Visit to the doctor for The Healthy in Derisanamcope, Tamilnadu (Part 2)

Read Part 1 here

Extension of the hospital
 

At present, the "in- patient" part of the hospital is being extended by ten rooms (equivalent to twenty beds) to the total capacity up to 50 beds after completion.
Patients admitted are suffering mainly of stroke, skin diseases, rheumatism, and neurological disorders.

Shell of the extension of the hospital

In this hospital the full Panchakarma detox is still applied over several weeks, i.e. including therapeutic vomiting (Vamana) and phlebotomy (Raktamoksha). Most Ayurvedic resorts and clinics limit the treatment today on purgation (Virechana), therapeutic enemas (Vasti) and nasal irrigation with medically enriched oils (Nasyam) .

In addition, Varma (Marma) massage is applied in line with the ancient Siddha tradition. These therapies require in-depth knowledge of Ayurvedic constitution and understanding of the elements in relation to human physiology.
 

The guardians of the medicinal herb garden

Opposite the inpatient part of the hospital is a herbal garden, where approximately one hundred and fifty medicinal herbs are grown. In the middle of the garden is a small canopy, which allows protection from the sun and at the same time invites you to linger in meditation.

Dr. K. Chidambaran leads me through this garden, which is created for study purposes. Medicinal plants for the manufacture of different medicine is attained by the clinic from the surrounding forests in the mountains.

The doctor explained the effect of various medicinal plants, such as momordicacharantia (bitter gourd), which is quite good for the treatment of type II diabetes,as it stimulates the growth of beta cells by the pancreas and the body thus may produce more insulin. Momordicacharantia appears to be also effective in dysentery, chronic colitis, polyuria and general body detoxification and reduce strygliceride and cholesterol.

The guardians of the medicinal herb garden

Even more effective supposed to be the active ingredients in the leaves of Gymnema Sylvestre. Their ingredients suppress the sweet taste and sugar absorption into the blood. They reduce bloodsugar and normalize insulin levels. The gymnemic acid mobilizes the body's own insulin production by stimulating the Langhans cells (pancreas) and regenerating damaged cells.

Moreover, it was demonstrated in a clinical study that gymnemic acid has a stimulating effect on the production of new beta cells in the pancreas, thus contributing to increase the body's insulin production.

Side effects and adverse interactions are not known.

Dr L Mahadevan adds that Western medicine is conducting a remarkable number of clinical trials on the basis of "evidence based medicine. " Those studies are carried out with the intention to provide evidence that Ayurveda meets criteria of Western medicine. It is hoped that ultimately a greater acceptance of Ayurveda will be established in the West.

Well, evidence ought to be enough at hand by the fact that Ayurveda has been proven for several thousand years as a holistic medicine. Also the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) fully recognizes Ayurvedic medicine speeks for itself.

With regard to clinical trials it shoud be noted – for example – that in animal experiments with rats in which diabetes was induced and then Curcuma longa was administered in the sequence, a decrease of diabetes could be detected, but one could not tell why this effect did not occur in humans in the expected extent.

Ayurveda gives a plausible answer: People and animals are constitutionally different in various ways. Thus, in animals “prajna” – the discriminating wisdom – does not exist. That is the reason why many animal experiments can lead to erroneous conclusions.

The philosophy of holistic medicine of Ayurveda differs substantially in this respect to modern Western medicine. Modern Western medicine should not unconditionally demand acceptance of Ayurveda in dependence of fulfillment of criteria of modern Western medicine.

Modern medicine is well advised to study Tridosha theory, to study the Panchamahabhuta teaching, Prakriti and Purusha teaching etc. to capture consciousness phenomena and energetic modes of action of the human body which reach beyond the physical and biochemical level in order to apply a cause oriented therapy accordingly.

Ayurveda, on the other hand, recognizes in certain cases the benefit of research. To give just one example, Dr L Mahadevan continues “we have in the case of vataraktha, an autoimmune rheumatoid spectrum, inflammatory markers like ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate), anti- CCP (anti - Cyclic Citrullinated Peptides antibody), CRP (C- Reactive Protein ), etc. After administration of some herbal extracts such as guduchiyathi kashayam, kokilakshm kashyam, the markers come down without any use of NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).
So in a limited model, it is useful to apply Ayurvedic diagnosis parallel with modern diagnostic and Ayurvedic treatment supported by modern data collection.

Alchemy in the Factory Kitchen

Sudalaiandi at work

Sudalaiandi, an expert in preparation of medical enriched oils, has more than fifty years of practical experience in his field and has worked under the grandfather of Dr L Mahadevan. He creates the required medicine by cooking medicinal herbs and specially selected oils in several flat bronze bowls – called varpu or uruli – in a precise composition in a lengthy process.
 

Two fifty litre Uruli                                  a precisely blended composition

The bowls, having a capacity of fifty litres, consist of a stainless alloy of copper, tin and brass and are used to produce ayurvedic medicine, such as medical enriched oils, or lehyams and grithams.

Bus driver and Marma-Expert

Another extrordinary person is Subramanian. He is married, has a son and a married daughter. He learned authentical Marmamassage from his father and grandfather and has held this very successfully in the seventh generation. His extraordinary practical experience and his empathy is particularly appreciated by the patient.

The Varmas Expert Subramanian (right) and the author

Finally I will elaborate about Dr. L. Mahadevans work as a lecturer in front of college students and as a speaker at high-level international symposiato illustrate his tireless efforts to promote the philosophy of Ayurveda.

Lecture instead of birthday party
Sunday, 19thJanuary 2014

National Seminar on Sahasrayoga in Pankajakasthuri
Ayurveda Medical College,Thiruvanathapuram

On his birthday, Dr L Mahadevan conducts a seminar in English over more than three hours in Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College,Thiruvananthapuram in front of several hundred students on"Sahasrayoga - The treasure of Ayurvedic Formulations of Kerala".

Sahasrayoga is also known as"Cikitsa Sara Sarvasam", a book in which more than one thousand medical formulas are explained in composition, indications and dosage. It contains in detail descriptions on reasons (nidanas) of numerous diseases, recipes for various medical decoctions (kasayas), powders (curnas), tablets (gutikas), herbal paste (lehyas), clarified butterfat (ghrtas), medical enriched oils (tailas), etc.

Euphoric students and an avid lecturer

attentive and wide-awake students    The Doctor for the Healthy (right)

Dr. L. Mahadevan succeeds with much enthusiasm and witty remarks to maintain lasting attention of his listeners throughout the lecture for several hours.

Global Ayurveda Festival

This is the largest event in the land of authentic Ayurveda taking place every two years.

This year´s venue was in Cochin, after the inauguration in 2012 at Thiruvananthapuram.

More than 200 000 people visited the exhibition and over 4000 delegates appeared to this international seminar. All kind of vendors set out their exhibits at about 350 stalls.

The central theme at this event focused on the strength of Ayurveda and Public Health, which is increasingly burdened by an increase of communicable diseases.

Numerous lectures and exhibitions offered a wide range of mediation and experience of health issues of our time. Some topics are exemplified below :

1. Ayurveda in the scenario of current infectious diseases
2. Heart disease and Ayurveda
3. Obesity, diabetes, metabolic diseases and Ayurveda
4. Scope of Ayurveda within rehabilitation
5. Musculo skeletal disorders with a particular focus on Marma
6. Toxicology - a strength of Ayurveda
7. Women'sand Children's Health in Ayurveda
8. Nutrition and Dietetics in Ayurveda
9. Mental Health and Ayurveda
10. Medical Herbs with particular focus on distortions and substitutes
11. Role of Ayurveda in connection with graceful aging
12. Clinical Research in Ayurveda
13. Medicinal Applications of Yoga
14. Limitations in scientific research and Ayurveda
15. Ayurveda, medicinal plants and conservation

Dr. L. Mahadevan gave a presentation on the first day on the theme of potential of Ayurveda and reported on: "Ayurvedic perspective of oncology – A theoretical understanding and a practical journey based on guna siddhanta".

Epilogue

During his visit to Germany Dr L Mahadevan will kindle with the light of his knowledge the mind of his audience and explain what kind of patient the disease has."

 

Dates and topics during Dr. L. Mahadevan visit in September 2014 in Germany:

1) 12th to the 14th September 2014 - 16th International Ayurveda Symposium, Birstein
 Title of presentation:
"MANAGEMENT OF NEUROPATHIES BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF AYURVEDA - A CONCEPTUAL & CLINICAL STUDY"
 
2) 15th September 2014, Ayurveda Portal; Niedernhausen
Topic: LIVE-INTERVIEW

3) 17th September 2014, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
 Topic: AYURVEDA AND NEURAPATHY MANAGEMENT: ACCORDING TO THE OLDEST EXPERIENCE-BASED-MEDICINE

4) 21st September 2014 ,  Freie Heilpraktiker e.V., Kongress, Düsseldorf (Holistic Practioner Congress)
Topic: MENTAL DISEASES IN AYURVEDA AND ITS MANAGEMENT - TRIDOSHIC PERSPECTIVE OF MANIA AND DEPRESSION

Klaus-Rupprecht Wasmuht
Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Practice Lübeck

April 2014