Traditional Medicine by Regions - Indian Subcontinent

A country steep in ancient culture, where Aryan Kings once reigned over its fertile land. Herbal writings inscribed in Rig Veda literature, Ayurveda - healthcare of a different time, still precious to man.

Neem leaves are praised for its detoxifying power,

while tumeric and cumin make a tasty curry. Plentiful of herbs with a myriad of uses to discover, Making bright; the future of India's herbal industry.

The land of Indian sub-continent once saw a great ancient civilization flourished in the Indus valley, called Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. This is the land that has introduced us to famous culinary spices such as turmeric, star anise, curry leaves,

cardamom and cumin.

Not only does it gives us irresistible curry dishes but also these spices (herbs) are rich in medicinal properties. They are used for maintaining
health and, treating diseases and ailments. A land where approximately 9000 plant species are found existed (Bown, 2001). In fact, over 600 indigenous herbs have been employed in Ayurveda. With that in mind, herbs play major roles in the people of the region. In fact, herbs are used in their health care system called Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is the oldest medical practice that existed before Traditional Chinese Medicine (Foster and Johnson, 2006). It has been long practised in countries of the Indian sub-continent, namely India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Tibet. In Sanskrit term, Ayurveda means knowledge of life (Ayur: Life or longevity, Veda: Knowledge or science). So, what do herbs have got to do with Ayurveda?

Herbs are used as part of Ayurveda treatment, besides its corresponding therapies like steam therapy, oil massage, panchakarma and yoga. Its incorporation of herbs had even been documented in the ancient Sanskrit Vedic literatures; Rig Veda and Atharva Veda (Gordon and Clark,1999). This shows how prized herbs were in those days for treating ailments and maintaining health. In fact, the first Ayurveda school was built in circa 400 B.C. to educate and train Ayurveda physicians using herbs.

Unlike conventional medicine that usually treats the symptoms of a disease, Ayurveda seeks to prevent diseases from happening at the first place. It emphasizes on maintaining the harmony between the body, mind and soul. An imbalance in these aspects results in ailments and diseases. Ayurveda stresses upon the value maintaining the 'life force' called prana. Additionally, the 3 humours (physiological energy that regulates the body) called Tridosha (Vatta, Pitta, Kappa) must be in equilibrium in the state of harmony. An imbalance of these elements will result in health complications and affects the body's overall well-being. Thus, only specific herbs are prescribed based on their effects on an individual dosha.

Did you know that Traditional Chinese Medicine has its connection traced back to Ayurveda? This could be explained by the fact that Ayurveda in the region was absorbed into the Chinese practice through the spread of Buddhism (which originated from India) in Tibet and eventually China.

Ayurvedic practice saw its downturn when India was colonized by the British, beginning 1750. The British occupation period saw the practice being effectively banned in 1833, as it was deemed to be superstitious (Chevallier, 2000). Only after the British rule was over and through India's independence that air of new revival was breathed into Ayurveda.

Now, Ayurveda is recognized as one of the mainstream of the world's Traditional and Complementary Medicine, which even is recognized by the World Health Organisation. In fact, the Western world has already begun to embrace Ayurveda and its use of herbs as part of their alternative medicine, in complement with their western medicine (allopathy).