Role and relevance of traditional medicine in the present era

Abstract

There are several systems of medicine practiced in the world, every system with its own basis, philosophy and therapeutics but with one common object: alleviation of disease. The knowledge of drugs goes back to prehistoric time. Man savage must have known by experience how to relieve his suffering by the use of herbs growing in his vicinity. Records of ancient civilization show that a considerable no of drugs used by modern medicines were already in use in ancient times. The Egyptians, Babylonias, Greeks, Romans, Chinese and the people of the subcontinent of India and Pakistan, all develop there characteristic material medica. Here, a brief contrast has been conducted between the modern allopathic treatment and that of the traditional medicines. Generally in the case of allopathic mode of management, if the initial response to a specific compound is to an extend agreeable the prescription is invariably continued and in case where the dosage is incremented, the chemical build-up in the body is certain. The allopathic drug management though helps in providing symptomatic relief but persistent side of effects are in inevitable. Traditional medicine on the other hand differs remarkably in its approach and its mythology incorporates the prognosis that stress more on the causative treatment along with the symptomatic besides, the implementation of natural and herbal medicine which have since ages established and confirm their authenticity as resources of therapeutic importance, there is definitely no fear of lethal and toxic chemical build-up in the tissues leading to and effecting different organ system. Apart from this, the treatment or management through natural medicines provides relief as there are no side effects whatsoever, inspite the system focuses on a more holistic approach and simultaneously being more individual oriented so as to maximize the efficacy of the therapy.