A Call for Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine Practices

Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “We need evidence-based traditional medicine” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, the case filed by a manufacturer of indigenous drugs against a medical practitioner over his social media thread affected their business led to further discussion on medical practices.

What are the modern medicines? 

• They became really scientific in the late 1800s. They use advanced technology and science to understand how our bodies work and to make treatments, like surgeries and medicines.
  • It is a term coined by Hahnemann in the 18th century.
  • Term may be used pejoratively to distinguish from alternative systems, like homoeopathy. 
  • It is not allopathy.

What are the traditional medicines?

• Traditional Medicine: They has been around for a long time, like Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. Even though they might not be as scientifically proven, but they have its own ways of healing.

What is evaluation of medication effectiveness?

• Modern medicines carefully test new treatments to make sure they work and are safe.
• Traditional medicines, like Ayurveda, might not go through the same tests, but some parts of them could be helpful.
• More acceptance to Modern Medicines over Traditional Medicines: It is due to the ability of traditional medicine to synthesize ideas from across the world to build a coherent system. 
  • It is an ongoing process, subject to corrections and improvements as thought and technology improve, building on past knowledge.

Also Read: NDPS Act Full Form, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act)

The Path Ahead

• More Understanding: Ayurveda, for example, might not have a strong scientific basis for how it works, but that doesn’t mean it’s all wrong. It’s like a detective story-some parts might be true, but we need to check and understand more.
• Mixing Old and New: Sometimes, it’s good to mix the old knowledge with new science to create better treatments. That way, we keep what’s useful from traditional medicine and make it even better.
• Government’s Role is desirable: The government should make sure all kinds of medicine are checked properly. They should keep what’s good from traditional medicine, improve it with modern science, and make it available for everyone.
• Science is Open-minded: We shouldn’t just reject traditional medicine without looking. Some old ideas might actually help us find new and better treatments. 
  • For example, a Nobel Prize-winning medicine for malaria came from an old text of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Conclusion

We should appreciate and test both modern and traditional medicines, taking the best from each. By combining old wisdom with new science, we can improve healthcare for everyone.

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