Concept of Medicine

One of the most dramatic events that has occurred in this century in the medical world is its emergence as a science. The various discoveries in biochemistry, genetics, pharmacodynamics, imaging science and anesthesiology, to mention only some of the disciplines, coupled with the use of statistics, electronics and molecular biology had revolutionized the very outlook of this ancient and hoary branch of learning. There was an era in the dim, distant past when the art of medicine was a way of life and when medicine had its origins in mysticism and astrology, and when medicine, literature and poetry were irretrievably intermingled. Dhanvanthari, the symbolic fountainhead of ancient Hindu medicine was a God, whereas Hippocrates was a divine philosopher and others apostles of saintly wisdom.

The modern physician starts looking at the patient from a narrow angle as a machine composed of many systems and hopes that it can be repaired by correcting the local and manifest faults, he causes a big slide in the value systems of medicine and irretrievable damage is done. It is well to remember that there is never an illness which affects only one portion of the body or one system and that disease affects the whole person including his psyche. Health is not only absence of disease, but according to WHO a state of positive enjoyment and happiness. Thus it is easy to find that we can prosper only if we imbide the concept of holistic medicine.

If we examine the history of medicine, we will find that medicine developed through folk-healing techniques and the folk healers were always the first to realize that man is s composite whole, and that as important or even more important than the other systems, was the psyche of the individual. His self-esteem, his physical and mental environment, his beliefs and faith of all had tremendous potential to cause and cure illness.

Herbs have been used by man since the beginning of human culture as a source of medicine. Herbal drugs refer to the plant derived materials or preparations with therapeutic or other human health benefits which contain either raw or processed ingredients from one or more plants.

Before l8th century the whole humanity was depending on herbal drugs for meeting health care needs. Introduction of abstract medicine in the form of basic chemicals and pharmaceuticals during the l8th and l9th century has demonstrated methods for bringing quick relief from sufferings and this won instant admiration and popularity. This system known as 'Allopathic' made rapid advances during the l9th and 20th century, as a result of the spectacular advances made in biological, chemical and pharmaceutical sciences.

Now the pendulum is swinging back and the herbal drugs are finding increasing demand worldwide. During the boast decade there has been an ever increasing demand for herbal drugs and herbal cosmetics especially from the developed countries.

This revival of interest in herbal drugs and other natural products is mainly due to the increased awareness and mounting scientific evidence of harmful side effects of most of the modern chemical drugs, antibiotics, cortisones etc.