In the recent article published in Express Pharma titled ‘De-mythifying ayurveda’, 
the comment of a Senior Consultant of a prestigious Hospital in New Delhi, on Ayurveda discloses the incomprehension of what Ayurveda truly is, as perceived by the so-called modern scientist. The opinion which goes in his terms - "Ayurveda may not be termed a science in modern scientific context, as it did not develop in a test tube or a laboratory. Nor do its concepts change frequently, as it happens in modern scientific allopathic medicine."
What is that science these people are talking about? Let’s look at true perspective of science. The word science derived from Latin scientia, meaning knowledge. For many the term science refers to the organized body of knowledge concerning the physical world, both animate and inanimate, but a proper definition would also have to include the attitudes and methods through which this body of knowledge is formed; thus, a science is both a particular kind of activity and also the results of that activity.
The scientific method is described in terms of a well-recognized and well-defined series of steps. First, information, or data, is gathered by careful observation of the phenomenon being studied. On the basis of that information a preliminary generalization, or hypothesis, is formed, usually by inductive reasoning, and this in turn leads by deductive logic to a number of implications that may be tested by further observations and experiments. If the conclusions drawn from the original hypothesis successfully meet all these tests, the hypothesis becomes accepted as a scientific theory or law.
The word Ayurveda, which has life (Ayus) and knowledge (Veda=vid meaning to know) component in itself pronounces that it is not any other pretending way of healing, but with sound scientific approaches to health, healing and help for the life and living in its entirety.
In Caraka Samhita, the author emphasizes the importance of scientific approach to practice of medicine. It is quoted that the peers recognize and appreciate those who undertake (prescriptions/therapies) only after a prior knowledge. Further it is said that well informed physician also when acts without investigation will face the complications or will not be able to help a patient with bad prognosis, for it is said that only he who acts after investigation will be an expert.
If one looks at the description of scientific method in medical practice in Ayurveda, it is absolutely analogous with the description that is made in contemporary times. There are four steps to analyze. They are the first being a careful observation (Pratyaksha), followed with development of hypothesis (Anumana), then quoting the bibliographical references (Apthopadesha) and concluding with deductive reasoning (Yukti).
the comment of a Senior Consultant of a prestigious Hospital in New Delhi, on Ayurveda discloses the incomprehension of what Ayurveda truly is, as perceived by the so-called modern scientist. The opinion which goes in his terms - "Ayurveda may not be termed a science in modern scientific context, as it did not develop in a test tube or a laboratory. Nor do its concepts change frequently, as it happens in modern scientific allopathic medicine."What is that science these people are talking about? Let’s look at true perspective of science. The word science derived from Latin scientia, meaning knowledge. For many the term science refers to the organized body of knowledge concerning the physical world, both animate and inanimate, but a proper definition would also have to include the attitudes and methods through which this body of knowledge is formed; thus, a science is both a particular kind of activity and also the results of that activity.
The scientific method is described in terms of a well-recognized and well-defined series of steps. First, information, or data, is gathered by careful observation of the phenomenon being studied. On the basis of that information a preliminary generalization, or hypothesis, is formed, usually by inductive reasoning, and this in turn leads by deductive logic to a number of implications that may be tested by further observations and experiments. If the conclusions drawn from the original hypothesis successfully meet all these tests, the hypothesis becomes accepted as a scientific theory or law.
The word Ayurveda, which has life (Ayus) and knowledge (Veda=vid meaning to know) component in itself pronounces that it is not any other pretending way of healing, but with sound scientific approaches to health, healing and help for the life and living in its entirety.
In Caraka Samhita, the author emphasizes the importance of scientific approach to practice of medicine. It is quoted that the peers recognize and appreciate those who undertake (prescriptions/therapies) only after a prior knowledge. Further it is said that well informed physician also when acts without investigation will face the complications or will not be able to help a patient with bad prognosis, for it is said that only he who acts after investigation will be an expert.If one looks at the description of scientific method in medical practice in Ayurveda, it is absolutely analogous with the description that is made in contemporary times. There are four steps to analyze. They are the first being a careful observation (Pratyaksha), followed with development of hypothesis (Anumana), then quoting the bibliographical references (Apthopadesha) and concluding with deductive reasoning (Yukti).
The term science with its equivalent word in Ayurveda, called Shastra is characterized by the author of 800 years old Rasaratnasamucchaya as – “there exists no science without an order and no order without a science and one who learns that science systematically becomes successful in all endeavors”. In order to achieve this perfection and acquire knowledge, this book describes the importance and establishment of a laboratory (Rasashala) for conducting experiments. 
For Ayurveda scientist the whole world was the laboratory, because the observation and experiments were all in real settings. Thus all the theories and principles were developed in natural location. There was extrapolation of the observations on this miniature life (human, plant and animal), which were linked to universal phenomenon. Thus the observations and postulates although developed at that time and in the language prevalent then, but the approach to learning stands still true today without any dispute. However the only expectation of the modern scientists is to see the data for trust, which is not available for the obvious reason for want of storage devise of such vast amount.
When such being the case that the scientific process in Ayurveda have their congruent modern version, how can it be termed not scientific even in the modern scientific context?
For Ayurveda scientist the whole world was the laboratory, because the observation and experiments were all in real settings. Thus all the theories and principles were developed in natural location. There was extrapolation of the observations on this miniature life (human, plant and animal), which were linked to universal phenomenon. Thus the observations and postulates although developed at that time and in the language prevalent then, but the approach to learning stands still true today without any dispute. However the only expectation of the modern scientists is to see the data for trust, which is not available for the obvious reason for want of storage devise of such vast amount.
When such being the case that the scientific process in Ayurveda have their congruent modern version, how can it be termed not scientific even in the modern scientific context?
3 comments:
Science is defined as an organized body of knowledge obtained by the process of enquiry. The knowledge of Ayurveda is gathered through keen enquiry. However, the challenge is presenting this body of knowledge in modern terminology. It is the modern frame of reference that needs to be adopted.
The second challenge is subjecting Ayurveda to discussions and constant renewal of knowledge through further experimentation. This will add to the Ayurvedic knowledge.
DO IT DIFFERENTLY:
One more approach that needs to be adopted by Ayurvedic doctors is interpreting modern medicines in Ayurvedic terms and the Ayurvedic way. For eg. one can prepare a product monograph for paracetamol in the Ayurvedic manner. For instance one can explain that paracetamol helps reduce jwara (fever) in kapha imbalances (like excessive mucous in persons suffering common cold). This sort of an Ayurvedic approach to Western medicine will prove to be interesting and will help assimilate Ayurveda and Western medicine in an integrated way. I know this may raise controversies among purists. Just like fusion music (Indian and Western fusion) has generated heat. However, one needs to demolish the barriers and silos to take things forwards. And this will not in any way vitiate healthcare. It will help Allopaths appreciate Ayurveda better. Try this approach. And I think these out-of-the-box approaches will gather steam thanks to the internet.
I believe my wife's first couzin Dr. Kishore Patwardhan, faculty at the Benaras Hindu University, Benaras has done some work in presenting Ayurvedic terms and concepts in the way of Western medicine and has just published this book of Ayurvedic terms and concepts in a modern view. I am awaiting his book. I will share this with you later.
You are right. The principle in Ayurveda to treat fever is to use drugs which have bitter taste that helps to control the morbid pitta thus the raise in temperature will be controlled.
Under this concept the properties of Acetaminophen can be written as bitter in taste (rasa), dry in properties (guna), cold in potency (Virya), katu in vipaka, controling pitta and kapha, activity as jvaraghna.
Can this approach be acceptable to re-write the ayurvedic pharmacology of contemporary drugs?
One has to make a beginning somewhere. Ayurvedic pharmacology of allopathic drugs is a new dimension of healthcare science. It will give a new lease of life to Ayurveda. Nothing wrong with this approach. It is neo Ayurveda. Or may Alloveda. Please make the beginning-Dr. Rangesh. Please develop a movement for neo Ayurveda or Alloveda. The day Guduchi (Himalaya) gets a place under the sun along with gentamycin and erythromycin we know that a great healthcare movement is on.
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