The Scientific Value of Ayurveda

Hankey, Alex

doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.221

Cited by 55 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Recently, the concept of dosha has received preliminary experimental confirmation from two perspectives: by statistical analysis of questionnaires concerning physiological function, 11 and by genomic analysis, 12 so its scientific value is becoming better established. 13 This paper examines the systems theory involved in the hypothesis in more detail. It shows how application of the systems analysis to single cells and their biochemical pathways, in particular to that of lipid metabolism, confirms the hypothesis, offering answers to two questions: Is there independent scientific evidence for the systems theory framework behind the solution to the problem of the doshas?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Test of the Systems Analysis Underlying the Scientific Theory of Ayurveda's Tridosha

Hankey¹

2005

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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A previous paper hypothesized that the tridosha of Ayurveda--vata, pitta, and kapha--constitute regulatory systems respectively controlling input/output, turnover, and storage; functions systems analysis identifies as fundamental to all open systems. This would make them universal properties of all living organisms, as Ayurveda itself maintains. This paper proposes independent scientific evidence for the proposed identification of the doshas and for the systems analysis on which it is based. In particular, it points to coenzyme A, a key component of fatty acid metabolism. Its universal presence in all cells implies that it is an evolutionary invariant ant that the biochemical pathway on which it lies must be exceptionally significant. The systems analysis shows that the pathway connects the cellular functions of energy turnover and energy storage, fundamental to the overall strategy of cell regulation. This, combined with the requirement for the pathway's close regulation, makes it effectively impossible to replace coenzyme A by a combination of simultaneous mutations or sequence of mutations and it should indeed remain invariant during evolution. The universality of coenzyme A is therefore consistent with its identified role, and supports the systems analysis identifying the doshas. Their systems functions survive developmental transformations of evolution with recognizable continuity. By virtue of that, vata, pitta, and kapha can be identified with them in all species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Test of the Systems Analysis Underlying the Scientific Theory of Ayurveda's Tridosha

Hankey¹

2005

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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“…The response of the medical and scientific community has been increasing interest in Ayurveda issues. There has been an increase in number and proportion of clinical trial of Ayurveda [8].…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence based Ayurveda Practice

P¹

2012

J Homeopat Ayurv Med

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“…The theory of Ayurveda is based on an integrated formulation of human physiology and etiology [34,35], now recognized as the most concise integration of the two subjects formulated in the history of medicine [36]. Its theory identifies 3 factors, known as 3 doshas, governing the regulation of the organism's 3 main systems functions: Input/Output, Turnover, and Storage [37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined Ayurveda and Yoga Practices for Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Controlled Trial

Datey¹,

Hankey²,

Nagendra³

2017

Complement Med Res

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Background: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in India is a cause for national concern, particularly the spiraling cost burden to the country. As one approach to stop its increase, Yoga medicine has been widely implemented, finding popularity with all social strata. Here, we report a study suggesting that treatment with fresh herbal juices and Yoga can improve the levels of blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in people with pre-diabetes. Methods: Study design: 3-arm controlled trial 3 months in duration. Participants: 157 male prisoners with newly diagnosed, high fasting blood sugar (FBS) and postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) levels. Group interventions: (1) Rasahara and Yoga, (2) Yoga, (3) no intervention. Assessments: FBS and PPBS levels were measured every 2 weeks; HbA1c and blood lipids were determined pre- and post-intervention. Results: Significant decreases occurred in the FBS (-21.13 ± 21.16 mg/dl) and PPBS levels (-15.02 ± 14.89 mg/dl) in group 1 (both p < 0.0001) and in the FBS level (20.62 ± 32.68 mg/dl) in group 2 (p = 0.0005), while the increases in group 3 attained significance only for the PPBS level (9.62 ± 21.83 mg/dl) (p = 0.0022). Observed changes in HbA1c were: group 1, -0.044 ± 0.059 mg/dl; group 2, +0.024 ± 0.456 mg/dl (not significant); and group 3, +0.365 ± 0.369 mg/dl (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study of Yoga for the treatment of diabetes shows that all male prisoners could benefit from the Yoga prison programs. Addition of Yoga programs to state and federal activities at all levels is now national policy in India. Follow-up studies should be carried out to obtain more robust results.

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The Scientific Value of Ayurveda

Cited by 55 publications

References 14 publications

A Test of the Systems Analysis Underlying the Scientific Theory of Ayurveda's Tridosha

A Test of the Systems Analysis Underlying the Scientific Theory of Ayurveda's Tridosha

Evidence based Ayurveda Practice

Combined Ayurveda and Yoga Practices for Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Controlled Trial

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