other Individual countries of Africa, Latin America, Russia and other CIS States have a large clientele for Ayurveda. The system even though is not recognized as an independent system of Medicine, Ayurveda in some form or the other has gained popularity and status of an Alternative Medicine. Large number of people of Asian and local origin travel down to India from these countries for Ayurveda treatment for various chronic diseases. Some of these countries where Ayurveda is most popular are

South Africa : A large presence of Indians in the country made Ayurveda popular. The Nelson Mandela School of Medicine offers Ayurveda Courses with the help of the Natal University and has an Ayurveda faculty at the University. The university started Ayurvedic Practitioner’s course for 1year with lectures conducted 2 hours per week. South Africa today allows the importing of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda practice is also recognized and has representation on different Boards of the South African Ayurveda Liaison Committee and African Allied Health Professional Act.
Russia and other CIS States : Russian Government and public have acknowledged Ayurveda as a healing system, although there is no legal recognition for the profession or the system as such. NAAMI medical center, Moscow is engaged in propagation of Ayurveda in Russia since last six years. They have invited a team of Vaidyasfrom India and opened up an Ayurveda clinic in Moscow, which with good success has generated awareness for Ayurveda. The translation of Samhitasof Caraka, Sushrutaand Vagbhataare being done in Russian language. Govt. of India has signed a MOU with NAAMI in June 1999 under which all support is being provided by the Govt. of India for the development of Ayurveda.
Russia : The Russian Govt. has recognized Panchakarmaas line of treatment throughout the country and the process for recognition of Kshara Sutra treatment has also commenced. Many Physicians are visiting Russia to train their physicians in various practices of Ayurveda. Students of Institute of Medico-Socio Rehabitilogy were taught Ayurveda by Dr. Agnivesh, a reknowned Ayurveda expert from Kerala and his team. At present, Ayurveda teaching starts from second year and runs up to the completion of the course. The situation is same in the other CIS states.
Israel : Trade and practice of Ayurveda is being popularised in Israel recently. The system is practised as a Traditional Medicine without any recognition. Reidmann International College for Complimentary Medicines under Dr.A.Mizrahi in Tel Aviv conducts Educational courses in Ayurveda. The system practised as a CAM therapy. Apart from these countries, Ayurveda is practised in one form or other in many other countries like Romania, Poland, Arabian countries, etc. The system is best popular as a CAM/TM therapy. There are many educational institutions, Therapy Centers and Clinics running successfully. Here, Indian stores and General stores sell a wide range of Ayurvedic drugs labeled as ‘Ayurvedic herbal product’.

Trading of Ayurveda

Products

Outside India

In most of the countries, where Ayurveda is practiced, the practitioners get their medicines from private sources in India, with an ‘unofficial’ import arrangement, circumventing the law. The small-scale practitioners bring medicines traveling to India. The fact that drugs with Ayurvedic metal and mineral contents are not to be sold as OTC products and are always recommended to be sold with the recommendation of a qualified Ayurveda practitioner.
Since the Trade of Ayurveda medicines in most of these countries are done circumventing the local law, and mostly the drugs are not declared to have medicinal functions and sold through Indian stores and general markets, it is very difficult to accurately estimate the exact figures for the usage of Indian Ayurvedic Medicines in these countries.

Need for International Recognition of Ayurveda as a System of Medicine with an independent status:

Ayurveda is perhaps the world’s oldest Medical system with well documented bibliographic accounts. Ayurveda is often defined as the “science of life and Longevity”. Ayurveda is a knowledge system which is as simple as it is complex; for it is simultaneously an art, science, philosophy and religion; it is also simultaneously physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental; it is again simultaneously mundane and cosmic. Thus, it can be surprisingly easy as also painstakingly difficult to follow. The art and science of Ayurveda has been developed through centuries of observational researches by generations of Vaidyas who conducted extensive studies on human mind, body and spirit.

As explained, the philosophy and practice of Ayurveda cannot be in Toto defined through modern medicine parameters. Clinical correlation and comparative analysis are not conveying the complete picture of Ayurveda concepts on disease management. The concepts are unique, can be understood only after an exhaustive study of the basic concepts vis-a-vis the modern anatomical, physiological and pathological knowledge. It is a complete system of traditionally proven medicine, not complementary or alternative in nature, but a science of health and diseases, with its own terminology, principle and well defined line of management for a large number of ailments. Its entire approach as an organized system of comprehensive health care is attributed to specific principles, procedures and modes of diagnosis and treatment. Its holistic approach in all areas of life, whether for healthy individuals or for diseased ones is unparalleled. Hence, it should be studied and practiced as it is.
In course of time, the students and practitioners of Ayurveda have also adapted and adopted to the advancements in modern science and the young generation Ayurveda physicians follow a rigorous training of all the recent concepts of human mind and body during the basic graduation stage itself parallel to Ayurveda studies. Thus, a qualified Ayurveda physician if provided with the necessary tools and infrastructure, is capable as any medical graduate in handling the basic healthcare needs of the society. They are well versed with the latest advancement in medical technology and diagnostic tools, which help in accurate differential diagnosis and enable for selecting the most suitable treatment modality.
Research is going on in many Governmental and private institutes in India for objective parameters to retell the Ayurveda principles for modern scientists to comprehend. By broadly dumping Ayurveda as Herbal medicine, the foundational principles of Ayurveda will be forgotten and the scope for further development of the system to tackle many upcoming health challenges will be stalled forever.
The successful practice of Ayurveda as conceptualized by ancient Ayurveda teachers, has four essential factors. A properly qualified and experienced physician, good quality drugs that are best suited for the patient, good Paramedical staff/ attendant who can dispense the drug and nurse the patient well and finally the patient needs to have faith and should follow the treatment meticulously. Qualification and clinical experience for the physician and availability of wide range of essential drugs are the most vital factors.
For an effective and safe practice of Ayurveda, there should be a Vaidyaor a doctor of Ayurveda Medicine, who has undergone rigorous training in all aspects of Ayurveda (sound theoretical knowledge), who has learned the art of Ayurveda practice by having good clinical exposure (thorough clinical training), and he should have thorough knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of all the medicaments and its processing. For the efficacy of the treatment, like any other medical system, there should be the availability of the best effective drug and a well experienced and learned physician. If these two are compromised, the clinical practice of any medical system will come to a stand still resulting into a mock show at the cost of public health and the reputation of the system practiced.
The term ‘Herbal Medicine’ does not convey the ambit of Ayurveda medicine in true sense. Rather it is a misnomer unable to cover the depth of the tradition.
Even in the developing days of Ayurveda science in the period of Carakaand Sushruta(BC 1000), Ayurveda was never limited to mere herbal practice. It uses a vast range of natural products of herbal, mineral and animal origin. The drugs are administered after a complex process of pharmaceutics, which includes detoxification processes, oxidation and reduction processes for the bioavailability and mostly the drugs are used in combinations that the desired effect is achieved.
To understand the complexities of the pharmaceutics, it requires an evaluation system that encompasses the specifications of Ayurveda. During the consultation exercise conducted by the UK Department of Health under the auspices of a ‘Herbal Regulatory Working Group’ (HMRWG), the HMRWG defined Ayurveda (para 67 at pg. 21 of their report) “as a comprehensive system of health care”. Ayurveda fulfils all the requirements to be designated as a specific medical system counterpart to Allopathic system.
Govt. of India is trying to revive the Ayurveda with its available resources. Since 1956 onwards, institutionalised researches started and till date more than 10,000 PG & Ph.D. theses in Ayurveda have been submitted at various Universities. These theses and other researches conducted by the institutions like CCRAS explain and validate the Ayurveda fundamental principles, procedures and safety of herbo-minerelo-metallic preparations. Further, all the major scientific & medical laboratories and research wings of Govt. of India, e.g. ICMR, CSIR and its laboratories like ITRC, CDRI, etc. are working for revalidation, confirmation and certification regarding toxicity (if at all any) of these drugs, Data of these researches are being published in various scientific journals of medicine, biology, botany and Ayurveda. Many books have also been published collecting the summary of researches done on the various Ayurveda drug preparations. These publications list the efficacy and safety aspects of Ayurveda medicines. The Ayurveda texts list the possible unwanted side effects of minerals-metallic preparation. Commonly known toxic drugs are being subjected for their possible toxicological studies. These are reported in scientific journals and personal communication during seminars.

Journals

A variety of peer reviewedjournals focus on the topic of ayurvedic medicine:

Ancient Science of Life.
Theoretical and Experimental Journal of Ayurveda and Siddha
Journal of Research & Education in Indian Medicine (JREIM).
AYU.
The International Journal for Ayurveda Research (IJAR)..

None of the journals except IJAR are PubMed indexed. The first subspeciality journal for the field of ayurvedic medicine was launched in July 2010. Its focus is rheumatology and it is titled the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology in Ayurveda.

Patents

In December 1993, the University of Mississippi Medical Center had a patent issued to them by United States Patent and Trademark Officeon the use of turmericfor healing. The patent was contested by India's industrial research organization, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), on the grounds that traditional ayurvedic practitioners were already aware of the healing properties of the substance for centuries, and that this prior art made the patent a case of bio-piracy. The Government of India had become involved in promoting traditional medicine by 1997.
R A Mashelkar, director-general of the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, made the following observation:
This is a significant development of far-reaching consequences for the protection of the traditional knowledge base in the public domain, which has been an emotional issue for not only the people of India but also for the other third world countries.
Ayurveda 2010-2020: Globalization of Ayurveda
As a part of promoting the Ayurvedic Events worldwide, AIPCE Millennium Events will concentrate on Globalization of Ayurveda by impacting health care at both the global and grass-root level and work with World Association of Ayurveda and a number of partners worldwide.
The Ayurvedic approach to treating viral diseases such as the flu, involves strengthening immunity to successfully ward off any prospective viral attack.
An Ayurvedic approach to building immunity during the outbreak of the global SwineFlu is the main Focus.
The 2009 UAE aipce millennium convention will discuss on Ayurvedic pedagogy and science in the context of Ayurveda for global experience, Ayurveda and biotechnology, health and illness and the challenges for Ayurveda, transcultural perception and regulatory issues and evolution of Ayurvedic Industry in the global pharmamileu.
The deliberation is expected to initiate collaborative research programs, involving a minimum one Ayurveda Institute and an Institute specializing in a relevant area of science at the national or international level and for setting up a national centre for geriatrics, chronic metabolic disorders and nutrition through public-private partnership (PPP).
International Ayurveda Conventions 2010 will be conducted in different countries by bringing together medicine manufacturers, panchakarma centers, educational institutes, research institutes, NGOs, food industry and welfare centre, Spa Centre among others. The key components of the Convention would be, product launch and promotion, buyer and seller meet, Ayurveda-IT interaction and insurance companies. The convention would also include, pre-conference workshops on Ayurvedic surgery, eye-care, Global Ayurveda treatment, pharmaceuticals, clinical documentation, bioetehics, textual tradition and yoga.
Exhibitor Profile will include Ayurveda Hospitals, Ayurveda products Manufacturers, Doctors, Ayurveda product exporters, importers, Ayurveda related machinery suppliers, Ayurveda herbal growers, Health food and beverage manufacturers and tourist hotels with native treatment systems.

Facts about Ayurveda in India

In 1970, the Indian Medical Central Council Act which aims to standardize qualifications for Ayurveda and provide accredited institutions for its study and research was passed by the Parliament of India. In India, over 100 colleges offer degrees in traditional ayurvedic medicine. The Indian government supports research and teaching in Ayurveda through many channels at both the national and state levels, and helps institutionalize traditional medicine so that it can be studied in major towns and cities. The state-sponsored Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) is the premier institution for promotion of traditional medicine in India. The studies conducted by this institution encompass clinical, drug, literary, and family welfare research. To fight biopiracy and unethical patents, the Government of India, in 2001, set up the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library as repository of 1200 formulations of various systems of Indian medicine, such as Ayurveda, unani and siddha. The library also has 50 traditional Ayurveda books digitized and available online.
Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) a statutory body established in 1971, under Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, monitors higher education in Ayurveda. The Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery(BAMS) degree is the basic five-and-a-half year course of graduation. It includes eighteen different subjects comprising courses on anatomy with cadaver dissections, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, modern clinical medicine & clinical surgery, pediatrics, along with subjects on ayurveda like CharakaSamhita, history and evolution of ayurveda, identification and usage of herbs (dravyaguna), and ayurvedic philosophy in diagnostics and treatment. post graduation programmes are also available in various specialities in ayurveda including Surgery, Paediatrics etc. The degree is awarded as M.D. (Ayurveda Vachaspati) and M.S. (Ayurveda Dhanvantri). CCIM has also started the post graduation diplomas in various specialities of ayurveda.
Many clinics in urban and rural areas are run by professionals who qualify from these institutes. Mukherjee &Wahile cite World Health Organization statistics to demonstrate the popularity of traditional medicine as the primary system of health care.
M. Daniel(2004) India is on the threshold of a herbal revolution.
The herbal and ayurvedic market in India is predicted to continue to grow at a rate of 12 to 15% per year.

Recent Advances

The inability to explain how Ayurveda medicines work, has evoked skepticism from quite a few people in the past. However, Ayurveda is now being explained on the basis of quantum physics, bioenergetics and molecular memory.
With clinical trials in Ayurveda also being conducted all over the world, more and more people are opting for Ayurveda as their first line of treatment. In fact, an independent study conducted as follows Scientific evidence
Chemical structure of curcumin used in ayurvedic medicine. Shown here in its ketone form.
As a traditional medicine, many ayurveda products have not been tested in rigorous scientific studies and clinical trials. In India, research in ayurveda is largely undertaken by the statutory body of the Central Government, the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha(CCRAS), through a national network of research institutes. Some ayurvedic products, mainly herbs used for phytotherapy, have been tested with promising results. Studies suggest that Turmeric and its derivative curcumin are antioxidants. Tinsporacordifolia has been tested. Among the medhyarasayanas (intellect rejuvenation), two varieties of Salviahave been tested in small trials; one trial provided evidence that Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish sage) may improve word recall in young adults, and another provided evidence that Salvia officinalis (Common sage) may improve symptoms in Alzheimer's patients. In some cases, ayurvedic medicine may provide clues to therapeutic compounds. For example, derivatives of snake venom have various therapeutic properties. Many plants used as rasayana (rejuvenation) medications are potent antioxidants. Neem appears to have beneficial pharmacological properties.