WHAT CAUSED TODAY'S AYURVEDA TO WHAT IT IS

WHAT CAUSED TODAYS AYURVEDA TO WHAT IT IS

 What Led to the Decline of Traditional Ayurveda

 

In ancient times, the knowledge of Ayurveda was passed down from guru to disciple through practical learning in nature. Students were responsible for grazing cows in forests, where they gained firsthand experience with medicinal herbs. The native Indian cows, Bos indicus, grazed on these forest herbs, and their milk was used to produce grithams (medicated ghee), an essential component in Ayurvedic healing. Cow grazers would often sell these forest-sourced herbs to vaidyas (Ayurvedic practitioners), and in return, the cows fertilized the forest soil with their dung and urine, sustaining the ecosystem.

This symbiotic relationship between the forest, cows, vaidyas, and patients began to break down over the years. Government policies, aimed at conserving wildlife, imposed bans on cattle grazing in forests, disrupting the natural cycle. 

 

At the same time, farmers began adopting Jersey cows (Bos taurus) due to the White Revolution, which emphasized high milk production (albeit with lower nutritional value). These cows, unlike the native breeds, did not require grazing and were easier to feed on farms. Alongside this shift, the Green Revolution introduced chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, which degraded soil health, leading to nutrient-deficient and toxin-laden food for both humans and livestock.

 

Vaidyas, who could no longer access wild forest herbs, had to rely on nurseries and farms that were increasingly influenced by the Green and White Revolutions. Ayurveda, once deeply connected to nature, began to commercialize. The education system for Ayurveda mirrored the allopathic approach, and patients, seeking quick fixes in a fast-paced world, drove further commercialization. Ayurvedic medicines like kashayams, grithams, and rasayanas started being mass-produced with preservatives for extended shelf life, often neglecting the quality, nutritional value, and toxicity of the raw materials used.

 

Today, grithams are often made from the ghee of Jersey cows that consume chemically-grown feed, and the herbs used are mass-produced using synthetic chemicals. Market competitiveness has driven down costs, but at the expense of quality, resulting in the weakened effectiveness of Ayurveda as we see it today.

 

Vishal  

Vanashala

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vanashala

Image
My Journey: A Search for Purpose In 2022, I faced a turning point that brought me face-to-face with death. My body was under siege, battling multiple attacks of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Uveitis. At the same time, the outside world seemed to conspire against me for standing up for what I believed was right. For over seven years, I had been in direct conflict with dark forces, a battle that began indirectly in my childhood. As I stared into the abyss, I questioned everything. How could my body, mind, and soul falter when I stood on the side of dharma , the truth? Was the path I chose flawed? Was I unprepared to face such powerful adversities? Perhaps Mother Nature was guiding me toward a different path, one I had resisted for too long. Maybe I had taken my body for granted, forgetting to respect the vessel that carries us through life. Perhaps I had misused my soul in my younger years, neglecting the wisdom that comes with experience. Or maybe, just maybe, Mother Nature was prepa...
Read more

SIGNIFICANCE OF MICROBES FOR SOIL AND HUMAN WELL-BEING

Image
SIGNIFICANCE OF MICROBES FOR SOIL AND HUMAN WELL-BEING   The connection between gut health and soil health is profound and reflects the deep interrelationship between humans and the soil. Both systems rely on microbial ecosystems that are crucial for overall health, nutrient absorption, and resilience. Soil microbes interact with plants in a symbiotic relationship, helping them resist diseases and pests. This natural resistance reduces the need for chemical pesticides, leading to healthier food. A healthy gut microbiome supports the immune system by protecting against pathogens, producing anti-inflammatory compounds, and maintaining the gut barrier. Exposure to a wide variety of soil microbes, especially in childhood, can help "train" the immune system, reducing the likelihood of allergies and autoimmune diseases. Eating food grown in microbially rich soils can introduce beneficial microbes to the gut, further supporting immune health.   The human digestive system is ...
Read more

Biochar and Compost

Image
Using biochar in compost offers several advantages, enhancing both the composting process and the final compost quality:   1. Improved Aeration and Moisture Retention: Biochar’s porous structure improves air circulation within the compost pile, facilitating aerobic microbial activity. It also retains moisture, preventing the compost from becoming too dry or too waterlogged, creating optimal conditions for decomposition.   2. Microbial Habitat: Biochar provides a habitat for beneficial microbes, supporting a rich microbial ecosystem. These microorganisms are essential for breaking down organic material into compost. Biochar’s surface area and pore structure offer protected spaces for microbes to thrive.   3. Nutrient Retention: Biochar acts as a sponge, holding onto nutrients that might otherwise leach out of the compost during decomposition. It helps retain nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients, making them available for plants when the compost is applied to...
Read more