Scientific approach towards ancient traditions Under the name of rationality and logic, it has become a fashion to criticize our traditionally followed customs and principles branding them as totally blind beliefs. But our ancient scriptures and books especially books on Ayurveda are knowledge treasures that show a way of healthy life. They mean health as a holistic health that is mentally, bodily and spiritually. But it is heartening to notice that the whole world is examining our ancient traditions and ways and trying to analyze and follow after recognizing its merits. One of them is the Ayurvedic way of treatment of illness. Ayurveda is now being popularly practiced internationally. This paper tries to bring out an issue : An immediate need of scientifically analyzing our old and ancient traditions or so called strong believes in order to bring out their values. It enables us to follow them popularly so as to maintain a quality in our lives. To illustrate our point , we wish to take the issue of “ Ghee”. It is known as GHRUTHAM in Sanskrit. It is made from pure milk –butter. Ghee lasts for long periods , that increases its medicinal value. Now a strong thought that prevails in us is that Ghee adds to our fat , leading to obesity, increases cholesterol leading to heart problems. Even doctors suggest strongly not to use Ghee for an healthy heart. They strongly warn heart patients not to use ghee. But in our early days , we all used to have ghee in our meals compulsorily. From children to old , it was impossible to take a meal without ghee. Ghee is regarded as AMRUTHA,( NECTOR) that increases life span,, gives a healthy life , free from illness. The rest of the paper gives an account of the medicinal features of ghee and also tries to mention some new findings on this issue, before advocating a scientific research on Ghee. I The medicinal features of Ghee: 1. Ghee is prepared systematically from butter after a due heating. The procedure makes ghee pure with an outstanding feature of ageing that makes it more potent. Ghee is made from butter but butter can not be preserved for more than a very few days but ghee can be preserved for a few years even. Is it not sufficient to show that the procedure is systematic. 2. Ghee purifies food and hence our ancestors used to have it with every item they use in daily food. According to Vedas and Gita , Ghee has healing powers to purify our body and mind. It accelerates digestion process, easily digestible even used daily, secreting enzymes and giving the required fats . This is especially true in case of Cow ghee. It increases Jataraaghni ( body fire). 3. The medicinal value of Ghee are very significant. It gives vitality to our human functions including heart. Cow ghee is very good for smoothing skin and also for the treatment of skin diseases . It could be used as a facial moisturizer and also be applied on heat burns for immediate relief . It not only restores natural skin but increases its glow. Ghee is known for the quality of Ropana - healing, and its effectiveness in facilitating recovery from wounds. 4. In ancient India, ghee is used to heal the patients and soldiers with wounds. According to Ayurveda, for chronic peptic ulcer or gastritis, Ghee can be used to heal that ulcer inside the intestinal tract. Ghee works as antiseptic on bedsores for the debilitated patients, bedridden for a long time.. It can be applied for broken bones and bruises. It is highly effective for all sorts of skin rashes and diseases . It is also used on all burns and chemical reactions. 5. Using a few drops of ghee in nostrils daily can check nose bleeding and also protects from cold. Taken as a medicine with water can prevent cough and other throat problems. 6. Similarly used as eye drops , reduces the disorders of eyes and enhances eye 7. sight.Ayurveda doctors prescribe cow ghee with a cup of warm water or milk daily before sleep . according to ayurveda cow ghee is soothing to the nerves and acts as a lubricant to the intestines of the human body. 8. In Ayurveda health means normalization of the three defects : vaata, pitta and Kapha. YThis normalization is excellently being done by cow ghee. Hence it ids believed that ghee is a mist in all daily means in a medicinal way. 9. Now a days we see many patients with thyroid malfunctions. Many thyro-care centres have come up. But cow gheeis suggested for thyroid dysfunction as it is said that ghee has requisite iodine content. 10. Ghee increases Intelligence and memory power. Hence our ancestors recommended ghee for children. Other observed features are that ghee increases body Energy giving strength to it. Also detoxifies Body; reduces throat problems and enhances the clarity of Voice, used as a nourishment to the body . • Ghee increases Quality and Quantity of Semen and ovum ( Ojas ) ,that are most essential for a strong and healthy human generations. More Ojas for increased fertility and healthier children. 11. It is strongly believed and used in the treatment of TB, loss of appetite or tastelessness, pleeha disorders ( enlargement of spleen), piles, Grahani ( motions) , fisher, and fistula etc. 12. Ghee is specially recommended for mental strength and also for treatment of mental disorders like madness ( Unmaada) or (mania and schizhophrenia), fits, edema etc. Ghee is said to promote all three aspects of mental functioning: learning, memory and recall. The traditional texts also designate ghee a medhya Rasayana, (Healthy and balanced fat in the body), beneficial for mental alertness and memory. It supports healthy vision, voice, intelligence and brain function. Pure Ghee has been given the cherished title of “Rasayana” in Ayurveda , Rasayana means pre-eminent herbs and foods that help overall health, longevity and well-being. 13. : Ghee is an absorber l that can bond with lipid-soluble nutrients and herbs to penetrate the lipid-based cell walls of the body. Thus, it increases the potency of certain herbs by carrying the active components to the interior of the cells, which helps to increase Marrow ( flesh in the middle of bones), Semen & Ojas (Immunity). II Modern Research on Ghee: It is good and appreciable to see that modern researchers found a few features of ghee based on their scientific studies and experiments. Some of the reported features (reported on internet sites) are: 1.Ghee contains only those fatty acids or saturated fat that are primarily (89%) short chain fatty acids, Short chains are not only easier to digest, but help hormone production and strengthening cell membranes. 2. Surprisingly 10 gms. of Cow Ghee used in fire sacrifice produces one ton of oxygen. When cow’s Ghee is burned with rice it produces Etholine oxide, propylene oxide and Foramaladeyore. Ethelene oxide and Formaldehyde give immunity against bacteria which are used in operation theatre. Propylene oxide induces rain. Therefore, Yagna done with cow Ghee purifies and cleanse the atmosphere and induces rains. 3. The effects of dietary Ghee on Heart .: It is said that it is a high risk to take ghee for heart patients suffering from Cardio Vascular Disease. Some experimental results found are: - No lipid deposition was observed either in the arteries or in the livers of animals fed a diet containing ghee (for a period of 8 weeks). Interestingly, serum Cholesterol levels decreased in a dose dependent manner when ghee was incorporated at levels ranging from 2.5 to 10% in the diet. 4. The unpublished results show that serum Cholesterol levels were decreased by 8 to 15% in these patients after ghee was consumed as a part of the therapy. Suggestions : It is srongly suggested that an active research is to be carried out to reaffirm the faith on our ancient customs , traditions and believes. That provide health and body immunity. It is very essential now as we are facing a serious problem due to environmental social pollution. The need of the hour is a quick and strong solution for a quality life. III Astrological point of view: Astrology is concerned with studies of planets and their influence. It helps humans in leading a life more harmonically. It should not be treated as a blind belief. Medical astrology deals with treatment of illness based on astro principles. Some careful thought is to be given to this Astrological way of treating the health problems. This is the only way to predict early the periods of ill health in life span and it facilitates some preventive steps to minimize the effects of problems of health. The reasoning or logic behind this medical astrology is very sound. To demonstrate this point , let us consider the case of cancer. The significator for cancer is Mars ( Kuja) , who is regarded as the army Chief in the kigdom of planets. Who can control him? Only King ( SUN), Queen ( MOON), and Minister ( Jupitor). The food items represented by these controllers are Wheat grass, rice and thermeric respectively. These are medicinally used to cure cancer. How logically explained the rationale behind usage of these items for cancer cure. Hence it is necessary that a deeper understanding is required on our ancient thoughts profounded in books and traditions. Accordingly a deeper research on scientific lines is to be done. Then only our rich heritage will be practiced popularly , bringing our past glory once again to the forefront in the world.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 05:03:17 +0000
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