Traditional Medicine in Asia

Traditional Medicine in Asia
Role of Research in Traditional
Medicine
Today, research is done mainly to establish
evidence of the efficacy of the drug or
therapy that is being used. In the area of
traditional medicine, unfortunately most
people feel that it is mainly anecdotal
evidence or at best confined to case studies
or observational studies. A few uncontrolled
trials or small randomized clinical
trials do not inspire much confidence.
The Government of India set up four
research councils almost 30 years ago to
look at the efficacy of Ayurveda, Unani,
Siddha, Yoga and Naturopathy and
subsequently that of Homoeopathy.
Research conducted over the last 20 years
has shown specific areas of strength where
traditional medicine is particularly useful,
often where western medicine has little to
offer. Areas where it can be used as a
stand-alone therapy or as an adjunct
therapy have also been identified. Some of
the major outcomes of the clinical research
undertaken in the field of Indian Systems
of Medicine include:
Ayurveda
� An Ayurvedic Antimalarial Ayush-64
for P-vivax; 5–7
� An Ayurvedic Antiepileptic drug
Ayush-56; 8
� An Ayurvedic drug Vijayasara for
Diabetes Mellitus (ICMR Communications);
� An Ayurvedic drug Guggulu and its
extracts for hyperlipidaemia and
atherosclerosis; 9
� An Ayurvedic formulation Pushkara
Guggulu for Coronary insufficiency for
stable angina; 10
� An Ayurvedic drug Varuna for UTI,
Urolithiasis and benign prostate
hypertrophy; 11
� Bhoomyamalaki for Hepatitis B;
140
� Brahmi and Mandukaparni to promote
Mental Health; 12,13
� Ayurvedic drugs Aswagandha and
Guduchi as rejuvenators and immunomodulators;
� Panchakarma therapies for paralytic
disorders; 14
� Ksharasootra ligation for anal fistulae
and haemorrhoids. 15,16
� Bio-enhancers like pippali and maricha
to increase the bio-availability of drugs;
� Brahmyadi Yoga for Schizophrenia; 17
� Oral contraceptives like pippaliyadi
yoga (CCRAS communication);
� Spermicidal – Nimba Taila. 18
Siddha
� A Siddha preparation 777 Oil for
Psoriasis. 19
Unani
The Council for Research in Unani
Medicine prepared Unani formulations for
the following areas:
� Bronchial Asthma, Filariasis, 20 Infective
Hepatitis 21 and Vitiligo 22
Homoeopathy
� Behavioural Disorders
Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Ignatia
amara, Stramonium;
� Diabetes Mellitus
Cephalandra or Coccinia indica
(Bimbi);
� Filaria
Apis mellifica, Bryonia alba, Rhus tox;
� Gall stone
Fel tauri 2X or 3X;
� Malposition of human foetus
Pulsatilla nigra 200;
� HIV/AIDS
Tuberculinum, Phosphorus, Arsenicum
album, Azadirachta indica, nux
vomica, syphilinum, sepin, mercurius
solubitis. 23,24