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ADIVASI AYURVEDA AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE | ||||
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“Traditional Medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being.” (WHO) Traditional Medicine practice meets the health needs of millions of people across the world. The Indian sub-continent, home to some of the most ancient civilisations in the world, has a vibrant Traditional Medicine culture, including Ayurveda (knowledge of life), dating back thousands of years with a strong philosophical, conceptual and theoretical foundation. What is Adivasi Ayurveda? Bodytree applies the basis of Ayurvedic theory with other traditional medical practices, folk healing arts and tribal medicine creating a unique version of community based medicine: Adivasi Ayurveda. The documentation, research, practice, education and sharing of knowledge of traditional medical practices outline one of Bodytree's major objectives. Why is Traditional Medicine important? Traditional Medicine is natural, environmentally safe, affordable and effective. It is part of the traditional system of life in most countries around the world. It has preserved, protected and nurtured life in this planet for millennia. It has contributed to the advancement of health sciences including modern medicine. In the present world, conventional health care services are often inaccessible, unaffordable, inequitably distributed and inadequate in their emphasis and approach. The marketing norms of the globalised world have sharpened poverty and inequality. The most important criterion for sustained change is community control of health and health services. Bodytree sees the strengthening of Traditional Medicine at the grassroots as vital. Bodytree has created programmes to check the biodegradation of the forests due to the over exploitation of medicinal plants and unethical, irrational and unscientific practices in the name of Traditional Medicine, particularly Ayurveda. Why is Adivasi Ayurveda particularly important to Tribal/Indigenous communities/Bodytree students? The ethno-medical knowledge base of indigenous communities is immense but is fast deteriorating. Health is an important indicator of the wellbeing of any group. The health of Adivasis mirrors that of the very poorest in the world. Illness has serious economic consequences on their fragile incomes. Many communities have been forcibly moved from their ancestral homelands and as they learn to adjust to a new situation in a new location, traditions and ancient knowledge are being forgotten, including healing methods. This combined with a lack of opportunity and poor access to health care and education is increasing the poverty situation of Adivasis throughout India. | ||||||||
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