Ayurveda research: Ontological challenges

Nayak, Jayakrishna

doi:10.4103/0975-9476.93942

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…One such initiative has been by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) with the ASIIA (A Science Initiative in Ayurveda) project which has begun studies of Ayurveda prakriti and genetics. [ 20 ] The need of the hour is also to bridge the ontologic divide between Ayurveda and current sciences with the development of common vocabulary. [ 20 ] The gap is closing fast and so far we have discovered the various ways in which prakriti is associated with metabolic systems within the body and also with chronic disease conditions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prakriti and its associations with metabolism, chronic diseases, and genotypes: Possibilities of new born screening and a lifetime of personalized prevention

Dey¹,

Pahwa²

2014

J Ayurveda Integr Med

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Ayurveda is one of the oldest health sciences of the world with concepts of tridosha and prakriti being core philosophies. These core concepts allow implementation of ways for not only personalized medicine and treatment but also personalized prevention. In the light of modern or current science, evidence has surfaced connecting the concepts of tridosha and prakriti with metabolic pathways, chronic diseases, and various genotypes. Such evidence has thrown up insights about the universality of Ayurvedic concepts as well as their apparent association with concepts in current science. This review was undertaken to consolidate the evidence of such associations which exist between prakriti and metabolic systems, chronic diseases, and genotypes with the objective that a case can be made for drawing out the clear linkages that might exist for prakritis being distinct phenotypes representing certain genotypes. A corollary to such discoveries can be the possibility of newborns being screened for their prakriti by genetic testing, which will enable the prevention of various chronic diseases for such children via the implementation of various dietary, lifestyle, and habitual changes, as required, from an early age. This implementation of preventive practices from an early age may result in such children leading healthy, disease-free, more productive lives. Thus, eventually, this can be an opportunity to practice personalized preventive health, which is not a possibility in other systems of medicine especially western systems of medicine. Personalized preventive health is one step further than personalized medicine and is a very novel idea with far-reaching implications.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prakriti and its associations with metabolism, chronic diseases, and genotypes: Possibilities of new born screening and a lifetime of personalized prevention

Dey¹,

Pahwa²

2014

J Ayurveda Integr Med

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“…The Ayurvedic term Sodhana (literally “purification”), an Ayurvedic process of “cleansing” the body and removing “harmful accumulants”, has no biochemical equivalent. Classical botanical terms such as alcaloids and active ingredients does not match the study of herbs from an Ayurvedic perspective, since Ayurveda prescribes whole plants and polyherbal formulations [ 38 ]. Nevertheless, there are also examples of successful clinical double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials when testing Ayurveda in contrast to conventional treatment [ 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of ayurvedic medicine in the context of health promotion – a mixed methods case study of an ayurvedic centre in Sweden

Niemi¹,

Ståhle²

2016

BMC Complement Altern Med

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BackgroundAyurveda has its historical roots in India, but has also been internationalised, partly via migration and partly through an increased interest in alternative medicine in the West, where studies point toward increased use. However, there is to date scarce knowledge about the use and experiences of ayurveda in Sweden.MethodsWe have conducted a case study of a center for ayurvedic healthcare in Sweden. We have collected information on client background data from the center’s documentation, and compiled data from all clients who visited the centre for ayurvedic consultation during spring 2014. In total, 55 individuals were included in the study, and 18 of them were chosen for individual semi-structured interviews, to gain a deeper understanding of their motives for seeking, and experiences of ayurvedic health care. The material was analysed and compiled through a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods.ResultsAmong the 55 clients, 91 % were female the mean age was 47 years, and 64 % gave a specific illness as a reason for seeking ayurveda. The most common illnesses were respiratory, musculoskeletal, circulatory, tumor, and cutaneous illnesses. The qualitative results showed that ayurveda was being used in combination with other methods, including various diets, other alternative medicine methods and conventional medicine. Some participants recounted having sought ayurveda as a complement to conventional medicine, or in cases when conventional medicine had been experienced as insufficient in terms of diagnosis or treatment. However, some participants experienced it as difficult to follow the ayurvedic life-style advice in the midst of their everyday life. Many participants reported positive experiences of pulse diagnostics, which was the main diagnostic method used in ayurvedic consultation. Some reported concrete, physical improvement of their symptoms.ConclusionsThis study points towards important aspects of participant experience of ayurveda, that may be subject to further research. The positive effects experienced by some clients should be studied more systematically in order to discern whether they are specific or non-specific. In addition, interesting knowledge may be gained through further study of the reported positive experiences of pulse diagnosis.

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“…In 2011, a review and theoretical papers appeared in which the term Ayurgenomics was presented [25][26][27][28]. Since 2012, there have been many theoretical and review papers on Ayurgenomics from different angles [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. In a few of these papers, the focus is also on related fields such as Pharmacogenetics and Ayurnutrigenomics [31,32].…”

Section: Theoretical Papersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ayurgenomics and Modern Medicine

Wallace

2020

Medicina

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Within the disciplines of modern medicine, P4 medicine is emerging as a new field which focuses on the whole patient. The development of Ayurgenomics could greatly enrich P4 medicine by providing a clear theoretical understanding of the whole patient and a practical application of ancient and modern preventative and therapeutic practices to improve mental and physical health. One of the most difficult challenges today is understanding the ancient concepts of Ayurveda in terms of modern science. To date, a number of researchers have attempted this task, of which one of the most successful outcomes is the creation of the new field of Ayurgenomics. Ayurgenomics integrates concepts in Ayurveda, such as Prakriti, with modern genetics research. It correlates the combination of three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, with the expression of specific genes and physiological characteristics. It also helps to interpret Ayurveda as an ancient science of epigenetics which assesses the current state of the doshas, and uses specific personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations to improve a patient’s health. This review provides a current update of this emerging field.

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Ayurveda research: Ontological challenges

Cited by 10 publications

References 3 publications

Prakriti and its associations with metabolism, chronic diseases, and genotypes: Possibilities of new born screening and a lifetime of personalized prevention

Prakriti and its associations with metabolism, chronic diseases, and genotypes: Possibilities of new born screening and a lifetime of personalized prevention

The use of ayurvedic medicine in the context of health promotion – a mixed methods case study of an ayurvedic centre in Sweden

Ayurgenomics and Modern Medicine

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