G.G. Gangadharan - Ayurveda

Dr Gangadharan is a reputed Ayurveda physician, scholar, author and researcher, and a renowned expert in lifestyle diseases. This volume, titled Ayurveda, is his attempt, based on long professional experience, to convey the message of Ayurveda to a global readership. This quintessential message is that the mission of Ayurveda goes beyond the remediation of illness and seeks true restoration of the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of individuals. He also points out that the restorative process of Ayurveda is always done in harmony with manifestations of nature in time, habitat, fauna and flora, and unceasing interactions between the individual and the environment.

A traditional Ayurveda physician trained in the rigorous programme at Coimbatore and reverential to Ayurveda, Dr Gangadharan is fully conversant with sciences relating to laboratory and clinical medicine. His discussions in this book testify to his deep understanding of Ayurveda and Western medicine, and their increasing interaction since the advent of colonial rule in India. He has covered an astonishing range of subjectsancient and modern, philosophical and scientific, conceptual and practical. He has drawn the attention of readers to many instances where the ancient insights of Ayurveda have found resonance in contemporary studies published in top scientific journals.

Consider the following examples:

Doa praktiand the human genome: An individual has a constitutional type (prakti) fixed at conception. It has great importance because, among other things, it determines the individuals response to the treatment. In a multicentric study, of which Dr Gangadharan was a participant, it was shown that the prakti classification of individuals has a genomic basis. This would suggest that prakti-based determination of the human phenotype had anticipated the principle of pharmacogenomics many centuries ago.

Epigenetics: Epigenetics studies the distribution over the DNA chain of control molecules called methyl groups. They can attach themselves to the DNA chain and control the manufacture of proteins and what type of cell is produced. DNA methylation and changes brought about thereby are known to produce phenotypic variations and diseases. A multicentric study showed DNA methylation differences in the vta, pitta and kapha phenotypes.

Additionally, there are interesting discussions on the Ayurvedic concept of the stages of incubation of a disease, gut and microbiome, and a ten-point-based diagnosis of diseases. The author has included several illustrative examples of the use of this method for making bedside diagnosis. According to Professor Kutumbiah, this method excelled in making a diagnosis among ancient systems of medicine, including Greek.

Dr Gangadharan has shown rare candour in outlining the shortcomings of Ayurveda, such as the total neglect of Ayurveda manuscripts, inadequate effort for the conservation of medicinal plants, lack of standardization of products and processes, and the menace of the industrythe physician complex. There are also threats posed by fake physicians, fake medicines and fake institutions. Those who share the wish and power to put the Ayurvedic house in order will find it rewarding to study these observations of an experienced physician.