BBC One
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Last broadcast on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 , 00:20 on BBC One (Northern Ireland only) (see all broadcasts ) .
Can the ancient eastern medicine called Ayurveda work in Britain today? Jessica Frazier investigates with the help of three Londoners who need help with their health, and a Hindu GP who believes a unique combination of Ayurveda and Hinduism can help them.
They attempt a five week experiment to see if this alternative to Western medicine can improve their health, while Jessica looks for the hidden Hinduism in the treatments.
Dr Milind Jani FRCS, a practising NHS GP and private Ayurvedic practitioner, tells Jessica Frazier about the background of Ayurveda and describes how he uses it - along with his Hindu outlook on life - to assess the health and wellbeing of his patients. Extracts of this interview appear in the BBC One transmission of Hindu Health Check.
We asked several British based Ayurvedic practitioners whether they thought Ayurveda and Hinduism are linked.
DR MILIND JANI, who features in the programme, works in Brighton and sees a clear link:
Ayurveda is the Hindu medicine which according to Hindu Mythology has a Divine Source from Brahma-The Creator of the Universe and which was subsequently passed on to various Demi Gods and celestial physicians. Ayurveda developed the world's first Medical and Surgical University and Hospital - University of Taxilla and University of Nalanda- on the banks of the River Indus in India. The Hindu belief states that Ayurveda was extracted by the Gods as the Elixir of Life after combing the "Oceans" (of knowledge) following victory over the Demons in a celestial war. Ayurveda forms an integral part of the Four Great Hindu Vedas - mainly Atharva Veda - with references to the Tridosha theory [Vatta, Pitta and Kapha] and the creation of the Human body from the elements of mind and ego. Ayurveda is intimately intertwined with the Way of Life and religious worship of the Hindus.
MINA PARMAR, a Complimentary Therapist working in London and Birmingham, argues that while Ayurveda comes from India and has a spiritual component, it is not specifically Hindu:
Ayurveda has been practiced in India and eastern countries for more than 5000 years. It is the oldest traditional medicine. It is the science of daily living and this system of knowledge evolved from the sages' practical, philosophical and religious illumination which was rooted in their understanding of the creation. It has a powerful influence on health and well being, using natural herbs, spices, flowers, minerals and oil extracts to promote and maintain healing of mind, body and soul. Ayurveda encourages us to take responsibility for our own health according to the different stages of our lives, seasonal changes, our daily environment, including work and travel. Ayurveda is all about staying in good health no matter what modern life throws at us. Ayurveda has no direct connection to any religion. Ayurveda is a health process close to nature, mind, body and soul.
DR SEEMA DATTA, an Ayurvedic Doctor working in North London, claims that Ayurveda and Hinduism have strong parallels and should be seen as integrated. He cites an example from the way each philosophy views the seasons of the year:
Hinduism is a way of life and is integrated with Ayurveda to help people live a healthier lifestyle.
Ayurveda suggests there are two main periods for detoxifying the body, namely when the seasons are changing, in spring and autumn. Meanwhile Hindu tradition has two 'navaratri' - periods of worship - when fasting occurs along with meditation. One ends up feeling fresh, healthy, and ready to welcome a new season or challenges of life. These periods also come in late September(Autumn) and late March(Spring). Changes occur in diet, and psychological health. There is also the sense of a 'spiritual lift'. It is said that "when nicely dressed people dance on the rhythm of music with their loved ones, their heart fills up with joy". This type of dance worship leads to meditation. And according to Ayurveda, soothing music, time out with loved ones, 'nice dressing up' and joy, can also help pacify excess Pitta.
Periods of fasting also end by eating seasonally appropriate food. This is usually offered to God on the last day of the celebration. At the end of the Autumn navaratri, sweet rice pudding is offered, while at the end of the Spring navaratri, panjari is offered which is pungent and astringent in taste. These will help pacify excess kapha accumulated during the winter season.
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