Understanding AYUSH

Made up of two Sanskrit words, Ayur (life) and Veda (science/knowledge), Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine. Based on the principles of internal purification and balancing mind, body, spirit and the environment, this practice started around 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda uses a combination of herbal remedies, a healthy diet and massages.

Yoga and naturopathy rely on nature’s inherent healing power. This school of thought uses natural remedies to create an environment where the body is able to heal itself. Yoga works on the physical body first, as an imbalance in the physical body can impact the way our organs, muscles and nerves functions. The practise of yoga helps balance the body, which in turn helps our mental and emotional levels.

Although the Unani system of medicine originated in Greece, it is now practised almost exclusively in the Indian subcontinent. According to this school of medicine, a person’s health is based on six elements – air, food and drinks, wakefulness and sleep, retention and excretion, physical activity and retention, and mental activity and rest. Generally speaking, Unani treatment is a mix of exercise, massage, leaching, diet therapy and cupping. If required, natural-based medications may also be administered. Depending on the illness, Unani treatments may include surgery, but only as a last resort.

This school of medicine originated in Tamil Nadu and has been practised in India for several centuries. This school believes that whenever there is an imbalance between the three humors of the body – vaadham, pittham and kapam, the body becomes disturbed and then diseased. As with most other AYUSH treatments, food and diet play an important role in helping cure the body of its ailments. The guiding principle of Siddha is, “Food itself is medicine and medicine itself is food.”

This system of medicine was developed in Germany around 200 years ago. Homoeopathy is based on two unconventional principles. The first principle is like cures like. This means that a substance that produces similar symptoms to a disease in otherwise healthy individuals can be used as a cure. The second principle is the law of minimum dose. Homoeopaths believe that lower doses of medication are more effective than higher doses. Most homoeopathy remedies are diluted to such an extent that it’s difficult to find a molecule from the original substance. Homoeopathy products are also sourced from plants, minerals and animals, making it a natural therapy.

AYUSH therapies, when used correctly, can be incredibly beneficial. Since these remedies use natural elements, they do not typically have side effects, which is why many people prefer these treatments. In India, there are specialised courses for Ayurveda, Siddha, homoeopathy and other such natural medical practices. Many Indians prefer AYUSH over other, invasive medical procedures. Insurance agencies have taken note of this and have started offering AYUSH covers with their policies. Even affordable policies, like Arogya Sanjeevani, offer AYUSH cover, making it a good option for individuals who would like to seek natural or alternative treatments.