Yojana

Alternative Medicine

Long ago, Charles Darwin gave the theory of evolution which propagated that species with useful adaptations to the environment are more likely to survive than those with less useful adaptations. This competition and urge to survive has always forced mankind to come up with newer inventions and innovate sustainable ways of living. Today, no one can ignore the impact and usefulness of modernisation in our daily life especially on how these innovations have made day to day life hassle-free. This is particularly true about faster means of communication and travelling as well as the field of medicine that is conquering new frontiers. State-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and treatment facilities have added an altogether different dimension to the profession of saving precious lives. The other side of the coin however, is too much of human interference with the nature and unhealthy lifestyle resulting in greater sufferings in terms of severe and untreatable diseases. While modern technology has tried to find newer ways of treating diseases, it has not been able to stop or reverse the process. It is in this scenario that mankind has started looking back to the Nature and that is exactly where the role of alternative medicine and therapies come into play. They work on the principle of restoring natural balance and bringing human life back in harmony with the Nature. Indian traditional medicine system has been based on this principle focusing on holistic health rather than treating a disease. Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Naturopathy, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, all these alternative therapies advocate a lifestyle which provides a healthy body, mind and overall happiness. Ayurveda and Yoga started their journey more than 5000 years ago as ancient Indian sciences. While Sidha is one of the ancient systems of medicines popular in South India, Unani, the traditional system of medicine has its genesis in ancient Greece. Homoeopathy was developed in the early 1800s by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. These systems have enjoyed continued patronage of people over the years. However, in recent times all alternative systems of medicine have gained global acceptance and popularity. The reason could be that apart from being effective, cheap, with no side effects, these therapies have been able to provide respite to certain chronic diseases and terminal stage patients. Modern medicine need not have a solution or answer to such situations. Institutions worldwide have undertaken researches to understand these systems more scientifically.