Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine and seen as a science of life, teaches us to lead a balanced, happy, and healthy life. This system of medicine is based on a holistic approach, where the body as a whole is treated. Presently, there are about 1,500 plants found in the Ayurveda books.   

 

As a result of the promotion of Ayurveda during the years as a traditional medicine by the Union Government several companies sprung up with various formulations with no verifiable data or evidence and questionable on curative value. These companies are spending more money on advertisements over electronic and print media and they claim a cure for diabetes and knee pain. These claims are untenable and should be discouraged as they are not based on scientific evidence.

 

Recently, World Ayurveda Congress was held in Goa and was attended by participants from around 30 countries, the conference was addressed by Prime Minister Narender Modi and he stressed the need to “verify each and every claim on modern scientific parameters” and commented that Ayurveda was “lagging behind in terms of evidence”. 

 

The ancient scripture mentions several thousand plants, popular plants in formulation at present constitute only 50 plants, among them only a handful of medicinal plants are under cultivation. Generally, cultivated plants differ in activity compared to wild varieties. 

 

The frequently used medicinal plants are as follows: 

Immunomodulators: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari Stems) or Tinospora cordifolia or Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yashtimadhu, Mullethi), and Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) 

 

Bronchodilators: Adhatoda vasica, Acorus calamus, and Nardostachys jtamansi

 

Balance Tri-doshas: Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale (adrak, fersh, Shunthi (dired), Piper longum L, Trachyspermum ammi, and Cumnum cyminum

 

Liver Disorder (Jaundice): Andrographis paniculata, (Kaalmegha), Phyllanthus amarus (Bhumyamalaki), and Picrorhiza kurroa ( Kutaki)

 

Memory Enhancers (Alzheimer's Disease): Bacopa monnieri, Withania somnifera, and Centella asiatica

 

Hypertension: Rauwolfia serpentina (bark powder, serpasil, no longer in use) 

 

Laxative: Cassia angustifolia, and Plantago oveta (reliable remedies)

       

Popular Anti-diabetic plants: Eugenia jambolana (Black berry seed powder, Momordica charantia (Karela, juice from unripe fruits), Gymnema sylvestre (podapatri), and fenugreek (methi, leaves/seeds) 

 

Species used for general health to increase appetite: Cinnamomum verum, fenugreek (methi) seeds, Zingiber officinale, Brassica nigra, ferula assa-foetida, Piper nigrum, Cuminum cyminum, Ajwain, or Trachyspermum ammi, Syzygium aromaticum, Allium cepa (garlic), and cloves

       

Chyawanprash: Several herbs in particular Emblica officinalis fruits 

 

Mahanarayana thailam: Vitex negundo leaves are main component in oil and used to treat body and joint pain

 

Edible and non-edible oils: Gingelly oil, neem oil (skin fungal and bacterial diseases external use), and Karanj oil 

 

Essential oils: Menthol, Camphor, Tulsi, Cinnamon, and Eucalyptus for external treatment to pains and headache. A counter irritant to get some pain relief pain

 

Triphala: Amla (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

 

There are several drawbacks in terms of treatment. Ayurveda as whole may give relief and cure in the long run and is mostly prophylactic but most of them may be used in conjunction with allopathic with expert advice. 

 

Many of these medicinal plants (listed above) were studied chemically and isolated active principles which can be used as biomarkers to estimate the active principle by several spectral and chromatographic studies on plant material or formulation is called standardization of Ayurvedic products. This study provides evidence on activity, safety, efficacy, and usefulness of common man in the society. 

 

Clinical studies being conducted by Ayurvedic colleges on animals are mostly non-reproducible due to different methods adopted for extraction (by water or solvent extraction) further the dosage is not uniform. Even clinical studies in Ayurvedic colleges lack uniform protocol.

 

While trying to discover new medicinal plants, now-a-days Ayurveda scientists try to study whatever plant that one comes across without reference to previous reference in folk or ethnomedicine, toxicity.

 

For discovery or for standardization, Ayurveda colleges/institutes need to collaborate closely with Phytochemists, Pharmacologists, and Toxicologists from premier institutions. Toxicity is the first parameter to be studied before taking it further only then “the evidence proof standard medicines” emerge.     

                   

On the positive side, Ayurveda on long term use, may correct micro-nutrient deficiency (useful trace metals like Iron, calcium, zinc, manganese, magnesium etc.) or vitamin deficiency (Amla corrects vitamin c deficiency). It is imperative that the harmful trace metals like As, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Hg should not be present as per WHO protocol. 

 

To propagate Ayurveda, we need to open more institutions. In teaching Ayurveda in colleges, English scientific nomenclature in anatomy and physiology etc., should be introduced along with allopathic disease names. Perhaps a bridge-course in Ayurvedic colleges to familiarize the students with the allopathic methods of diagnosis, reading diagnostic tests X-rays, MRIs etc. is needed. These must be able to prescribe at least over the counter medicines to patients. Taking advantage of the union government to promote Ayurveda, the Ayurveda doctors should be permitted to work at primary health centers and touring tribal areas to give treatment.   

 

From a research point of view, hardly 1% of the forest flora was investigated from a medicinal point of view. A trans-Indian digitization of ethnobotanicals with knowledge from various tribes should be undertaken. The database should have geography, taxonomy, herbarium specimens, known uses, folklore of such plants etc., made available on the cloud to aid the research. It is pertinent to note that there are several YouTube videos with information on forests, visits undertaken by youngsters along with tribals, acquainting with tribal medicines and food. Why cannot our biologist, chemists, and Ayurvedic doctors along with Anthropologists go to the forests, with approvals, collect medicinal plants and examine the ethnobotanicals and publish it? 

 

No new phytodrug emerged from Indian forests despite having two Biodiversity hotspots while South American, Amazon, Caribbean islands provided, spurred the development of many lifesaving drugs (quinine, smilax, steroidal saponins, cocaine etc.) which were in vogue until the 1950’s.

 

India needs to strive to make Ayurveda as a modern, dynamic and evidence-based system of medicine. It needs to be popularized in villages, tribals and urban sectors. Let’s hope the ambitious program on Ayurveda envisaged by our Prime Minister becomes a reality soon.

 

Authors: Dr. K. Nagaiah, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad and Prof. G. Srimannarayana, Retd. Professor, Department of Chemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad