For the last couple of millenia, Sri Lankans have been utilising a user-friendly form of tradtional medicine called Ayurveda - an ancient system of medicine which developed in the Indian subcontinent long before the so-called father of medicine, Hippocrates, was born on the island of Cos in Europe around 450 BC.
The Science of Health Living
The name Ayurveda comes from two conjoined Sanskrit words - AYUH ( "life") and VEDA ("science" or "knowledge"). Ayurveda, basically, is the science of healthy living - and has two objectives
- to preserve health
- to cure the body when afflicted by disease
Three Humours
One of the fundamental beliefs of Ayurveda is the doctrine of TRI DOSHA - the Three Vital Forces. These - VAYU, PITA and KAPHA - have been inacurately translated into English as Wind, Bile and Phlegm - being thereby confused with the bodily "humours" of the Greek philosophers.
A more correct interpretation of VAYU is the phenomenon of energy transmission within the body - in modern medical terms this denotes nerve impulses, muscle contractions and hormonal activity. PITTA does not simply refer to bile or even the "chollericke humour" mentioned by Shakespeare - rather it signifies the whole scope of metabolism and internal heat production.
Mucosal Immune System
KAPHA means "mucus," which is often described as the Protective Fluid. The relatively modern concept of mucus being an antibody containing liquid - an "antiseptic paint" - which coats and protects the internal linings of the body such as the intestinal and respiratory tracts - seems to fit in with Ayurvedic thinking.
When the three Doshas are in equilibrium, the body is in a state of good health. When the equilibrium is disturbed, when derangements occur in the balance of these complementary forces, illness results.
Regarding preventive aspects, Ayurveda recommends guidelines for healthy living, detailing dietary and socio-cultural norms. Certain foods are considered good while partaking of others (such as red meats) is discouraged. Vegetarianism and the consumption of dairy products such as milk and curd (yoghurt) are advocated - while the consumption of alcohol is frowned upon. Basic practices of hygiene such as drinking boiled water and washing hands before touching food are fundamental.
Germ Theory
Ayurvedic practitioners maintain that they treat the patient as a whole with a view to restoring normalcy - in contrast to allopathic medicine which specializes in merely attacking the disease. Western medicine, it could be said, classifies germs and tries to destroy them - while Ayurveda classifies human beings and attempts to save them! Ayurvedic therapy is geared to restoring the body's natural resistance and immunity.
Different patients who may appear to have the same symptoms and signs - hence the same "disease" - may be treated with different medications, because every patient is different. The one size fits all technique of western medicine which prescribes the same dose of antibiotic or antihypertensive medication for a 80 kg man as for a 45 kg woman is not condoned in Ayurvedic philosophy.
Sanjiva Wijesinha - Dr. Sanjiva Wijesinha, Associate Professor at Monash University medical school, writes on health, travel and medical topics.
