The alternative for survival*
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: The alternative for survival*
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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P.R. Krishnakumar
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: The alternative for survival*
Year: 1985
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
In "The Alternative for Survival," P.R. Krishnakumar discusses the urgent need to develop traditional health care systems, such as Ayurveda, as people-oriented solutions to the health needs of society, particularly in rural areas. The author reflects on the detrimental effects of colonial influences and contemporary bureaucratic structures that perpetuate the dominance of allopathic medicine while neglecting traditional practices. Through a detailed analysis of the existing health care models, he argues for an alternative, culturally relevant approach that empowers local populations and enhances the viability of traditional systems.
The Challenge of Modernization
One of the key issues highlighted in the text is the tension between traditional systems of medicine and the pressures of modernization. Krishnakumar emphasizes that co-opting traditional practices into dominant systems risks eroding their cultural relevance and effectiveness. Instead of adhering to contemporary trends that prioritize profit and commodification, the focus should be on an autonomous development strategy that respects the unique qualities of these traditional systems. This entails recognizing the right of communities to define their own health needs and priorities while fostering collaborative efforts among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local groups to establish networks for mutual support and information exchange.
Conclusion
Krishnakumar calls for a concerted effort to revive and sustain traditional health care systems as viable alternatives within the global health landscape. This requires building self-reliant networks that facilitate collaboration and share information while advocating for the unique characteristics of these practices. The proposed strategies aim to empower communities and ensure that traditional systems not only survive but thrive in a way that is socially relevant and beneficial for the broader population. The path forward is rooted in a determined struggle for autonomy and recognition of traditional medicine's invaluable contributions to holistic health care.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are the main issues facing traditional systems of medicine today?
Traditional systems of medicine are often marginalized due to prejudice, colonial legacies, and the dominance of allopathic medicine, leading to a lack of resources and neglect of rural health needs.
How does Ayurveda serve as an alternative to modern medicine?
Ayurveda is culturally and environmentally aligned with the needs of the population, making it a viable alternative health care delivery system that can address the unique health requirements of local communities.
What role do NGOs play in traditional medicine development?
NGOs can foster strong networks locally and globally, driving innovative methods and ensuring participation in discussions about traditional medicine's development, thereby strengthening its relevance and sustainability.
What strategies are proposed for developing traditional medicine systems?
Strategies include forming networks for self-reliant organizations, improving information exchange, establishing international linkages, and creating projects focused on developing alternative strategies for traditional medicine.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for 鈥淭he alternative for survival*鈥�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Medicine:
Medicine refers to the traditional and modern practices utilized for healing and maintaining health. In the context of this text, it highlights the tension between allopathic medicine and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda. The push towards modernity has often marginalized indigenous practices, raising a call for their relevance in contemporary health care.
2) Science (Scientific):
Scientific refers to the principles and practices that define modern empirical inquiry and experimentation. The text critiques the assertion that Ayurveda is not scientific, advocating for an understanding that modern science itself is fraught with uncertainties and biases, urging that traditional practices should be considered in both health policy and scientific research.
3) Ayurveda (膧yurveda, Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine originating from India. It emphasizes a holistic approach to health by considering the individual's constitution, diet, and environmental factors. The text argues for Ayurveda's revival and its efficacy in addressing health needs, especially in rural settings, contrasting it with the failures of Western biomedical approaches.
4) Hand:
The word 'hand' metaphorically represents human agency and control in the context of health care and medicine. The text advocates for a collective, self-reliant approach in developing traditional medicine systems, emphasizing the need for practitioners and communities to reclaim power over their health choices and foster participatory development in health care.
5) Fear:
Fear encapsulates the psychological barriers created by authoritarian structures and vested interests in the health care sector. The text discusses how fear can stifle innovation and discourage the acceptance of alternative medicine systems like Ayurveda, emphasizing the need for liberation from these fears to foster a more equitable health care environment.
6) Rheumatoid arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder treated in various medical systems. The text references a research study on Ayurveda's efficacy in treating rheumatoid arthritis, noting the complexities of traditional medicine's integration into a modern health care framework and highlighting the struggle against skepticism and misrepresentation of these findings.
7) Discussion:
Discussion pertains to the interactions and dialogues surrounding health care policies and practices. In the text, it signifies the importance of continuous engagement among stakeholders to navigate the future of traditional systems like Ayurveda, advocating for collective efforts to address challenges and define strategic actions for sustainability and relevance.
8) Knowledge:
Knowledge refers to the understanding acquired through experience, education, and research. The text underlines the need to reevaluate and validate traditional medical practices as credible knowledge systems, stressing that both traditional and modern healthcare must be informed by genuine knowledge exchange that benefits society as a whole.
9) Evolution:
Evolution signifies the adaptive changes over time in practices and ideologies. The text discusses how traditional systems like Ayurveda must evolve in response to contemporary health needs without losing their core identity, advocating for an organic development strategy that respects historical practices while addressing current societal demands.
10) Vitiation (Vitiated):
Vitiated means corrupted or impaired. In the text, it describes how prejudices and external domination have vitiated the perception and appreciation of traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, calling for a restoration of respect and understanding for these practices as valid forms of health care within a diverse medical landscape.
11) Reason:
Reason represents rational thought and inquiry that underpin scientific and philosophical discourse. The text posits that rational faith in Ayurveda should be based on empirical evidence and personal experience, calling for a movement towards innovative approaches that integrate good reasoning with traditional knowledge systems to create effective health solutions.
12) Cina (C墨na, C墨n膩, Ci峁塧, Ci峁壞�, C墨峁壞�, Cin膩):
China serves as a reference point in the text for a country that has successfully revitalized its traditional medicine systems amidst global modern pressures. The mention suggests that significant changes are achievable through collective struggle and policy reforms, encouraging other nations, especially developing ones, to take similar actions to elevate their traditional health care practices.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: 鈥�The alternative for survival*鈥�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Traditional health care system, Biomedical model, Rural health services, Ayurveda as a science.