Ayurveda: Between Religion, Spirituality, and Medicine

Abstract

Ayurveda is playing a growing part in Europe. Questions regarding the role of religion and spirituality within Ayurveda are discussed widely. Yet, there is little data on the influence of religious and spiritual aspects on its European diffusion. Methods. A survey was conducted with a new questionnaire. It was analysed by calculating frequency variables and testing differences in distributions with the χ 2-Test. Principal Component Analyses with Varimax Rotation were performed. Results. 140 questionnaires were analysed. Researchers found that individual religious and spiritual backgrounds influence attitudes and expectations towards Ayurveda. Statistical relationships were found between religious/spiritual backgrounds and decisions to offer/access Ayurveda. Accessing Ayurveda did not exclude the simultaneous use of modern medicine and CAM. From the majority's perspective Ayurveda is simultaneously a science, medicine, and a spiritual approach. Conclusion. Ayurveda seems to be able to satisfy the individual needs of therapists and patients, despite worldview differences. Ayurvedic concepts are based on anthropologic assumptions including different levels of existence in healing approaches. Thereby, Ayurveda can be seen in accordance with the prerequisites for a Whole Medical System. As a result of this, intimate and individual therapist-patient relationships can emerge. Larger surveys involving bigger participant numbers with fully validated questionnaires are warranted to support these results.

Meeting of the Minds: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Multiethnic Suriname

“…The Hindustanis have also largely preserved their cultural and traditional medicinal practices which are strongly linked to Ayurvedic medicine or Ayurveda (Sanskrit for "knowledge of life") [52][53][54]. Ayurveda is probably one of the oldest forms of medicine [52][53][54].…”

“…Ayurveda is probably one of the oldest forms of medicine [52][53][54]. It originates from India and dates back more than 3000 years ago, and is still one of the country's most important traditional health-care systems [52][53][54].…”

“…Ayurveda is probably one of the oldest forms of medicine [52][53][54]. It originates from India and dates back more than 3000 years ago, and is still one of the country's most important traditional health-care systems [52][53][54]. Up to 80% of Indians use Ayurvedic medications for a variety of conditions including complex ailments such as angina pectoris and diabetes mellitus [52][53][54].…”

“…It originates from India and dates back more than 3000 years ago, and is still one of the country's most important traditional health-care systems [52][53][54]. Up to 80% of Indians use Ayurvedic medications for a variety of conditions including complex ailments such as angina pectoris and diabetes mellitus [52][53][54]. Ayurvedic practitioners are educated in 180 training centers [52][53][54], and the huge intellectual property and economic interest are managed by the prominent Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy [52][53][54].…”

Ájurvéda a modern orvostudományban

“…A legtöbb cikkben a tumor, a diabetes és az atherosclerosis betegségek-ben alkalmazható Ájurvéda-gyógynövényekkel elért sikeres kutatásokról számolnak be. 2012-ben indult útnak a DHARA (Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles) online adatbázis, amely összegyűjti a DOI-szám-mal és impaktfaktorral rendelkező, Ájurvéda témakör-ben megjelenő cikkeket [8,9].…”