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INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE www.iish.org
AYURVEDIC DRUGS
THE CHEMISTRY AND SOMETHING BEYOND
( THE INDIAN TRADITIONAL HEALTH SCIENCE
HAS TO BE ANALYSED IN A DIFFERENT WAY
FROM THAT OF THE MODERN SINGLE COMPONENT
DRUG TREATMENT SYSTEM - WHY ?)
DR. N. GOPALAKRISHNAN
M.Sc. (Pharm. Chem); M. Sc . Chem) Ph. D ; D. Litt.
(Scientist & Hon. Director, IISH)
Heritage Publication Series - 92
Dhanyathman!
World over thinkers, scientists, and scholars are searching for new
knowledge, ideas, concepts, processes , products and approaches. They are
looking forward for getting the same from modern science. They are also
looking backward for getting the knowledge from the ancient <strong>book</strong>s and
traditions. They are searching for old customs, rituals, <strong>book</strong>s and all what
are available to peruse into. Many ancient knowledge got wiped out with
the respectice ancient civilization. However, in India in-depth knowledge on
mathematics, astronomy, metallurgy, psychology, sociology, anthropology,
spirituality, food science, physics, chemistry, health science, medicines, and so
on exist. Majority of the knowledge accumulated during the last not less than
ten thousand years in all branches of physical , chemical and biological
sciences still exist here. The yoga, vaastu, music, Vedic mathematics, food
science, manthras, etc are part of the ancient Indian knowledge.
Music is now used for music therapy ( sangeetha chikitsa) , aromatic
materials are used for aroma therapy ( sugandha chikitsa), water for water
therapy (Jala chikitsa)…… the vaastu concepts are being accepted by many
people world over, strenuous modern gymnastic exercises are being replaced
by yoga …….. and like this many ancient knowledge are being adopted for
making the life more comfortable.
Ayurveda is becoming one of the best alternatives for the modern
medicines. Many medical practitioners started integrating modern systems
and ayurvedic systems for the benefit of both the systems. Yoga, martial
arts, food, medicines, soorya namaskara (sun salutations), New Age Therapies,
fasting, etc are part of the ayurvedic knowledge. In short Ayurveda is not
dealing merely with diseases and health problems. It deals with an integrated
concept of health which include psychology, sociology, anthropology,
spirituality, tradition, custom, ritual, profession, food, family and social
relation, and so on.
Here I am only attempting to present the Ayurveda in a nutshell, with my
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