ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE

INTRODUCTION
There are so many alternative ways of treatment in whole world other than allopathy, which serve
humanity for curing diseases & ailments that comes under the alternative system of health care .
Defination: ‘‘Those pathies which are widely used for the treatment of diseases in very natural way other
than allopathy is known as alternative medicine of treatment’’.
The process of treatment of these alternative medicine includes ancient types of procedure, have
there unique features, unique ways of treatment of different diseases, unique principles & laws which
they follow & also unique medicine, those totally different from allopathic medicine.
IN INDIA- There are some pathies of alternative medicine which are widely used for treatment now a
days include:-
1. Ayurvedic
2. Siddha
3. Unani
4. Homoeopathy
5. Yoga
6. Naturopathy
7. Acupressure & Acupuncture.

AYURVEDIC SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

Ayurveda is the dominant herbal tradition in India. The origin of Ayurveda has been lost in
prehistoric qntiquity, but their concepts were nurtured between 2500 abd 500 B.C in India. It still enjoys
the faith of a large number of people of our country though it is perhaps , the oldest system of healing in
the world. It is encouraged in many countries like Japan, Germany etc.
Definition
The term “ Ayurveda” is derived from two Sanskrit words, Ayur and Veda . Ayur means life and
Veda means knowledge or science. Therefore Ayurveda means ‘science of life’ or ‘way of life’.
Ayurveda incorporates science, religion and philosophy in it. Besides, dealing with principles for
maintenance of health, it is also developed a wide range therapeutic measures to combat illness.
The Indian Hindu mythology states four veda written by Aryans: Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and
Atharvaveda. The Ayurveda is said to be an Upveda (part) of Atharvaveda.
  Charaka Samhita (1900 B.C)- first recorded book in Ayurveda and this describes 341 plant and
products used in medicine.
 Sushruta Samhita (600 B.C)- Ayurvedic literature on surgery. It describe 395 medicinal plants,
57 drugs of animal origin, 4 minerals and metals as therapeutic agents.
Principles of ayurveda
1. The Panchabhootas principle
2. The tridoshas principles
3. The sapthadadhu principle
4. The malas principle
5. The srotasprinciple
The panchabjootas principle
According to ancient Indian philosophy, the universe is composed of five basic elements or pancha
bhutas:
 Prithvi (earth)
 Jal (water)
 Teja (fire)
 Vayu (air)
 Akash (space)
Everything in the universe, including food and the bodies were derived from these bhutas. A fundamental
harmony therefore exists between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the individual). The
human body is in a state of continuous flux or dynamic equilibrium. The pancha bhutas are represented in
the human body as the doshas, dhatus and malas.
Tridosha, the humoral theory of Ayurveda
There are three doshas in the body. They are vata, pitta and kapha. There are direct equivalents for these
three doshas, known as tridoshas. They are the “ Basic Forces’’ and also known as the “ Pillars of Life”.
Vata the factors responsible for movement and sensation in a single cell/whole body the representatives
of vata.
Pitta The factors responsible for digestion, metabolism, tissue building, heat production, blood
pigmentation, activities of the endocrine glands and energy are the representatives of pitta. it
predominates in digestive organs .
kapha : The factors responsible for strengthening the stomach and the joints, providing firmness to the
limbs, and refreshing the sense organs are the representatives of kapha dosha. it predominates in chest.
The saptadadhu principle
The dhatus are the body constituents and form the basic structure of the body. The dhatus are seven in
number: rasa (food juices), rakta (haemoglobin portion of the blood), mamsa (muscle tissue), medas (fat
tissue), asthi (bone tissue), majja (bone marrow) and shukra (semen).
The Malas principle
Malas are the by-products of the dhatus. They are the waste material produced by various metabolic
activities in the body. They are mainly urine, faeces, and sweat. etc. proper elimination of these malas is
equally important for good health. Accumulation of these malas cause many diseases in the body.
The srotas principle:
These are different type of channels responsible for transportation of food, dhatus, malas and doshas.
Proper functioning of srotas is necessary for transporting different materials to their site of requirement .
The doshas, dhatus and malas should be in a state of perfect equilibrium for the body to remain healthy.
Any imbalance among these constituents results in ill health and disease.
Diagnosis
In Ayurveda diagnosis is always done of the patient as whole. The disease process is a reaction
between the bodily humours (dishas) and tissue (dhatus) and is influenced by the environment. Diagnosis
is carried out to find out which dosha is aggravated.
The classical clinical examination in Ayurveda is called Asta sthana pariksha (eight point diagnosis)
and includes the assessment of the state of the doshas as well as various physical signs. The end point
diagnosis are:
1. Nadi pariksha (pulse diagnosis)
2. Mutra pariksha (urine examination)
3. Vata/sparsha (nervous system assessment)
4. Pitta/drik (assessment of digestive fire and metabolic secretions)
5. Kapha/akriti (mucous or mucoid secretion assessment)
6. Mala pariksha (stool examination)
7. Jihvapar iksha (tongue examination)
8. Sabda pariksha (examination of body sounds)
Treatment
Ayurvedic treatment attempt to establish a balance among the bodily humours of vata, pitta and
kapha, as well as to improve digestion and elimination of ama (undigested food). Ayurvedic therapy often
begins with shodhana (cleansing) in which toxins (emotional or physical) are eliminated and neutralized.
Once shodhana is completed, shamana (palliative treatment) is used to reduce the intensity of a disease
and balance the disordered doshas. Finally, rasayana (rejuvenation therapy)is used to maintain health and
reduce the negative effects of disease.
The importance of treatment is to restore the balance and harmony of doshas with proper diet and
drugs. In ayurveda vegetable, animal, mineral substances or metals could be used fort heir healing effects.
Eg; of metals as drugs were gold, silver, copper, lead, tin and iron along with elements from the earth like
arsenic, antimony, sand and lime were also used.
Branches of Ayurveda
Ayurveda has nine branches:
1. Kaya Chikitsa (Medicine)
2. Salya Chikitsa (Surgery)
3. Salakya Chikitsa (ENT treatment)
4. Bala Chikitsa (Paediatric treatment)
5. Jira Chikitsa (treatment related to genetics)
6. Rasayana Chikitsa (treatment with chemicals)
7. Vajikarana Chikitsa (treatment with rejuvenation and aphrodisiac)
8. Graham Chikitsa (Planetary effects)
9. Vasha Chikitsa (toxicology)

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE SYSTEM (TCM)

The use of herbs as medicine is mentioned in Traditional Chinese medicine. Like India, China has a very
rich tradition in her indigenous medicinal practices. It was developed from the ideas recorded between
200 B.C and A.D from the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. This text is based on detailed
observations of nature and deep understanding of the way that all life is subjected to natural laws.
Principle
It is based on the principle of Yin and Yang theory. Yang represents the force of light and Yin represents
the forces of darkness. According to the yellow emperor, Yin and Yang is the foundation of the entire
universe. It underlies everything in creation. It brings about the development of parenthood; it is the root
and source of life and death. In order to treat or cure diseases, one must search for their origin. Nature
has four seasons and five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). To grant long life, these seasons
and elements must store up the power of creation in cold, heat, dryness, moisture and wind.
"A human being results from the Qi of Heaven and Earth". A basic concept of TCM is Qi (pronounced
"chee"). It can be most closely translated as "energy". There are many kinds of Qi within our bodies.
There is our congenital Qi (genetics), Qi from foods we eat, Qi from the air we breathe, pathogenic Qi
that attacks our bodies and causes illness, defensive Qi that attacks these offenders, Qi that moves our
blood, and Qi that belongs to our internal organs, to name a few. "A human being results from the Qi of
Heaven and Earth".
Element Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine
There are 5 main elements drawn for nature that help in TCM diagnosis. They are water, wood, fire,
earth, and metal. Excess or deficiency in the energy of one element will influence the other elements.
Methods of Diagnosis
There are four main techniques to diagnosis in TCM. The first is observing demeanor, vitality, and
physical appearance of a person. This includes the health of the hair, skin, nails, and complexion. The
second diagnostic technique is hearing- tone and volume of the person's voice, sound of the breathing,
and the type of cough. Touch tells us temperature, moisture, and texture. Less frequently used is sense of
smell. Each of the five elements is related to a smell.
Treatment
Every herb has its own properties which include its energy, its flavour, its movement. The four types of
energies are cold, cool, warm and hot.
 Cold or cool herb : treat fever, thirst, sore throat, and general heat diseases.
 Hot or warm herb: treat cold sensation in the limbs, cold pain and general cold diseases.
The five flavours of herb are: Pungent, sour, salty, sweet and bitter.
Pungent herb used to induce perspiration and promote circulation of both blood and Qi (Vital energy or
life force that drives all living things).
Sour herbs exert 3 functions: constrict, construct and solidify and are good to stop perspiration, diarrhea,
seminal emission and leucorrhea.
Sweet herbs exert 3 main functions: nourishing deficiency, harmonizing other herbs to reduce toxicity,
relieves pain and slow progression of acute disease.
Salty herbs used to treat hard stool with constipation or hard swelling as in diseases like goitre.
Bitter herbs induce bowl movement, reduce fever and hot sensation.

SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

The Siddha System of medicine is one of the ancient systems of medicine in India. According to
the tradition it was Shiva who unfolded the knowledge of Siddha system of medicine to his concert
Parvati who handed it down to Nandi Deva and the Siddhars. The Siddhars were great scientists in
ancient times. The term Siddha means achievements and Siddhars are those who have achieved perfection
in medicine. Eighteen Siddhars are said to have contributed towards the systematic development of this
system and recorded their experiences in Tamil language.
Principle
The principles of this system have a close similarity to Ayurveda. According to this system the human
body is the replica of the universe and so are the food and drugs irrespective of their origin. Like
Ayurveda, this system believes that all objects in the universe including human body are composed of
five basic elements namely, earth, water, fire, air and sky. This system also considers the human body as a
conglomeration of three humours, seven basic tissues and the waste products of the body such as faeces,
urine and sweat. The food is considered to be basic building material of human body which gets
processed into humours, body tissues and waste products. The equilibrium of humours is considered as
health and its disturbance or imbalance leads to disease or sickness.
Diagnosis &treatment
The diagnosis of diseases involve identifying it causes. Identification of causative factors is
through the examination of pulse, urine, eyes, study of voice, colour of body, tongue and the status of the
digestive system. The Siddha System of Medicine emphasises that medical treatment is oriented not
merely to disease but has to take into account the patient, environment, the meteorological consideration,
age, sex, race, habits, mental frame, habitat, diet, appetite, physical condition, physiological constitution
etc. This means the treatment has to be individualistic, which ensures that mistakes in diagnosis or
treatment are minimal. The Siddha System is effective in treating chronic cases of liver, skin diseases
especially “Psoriasis”, rheumatic problems, anaemia, prostate enlargement, bleeding piles and peptic
ulcer..

UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

Unani system of medicine originated in Greece by the Greek philosopher, physician Hippocrates
(430-377 B.C). who freed medicine from the realm of superstition and magic, and gave it to the status of
science. The theoretical framework of unani medicine is based on the teachings of Hippocrates. After
him, a number of Greek scholars followed the system considerably. The Unani System of Medicine has a
long and impressive record in India.
Principles & Concepts
According to the basic principles of Unani the body is made up of the four basic elements i.e;
earth ,air, water, fire which have different temperaments i.e; cold, hot, wet, dry. After mixing and
interaction of four elements a new compound having new temperament existence. i.e hot wet, hot dry,
cold wet, and cold and dry.
The body has the simple and compound organs which got their nourishment ( The substances
necessary for growth, health, and good condition ) through four humours i.e; blood, phlegm, yellow bile
and black bile. The humour (put into a good mood) is also assigned temperament as blood is hot and wet,
Phlegm is cold and hot, Yellow bile is hot and dry and Black bile is cold and dry.
 Phlegm is cold and hot ( Thick, sticky, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous membrane of the
respiratory tract, as during a cold or other respiratory infection).
 Yellow bile is hot and dry (A yellow, or greenish, viscid fluid, usually alkaline in reaction,
secreted by the liver. It passes into the intestines, where it aids in the digestive)
 Black bile is cold and dry (a humor that was once believed to be secreted by the kidneys or
spleen and to ause sadness)
Unani medicine believes in promotion of health, prevention of diseases and cure.
Diagnosis
T he Diagnostic process in Unani system is dependent on observation and physical examination.
Diagnosis involves investigating the causes of disease thoroughly and in detail. For this, the physicians
depend mainly on pulse reading and examination of urine and stool.
Unani system of Medicine has very remarkable strength in the following disorders:
 Skin disorders
 Digestive disorders
 Mental disorders
 Sexual disorders
 Gynecological disorders
 Neurological disorders

HOMEOPATHIC SYSTEM OF MEDICNE

Homeopathy is relatively a recent system of medicine. "Homoeopathy" was introduced as a
scientific system of drug therapeutics by a German Physician, Dr. Christian Frederick Samuel
Hahnemann in 1805. The word “Homeopathy” is derived from two Greek words, Homois meaning
similar and pathos meaning treatment. Homeopathy simply means treating diseases with remedies,
prescribed in minute doses, which are capable of producing symptoms similar to the disease when they
taken by the healthy people. It is based on the natural law of healing. “Similia Similibus Curantur ”
which means “Likes are cured by likes”.
Principle of Homoeopathy
The cause of the disease itself can be its treatment i.e. Law of similar. This is the basic
principle of homeopathy. With this concept Hahneman began to experiment on himself and he started
with cinchona. Hahnemann experimented its effect on himself by taking repeated doses of cinchona
tincture and experienced fever, shivering and joint pains: symptoms similar to those of malarial fever.
After series of experiments, Hahnemann concluded that a drug that could produce certain symptoms in
healthy individuals could also cure similar disease symptoms, in accordance with some hidden, natural
laws of similars as had been vaguely perceived by ancient physicians. Based on this, Hahnemann
postulated the key principle of Homoeopathy, the Law of Similars, logically evolving it as an
experimental science, according to the method of inductive reasoning after exact observation, correct
interpretation, rational explanation and scientific construction. With the help of colleagues and friends he
succeeded in getting relevant results from the wide range of plant, animal and mineral extracts and he
published all these results in the text of homeopathy called as “The Organon of Medicine”.
Treatment
Disease can be cured by medicinal substances given in extremely small doses that produce similar
symptoms in healthy people. In simple words, the medicine can cure when given in micro doses what it
can cause in large doses. Some such examples of the law of similars are:
a) While peeling onion, it makes your eyes watery and nose burning. If you are having an attack of
hay fever with watering eyes and burning nose, the homoeopathic remedy prepared from onion
called Allium cepa could relieve it.
b) Poison ivy causes redness, intense itching, burning, blistering and sometimes stiff muscles.
Potentised Poison ivy called as Rhus tox has been used for herpes, burns, eczema, allergy,
arthritis, etc.
c) Quinine (derived from Cinchona bark) given in daily doses to a healthy person can cause
symptoms similar to malaria fever. Indeed, the Cinchona Officinalis, a homoeopathy medicine
prepared from cinchona bark, is curative in many patients with similar symptoms.
d) Belladonna, a homoeopathy medicine, used to treat scarlet fever, since the symptoms of
belladonna poisoning closely resemble those of scarlet fever.

Homeopathic medicines are used in the form of mother tinctures, small pills, powders and distilled water.
The patient should not take any kind of food or drink food or drink prior or after one hour of the dose.