Clinical Research and Its Translation into Practice of Ayurveda

Translational Research and Practice of Ayurveda

These are the days of virtual realities, telemedicine, technology-driven life, where we find making of foods like cakes and milkshakes using 3D printing technology. For a student who is newly admitted to Ayurveda, bridging the gap between modern techno-world and ancient science can be super challenging.  But let me assure you that with its sound foundations and ever-expanding nature, Ayurveda and Ayurvedians will be able to adopt the new challenges of life. The ways and means provided by foundational sciences 'darshanshastras' especially Nyaya, Vaisheshika, and Sankhya; which are beautifully elaborated in Tarkasamgraha of Annambhatta; will be definitely useful. The darshanas teach us how to think and not what to. However, the principles and guidelines depicted therein need to be supplemented by the modern knowledge base of Sankhyiki to solve present-day issues and future problems.

"The knowledge and the wisdom of Âyurveda in order to be fully applied needs to be understood, extracted from the classical knowledge and contextualized in modern terms." - Antonio Morandi, Ayurvedic Point Corso Sempione 63 20149 Milano, Italy 

The reason for today's blog is the above quote by the famous Italian Physician Antonio Morandi, from the book review published in Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine. The title of the book is Translational Ayurveda, which is authored by Prof. Sanjeev Rastogi. Translational Ayurveda

'Learn, Observe, Practice, Theorize, Modify and Practice again' is the mantra of Translational research for Ayurvedic students and fraternity. 

In the developed world the virtues embedded in Ayurveda Samhitas are of utmost importance. 

New things for future Vaidyas

After the pandemic of COVID 19, the world will change substantially. People call it 'The New Normal'. The approach to Ayurvedic practice, pharmaceutics, compounding, and dispensing will also change. Like in all fields of life, the special Indianness of the distance between city and small-town life will be reduced substantially. More than socio-political instruments, technology will be responsible to reduce the differences. Similarly, anticipating the global outreach of Ayurveda, a pertinent system and methodology will have to be devised to fulfill the emerging needs.

Future Vaidyas should acquaint themselves with the changing scenario. I find following link gave impetus to my thought process. Check it out.


Technology for lifestyle

Rasaushdhies as Antivirals: A New Paradigm for Research

A couple of days back I watched a beautiful video clip made by a group of our first year BAMS students. Their enthusiasm was contagious. They were full of energy and their conviction towards the goal was worth appreciation. They sure had a message to deliver. I felt an urge to talk to them, to know their plans, to learn what they want to do after this first wave of insurgence passes...which has arisen out of the "being sidelined" treatment.

I did call them. We had a nice interaction. If they continue to work with the same enthusiasm, constructively and in focused manner, they will outshine.

Here is the link to the video they made and my lecture presentation in a webinar on 25th April 2020, due to निमित्त कारण of COVID-19.
Your suggestions and questions are welcome.

Why Not Ayurveda?

Ayurveda approach to treat viral diseases

Food for 'The You'

I always feel that it takes 'out of the box thinking' to make Ayurvedic knowledge contemporary in a user-friendly manner for new-age users and consumers. In the era of medical pluralism, people are easily exposed to sources of information coming from various directions. At times the information is contradictory which leaves the reader confused. The common man needs quick tips instead of a long explanation, yet he expects that those tips should arise from a strong scientific base. Most of the practicing vaidyas deal with this situation in daily practice.

While watching a video of Ms. Rujuta Divekar (I am a big fan of her, simply because, she is the first celebrity who talks on Indian Foods and Indian Foods only) I noticed the similarities of some guidelines in Charaksamhita stating the methodology and rationale of food consumption for a healthy and diseased person. I could not hold back myself from sharing the shloka and the video with you. Fortunately, she has used the word traditional foods, though not Ayurveda. 

In this video, titled Mental Meal map, after general guideline, she talks about how to calculate one's portion size - Aharmatra. Not only that, but she has also matched it with current knowledge of proteins, carbs and has pointed out societal needs.

1. तत्रेदमाहारविधिविधानमरोगाणामातुराणां चापि केषाञ्चित् काले प्रकृत्यैव हिततमं भुञ्जानानां भवति- उष्णं, स्निग्धं, मात्रावत्, जीर्णे वीर्याविरुद्धम्, इष्टे देशे, इष्टसर्वोपकरणं, नातिद्रुतं, नातिविलम्बितम्, अजल्पन्, अहसन्, तन्मना भुञ्जीत, आत्मानमभिसमीक्ष्य सम्यक् ॥२४॥

2. आत्मानमभिसमीक्ष्य भुञ्जीत सम्यक्; इदं ममोपशेते इदं नोपशेत इत्येवं विदितं ह्यस्यात्मन आत्मसात्म्यं भवति; तस्मादात्मानमभिसमीक्ष्य भुञ्जीत सम्यगिति ॥२५॥

(चरकसंहिता विमानस्थान १/२४-२५)
3. त्रिविधं कुक्षौ स्थापयेदवकाशांशमाहारस्याहारमुपयुञ्जानः; तद्यथा- एकमवकाशांशं मूर्तानामाहारविकाराणाम्, एकं द्रवाणाम्, एकं पुनर्वातपित्तश्लेष्मणाम्; एतावतीं ह्याहारमात्रामुपयुञ्जानो नामात्राहारजं किञ्चिदशुभं प्राप्नोति ॥३॥
(चरकसंहिता विमानस्थान २/१)


How Much Should I Eat? by Rujuta Divekar