Ayurveda as a Form of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Research Paper

From an international perspective, Ayurveda is one of the largest global expressions of CAM – Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Modern Ayurveda presents a complex phenomenon practiced as a system of herbal medicine and as diverse forms of self-care, including diet and yoga. Ayurveda originated in South Asia, but its present state is a product of globalization, resulting from migration and a growing awareness of existing alternative health practices in the Western context (Rammanohar, 2019). In this context, the contact of Ayurveda with Western civilization initiated the modernization process to integrate ayurvedic traditions to complement biomedicine. One of the consequent transformations was the medicaments’ standardization under the mass production principles (Tangkiatkumjai et al., 2020). This trend accelerated through globalization, incorporating different Ayurveda aspects in the Western beauty and health industries.

Another feature of the modernization processes is the changes in population perceptions. In South Asia, Ayurveda is becoming secularized, disregarding many of its metaphysical and spiritual features. In the meantime, Ayurveda in the Western context showcases the opposite – it becomes sacralized in the sense of spiritual lifestyle philosophy (Rammanohar, 2019). In other words, globalized Ayurveda in the Euro-American culture of self-care implies downplaying the role of herbal medication with an emphasis on lifestyle advice. It includes actively taking courses, therapies, and diets, reading books, and educating.

Overall, ayurvedic lifestyle advice tends to improve population health outcomes and quality of life. For instance, promoting physical activity, such as yoga exercises, enhances blood flow, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of diabetes and other lifestyle diseases (Rioux & Howerter, 2019). Regarding herbal medicine, Western drug companies acquired an interest in plants initially used in India for medical purposes. For example, psyllium seed addresses bowel problems, while other plants reduce blood pressure, help control diarrhea, and lessen the risk of heart problems (Gurung, 2019). Another example is the use of forskolin for heart disease treatment, which Western medicine has now validated empirically (Gurung, 2019). Nevertheless, there is also evidence of possible adverse side effects due to misuse of herbal components or unpredictable reactions in combination with other drugs. For instance, Devarbhavi (2018) notes a high concentration of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds in some ayurvedic herbal medications. In this context, higher than permissible levels of mercury and arsenic are associated with liver injuries and consequent mortality.

The outcome of Ayurvedic interventions often depends on cultural and health disparities. In particular, affordability, accessibility, and internal health locus control of Ayurvedic CAM, as well as traditions and beliefs, vary significantly depending on the region. Among Western and Asian populations, the latter more frequently reported social influence by community members, low treatment costs, and greater Ayurvedic accessibility than the former population (Tangkiatkumjai et al., 2020). Meanwhile, scrupulous health management is the main reason for Ayurvedic treatments in the West. According to Tangkiatkumjai et al. (2020), internal health locus control influenced the decisions of approximately half of the population in Europe (48%), South America (50%), and Australia (50%). In addition, traditions significantly influence Ayurvedic CAM use in Asia (17%), Africa (28%), and South America (38%) (Tangkiatkumjai et al., 2020). A high proportion of Asian (37%) and Australian (33%) populations confirmed the social network’s influence on their Ayurvedic CAM use (Tangkiatkumjai et al., 2020). Regarding affordability and accessibility as reasons for CAM use, African populations displayed the highest proportions (67% and 56%, respectively) (Tangkiatkumjai et al., 2020). In turn, Europeans tend to describe their reasoning with recommendations from healthcare professionals.

Health disparity also contributes to the outcomes of Ayurvedic therapies. Notably, the healthcare literacy of the population proves to be the decisive factor. CAM use presents unique considerations for health literacy, as there may be little evidence-based research available for consumers. Harnett and Morgan-Daniel (2018) stress that “users may rely on informal information sources, including word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family” (p. 63). In addition, CAM therapies’ consumer marketing can be inaccurate and aggressive. Consequently, people not proficient in health literacy might be at increased risk of potential adverse outcomes.

References

Devarbhavi, H. (2018). Ayurvedic and herbal medicine-induced liver injury: It is time to wake up and take notice. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology, 37(1), 5-7. Web.

Gurung, R. A. (2019). Cultural influences on health. In D. K. Kenneth (Ed.), Cross‐cultural psychology: Contemporary themes and perspectives (pp. 451-466). John Wiley & Sons.

Harnett, S., & Morgan-Daniel, J. (2018). Health literacy considerations for users of complementary and alternative medicine. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 22(1), 63-71. Web.

Rammanohar, P. (2019). Toxicity of ayurvedic medicines and safety concerns: Ancient and modern perspectives. In P. Wexler (Ed.), Toxicology in Antiquity (pp. 441-458). Academic Press.

Rioux, J., & Howerter, A. (2019). Outcomes from a whole-systems ayurvedic medicine and yoga therapy treatment for obesity pilot study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 25(1), 124-137. Web.

Tangkiatkumjai, M., Boardman, H., & Walker, D. M. (2020). Potential factors that influence usage of complementary and alternative medicine worldwide: A systematic review. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), 1-15. Web.