Ayurveda fundamentals and science - A perspective.

Abstract

Western medicine was a complementary and alternative system of medicine (CAM) to Ayurveda in India in the 19th century. In the 20th century perspectives reversed with the exponential growth of knowledge through scientific approaches in all fields and in turn contributing to each other’s growth. Currently, there is renewed interest in CAM. A survey published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that 33% of Americans regularly used these practices and paid them out of pocket. The number of visits to CAM practitioners was more than visits to all primary care physicians.[1] All suggesting a hidden mainstream. Such events increased interest and scientific scrutiny of CAM. Many leading scientists termed CAM, a fraudulent and unscientific practice.[2] All along skeptics upped their attack on efforts on CAM like funding, research and demanding research methods like randomized, placebo‐controlled trials (though these designs may not fit well with CAM philosophies). Research to sync with Western scientific thoughts became reductionist and mechanistic even by CAM practitioners doing research. There was a drop in funding for fundamental concepts in CAM systems such as vitalism, holism, bioenergy approaches, complexity, and component synergy.[3] A recent article[4] by a professor in Ayurveda questioned the Ayurveda fundamentals as science or pseudo‐science, refutable or nonfalsifiable, and their utility in current times. And opined them to be dropped from the syllabus and need not be taught to undergraduate students. Questioned the concept of Tridosha, Dhatu concept, especially of Rakta and Shukra Dhatu.