Abstract

ROLE OF AYURVEDA IN UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING EPIDEMICS

*Dr. Vidyanand Mohan, Dr. Aparna Nandakumar, Dr. Aneesh E. G. and Dr. Abitha Edathadathil

Abstract

Epidemics are widespread diseases that affect a larger number of individuals in a population. Often the disease spreads alarmingly bringing about severe health issues or even leading to the death of a mass population. Science is developing day by day and its newer discoveries are tremendously wondering. At the same time the whole world especially the economically and scientifically rich developed countries are facing challenges in prevention of newer disease outbreaks. Perhaps this triggers the modern science to develop effective remedial measures to prevent these widespread diseases. Science enormously succeeds in developing the newer drugs and treatment protocols for epidemic disease. But during this crucial time, these disease outbreaks wreak havoc in an extensive demographic area. The recent incident in our world exemplifies how an epidemic got developed into a prodigious pandemic. Modern medical science plays a key role in developing effective diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic measures as it is recognized globally. Equally the traditional systems of medicines can also get involved as a preventive and supportive device. Ayurveda being the indigenous medicine of India can effectively be utilized to protect the health of our nation. Here an attempt is made to understand and to analyse the disease preventive measures discussed in Ayurveda literatures which can be extended during epidemic outbreaks. Dinacharya (Daily Regimens), Sadvrutta (Ethical conducts), Janapadoddhwamsaneeya Vimana Adhyaya (Chapter discussing on epidemics), etc. shows light to understand and to prevent the epidemics effectively.

Keywords: Epidemics, Ayurveda, Dinacharya, Sadvrutta.