Traditional Ayurvedic Treatment Practices by Vaidyas of the Northern Region of India

Abstract

aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the current scenario of utilization and importance of medicinal plants used by traditional vaidyas. This study also provides the information about the thoughts of the younger generation toward Ayurveda knowledge and the explanation of the declining of traditional health care practices. background: Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest and traditional health care systems of India. There is limited documentation available regarding the information of traditional medicinal uses of plants while various rural folk and old aged peoples have long been using plants based formulation for curing human ailments. So, before such valuable knowledge becomes inaccessible and extinct, there is an urgent need to documenting this traditional knowledge to endorse the Ayurveda medicinal or Indigenous system. objective: Present study was carried out to profile the current scenario of medicinal plants used by Traditional vaidyas/oractitionera, lacals and status of Ayurveda and indigenous system in Northern states of India i.e. Haryana and Rajasthan. method: To know the current scenario of medicinal plants used by traditional Vaidyas in Northern states of India such as Haryana and Rajasthan, a survey was carried out among 50 vaidyas of each state, experiences of the local practitioners, inhabitants of Haryana, and Rajasthan states and scaltered literature. Information was gathered by a conversation with them and by filling the questionnaires of 20 questions regarding their knowledge, expertise, targeted ailments, herbal formulations, and preservation techniques. result: This survey highlighted the magic of Ayurveda and importance plants in medicinal usage which endorses the traditional vaidyas and their knowledge in Ayurveda Medicinal System. The attempts should be carried out to scientifically document all of the formulations prepared by these traditional Vaidyas, so that the disease can be eradicated from the root by traditional methods rather than heavy consumption of allopathic medicine. The high profile formulations might be prepared in future if most of the reputed traditional Vaidyas get organized. conclusion: This survey endorses the traditional vaidyas and their knowledge in Ayurveda Medicinal System as these traditions flourishing even today to treat and prevent illness. Also, an attempt might be done for the scientifically documentation of their formulations to eradicate chronic diseases from the root by traditional methods rather than heavy consumption of allopathic medicine. This step might be strengthen the validity of these products and provide a lead to target for new formulations preparations. other: This study also provides the information about the thoughts of the younger generation toward Ayurveda knowledge and the explanation of the declining of traditional health care practices.