The word ‘ecology’ which has been coined recently by the modern science (at the end of twentieth century); but one may be astonished to know that the age old indian medical science has thought thoroughly about it about 5000 years ago and has laid down the rules and regulations according to seasonal changes.

‘ Prevention is better than cure’; this principle has been well recognized and followed by ayurveda since the era b.c. Immunology is included in the swasthavritta, a part of this science and that too with a wider perspective than the present modern medical science. The readers of this article will be surprised to know that my both sons (aged 24 & 19 yrs) were not immunized by currently available vaccination, which is needless if the rules laid by ayurveda are properly observed, according to our experience in the medical field for last thirty years.

Another specialty of this science is that it treats every patient individually, not in parts but as a whole. because the philosophy on which the indian sciences have been based, thinks that every living creature and plants upon this earth is made up of a peculiar combination of fractions of all the basic elements i.e. ‘ panch mahabhutas’ present in the universe, so that plant kingdom and animal kingdom both come under the influence of ecological climatic changes & need to change themselves according to the seasonal variation.

According to tridosha theory of ayurveda vata, pitta and kapha regulate the various complex mechanisms going on in every individual. Due to changes in the climate (seasonal changes) the balance of all these three doshas is affected and a particular dosha may get vitiated at a particular period of change in season. To bring the proper balance of these three doshas, ayurveda advises the use of certain plant and animal products for medicinal purpose & purification methods known as ‘panchakarmas’ i.e. vamana, virechana, basti, nasya and rakta – mokshana.

Not a single science available, other than ayurveda, has thought about diet (ahar) part so scrupulously and thoroughly. Indian residents used to taste various delicious recipes when the so-called advanced western world had started change in its diet from raw meat to roasted meat. All the edibles according to ayurveda are divided into six tastes and each taste has its effect over the tridoshas in human individual.

‘Prakriti’ concept is another unique specialty of ayurveda. According to the predominance of the dosha, three main varieties of prakriti are said to be vata prakriti, pitta prakriti and kapha prakriti. According to this concept two or more off springs of the same parents, even the twins may differ in prakriti. the diet and behavioral part also varies according to prakriti.

Psychiatry is a specialized branch of modern medicinal science, which has been evolved in the 20th century. Ayurveda is the only science that gives an equal importance to the mind and the body and that too from time immemorial. Texts of ayurveda have described various kinds of manas-prakritis as well. In kottakal in south india, there is a big mental hospital where only ayurvedic treatment is given for various psychological disorders.

Ayurveda emphasizes that one should attend properly to various natural urges (vegas) like sneezing, coughing, urinating, passing motions, laughing, passing gases through anus or mouth, hunger, thirst etc. these are never to be stopped or restricted. Not only that but ayurveda has explained that almost all diseases are created due to stopping (not attending) to these urges or by enforcing them.

Importance of ayurveda lies in the fact that it treats not only the disease but the individual patient as well. once the disease is overcome, it further gives special treatment to the body so that the disease rarely reappears again and if the treatment is given with the help of the panchakarmas, the time consumed to conquer the diseases is reduced to a remarkable level.

The basic difference is in the approach to a humanbeing. Ayuveda sees a humanbeing as a combined constitution of atma+man+five gyanindriyas+five karmaindriyas,sapt dhatus and three doshas. All of these contents are strictly interdependent on each other and a healthy person is supposed to keep a good balance in all the constituents. Ayurveda is a guide for the same purpose.

At last let us pray to Lord Dhanvantari – to god of Ayurveda

“Sarve Sukhina Santu Sarve Santu Niramaya” – May all be happy and may all be healthy