Leisure In India: Alternative Medicines
Traditional
System of Healing practiced in the Indian subcontinent:
The
aim of achieving and maintaining an optimum state of health has always
exercised the minds of men since the earliest of times and as a
consequence various systems of healing developed in different parts of the
world. Ayurveda evolved in India as the natural way of healing or
naturopathy. For centuries it was the only system of medicine. Around the
same time, other variations like the concept of'Yin Yang' developed in
China while Unani saw its beginning in Greece. With the passage of time,
these systems progressed into independent branches of learning. Though
there were other forms ofmedicine being practiced in the other parts of
the world, these three are of special interest to us because they found
their way into India at various stages in time and affected the progress
of traditional healing methods that are prelevent in the Country today.
These age-old systems, based on herbs and diets, offer a
powerfully effective and gentle way to heal, with the least danger of side
effects. Today allopathy with its powerful drugs often creates toxic
burden for the body - one that the liver is unable to eliminate and which
impairs necessary organic physiological processes. The fallout of this has
been an increased interest in a holistic approach to health - a return to
nature.
Naturopathy seeks to take human beings not back to
nature but back to fundamentals of nature. Nature cures are able to
cleanse the systems, thus enhancing the body's power to cure itself and
its ability to defend itself from germs.
Naturopathy sees health
and disease in holistic terms taking into account the inherent
relationship between the individual and the cosmic spirit, the individual
and cosmic consequences, energy and matter. It Views man as a microcosm, a
child of the cosmic forces and the external environment, the macrocosm.
There is nothing in the existence without unique value in the cosmos. Life
is relational, interdependent, interconnective, a system of mutual
nourishment and care, not only physically, but also psychologically and
spiritually. It is possible to maintain and sustain good health by
believing in the curative powers of the life force, by obeying the laws of
nature, and by maintaining a constructive and healthy mental attitude.
Since naturopathy is based on an ancient and traditional system,
some may doubt its very relevance, feeling that it does not apply in
modern society. But the increasing number of people who are turning to it,
is evidence not only of its popularity but also of the fact that
naturopathy is medical-metaphysical science of healing, the mother of all
healing arts, designed to promote happiness, health and growth.
Alternative
Medicines
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