“Ayurvedic Practitioners Practicing Alopathy: An Ethical

Dilemma”

INTRODUCTION:

What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is made of Sanskrit phrases: Ayu which means lifestyles and Veda which means athe
knowledge. To recognize approximately existence is Ayurveda. However, to understand the
good sized scope of Ayurveda completely, it's far essential to apprehend the means of “Ayu” or
life. “Ayurveda in totality means ‘technological know-how of existence’. It carries all aspects of
lifestyles whether physical, psychological, spiritual or social. What is useful and what is
dangerous to lifestyles, what are happy lifestyles and what's sorrowful life; some of these four
questions and lifestyles span allied issues are elaborately and emphatically mentioned in
Ayurveda. in keeping with the historic ayurvedic student charaka, “ayu” is made out of 4
essential parts. These are thoughts, body, senses and the soul (Gupta, 1919).

India is known for the Ayurveda since ages. The contribution of the Ayurveda to the Health Care
industry is appreciable. The statistics have shown that there is a tremendous growth and opportunities for
the Ayurveda practitioners. The medical tourism reports have said that there an increased trends among
the people towards Ayurveda and it has created a huge demand. The government of India under the
Ayush has given opportunities to the Ayush practitioners to serve the nation and up lift the Ayurveda
demand across the globe. The government is trying to protect the AYUSH practitioners. The Ayurvedic
medical institutes are churning out the good number of doctors. The recent past has proved that there was
changing trends among practicing Allopathy. There is a need to have strict instructions to the doctors to
practice Ayurveda.

TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF AYURVEDA:

Ayurveda, is the ancient science of life and health, is a unique heritage of India. In spite of
glorious past as a global Medicare system, presently its official practice is limited only to India
and certain neighbouring countries with the changing concepts of health and disease and shifting
scenario of health needs of the present times, there has been an amazing arousal of interest which
is likely to be accelerated with the growing trends of information technology, economic
globalization and industrial activism.

The present study is basically conducted in the field of information science and Ayurveda. It
has several theoretical and practical challenges as nobody has attempted to conduct a study like
this before, especially in the context of information society, knowledge society, cyber society,
medical informatics, cyber medicine’ etc. Considering the importance of the above concepts of
conducting the present study, this topic of “Trends and Developments of Ayurveda” has been
included as a chapter, though this is an integral part of review of literature.

MODES OF AYURVEDIC TREATMENT:

There is exist entirely eight division of Ayurvedic therapeutics, namely Kayachikitsa -

Inner Medicine, Shalya – Surgery, Shalkya - Otorhinolaryngology& Ophthalmology,

Kaumr Bhritya – Paediatrics , Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Agad tantra – Toxicology, Rasayana -
Gerentorology, Vajikaran – Aphrodisiacs & Bhoot Vidya – psychotherapy India, 2000.

The Principles of treatment are Shodhan –purificatory, Shaman – Palliative and conservative,
Nidan parivarjan – prevention of causative and precipitating factors of disease, Pathya Vyavastha
– Merits and De-merits regarding the daily lifestyle of Human being. Shodhan therapy includes
Vamana – Medically mixed up laxation, Vasti – medicated enema, shirovirechana – supervision
of medicine from end to end nose, And Raktmokshan – Bloodletting.

These remedialmethod are collectively known as Panch Karma. Before executing Panch
karma treatment Snehan – olation and Swedan are to be employed first.

AYURVEDIC MEDICINES:
Whatever is natural, whether belonging to Animals and plants or minerals, is considered the
source of raw materials for Ayurvedic medicines, However there are more than 500 medicines
and more than 50 minerals and animal products are commonly used in Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic medicines are marketed in various forms in the world. The main one’s are the
tablets and pills, medicine powders fermentation products, Ghrita and Tel, For the topical use
drops, lotions, creams, ointments and liniments are easily available. Dried plants extract in
capsule form are also use presently in Sharma 1987.
 AYUSH IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION:

AYUSH:Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Naturopathy, Siddha and Homeopathy as

abbreviated as Ayush,

 The Indian system of Medicine is the culmination of Indian thought of medicine which
represents way of healthy living value of unique cultural History.
 It is also amalgamates the best of influence that came in from contact with other
civilizations be it
 GREECE (Resulting in Unani Medicine).
  Germany - Homeopathy or Our Stages which gave jus the science of Ayurveda, Siddha
has also Yoga and Naturopathy.

With an Increase in lifestyle related disorders there is a world wide resurgence of interest in
holistic systems of health care, particularly with respect to the prevention and management of
chronic, non-communicable and systemic diseases.

It is increasingly understood that no single health care system can provide satisfactory answers to
all the health needs of modern society.

Evidently there is a need for a new inclusive and integrated health care regime that should
guide health policies and programmes in future.

BACKGROUND EFFORTS TO INTEGRATE AYUSH:

In SWADESHI movement lead to demand for ISM-1938

National Health Policy of -1983

WHO & UNICEF – 1970

National policy on ISM&H – 2002

National Rural health Mission – 2005

INDIA’S MAJOR EXPORTING DESTINATION OF AYURVEDIC DRUGS

Serial Number THE COUNTRY OF IMPORT AMOUNT ( US $ Million )

1 USA 1792
2 UK 263.8
3 Germany 244.6
4 South Africa 226.9
5 Russia 221.5
6 Brazil 165
7 Nigeria 154.2
8 Kenya 137.4
9 Netherlands 131.8
10 Turkey 119.1
 AYURVEDA

 Ayurveda is classical system of healthcare originating from the Vedas documented

around 5000Years ago.
 Around of 1000 B.C knowledge of Ayurveda was first comprehensively documented in
the compendia called charak samhita and sushruta samhita.
 As per the fundamental basic of Ayurveda, all objects and living bodies are composed of
five basic elements, called the Pancha Mahabharatas, namely,
Prithvi (Earth)
Jal (Water)
Agni (Fire)
Vayu (Air)
Akash (Ether)
 Ayurveda imbibes the humeral theory of Tridosha-
Vata (Either- Air), Pitta (Fire), And Kapcha (Earth Water)
Which are considered as the 3 physiological entities in living beings responsible for the
metabolic functions.
 The mental characters of human beings are attributable to Satva, Rajas and Tamas, which
are the psychological properties of life collectively terms as ‘Triguna’.
 Ayurveda aims to keep structural and functional entities in a state of equilibrium, which
signifies good health ( Swashtya )
  Any imbalance due to internal or external factors can cause disturbance in the natural
equilibrium giving rise to disease and the treatment consists of restoring the equilibrium
through various procedure, regimen, diet, medicines and behavior change.
 The preventive aspects of Ayurveda is called Svasth-Vritta and includes personal
hygiene, daily and seasonal regimens, appropriate social behavior and use of materials
and practices for healthy aging and prevention of premature loss of health attribute.
 The curative treatment consists of Aushadhi (Drugs), Ahara (Diet) and Vihara (Life
style).
 Ayurveda largely uses plants as raw materials for the manufacture of drugs, though
materials of animal and marine origin, metals and minerals are also used.
 Ayurvedic medicines are generally safe and have little or no known adverse side-effects,
if manufactured properly and consumed judiciously following necessary Dos and Don’ts.
 Ayurveda is proven to be effective in the treatment of chronic, metabolic and lifestyle
diseases for which satisfactory solutions are not available in conventional medicine.
 Over the years, Kshar sutra and Panchakarma therapies of Ayurveda have became very
popular among the public.
 Panchakarma is the unique therapeutic procedure for the radical elimination of disease-
causing factors and to maintain the equilibrium of humors.
 Panchakarma includes 5 detoxification processes, used to treat diseases, according to
Ayurveda.
Vamana (Medicated emesis)
Virechana (medicated purgation)
Basti (medicated enema)
Nasya (medication through the root of nose)
Rakthamoshana (Bloodletting)

The panchakarma therapy minimizes the chances of recurrence of the disease and promotes
positive heath by rejuvenating body tissues and bio-purification.

Ksharasutra is a Para-surgical invention using an alkaline thread for cauterization, which is

scientifically validated to be effective in the treatment of fistula-in-ano and such surgical
conditions as require excision of overgrowth soft tissues like polyps, warts, non-healing chronic
ulcers, sinuses and papillae.
 UNANI

As the name indicates, Unani system originated in Greece. The foundation of Unani system was
laid by Hippocrates. It was introduced in India by the Arabs and Persians sometimes around the
eleventh century.

During 13th and 17th century A.D. Unani medicine has its hey-day in India. The basic theory
of Unani system is based upon the well-known four-humor theory of Hippocrates.

 The Human body is considered to be made up the following seven components are:

Arkan (Elements)

Mizaj (Temperament)

Akhlat (Humors)

Aaza (Organs)

Arwah (Spirits of Vital breaths)

Qawa (Energy)

Afaal (Functions)
  Unani system of medicine have been found to be efficacious in conditions like

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Jaundice,
Nervous debility,
Skin diseases like vitiligo and Eczema,
Sinusitis and Bronchial Asthma.

For the Prevention of Disease and promotion of health, the unani system emphasizes six
essential (Asbab-e-Sitta Zarooria)

1. Pure Air
2. Food and water
3. Physical movements and rest
4. Psychic movement and rest
5. Sleep and wakefulness
6. Retention of useful materials and evacuation of waste materials from the body.

There are four forms of treatment in Unani medicine

1) Ilaj bid dawa (Pharmacotherapy)

2) Ilaj bil Ghiza (Deitotheraphy)
3) Ilaj bid Tadbir (Regimenal therapy)
4) Ilaj bil Jarahat (Surgery)

Regimental therapy is a special technique/physical method of treatment to improve the

constitution of body by removing waste materials and improving the defense mechanism of the
body and protect health.

Some of the Special Techniques are:

Fasd (Bloodletting) - Withdrawal of often little quantities of blood from a patient to cure or
prevent illness and disease

Dalk (Massage)

Riyazat (Exercise)
Hijama (Cupping) - A partial vacuum is created in cups placed on the skin either by means of
heat or suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin
for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place.

Taleeq-e-Alaq (Leeching) - Application of a living leech to the skin in order to initiate blood
flow or deplete blood from a localized area of the body.

Hammame-Har (Turkish bath)

Amal-e-Kai (Cauterization)

SIDDHA

The Siddha system of medicine is one of the ancient systems of medicine in India having its
close bend with Dravidian Culture.

The term siddha means achiements and siddars are those who have achieved results in medicine.
The siddha system of medicine emphasizes on the patient, Environment, age, sex, race, habits,
mental frame work, habital, diet, appetite, physical conditions, and physiological constitution of
the diseases for its treatment which is invidualistic in nature.

Diagnosis of disease are done through examination of pulse, urine, eyes, study of voice, color of
body, tongue and status of the digestion of individual patients.

System has unique treasure for the conversion of metals and minerals as drugs and many
infective diseases are treated with the medicines containing specially processed mercury, silver,
arsenic, lead and sulphur without any side effects.

The Strength of the Siddha system lies in providing very effective therapy in the case
of very effective therapy in the case of

 Psoriasis,
 Rheumatic disorders,
 Chronic liver disorders,
 Benign prostate hypertrophy,
 Bleeding piles,
 Peptic ulcer,
 Various types of dermatological disorder of non psoriatic nature.

YOGA
The word “YOGA” comes from Sanskrit word “yuj” which means “to unite or integrate.”

Yoga is about to union of a person’s own consciousness and the universal consciousness.

It is primarily a way of life, first propounded by Patanjali in systematic form.

Yoga is a promotive, preventive rehabitative and curative intervention for overall enhancement
of health status.

It consists of eight components namely,

 Restraint (Yama),
 Observance of austerity (Niyama)
 Physical posture (Asana)
 Breathing Exercise (Prayanam),
 Restraining of sense organs (Pratyahar)
 Contemplation (Dharna),
 Meditation (Dhyan)
 Deep meditation (Samadhi)

These steps in the practice of Yoga have the potential to improve social and personal behavior
and to promote physical health by better circulation of oxygenated blood in the body, restraining
the sense organs and thereby inducing tranquility and serenity of mind.

The practice of Yoga has also been found to be useful in the prevention of certain psychosomatic
diseases and improves individual resistance and ability to endure stressful situations.

NATUROPATHY
Naturopathy advocates living in harmony with constructive principles of nature on the physical,
mental, moral and spiritual planes.

Naturopathy promotes healing by stimulating the body’s inherent power to regain health with the
help of five elements of nature – Earth, water, air, fire and Ether.

Naturopathy advocates ‘Better Health without medicines’.

It is reported to be effective in chronic, allergic autoimmune and stress related disorders.

The theory and Practice of naturopathy are based on a holistic view point with particular
attention to

 Simple eating and living habits,

 Fasting,
 Hydrotherapy-body packs, baths
 Mud packs, massages,
 Under water exercise,
 Air therapy
 Magnet therapy, chromo-therapy
 Acupuncture, acupressure, etc.

Homeopathy
The physicians from the time of Hippocrates ( around 400B.C) have observed that certain
substances could produce symptoms of a disease in healthy people similar to those of people
suffering from the disease.

Homeopathy was brought into India around 1810 A.D. by European missionaries and received
official recognition 1948 by the parliament.

First principle of homeopathy ‘Similar similibus Curenture’ – a medicine which could

induce a set of symptoms in healthy human beings would be capable of curing a similar set of
symptoms in human beings actually suffering from the diseases.

Second principle of ‘Single medicine’- Single medicine should be administrated at a time to a

particular patient during the treatment.

Third principle of ‘Minimum dose’- Bare minimum dose of a drug which would induce a
curative action without any adverse effect should be administered.

Homeopathy is based on the assumption that the causation of disease mainly depends upon the
susceptibility or proneness of an individual to the incidence of the particular disease in addition
to the action of external agents like bacteria, viruses, etc.

Homeopathy medicines are prepared mainly from natural substance such as plant products,
minerals and from animal’s sources.

Homeopathy has its own areas of strength in therapeutics and it is particularly useful in treatment
for allergies, autoimmune disorders and viral infections.

Many surgical, gynecological and obstetrical and pediatric conditions and ailments affecting the
eyes, nose, ear, teeth, skin, sexual organs, etc. are amenable to homeopathic treatment.

Behavioral disorders, neurological problems and metabolic diseases can also be successfully
treated by Homeopathy

Apart from the curative aspects, homeopathic medicines are also used in preventive and
promotive health care.

AYURVEDIC MEDICAL CARE HOSPITALS IN BANGALORE:

 Bangalore Ayurveda treatments center
 Sri Krishnaraja Vodeyar Ayurvedic hospital.
 Sri Sri Ayurvedic College and Hospitals.
 Shree Dhanvanthari Ayurveda Hospital.
 Ayurveda hospitals.
  Healing earth multi speciality ayurvedic hospital.
 Vedam Ayurveda.
 Shri Dharmasthala manjunatheshwara ayurvedic hospital.
 Arth Ayurveda.
 Kerala ayurvedic clinic.

PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE OF AYUSH:

The proposed Public health care can utilize these ubiquitous health human resources both at
the village and community levels.

Its huge resource of hospitals beds and health workers can be used for safe delivery under the
janani suraksha yojana (JSY) Scheme, early breastfeeding, and ante and post natal care, growth
monitoring of children, immunization and anaemia.

AYUSH practitioners can encourages in taking up public health programs on project-basic at

district, taluk, or block level.
Public health schools in the country have opened their resources at AYUSH graduates.

Service of AYUSH doctors with qualifications in public health to be utilized in national health
programs, NHRM and public health functionaries as a part of the public health care.

It can play an important role in achieving the national health outcome goals of reduce MMR,
IMR, TFR, Malnutrition, Anaemia, population control as skewed child sex rations.

CHAPTER-2

COMPANY PROFILE:
STETEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

Even though there are strict government rules for the Doctors to serve the rural areas for the
better health of the rural poor. It has been observed that the Ayurvedic Practitioners are refusing
to go to the rural areas. Apart from that it has been observed that many of the Ayurvedic Doctors
practicing Alopathy. The best private health care providers also hiring the Ayurveda doctors for
Alopathy treatment. Due to this, the ethical aspects of the practice are questionable?
NEED AND RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY:

As there is an increased trend – Ayurvedic Practitioners practicing the Alopathy the credibility is
questioned. The patients are referring theses set of practitioners for common ailments. The major
health providers are also hiring the Ayurvedic doctors for the basic treatments. The patients are
confused and raising the questions on ethical values related to the practice. The awareness of the
treatment, access to information has made the customer to think over the ethical dilemmas of
such practice. Patients have raised the question about the educational qualification as Ayurveda
and practicing Alopathy. The literature review on the same has revealed that very less amount of
research has been carried. Hence there is a need for the study to be made and researcher has
made an attempt to research the problem “Ayurvedic Practitioners Practicing Alopathy: An
Ethical Dilemma.

OBEJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1. To study the impact of Ayurvedic practitioners practicing Alopathy on Patients

2. The factors influencing Practitioners to practice Alopathy.

SAMPLING:

Sample size of 50-100 respondents

RESEARCH TOOL:

The research tool adopted for the study will be a structured questionnaire using dichotomous,
multiple choice questions along with the Lakers Scale to measure the opinion.

DATA ANALYSIS:
The data collected for the study will be analyzed with the help of percentage analysis and
represented in the form of tables and Charts. The suggestive measures if any will be based on
the findings of the research.

METHODOLOGY:

The survey method will be adopted for the study. A structured questionnaire will be administered
to patients to study their opinion about the ethical dilemmas of practicing Alopathy. Another
questionnaire will be administered to Practitioners to know the reasons for the practice of
Alopathy to collect the primary data. The study will be supported with the secondary data
collected from various secondary sources like journals, Research articles and research reports.
The data will be analyzed with the appropriate tools to draw the inferences and to suggest
suggestive measures.