JEDDAH, 10 March 2007 — Arabs and Indians share a rich history of medical research. Al Razi (865-965 AD) and Ibn Sina (980-1037 AD) were great scholars of Arabic medicine who influenced global medical literature for a long time.
There was scientific relation between India and Arab world even before the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Several Indian products, such as Indian sword, spices and aloe-wood are often mentioned in pre-Islamic poetry. Names of the Indian drugs, such as Kafur, Misk, Zanjabil and Oud occur in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith too. Similarly the origin of such Arabic words as Faniz, Tytia, Narjil, Bish and Sandal can be traced to Sanskrit language.
History reveals that several Indian tribes such as Jats settled in Arabia even before the Prophet’s time and they were well versed in different branches of ancient Indian traditional medicine. It is reported that an Indian Jat physician of Madinah cured the beloved wife of the Prophet. Another mention made is of Harith bin Kalada, the trusted Hakim of the Prophet, who studied in the medical school of Jundishapur in Southwest Iran where Indian vaidyas and philosophers also taught sciences, including medicine. At the end of his studies, before returning to Makkah, Harith traveled through India in search of more information about different branches of Indian medicine.
Over the course of time, another Indian physician, Birzantin Hindi migrated to Yemen and settled there, presumably during Anusherwan’s (530-580 AD) reign.
The present link between the Arabs and Indian medicine is Ayurveda. More and more Arabs are turning to Kerala, the southern Indian state where this branch of medicine flourishes in its traditional form. The word “Ayurveda” is compound of “yus” (“life”) and “veda” (“knowledge”), and roughly translates as the “science of life.”
Ayurveda deals with the measures of healthy living, along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. The system has demonstrated that it has greater alleviating and curative effect than other medical systems in the case of diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, skin diseases, graying of hair, jaundice, peptic ulcer and various digestive problems. It is considered better than allopathic therapies in treating obesity, pregnancy-related diseases and gynecological disorders. Its Panchakarma therapy is good for reducing weight healthily and toning up muscles without side effects and acts as a great detoxification.
Ayurvedic medicine probably predates any other healing tradition in existence today. Seeds from plants indigenous to India have been found in the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs. Travelers carried information about Indian plants through Tibet into China. In earlier times Ayurvedic treatment was a grueling process.
Nowadays the production of medicines is becoming more patient-friendly. More and more Ayurvedic medicines are now available in the form of syrups and easy-to-swallow capsules and tablets.
Kerala is the state in India that promotes research and practices Ayurveda the most.
There are many famous Ayurvedic centers, known as Vaidhyashalas, all over Kerala. It is the place where Ayurvedic education is kept in its classical form, while incorporating it rapidly into developing modern science. Kerala-trained Ayurvedic physicians are in demand not only in India but also all over the world.
Kerala’s equable climate, natural abundance of forests with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants, and the cool monsoon season starting from June to November are best suited for Ayurvedic programs. Kerala Ayurveda resorts are magical havens that help you discover yourself in a special manner.
The Ayurvedic centers at such places as Kovalam, Kumarakam, Kochi and Malabar give the patient an occasion to see the natural beauty of Kerala.
The popularity of Kottakkal, situated in the Malappuram district of Kerala, can be judged from the fact that in the normal course it takes about 10-12 months to get accommodation for treatment at this famed institution. Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam in Shornur was set up over 100 years ago on the banks of Nila.
The complex is spread over eight acres and is lined with traditional bungalows, cottages and rows of trees and herbal plants.
Ashtavaidyan Thaikkattu Mooss Vaidyaraj Oushadhasala located in Thrissur and the Idukki-based Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala are some other well-known healing centers in Kerala.
Nowadays there are direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Kerala. It takes five-and-a-half hours to reach Calicut from Jeddah with fewer needed from Riyadh and Dammam.
Indian tourist visas are easy to get from the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah. Apart from Kerala, there are also similar Ayurveda centers in the country, such as Baidyanath and Dabur in the north, Zandu in Mumbai and scores of smaller ones across India.
Ayurveda is gaining prominence as an alternative to Western medicine, with considerable interest in the western world. The most commonly practiced Ayurvedic treatments in the west are massage, dietary and herbal advice. Patients are classified by body types. Treatment is aimed at restoring harmony or balance to the mind-body system.
Ayurveda is taught as an integrated course both with the subjects of Modern Medical sciences and Ayurvedic sciences too. Thanks to the Ayurvedic tradition, many herbal combinations based on centuries of accumulated knowledge are available to today’s eclectic herbalists and natural health enthusiasts.
In Ayurveda, a person’s health including his lifestyle, diet, personal habits, and environmental factors, mental, emotional and physiological aspects are taken into consideration before beginning treatment.
It is not just natural medicine but is a complete way of life that believes in preventing diseases; leading a healthy life and curing ailments if at all they occur. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, health is dependent upon one’s ability to live in harmony with one’s self and also with the external universe.
