Field of Medicine is the science or practice that deals with either the prevention or the treatment of disease. It is a practice that promotes maintenance of good health and prevents worsening of illness or injury.
The oldest written evidence of medical practices can be traced back to the civilisations of Mesopotamia, Indus-Valley and China in 30-20th Century BCE. Archaeological findings of Mesopotamian clay tablets containing medical records, Chinese canon of internal medicine called the Huangdi Neijing [Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic] and Kumara Thanthra as well as the Ravana Samhitha written by King Ravana of Sri Lanka are few of those evidence.
In the modern western society, medical practices are divided in to two branches called Allopathic and Alternative medicine. Allopathic medicine is known as western medicine, which originated in Greece between 5-4th century BCE during the time of Hippocrates, who is known as the father of western medicine. Other medical practices originated in different parts of the world such as homeopathy, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine including Acupuncture are considered as alternative medicine.
Whether it is allopathic or alternative medicine, there was one thing common about the origin of these medical practices. They were unique to individual civilisations based on their understanding of anatomy and physiology of the body as well as the knowledge of pharmacological values of locally grown plants and animal products.
Holistic approach to prevent, identify and eliminate the root causes of physical and mental health conditions seems to be one of the most unique features of alternative medical practices compared with western medicine, which concentrates more on pharmacological or surgical treatment to eliminate individual diseases or its symptoms.
Among the other differences, lack of understanding about the mind and its’ role on physical health seems to be a major one. As we know Western medicine had little or no understanding of the connection between the emotions and physical responses until the 19th Century. Since then our knowledge has improved due to scholars like Sigmoid Freud in late 1800’s and Dr. Herbert Benson in most recent years.
On the contrary, practices like Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation provide enough evidence to assume that mental health & wellbeing were considered as an important part in eastern medical practices even 5000 years ago. Over the last 50 years, these practices appear to regain their popularity, despite being overshadowed by western medicine between 1800 to mid-1900s due to colonisation. At the same time modern researchers are positive about the long-term health benefits especially combined with other life style practices like vegetarian diet, abstinence from alcohol & smoking, and daily use of spices & tea.
According to the WHO, mental health has become a major concern under the current global COVID-19 pandemic. As a medical practitioner, I see no better time for us to alter our lifestyles for the long term benefit of our health and wellbeing.
At AROGYA, PTY LTD, we kindly request you to join “Heal with Buddhism” Programs, where we could learn about the unique nature of our mind, which is extensively discussed in Buddhist teachings.
