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Rooting for the roots

When the doctor's medicines bring in more side effects than cure, we are reminded of dadima ke nuskhe - grandma's home remedies. But in the world of fast foods and time constraints that preclude a regular exercise routine, life is a far cry from good old Mother Nature.

Perhaps that explains the increasing demand for holistic natural treatments as an alternative or support to allopathy. Among India's many systems of indigenous medicine is Ayurveda, whose name is derived from the Sanskrit ayur meaning life, and Veda, meaning knowledge. Marielle Holman Barnes, a Bangalore-based American National, has been a freelance "ambassador for spas and Ayurveda" for the past decade. She emphases that Ayurveda does not seek to treat the symptoms of disease, instead, it seeks to restore the underlying balance of the doshas. "The best part of Ayurveda as compared to other treatments is that it not only aims to kill the virus, it tends to increase the patient's immunity too," says Barnes, who strongly advocates that "Indians must demand Indian medicines." Proponents believe it is a preventive as well as a curative therapy that can strengthen the immune system against diseases. Changing lifestyle habits can improve persistent problems such as back pain, arthritis, tension headaches, high blood pressure, etc.

Non-medicinal treatment

As compared to allopathic and other treatments, Barnes says, "Ayurveda has a very specific knowledge, undertakes a finer level of diagnosis and besides, gives more direct cure." She emphasises that it takes many factors into account, and then arrives at a treatment, which may not always include medicines, but also certain therapies like meditation, fasting or even massage. In certain diseases for which other systems have no cure, she claims Ayurveda gains an edge. "Ayurveda has been very effective in treating spinal joints, HIV, prevention of obesity and diabetes, to even treating snake bite. It also provides for excellent skin care, eye treatments." If Chinese medicine has become globalised, then why not Ayurveda, she asks, asserting, "All these upcoming treatments are a few hundreds years old, whereas Ayurveda is thousands of years old." Actively involved in promoting Ayurveda in the U.S. with the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, NAMA, Barnes says, "The Chinese products are widely available, whereas for Indian products, there is scattered availability. They may be expired, brought in by grocers and are not even packaged properly."

Barnes, who studied Ayurveda at Maharishi International University, Ayurvedic Institute, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and in India at the National Ayurveda College, Coimbatore, was recently appointed Chief Advisor, Chairman's Office, and Director, Ayurveda Initiatives, by the the Somaiya Trust in Mumbai. This is an educational trust with over 35 colleges. She

has also been programme advisor to the Foundation for the Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bangalore, founded by Sam Pitroda.

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