Traditional Medicine in Asia

Traditional Medicine in Asia
leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots.
There are also elaborate descriptions of the
methodology for the preparation of
medicines (dosage forms) and methods of
detoxification of mineral products.
Most fascinating are the descriptions
of the pathogenesis of diseases based on
the concept of Tridosha: Vata, Pitta, Kapha.
It is postulated that the human body is
composed of five elements (Panchmahabhutas)
and is in perfect health when the
“Three Doshas” are in a state of equilibrium.
Disease produces imbalance of
Doshas and, depending upon the nature
and extent of imbalance, an appropriate
management strategy is employed to bring
back the body to its original equilibrium. (1)
Ayurveda describes very methodically
the pharmacology of “Drugs and Diet”,
both being accorded equal importance in
the management of a patient. Charaka’s
classification of plants was based on their
therapeutic uses and properties. Each
medicine and also dietetic article have in
them what Ayurveda describes as Rasa
(taste) Vipaka (alteration or metabolism in
the body), Virya (potency) and Prabhava
(specific action/potential which is beyond
the rasadi attributes of the drug). Thus, in
Ayurveda drugs are prescribed to treat an
individual and not just his disease, depending
upon the predominant property of the
medicament and the Prakriti (Vata, Pitta or
Kapha) of the patient.
In the Chinese system of traditional
medicine, the human body is considered
as a single entity. Normal body functions
are a result of the harmonious, balanced
behaviour of elemental forces called Yinyang
and Wuxing. Other concepts are
Zang fu (internal organs) and Jing luo
(channels and collaterals), and Qi, a vital
force circulating in the body. Continuous
circulation of Qi is believed to promote
health, while interruption of Qi in any
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organ leads to disease. Acupuncture is said
to stimulate Yin or Yang and restore the
normal flow of Qi.
Numerous herbs or medicaments
made from animal parts are thought to
help in restoring the balance of Yin and
Yang when disturbance manifests as
disease. It describes measures to remain
healthy and prevent or treat disease.
Traditional Chinese medicine has produced
over 10,000 medical books, and described
over 5000 herbal drugs. Most countries
in the Western Pacific Region have been
influenced by traditional Chinese medicine.
These medicines are complex mixtures
of plants, animal parts or products,
minerals and metals. However, plants and
plant products form the dominant part of
the materia medica of traditional medicine
practised in different parts of the world and
in particular in Asia, especially China,
India, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia and
Tibet. In India, for example, the Charaka
Samhita (treatise), dating back to 900 BC,
lists 341 plants and plant products for
medicinal use. Susruta, who practised
surgery about 600 BC, described 395
medicinal plants. Vagbhatta practised
Ayurveda in Sindh (now in Pakistan) around
the 7th century AD and wrote an unrivalled
treatise on the principles and practices of
medicines called Ashtangahridaya which
provides systematic descriptions of
medicinal plants and mixtures of plant
products, minerals or metals. Bhavaprakash,
written by Bhavamishra in about
1550 AD, describes 470 medicinal plants.
It is thus evident that traditional medicines
offer a wide range of herbal medicines,
often classified therapeutically.
Research Policy
Most countries in the South-East Asia
Region (SEAR) have a political commitment