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Health, the holistic way
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Going by the number of Ayurvedic clinics that have opened in the city, it is evident that awareness of this herbal route to healing has increased. SANGEETH KURIAN visits some of the centres...
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IT IS said that during the Agra Summit between Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and the Pakistan President Pervez Musharaff, a chef was specially commissioned to prepare meals based on the principles of Ayurveda to keep the two leaders calm during their parleys.
Exotic ingredients such as powdered pearl, Zarraqoosh, a cooling agent, and liquid iron extract from the Himalayan rocks were added to each of the dishes offered.
"Serving certain types of food can influence the mood and mind of the people, asserts Dr. K. G. Radhakrishnan, production in-charge, Indian Medical Practitioners' Co-operative Pharmacy and Stores (IMPCOPS). But then, Ayurveda is not all about paying careful attention to your diet; it is the ultimate holistic approach to a healthy life.
Referred to as the `science of life', this oldest system of Indian medicine, which dates back to the Vedic times, aims not only at curing ailments but also preventing illness and sustaining life. Ironically, the system has never received the desired attention in the land of its origin, barring a few States such as Kerala and Gujarat, where it has been kept alive in its traditional form.
However, with Ayurveda becoming fashionable in the West, thanks to patronage from celebrities such as Madonna, Demi Moore, Cindy Crawford and Elizabeth Taylor, Chennai-ites too are waking up to this newfound hype.
While ten years ago there was not even a single Ayurvedic clinic in the city, today there are more than 20 recognised centres, seven of them located in Anna Nagar alone. Most of these health centres treat lifestyle diseases, chronic arthritis, wheezing and a host of other ailments, apart from offering oil massages for relaxation and rejuvenation.
"Public awareness of Ayurveda has increased tremendously in the last ten years," says Dr. T.M.U. Varier, physician, Arya Vaidya Sala. " Earlier, there was only one doctor in our clinic. But now, there are situations where we cannot manage the patients even with two doctors." Expectedly, the number of Arya Vaidya Sala outlets in the city has doubled from 15 to 30 over the years.
"The sale of Ayurvedic medicine has also skyrocketed," says K. A. Naganadhan marketing in-charge, Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore). While it is disillusionment with modern medicine that has prompted some to take the Ayurveda route, the fact that Ayurvedic medicines are relatively free from side effects is an added attraction for many. There is also a growing realisation that Ayurvedic potions can prevent illness. "As the medicines are mostly plant-based, they have the ability to control ailments by neutralising the degeneration of tissues, says Dr. Jayakrishnan, Medical Superintendent, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Ayurveda College.
The approach of Ayurveda to a majority of ailments is through lifestyle re-orientation. That is by making lifestyle and food habits systematic and disciplined. "If people are getting diseases such as diabetes at the age of 25 and 30, it's mainly because of the consumption of high calorie junk food, coupled with lack of physical activity. The aim of Ayurvedic treatment is to bring orderliness into your life," says Dr. Varier. That's why we insist on `pathya,' he adds. According to him 70 per cent of the diseases can be cured if one makes lifestyle adjustments. "For the remaining 30 per cent you need proper treatment."
If consumption of high calorie food can lead to diabetes, "poor eating habits can lead to acidity, which in turn leads to a host of disorders ranging from sinusitis to ulcers and from fibroids to anal fissures," says Dr. Radhakrishnan. "Acidity occurs mostly in teenagers due to poor eating habits. Nearly 60 per cent of the patients visiting our clinic complain about sinusitis, which is caused by acidity."
Treatment in Ayurveda is based on identifying the `prakriti' or the constitution of a person. Like the medieval European philosophers who believed in humours, Ayurveda believes there are three kinds of constitution or doshas, namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Every human being is a combination of three doshas. But in most of us one type dominates. The theory is that an individual's health and well-being can be greatly improved by keeping the doshas in balance.
"Your dosha dictates everything about you, from the colour of your hair to the type of ailment you suffer from. By keeping the doshas in equilibrium you will stay well. If they are disrupted your health will suffer," says Dr. Madhu R. Das, medical officer, Kerala Ayurveda Pharmacy (KAPL).
Once an assessment is made, the treatments offered vary from the use of oils, herbal medicines, massage and meditation to the more extreme methods of induced vomiting and bloodletting. The latter two are used only in extreme circumstances and rarely in Chennai.
Acute pain and stiffening of limbs threatened to cripple R.S. Anbarasan, State Organising Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Southern Railways, in the year 1999. "I was, therefore, very active and involved in organising training programmes and camps all over the country. Suddenly, one day, I developed a severe shoulder pain and was not able to raise my left hand. Initially, I suspected it to be a cardiac problem. But gradually the pain started spreading all over my body.
"I then consulted an orthopaedist, who diagnosed my condition as severe rheumatoid arthritis. Since I had to undertake an urgent assignment in Sri Lanka, I was not able to go for the treatment immediately." The delay nearly proved fatal. Anbarasan became almost paralysed. He also lost his concentration power. "Seeing my plight a Railway doctor suggested that I turn to Ayurveda."
During the first three weeks of treatment Anbarasan regained his capacity to concentrate. And by the end of the fourth week the pain disappeared. "It was really a miracle," he says. " There were people who had written me off. Thanks to Ayurveda, I am fit as a fiddle now. Today, I have full faith in this system."
According to Dr. Das, who performed the `Panchakarma' (five treatments, which involves a mix of stretching, meditation, massage and herbal preparations) on Anbarasan, Ayurveda can effectively treat practically all ailments under the sun. " The eight branches of Ayurveda, collectively known as Ashtangam, cover ailments from infancy to old age." However, we do not have any established treatment for cancer and certain heart ailments, he adds.
For Usha, a bank employee, it was disenchantment with modern medicine that forced her to change her eight-year-old daughter's treatment from Allopathy to Ayurveda. " Till the age of three, my daughter suffered from seizures and wheezing. And I relied solely on Allopathic medicines. But, after a point of time, she started becoming immune to the drugs. And the doctors kept increasing the potency. I felt this was unfair to the child as she was being subjected to a lot of toxicity. So I decided to switch over to Ayurveda. For the past five years my daughter has not had any problem." According to Usha, Allopathy only suppresses a disease and doesn't cure it. "Ayurveda might take time to act but it definitely shows results."
A partner of `Prakriti Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Centre (PARC),' Anna Nagar, Sujata Ramachandran's initiation into the world Ayurveda was through a personal experience. Being a dancer, her kneecap literally wore away and she had to undergo traction. But, relief was temporary. Since she was also pregnant at that time the pain became all the more unbearable. Hope came in the form of her uncle who felt that she would benefit from Ayurveda.
"One property of Ayurvedic potions is that they help reduce body weight by removing excessive fat accumulation," says Ramachandran. "On the 15th day of treatment I started walking. Today, I am back on my feet again and for the past ten years I have not suffered from any problem. Of course, I do follow the Ayurvedic regimen strictly, otherwise there is chance of a relapse," she cautions.
Ever since its inception in the year 2000, the PARC has treated more than 3,000 clients. Of these as many as 2,500 people came for stress relief and relaxation. People coming for one-day massages or Abhyanga (oil massage for rejuvenation) have increased over the years. Most of them are youngsters with deepseated backache and neck pain. They book their slots in advance for the weekend," says Ramachandran. The centre has launched a mobile unit to attend calls from invalids and those who want to be treated in the privacy of their homes.
The latest to open shop in the rush to jump on the Ayurveda bandwagon is the Ayush Therapy Centre (ATC), a collaborative arrangement between business major Hindustan Lever and Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore), which was launched as recently as four months ago.
The various services offered at the centre include pain relief, consultation for weight loss, and skin and hair care. " The treatment and its duration will depend on the nature and the condition of the patient," says Dr. Deen Dayal, physician, ATC. The centre offers a 21-day yoga package for Rs. 800.
Interestingly, the craze for Ayurveda has lent an aura of dignity and glamour that was hitherto eluding the practitioners of this alternative medicine. As the vice-president of the All- India Ayurveda Congress, Dr. M. Radhika, puts it, "Ten years ago, if you told people that you were an Ayurvedic physician, they would ask you whether you chose Ayurveda because you did not get admission to a course in Allopathy? But today if you introduce yourself as an Ayurvedic physician, they will say, "How wonderful!"
Some Ayurvedic solutions
Pizhichil
The whole body is subjected to a stream of lukewarm medicated oil with simultaneous soft massage. This is a rejuvenation therapy and will prevent ageing, wrinkles, paralysis, debility, and muscular and neurological complaints.
Sirodhara
Medicated oil is poured as an even stream on to the forehead continuously, which will tune up the brain, improve memory, and cure diseases like senile dementia, insomnia and with appropriate medicines can be employed in psychiatric and psychosomatic diseases. It relieves tension stress and strain.
Synchronised massage
Synchronised massage is beneficial in preventing scales, rheumatism, improving physical consistency, bettering eyesight, inducing sound sleep, improves complexion and texture of the skin.
Udwarthanam
A deep dry massage using herbal powders, this reduces obesity, imparts mobility in joints, strengthens muscles and refreshes the body. It also helps in curing hemiplegia.
Tharpanam
Medicated ghee is retained for 20 to30 minutes in the eyes. This relieves the strain for the eyes improves eyesight, nourishes the nerves.
(Courtesy: KAPL)
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