Introduction
Before the advent of modern science based medicine, Indian sages used a sophisticated and powerful healing system. This system, referred to as Ayurveda, is among the oldest and holistic healing systems in the world that dates more than 3,000 years ( Kandunuri et al., 2016) . While this approach to health not only promotes the healing process but also offers a body of wisdom that helps people stay vibrant and realize the full potential of the human body, it has been replaced by allopathic medicine in the modern ages. With the replacement of Ayurveda with allopathic medicine has reduced the knowledge of the benefits of the former among members of our society. While Ayurveda is still partially practiced in India and other countries in the world, there is little known about the benefits of this health system (Kandunuri et al., 2016) . To understand the benefits of Ayurveda, a comparison with modern allopathic medicine is necessary.
Background
Non-communicable diseases have become a significant concern in today's world due to the high mortality rates related to them. Bhattacharya and Singh (2016) note that NCDs are a considerable challenge in the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With modern allosteric medicine proving ineffective to the control of the NCDs, most people are turning towards alternative medicine. One of the essential types of alternative medicine that people are turning towards is Ayurveda. The system of healing uses herbs, and natural elements to attain optimum health among people. The government has promoted the practice, that is seen mainly in India through the National AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) mission (Bhattacharya and Singh, 2016). However, questions exist of the rationale of this type of healing system. Such contentions are not only based on the ability of the system but also other issues as to cost-effectiveness, control, and results.
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Ayurveda is not only used in the healing of NCDs but also in other healing processes. However, in most cases, the use of Ayurveda is either disregarded or used in conjunction with modern medicine. Consequently, it is essential to understand the potential of Ayurveda and its use in the healing process and maintenance of health by members of society (Kandunuri et al., 2016) . Understanding of the utility, effectiveness, and ability of Ayurveda as a healing process will inform on the way forward for such efforts by the government and give an understanding to the general public.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is more than a system of healing as it encompasses both scientific and psychological rationale for the holistic health of a human being. Two main principles guide the Ayurveda. One, there is an inextricable connection between the mind and the body. Secondly, the mind has the most significant capacity to heal and transform the body. Ayurveda is based on the belief that everything in the universe is connected. Therefore, to achieve health, the mind, body, and spirit require to be in harmony with the world. Sickness is a result of the disruption of the balance (Chopra, 2016). Consequently, to stay free from illnesses, one is required to expand their awareness, balance and extend the balancing of the body. While understanding of this phenomena is complicated, understanding of its scientific foundations creates an agreement and rationale for practice.
One significant practice that is common in Ayurveda medicine that has scientific rationale is the concept of meditation. While meditation seems like an abstract idea that involves the relationship between the spirit and the body, there are absolute scientific basics that help underscore its ties to the physical health of human beings. As a state of restful awareness, meditation creates a state of slowed heart and breathing rates (Chopra, 2016). It also reduces the production of such stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that are related to physical diseases. It also promotes the production of positive neurotransmitters such as oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that help wellness. These are processes that are also achieved by the use of modern allopathic medicine. While Ayurveda medicine explains the healing process from meditation as a complex balance between mind and spirit, simple understanding from science gives a proper recognition of the substantive bodily improvement from the process.
Yoga is one of the Ayurveda practice that has taken the entire world including the US by storm. While most practitioners of the practice focus on the physical benefits, yoga creates a balance in emotions, consciousness, and mind. Just like meditation, yoga provides a settled state of mind that promotes the growth of the entire person (Chopra, 2016). The practice supports healing from inside the individual by presenting the same benefits as meditation. Moreover, it offers a strategy of strengthening the body system to become one and hence enhance immunity.
The main ideas of Ayurveda medicine is the strengthening of the body to ensure its ability to overcome the challenge and heal itself. Ayurveda practitioners hold that the essential elements of individual include air, fire, space, water, earth, and space. Through these elements, the body is made up of three energies called doshas that control the working of the body. The treatment focuses on attaining vitality by building a healthy metabolic system, maintenance of a proper digestive system providing for adequate digestive and excretion (Chopra, 2016). The importance of hygiene is also emphasized including cleaning of teeth, eye washing, tongue scraping, and regular bathing is of significance in the treatment process.
Ayurvedic treatment
While Ayurveda promotes therapy per the specific problem facing an individual, the primary aim of the process is to cleanse. A practitioner of the Ayurveda medicine takes into account the physical and emotional makeup of the patient, the fundamental life force and the balance between these three elements. Ayurveda medicine aims at eliminating the food and other material in the body which are likely to cause illnesses if they stay within. Referred to as panchakarma, the cleansing process is designed to reduce symptoms and restore balance and harmony in the individual (Chopra, 2016). To achieve these, Ayurveda practitioners use therapeutic oils, herbs, enemas, messages, and purification.
The substances used
Ayurveda utilizes plant-based treatments to cure the inherent challenges in the body of human beings. Just like in modern medicine, the Ayurveda healers derive their products from within the environment. Proper Nutrition and vegan diets meant to help the body get rid of toxins are a significant part of the Ayurveda treatment. Fruits, leaves, seeds, bark, and roots of such trees as Cinnamon and cardamom are used in the treatment process (Kandunuri, White & Smith, 2016) . Also, animal products including milk, blood, gallstones, and bladder are found among important Ayurveda substances.
There are also cases of consumption of naturally occurring minerals such as gold, and arsenic, where they are mixed with herbs in a process, called rasa shastra. Researchers have in the past analyzed some of the substances used in Ayurveda medicine including toxicology, chemical composition and microscopic structure (Kandunuri et al., 2016) . The result shows effectiveness in the treatment of specific disease conditions in human beings.
One popular herbal product used in Ayurveda medicine is Madya. This is a product of fermentation of cereal-based products mixed with wine, herbs, and vinegar among other substances. This product has been proven to be effective in loosening joints, creating dryness, causing purgation and improving digestion. Another common herb used in the healing process of Ayurveda is purified opium that is mainly prescribed for people with dysentery and diarrhea. The purified drug is also used in people who need to increase their muscular and sexual abilities (Kandunuri et al., 2016) . Furthermore, just like in allosteric medicine, opium is used for its pain-relieving and sedative properties. Too important are Cannabis Indica, oil, and tar which are used to stop bleeding.
Use of Ayurveda medicine today
Today, people all across the world, but mainly in India still use Ayurveda to cure disease and maintain health. At least 80% of people in India which a form of Ayurveda in treating their conditions ( Kant et al., 2018) . However, most people prefer to use a combination of both allosteric and Ayurveda solutions to respond to ailments. Outside India, in Nepal, about 75% to 80% of the population uses Ayurveda. Other countries where it has been highly adopted include Sri-Lanka.
Several studies seek to understand the importance of Ayurveda comparing in society by comparing it to modern medicine. This is especially common in India where the government has mounted a program to promote the practice. In comparing morbidity patterns among people attending Ayurveda clinics in rural India, Kant et al., (2018) found a high number of people seeking treatment in alternative medicine. About 26% of all patients in rural Haryana opt for Ayurveda clinic rather than allosteric cure (Kant et al., 2018). Rural Indians seek the services of Ayurveda medicine for skin diseases, cough, constipation, white discharge, and osteoarthritis.
On the other hand, they seek the allosteric medicine when they suffer from respiratory tract diseases, diabetes mellitus, and trauma. The members of Indian society are using both new and Ayurveda clinics in treating conditions. This shows that Ayurveda remains a crucial component of the healing system in Indian culture. It is useful as an alternative medicine for a significant proportion of Indian society.
Research indicates that Ayurveda is of high efficiency when used in complementary with standard medical care. In most countries including the US, Ayurvedic substances are categorized and controlled as dietary supplements rather than drugs ( Kant et al., 2018) . Consequently, the safety and efficacy levels required for medicine does not apply to them. However, while Ayurveda medicine is useful for the promotion of health as the promote self-healing and enhance the effects of an allosteric drug, their use should be watched to ensure there are no negative effects such as adverse interaction. Consequently, a better understanding of herbal medicine and other substances including their chemical composition and toxicity is necessary.
While Ayurveda seems complicated and dependent on ancient belief systems, the benefits it confers to the body are similar to those of allosteric medicine. Such activities as yoga and meditation bring a state of calmness that reduces high and breathing rates, lowers the production of stress hormones and improve secretion of vital neurotransmitters. Through this, the process promotes self-healing and immunity. Also, research shows the presence of essential elements in Ayurveda herbs that are also present in allosteric medicine. Moreover, Ayurveda medicine has been used by millions of people in India, Nepal and other nations to heal. However, the best results of Ayurveda are realized when used in conjunction with allosteric medicine.
References
Bhattacharya, S., Singh, S. B. A. (2016) Ayurveda and Yoga are alternative solutions for Cancer, Hypertension, Chronic Pulmonary Disease, and Diabetes Mellitus type-II. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7610/c3c2f89396c847eda07bfad65554c7249618.pdf
Chopra D. (2016). What is Ayurveda? Chopra Center. https://chopra.com/articles/what-is-ayurveda
Kandunuri, K. K., White, K., & Smith, E. (2016). An overview of the efficacy of herbs used in ayurvedic formulations for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Herbal Medicine Aug , 4 (5), 116-121. http://www.florajournal.com/archives/2016/vol4issue5/PartB/5-1-18-791.pdf
Kant, S., Lohiya, A., Ahamed, F., Abdulkader, R. S., Singh, A. K., & Silan, V. (2018). Similar morbidity profile of patients attending an Ayurveda clinic and a modern medicine clinic of a primary health center in rural Haryana, India. Journal of family medicine and primary care , 7 (2), 374. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6060926/
