Alternative systems of medicine

Submitted to
Ms. Sharon
Assistant professor
Govt college of nursing
Alappuzha Submitted by
Mr.Amalnath. G
2nd M.Sc Nursing
Govt college of nursing
Alappuzha

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INTRODUCTION

Like it or not, our patients are using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Studies show that CAM is the fastest growing area in health care today. Most of the
population uses some form of alternative therapy. The numbers are higher in family practice
settings: One study found that 50 percent of patients were using at least one alternative
therapy – and only half of them had told their family physician. To continue to provide quality
care, we the nurses need a basic knowledge of CAM therapies and communication skills that
will encourage patients to talk with us about the alternative therapies they’re using so that we
can offer appropriate guidance and advice. This article is meant to provide those two things.
It is not meant to encourage you to use CAM therapies in your practice.

DEFINITION
Complementary and alternative medicine or modalities (CAM) are defined by the
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), National Institutes
of Health, as “health care approaches with a history of use or origins outside of mainstream
medicine.

TYPES OF COMPLENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

• Alternative medical system
• Biologically based treatments
• Mind- body techniques
• Manipulative and body-based methods
• Energy therapies

ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEM

• Ayurveda
• Siddha
• Unani
• Homeopathy
• Naturopathy

Ayurveda
Ayurveda (devnagari, the ‘science of life’)is a system of traditional medicine native to
the Indian Subcontinent, originated >5000 years ago and practiced in other parts of the world
as a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda consists of the words ayus,
meaning life, and Veda, meaning ‘related to knowledge’ or ‘science’.The earliest literature
of Ayurveda appeared during the Vedic period in India.The Sushruta Samhita and the Charaka
Samhita were influential works on traditional medicine during this era.Aurvedic practioners
also identified a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for curing various
ailments and diseases.The famous treaties of Ayurveda are Charaka Samhita by Sage
Charaka, which details the prevention and treatment of disease, and Sushruta Samhita of sage
Sushruta, which deals with the Aurvedic system, the prevention of all types of diseases has a
prominent place in treatment, including restructuring a patient’s lifestyle to align with the

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course of nature and the four seasons to guarantee complete wellness.It aids in maintaining
good health, increasing longevity and overall quality of life.

The Body Matrix

Life in Ayurveda is conceived as the union of body, senses, mind and soul. The
living man is a conglomeration of three humors (Vata, Pitta &Kapha), seven basic tissues
(Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja & Shukra) and the waste products of the body
i.e. mala, mutra and sweda. Thus the total body matrix comprises of the humors, the tissues
and the waste products of the body. The growth and decay of this body matrix and its
constituents revolve around food which gets processed into humors, tissues and wastes.
Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism of food have an interplay in
health and disease which are significantly affected by psychological mechanisms as well
as by bio- fire (Agni).

Panchamahabhutas

According to Ayurveda all objects in the universe including human body are
composed of five basic elements (Panchamahabhutas) namely, earth, water, fire, air and
vacuum (ether). There is a balanced condensation of these elements in different
proportions to suit the needs and requirements of different structures and functions of the
body matrix and its parts. The growth and development of the body matrix depends on its
nutrition, i.e. on food. The food, in turn, is composed of the above five elements, which
replenish or nourish the like elements of the body after the action of bio-fire (Agni). The
tissues of the body are the structural entities whereas humours are physiological entities,
derived from different permutations and combinations of Panchamahabhutas.

Health and Sickness

Health or sickness depends on the presence or absence of a balanced state of the total
body matrix including the balance between its different constituents. Both the intrinsic and
extrinsic factors can cause disturbance in the natural equilibrium giving rise to diseases. This
loss of equilibrium can happen by dietary indiscrimination, undesirable habits and non-
observance of rules of healthy living. Seasonal abnormalities, improper exercise or erratic
application of sense organs and incompatible actions of the body and mind can also result in
creating disturbance of the existing normal balance. The treatment consists of restoring the
balance of disturbed body-mind matrix by following proper diet, correcting life-routine and
behavior, administration of drugs and resorting to preventive Panchkarma and Rasayana
therapy.

Diagnosis

In Ayurveda diagnosis and treatment of disease is always individual to each patient.

The physician takes a careful note of the patients internal physiological characteristics and
mental disposition. He also studies other factors such as the affected bodily tissues, humours,

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 the site at which the disease is located, patients resistance and vitality, his daily routine,
dietary habits, the clinical conditions, condition of digestion and details of personal, social,
economic and environmental situation of the patient. The diagnosis also involves the
following examinations:

1. General physical examination

2. Pulse examination
3. Urine examination
4. Examination of the faces
5. Examination of tongue and eyes
6. Examination of skin and ear including tactile and auditory functions.

Treatment

The treatment approach in the Ayurveda system is holistic and individualized having
preventive, curative, mitigative, recuperative and rehabilitative aspects. The principal
objectives of Ayurveda are maintenance and promotion of health, prevention of disease and
cure of sickness.Treatment of the disease consists in avoiding causative factors responsible
for disequilibrium of the body matrix or of any of its constituent parts through the use of
Panchkarma procedures, medicines, suitable diet, activity and regimen for restoring the
balance and strengthening the body mechanisms to prevent or minimize re-occurrence of the
disease.
Normally treatment measures involve use of medicines, specific diet and prescribed
activity routine. These three measures are used in two ways. In one approach of treatment the
three measures antagonize the disease by counteracting the etiological factors and various
manifestations of the disease. In the second approach the same three measures of medicine,
diet and activity are targeted to exert effects similar to the etiological factors and
manifestations of the disease process. These two types of therapeutic approaches are
respectively known as Vipreeta and Vipreetarthkari Chikitsa. For successful administration
of a treatment four things are essential. These are

1. The physician
2. The medicaments
3. The nursing personnel
4. The patient
The physician comes first in order of importance. He must possess technical skill,
scientific knowledge, purity and human understanding. The physician should use his
knowledge with humility, wisdom and in the service of humanity. Next in importance comes
food and drugs. These are supposed to be of high quality, wide application, grown and
prepared following approved procedures and should be available adequately. The third
component of every successful treatment is the role of nursing personnel who should have
good knowledge of nursing, must know the skills and be affectionate, sympathetic, intelligent,
neat & clean and resourceful. The fourth component is the patient himself who should be

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 cooperative and obedient to follow instructions of the physician, able to describe ailments and
ready to provide all that may be needed for treatment.

Preventive Treatment and the concepts of Aetio-Pathogenesis

Ayurveda has developed a very vivid analytical description of the stages and events
that take place since the causative factors commence to operate till the final manifestation of
disease. This gives this system an additional advantage of knowing that possible onset of
disease much before the latent symptoms become apparent. This very much enhances the
preventive role of this system of medicine by making it possible to take proper and effective
steps in advance, to arrest further progress in pathogenesis or to take suitable therapeutic
measures to curb the disease in its earliest stage of onset.

Diet and Ayurvedic Treatment

In Ayurveda, regulation of diet as therapy has great importance. This is because it

considers human body as the product of food. An individuals mental and spiritual development
as well as his temperament is influenced by the quality of food consumed by him. Food in
human body is transformed first into chyle or Rasa and then successive processes involve its
conversion into blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone-marrow, reproductive elements and ojas. Thus,
food is basic to all the metabolic transformations and life activities. Lack of nutrients in food
or improper transformation of food lead to a variety of disease conditions.

Siddha

Siddha system is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India . The term Siddha means
achievements and Siddhars were saintly persons who achieved results in medicine. Eighteen
Siddhars were said to have contributed towards the development of this medical system.
Siddha literature is in Tamil and it is practised largely in Tamil speaking part of India and
abroad. The Siddha System is largely therapeutic in nature. Siddharas were of the concept
that a healthy soul can only be developed through a healthy body. So they developed methods
and medication that are believed to strengthen their physical body and there by their
souls.They practiced intense yogic practices, including years of fasting and meditation and
believed to have achieved supernatural powers and gained the supreme wisdom and overall
immortality.It is assumed that when the normal equilibrium of three humors (vatha, pitha and
kapha) is distributed, disease is caused.According to Siddha medicine system, diet and life
style play a major role not only in health but also in curing diseases.The treatment in this
medicine is aimed at keeping the three humors in equilibrium and maintenance of seven
elements.According to therapies the treatments of Siddha medicines could be further
categorized into following categories such as; purgative therapy, emetic therapy, fasting
therapy, steam therapy, oleation therapy, physical therapy, solar therapy, and bloodletting
therapy, yoga therapy, etc.

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Basic Concepts

This principles and doctrines of this system, both fundamental and applied, have a close
similarity to Ayurveda, with specialization in Iatro-chemistry. According to this system the
human body is the replica of the universe and so are the food and drugs irrespective of their
origin. Like Ayurveda, this system believes that all objects in the universe including human
body are composed of five basic elements namely, earth, water, fire, air and sky. The food,
which the human body takes and the drugs it uses are all, made of these five elements. The
proportion of the elements present in the drugs vary and their preponderance or otherwise is
responsible for certain actions and therapeutic results. As in Ayurveda, This system also
considers the human body as a conglomeration of three humours, seven basic tissues and the
waste products of the body such as faeces, urine and sweat. The food is considered to be basic
building material of human body which gets processed into humours, body tissues and waste
products. The equilibrium of humours is considered as health and its disturbance or imbalance
leads to disease or sickness. This system also deals with the concept of salvation in life. The
exponents of this system consider achievement of this state is possible by medicines and
meditation.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of diseases involve identifying it causes. Identification of causative

factors is through the examination of pulse, urine, eyes, study of voice, color of body, tongue
and the status of the digestive system. The system has worked out details procedure of urine
examination which includes study of its color, smell, density, quantity and oil drop spreading
pattern. It holistic in approach and the diagnosis involves the study of person as a whole as
well as his disease. The Siddha System of Medicine emphasizes that medical treatment is
oriented not merely to disease but has to take into account the patient, environment, the
meteorological consideration, age, sex, race, habits, mental frame, habitat, diet, appetite,
physical condition, physiological constitution etc. This means the treatment has to be
individualistic, which ensures that mistakes in diagnosis or treatment are minimal.
The Siddha System also deals with the problems affecting the women's health and a lot
of formulations are available in the Siddha classics which can counter the problems for a better
living. The care for women's health starts from the first day of the girl child. The Siddha System
strongly advocates breast feeding upto the first three months of the life. The Siddha System
believes in the principle of Food itself is medicine and during this nursing period, lactating
mothers are advised to take the food rich in iron, protein and fibre so as to prevent any
nutritional disorders both to the child as well as the mothers. Once in 15 days, the mothers are
advised to take simple remedies for de -worming so that they may not land up in anaemic
conditions.
For any diseases due to infection or otherwise, the treatment is individualistic on
examination of that particular patient. Once the girl child attained menarche, the Siddha System
has got a variety of preparations which can strengthen her reproductive system so as to deliver
a healthy child in future. And also, effective treatments are available to take care of the
menopausal syndromes, especially problems related to the hormonal imbalance.

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 The Siddha System is effective in treating chronic cases of liver, skin diseases
especially Psoriasis, rheumatic problems, anaemia, prostate enlargement, bleeding piles and
peptic ulcer. The Siddha Medicines which contains mercury, silver, arsenic, lead and sulpher
have been found to be effective in treating certain infectious diseases including venereal
diseases. Practitioners have claimed that Siddha medicines are effective in reducing the highly
debilitating problems that manifest themselves among patients of HIV/AIDS. More research
into the efficacy of these medicines is presently in progress.

Unani

The Unani System of Medicine has a long and impressive record in India. It was
introduced in India by the Arabs and Persians sometime around the eleventh century. Today,
India is one of the leading countries in so for as the practice of Unani medicine is concerned.
It has the largest number of Unani educational, research and health care institutions.
As the name indicates, Unani system originated in Greece. The foundation of Unani
system was laid by Hippocrates. The system owes its present form to the Arabs who not only
saved much of the Greek literature by rendering it into Arabic but also enriched the medicine
of their day with their own contributions. In this process they made extensive use of the science
of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Therapeutics and Surgery.
Unani Medicines got enriched by imbibing what was best in the contemporary systems
of traditional medicines in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Persia, India, China and other Middle East
countries. In India, Unani System of Medicine was introduced by Arabs and soon it took firm
roots. The Delhi Sultans (rulers) provided patronage to the scholars of Unani System and even
enrolled some as state employees and court physicians. During 13th and 17th century A.D.
Unani Medicine had its hey-day in India.
The system suffered a severe setback during the British rule in India. The allopathic
system was introduced and gained ground. This retarded the growth of education, research and
practice of Unani system of medicine. All the traditional systems of medicine along with Unani
System faced almost complete neglect for about two centuries. The withdrawal of State
Patronage could not harm much as the masses reposed faith in this system and it continued to
be practiced. It was mainly Sharifi family in Delhi, the Azizi family in Lucknow and the Nizam
of Hyderabad due to whose efforts Unani Medicine survived during the British period.
The Unani system of the Medicine, saw the beginning of its revival during the freedom
struggle. Hakim Ajmal Khan, was a renowned physician and also one of the foremost freedom
fighters in the country. He established an Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College and Hindustani
Dawakhana a pharmaceutical company for manufacturing of Ayurvedic and Unani medicine
in Delhi in 1916. Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the college on February 13, 1921. Some of the
Princely States also fully patronized this system.
After independence the Unani System along with other Indian systems of medicine
received a fresh boost under the patronage of the National Government and its people.
Government of India took several steps for the all round development of this system. It passed
laws to regulate and promote its education and training. It established research institutions,
testing laboratories and standardized regulations for the production of drugs and for its practice.

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Today the Unani system of medicine with its recognized practitioners, hospitals and
educational and research institutions, forms an integral part of the national health care delivery
system.

Principles Concepts and Definition

Avicenna, one of the greatest scholars of Unani Tabb (medicine), has defined it as:
Tabb is the science of which we learn the various states of body, in health and when not in
health, and the means by which health is likely to be lost and, when lost, is likely to be
restored.
The basic theory of Unani system is based upon the well- known four- humour theory
of Hippocrates. This presupposes the presence, in the body, of four humours viz., blood,
phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. The human body is considered to be made up of the
following seven components are:

1. Arkan (Elements)
2. Mizaj (Temperament)
3. Akhlat (Humors)
4. Aaza (Organs)
5. Arwah (Spirits)
6. Quwa (Faculties)
7. Afaal (Functions)
8. Arkan (Elements)

The human body contains four elements. Each of the four elements has its own temperament
as follows:
Element-Temperament
Air-Hot and Moist
Earth-Cold and Dry
Fire- Hot and Dry
Water-Cold and Moist

Mizaj (Temperament)
In the Unani system, the temperament of the individual is very important as it is
considered to be unique. The individuals temperament is believed to be the result of the
interaction of the elements. The temperament can be real equitable where the four elements
used are in equal quantities. This does not exist. The temperament may be equitable. This
means presence of just and required amount of compatible temperament. Lastly, temperament
can be inequitable. In this case there is absence of just distribution of temperament according
to their requirements for healthy functioning of the human body.

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Akhlat (Humours)
Humours are those moist and fluid parts of the body which are produced after
transformation and metabolism of the aliments; they serve the function of nutrition, growth
and repair; and produce energy, for the preservation of individual and his species. The
humours are responsible for maintaining moisture of different organs of the body and also
provide nutrition to the body. Food passes through four stages of digestion; (1) Gastric
digestion when food is turned in to chyme and chyle and carried to liver by mesenteric veins
(2). Hepatic digestion in which chyle is converted into four humours in varying quantities,
that of blood being the largest. Thus, the blood which leaves the liver is intermixed with the
other humours namely, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. The third and fourth stages of
digestion are known as (3) vessels and (4) tissue digestion. While the humours are flowing in
the blood vessels, every tissue absorbs its nutrition by its attractive power and retains it by its
retentive power. Then the digestive power in conjunction with assimilative power converts it
into tissues. The waste material in humour at this stage is excreted by the expulsive power.
According to this system when any disturbance occurs in the equilibrium of the humour, it
causes disease. The treatment, therefore, aims at restoring the equilibrium of humours.

Aaza (Organs)
These are the various organs of the human body. The health or disease of each
individual organ affects the state of health of the whole body.

Arwah (Spirits)
Ruh (Spirit) is a gaseous substance, obtained from the inspired air, it helps in all the
metabolic activities of the body. It burns the akhlat latifah to produce all kinds of quwa
(powers) and hararat ghariziyah, it is the source of vitality for all the organs of the body.
These are considered to be the life force and are, therefore, important in the diagnosis and
treatment of disease. These are the carriers of different powers, which make the whole body
system and its parts functional.

Quwa (Faculties)
These are of three kinds:
1. Quwa Tabiyah (Natural power)
2. Quwa Nafsaniyah (Psychic power)
3. Quwa Haywaniyah (Vital power)
4. Quwa Tabiyah or Natural power is the power of metabolism and reproduction. Liver is
the seat of this power and the process is carried on in every tissue of the body.
Metabolism is concerned with the processes of nutrition and growth of human body.
Nutrition comes from the food and is carried to all parts of the body, while growth
power is responsible for the construction and growth of human organism.
5. Quwa Nafsaniyah or Psychic power refers to nervous and psychic power. It is located
inside the brain and is responsible for perceptive and motive power. Perceptive power
conveys impressions or sensation and motive power brings about movements as a
response to sensation. Quwa Haywaniyah or Vital power is responsible for maintaining

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 life and enables all the organs to accept the effect of psychic power. This power is
located in the heart. It keeps life running in the tissues.

6. Afaal (Functions)
This component refers to the movements and functions of all the organs of the body. In
case of a healthy body the various organs are not only in proper shape but are also performing
their respective functions. This makes it necessary to have full knowledge of the functions of
the human body in full detail.

Health
Health refers to that state of human body when all the functions of the body are carried
out normally. Disease is the opposite of health in which one or more functions or forms of
the body organs are at fault.

Diagnosis
The Diagnostic process in Unani system is dependent on observation and physical
examination. Any illness of a person is to be regarded as a product of:
1. The stuff and material he is made of ;
2. The kind of temperament, structure and strength of faculties he has;
3. The type of factors operating on him from outside; and
4. Natures own attempt to maintain his physical functions and to ward off disruptions to the
extent possible.

Keeping all inter-related factors in view, the cause and nature of illness is determined
and treatment is chalked out. Diagnosis involves investigating the causes of disease
thoroughly and in detail. For this, the physicians depend mainly on Pulse (Nabz) reading and
examination of urine and stool. The alternative contraction and expansion of the arteries
produced by the systolic and diastolic of heart is called Pulse (Nabz). Besides the means of
pulse reading and physical examination of urine and stool, other conventional means such as
inspection, palpitation, percussion and occultation are also used for diagnosis purposes.

Homeopathy
Homeopathy. From the Greek words homios (“like”) and pathos (“suffering”), the word
homeopathy simply means treating like with like. In other words, a substance that causes
symptoms in well individuals can also be used to treat the same symptoms in sick individuals.
While Hippocrates understood the basic concepts of homeopathy and used some homeopathic
cures, Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician and chemist founded modern homeopathy.
The theory of homeopathy is based on three of Hahnemann’s principles:

1. the “law of similars,” which states that a substance that can cause disease in a well person
can cure similar symptoms in the diseased;
2. the “principle of the minimum dose,” which states that by diluting a substance, its curative
properties are enhanced and its side effects minimized; and

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3. prescribing for the individual, which advocates basing treatment not only on the medical
diagnosis but also the patient’s temperament, personality and emotional and physical
responses.
Two meta-analyses have been published suggesting homeopathic remedies are more
effective than placebo alone. However, both studies state that the current research and
literature in the field does not meet the rigorous, scientific proof needed to establish efficacy
of homeopathy for specific clinical conditions.8,9 More research is needed before
homeopathy can be declared clinically useful for any one condition.

Naturopathy
Naturopathy is an art and science of healthy living and a drugless system of healing
based on well founded philosophy. It has its own concept of health and disease and also
principle of treatment. Naturopathy is a very old science. We can find a number of references
in our Vedas and other ancient texts. The morbid matter theory, concept of vital force and other
concepts upon which Naturopathy is based are already available in old texts. The revival of
Naturopathy started in India by translation of Germany’s Louis Kuhne’s book “New Science
of Healing”. Shri D. Venkat Chelapati Sharma translated this book in Telgu language in 1894.
Shri Shroti Kishan Swaroop of Bijnor translated this book into Hindi and Urdu languages in
1904. All this gave a wide propagation to this system.
Gandhiji was influenced by the book Return to Nature written by Adolf Just and
become a firm believer of Naturopathy. He not only wrote several articles in favour of
Naturopathy in his newspaper Harijan but did its several experiments on himself too, on his
family members and members of his Ashram. It may be noted here that Gandhiji used to stay
at the Nature Cure Clinic of Dr. Dinshaw Mehta situated in Pune during 1934 to 1944. In his
memory, the Government of India established National Institute of Naturopathy in 1986 at
that place. Gandhiji included Naturopathy in his constructive programmes. Due to influence
of Gandhiji, several National leaders joined this minority health movement. The names of
Ex-Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai, Ex-Governor of Gujarat Shri Shrimannarayanji, Ex-
President Shri V.V.Giri, Acharya Vinoba Bhave and Shri Balkova Bhave need special
mention in this regard.
Indian Naturopathy movement started mainly in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh, Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Naturopaths who did foundation work in
revival of Naturopathy in different States are Dr. Mahavir Prasad Poddar, Dr. Janaki Sharan
Varma, Shri Sharan Prasad, Dr. Khushi Ram Dilkash, Dr. S.J. Singh, Dr. Hiralal, Dr. Vitthal
Das Modi, Dr. Kulranjan Mukherjee, Dr. Sukhram Das, Dr.J.M. Jussawala, Dr. M.M.
Bhamgara, Dr. Vegi Raju Krishnam Raju, Dr. B. Venkat Rao, Dr. B. Vijaya Laxmi, Dr.
Ganga Prasad Gaur Nahar, Shri Dharam Chanda Saravagi, Dr. Sukhbir Singh Rawat, Acharya
K. Laxman Sharma etc.
Here, it may also be mentioned that modern Naturopathy movement was started in
Germany and other western countries with Water Cure (Hydrotherapy) therapy. Water Cure
was synonymous with Nature Cure in those early days. The credit of making Water Cure
world famous goes to Vincent Priessnitz (1799-1851), who was a farmer. Later on, other
personalities also made their contribution in this work. The name of Louis Kuhne needs
special mention, who propounded the Principle of Unity of Disease and Treatment and

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 provided a theoretical base to this method. The book New Science of Healing written by him
has been translated into several languages of the world.
The names of Dr. Henry Lindlahr, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, Arnold Ehrit, D. D. Palmer, Rolier,
E.D. Babbit, Bernarr Macfadden, Arnold Rickley, J.H. Tilden, Father Kneipp, Benedict Lust,
Stainley Lief and Herry Benjamin etc. may also be mentioned among others who had their
share of contribution to the development of Naturopathy.
As on today, Naturopathy is Recognised and well accepted as an independent System
of Medicine.Presently there are 12 Degree Colleges, Affiliated to Universities and are
imparting its five and a half years degree course of Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences
(BNYS).

Definition of Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a system of man building in harmony with the constructive principles of
Nature on physical, mental, moral and spiritual planes of living. It has great health promotive,
disease preventive and curative as well as restorative potential.
According to the manifesto of British Naturopathic Association, "Naturopathy is a
system of treatment which recognizes the existence of the vital curative force within the body."
It therefore, advocates aiding human system to remove the cause of disease i.e. toxins by
expelling the unwanted and unused matters from human body for curing diseases.

Salient Features of Naturopathy

The main features of Naturopathy are as under:

1. All diseases, their causes and treatment are one. Except for traumatic and environmental
conditions, the cause of all diseases is one i.e. accumulation of morbid matter in the
body. The treatment of all diseases is elimination of morbid matter from the body.
2. The primary cause of disease is accumulation of morbid matter. Bacteria and virus enter
and survive in the body only after the accumulation of morbid matter when a favorable
atmosphere for their growth is established in body. Hence, the basic cause of disease is
morbid matter and bacteria secondary causes.
3. Acute diseases are self-healing efforts of the body. Hence, they are our friends, not the
enemy. Chronic diseases are outcome of wrong treatment and suppression of the acute
diseases.
4. Nature is the greatest healer. The human body itself has the healing power to prevent
itself from disease and regain health if unhealthy.
5. In Nature Cure it is not the disease but the entire body of the patient which is caused
and is renewed.
6. Naturopathy Cures Patients suffering from chronic ailments are also treated
successfully in comparatively less time by Naturopathy.
7. In Nature Cure the suppressed diseases are brought to surface and are removed
permanently.
8. Naturopathy treats all the aspects like physical, mental, social and spiritual at the same
time.
9. Naturopathy treats the body as a whole.

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According to Naturopathy, “Food is only the Medicine”, no external medications are used.
Performing prayer according to one’s spiritual faith is an important part of treatment
(According to Gandhiji “Rama Nama" is the best Natural Treatment)

Techniques of Naturopathy
a. Diet Therapy
b. Fasting Therapy
c. Mud Therapy
d. Hydrotherapy
e. MassoTherapy
f. Acupressure
g. Acupuncture
h. Chromo Therapy
i. Air Therapy
j. Magnet Therapy

Some Important Treatments of Naturopathy

a. Mud pack, Mud Applications
b. Mud Bath, Underground Mud Bath, Mud Pool Bath
c. Hip Bath
d. Spinal Bath, Spinal Spray Bath
e. Immersion Bath, Friction Bath
f. Foot Bath, Arm Bath
g. Steam Bath, Sauna Bath
h. Sun Bath, Colour Sun Bath (Chromo Bath),
i. Green Leaves Sun Bath
j. Hot & Cold Fomentation
k. Wet Sheet Pack, Chest Pack, Abdomen Pack, Trunk Pack
l. Knee Pack, Neck Pack, Wet Girdle Pack
m. Enema-Warm Water, Butter Milk, Tender Coconut Water etc.
n. Circular Jet Bath
o. Colon Irrigation
p. Deluxe Hydro Massage, Jacuzi
q. Hot and Cold Water Douches, Effusions
r. Whirlpool Bath
s. Under Water Exercises
t. Magnet Therapy
u. Colour Therapy
v. Acupuncture
w. Acupressure
x. Reflexology
y. Physiotherapy Treatments - Exercise Therapy, Electro Therapy

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Sowa-rigpa
Sowa-Rigpa is based on the principles of Jung-wa-nga (Skt: panchamahabhutas) and
Ngepa-Sum (Skt: Tridosa). Bodies of all the living beings and non living objects of the
universe are composed of Jung-wa-nga; viz Sa, Chu, Me, Lung and Nam-kha (Skt: Prithvi,
Jal, Agni, Vayu and Akash). The physiology, pathology Pharmacology and metria -medica
of this system are established on these theories. Our body is composed of these five Cosmo
physical elements of Jung-wa-nga; when the proportion of these elements is in imbalance in
our body disorder results. The medicine and diet used for the treatment of disorders are also
composed of the same five basic elements. In the body these elements are present in the form
of Ngepa-Sum (Skt: Tri-dosa) Lus-sung-dun (Skt: Sapta Dhatu) and Dri-ma-Sum (Skt:
Trimala). In drugs, diet and drinks they exist in the form of Ro-dug (Skt: Shast-rasa) Nus-pa
(Virya) Yontan (Skt: Guna) and Zhu-jes (Skt: Vipaka). It is in context of this theory that a
physician would use his knowledge, skills and experience in treating a patient, using the
theory of similarity and dissimilarity (Skt: Samanaya and Vísesa) of five elements.

The basic theory of Sowa-Rigpa may be adumbrated in terms of the following five points:
1. The body in disease as the locus of treatment;
2. Antidote, i.e., the treatment;
3. The method of treatment through antidote;
4. Medicine that cures the disease;
5. Materia Medica, Pharmacy & Pharmacology

BIOLOGICALLY BASED TREATMENTS

Herbal medicine
DEFINITION
Are those medicines with active ingredients made from plant parts, such as leaves, roots or
flowers. Just like conventional medicines, herbal medicines will have an effect on the body
and can be potentially harmful if not used correctly. They should therefore be used with the
same care and respect as conventional medicines.
Example:
- Ginger is an effective remedy for nausea and vomiting.
- Tea tree oil may be effective against fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
- Vegetables from the alliums family (onions and garlic) may protect against certain cancers
if eaten regularly, specially cancers of the digestive tract.

Nutritional therapy
DEFINITION
It is a system of healing based on the belief that food, as nature intended provides the
medicine we need to obtain and maintain a state of health: our food is our medicine and our
medicine is our food. Is a holistic discipline; nutrition as the key to good health is the all-
embracing fundamental principle used since the time of Hippocrates, to help people of all
ages. Today, new insights of food scientist play a significant role in the practice of nutritional
therapy as preventive medicine.

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 MIND-BODY TECHNIQUES
Meditation

 In meditation, people regulate their attention or systematically focus on particular aspects of

inner or outer experience.
 It usually involves sitting or resting quietly, often with the eyes closed.
 Sometimes, it involves the repetitive sounding of a phrase (a mantra) meant to help the person
focus.
 It often induces physical relaxation, mental calmness and favorable emotional states such as
loving-kindness and even-temperedness.

Relaxation techniques

 Are practices specifically designed to relieve tension and strain.

 It may be aimed at reducing activity of the nerves that control the stress response, lowering
blood pressure, easing muscle tension, slowing metabolic processes or altering brain wave
activity.

Guided imagery

 It involves the use of mental images to promote relaxation and wellness, reduce pain or
facilitate healing of a particular ailment. Such as cancer or psychological trauma.
 The images can involve any of the senses and may be self-directed or guided by a practioners,
sometimes in a group setting.
 Guided imagery has not been thoroughly scientifically studied, but many people claim to have
had success with it.

Hypnotherapy

 In this, people are guided into an advanced state of relaxation and heightened attention.
 Hypnotized people become absorbed in the images suggested by the hypnotherapist and are
able to suspend disbelief.
 It can be used to help people change their behavior and thus improve their health.
 It is helpful in treating many conditions and symptoms in which psychological factors can
influence physical symptoms.

Biofeedback

 Is a method of bringing unconsciousness biologic processes under conscious control.

 It involves the use of electronic devices to measure and report back to the conscious mind
information.
 It has been shown to be clinically effective in treating certain problems (ex. Headaches,
incontinence, attention deficit disorder)

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 MANIPULATIVE AND BODY-BASED METHODS

Yoga

 The fundamental idea behind the practice of yoga is to unite the individual self (jiva) with the
supreme or pure consciousness (Brahma).
 The main aim of yoga therapy is the mind/body integration which strike into he normal
healing properties of the body and helps to restore functions of your body and health
 The factual connotation of yoga is unification.
 Merging in this static realism liberates the spirit from all senses of separation. It liberates the
mind from the ignorance of time, space and causation.
 In present view, yoga is of the most helpful and healthy forms of experience to manage the
influence of thinking by turning psychological and physical force into spiritual energy.
 It eases oneself from the cramped tension and also enhances the concentration.
 It cures all disease and controls the aging process.
 Yoga therapy consists of three basic parts of your body which work together.
a. Physical posture
1. It helps to stretch and strengthen your muscles.
2.It also improves your mobility, flexibility and balance.
3.The proper postures enhance your body’s natural functions of circulation, elimination,
respiration and digestion.
b. Breathing technique
It mainly focuses on awareness of breath and helps to promote calm, focus the mind and
relieve stress and fatigue.
c. Relaxation therapy
It mainly helps you to recharge and ease tension.

Chiropractice

 In this, the relationship between the structure of the spine and function of the nervous system
is thought to be the key in maintaining or restoring health.
 It is useful in treating low back pain, headaches and nerve impingement syndromes.
 Generally however the effect of manipulation on conditions not directly related to the
musculoskeletal system has not been established.

Tai Chi & Qi gong

 Tai Chi and Qi gong are centuries-old related mind and body practices.
 They involve certain postures and gentle movements with mental focus, breathing and
relaxation.
 The movements can be adapted or practiced while walking, standing or sitting.
 In contrast to Qi gong, Tai Chi movements if practiced quickly can be a form of combat or
self-defense.

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 Practicing theses may improve balance and stability in older people and those with
Parkinson’s, reduce pain from knee osteoarthritis, help people cope with fibromyalgia and
back pain and promote quality of life and mood in people with heart failure and cancer.
 People practicing Tai Chi have documented less frequent headaches, diarrhea and are less
prone to anger, anxiety and frustration it boots their energy level and adds to their daily
activities
ENERGY THERAPIES

Massage therapies

 In this, body tissues are manipulated to promote wellness and reduce pain and stress.
 The therapeutic value of massage for many musculoskeletal symptoms and stress is widely
accepted.
 Massage therapy is also effective in treating low birth weight infant, relieving chronic
constipation and controlling asthma.

Acupuncture

 A therapy within traditional Chinese medicine is one of the most widely accepted alternative
therapies in the Western world.
 Specific points on the body are stimulated, usually by inserting thing needle into the skin and
underlying tissues.
 Sometimes additional stimulated is added by using a very low voltage electric current by
twisting the needle or by warning the needle.
 Stimulating these specific points is believed to unlock the flow of Qi along energy pathways
(medians) and thus restore balance between yin and yang.
 The procedure is not painful but may cause a tingling sensation.
 A variation of acupuncture, called acupressure, uses localized massage instead of needled to
stimulate acupuncture points.
 Reasonable evidence supports the effectiveness of acupuncture as a pain reliever, an anti
nauseant and antiemetic.

Reflexology

 A variant of massage therapy relies on manual pressure applied to specific areas of the foot;
these are believed to correspond to different organs or body systems via meridians.
 Stimulation of these areas is believed to eliminate the blockage of energy responsible for pain
or disease in the corresponding body part.

Hand mediated bio field terapies

 Therapeutic touch (TT) is a mostly secular variant of faith healing, started by Dolores Krieger
in the early 1970s.

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 The TT practitioner moves his hands over the patient’s body, specially the affected area,
without actually touching the patient..
 This practice is based on the belief that living begins have an energy field or aura which
extends beyond the surface of the body that can be manipulated by the therapist.

Other therapies
Traditional chinese medicine
Curenderismo
Aroma therapy
Spiritual therapy
Music therapy
Humor and laughter
Bioelectric
megnetic therapy
Photo energy therapy
Detoxification therapy
Animal assisted therapy
Horticulture therapy

Advantages and dis advantages of CAM

Advantages
1. Holistic health: teaches you to regain the balance between mind and body because the
illness and pains that is felt are bought about by imbalances in system. It focuses on helping
to pinpoint the root cause rather than just symptoms. And people will also learn how to
maintain over all wellness for long term optimal health so people become more empowered
and pro active in taking care of mind and body
2. May not be as costly as modern therapies and medication
3. Can work as sole, primary, and supportive treatments: Recent study show that certain
herbs and foods help to control and heal cancer and diabetes. Those who have anxiety and
depression also benefit from doing yoga and taking herbs. Therapeutic massage has been
reported as to relive muscle and joint pain
Disadvantages
1. They take time to work
2. They require strict life style changes
3. They might interact with certain medications
4. Less research

MINISTRY OF AYUSH
The Ministry of AYUSH was formed on 9th November 2014 to ensure the optimal
development and propagation of AYUSH systems of health care. Earlier it was known as the
Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H) which was created in
March 1995 and renamed as Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in November 2003, with focused attention for development of

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Education and Research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and
Homoeopathy.

Summary of infrastructure under AYUSH ministry

National AYUSH mission (NAM)

Department of AYUSH, ministry of health and family welfare Govt. of India has launched National
AYUSH mission during 12th five year plan for implementing through state/union territory
The main objective is to promote AYUSH medical system through cost effective AYUSH
services, strengthening of educational systems facilitate the enforcement of quality control of ayurveda,
siddha, unani, and homeopathy
Components of AYUSH mission
1. AYUSH services
2. Educational institution

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 3. Quality control of AYUSH drugs
4. Medicinal plants
It has an action plan to properly assess, guide, evaluate, correct AYUSH
Expected outcomes of AYUSH
1. Improvement of AYUSH education through enhanced number of AYUSH educational institutions
2. Better access to AYUSH services through increased number of AYUSH hospitals and
dispensaries coverage, availability of drugs and manpower
3. Sustained availability of quality raw materials for AYUSH system
4. Quality pharmacies and drug labs through proper enforcement

IMPLICATIONS IN NURSING

 The significance of CAM awareness for acute and critical care nurses cannot be overemphasized. The
demographics of acute and critical care patients are rapidly changing because of increased immigration
and life expectancy. Cultural beliefs about health and illness may delay access to conventional care and
decrease medical adherence, often with catastrophic results.
 Use of CAM is reportedly increasing among elderly persons, including concomitant use of herbal
supplements with conventional medication.
 Adverse reactions due to poly pharmacy, increased sensitivity to some medications, and decreased
organ function for medication processing and clearance may be of greater concern to the elderly than
to younger persons.
 The overall increased use of CAM by patients who may think that these therapies are safe and who
have little understanding of the potential adverse effects place these patients at increased risk for
admission to an intensive care unit.
 Examples of these effects include acute tubular necrosis (some traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic
herbal medicines), severe hemorrhage (Gingko biloba, garlic, and ginger), hypertensive crisis and
cardiac arrhythmias (ginseng, yohimbe, and ephedrine), severe electrolyte disturbances (licorice),
and cerebro-vascular events (spinal manipulation, particularly when performed by non-licensed
practitioners).
 In patients with life-threatening illness for whom conventional care may have been unsuccessful or
escalation of care may be deemed too risky or no longer beneficial, CAM therapies may be considered
to enhance the patients’ comfort.
 More acute and critical care nurses have reported that they use various forms of CAM in their own self-
care to decrease stress and enhance health and well- being.
 Many nurses have reported becoming practitioners of these therapies to expand their own strategies to
provide holistic care to patients and families
 Various CAM therapies, particularly those that are biologically based or potentially disruptive to tissue,
may interfere with conventional medicine, resulting in serious adverse effects for patients who are
already physiologically compromised.

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 It provides a wealth of resources for health professionals and consumers to promote safe
incorporation of CAM into the plan of care, including how to talk to patients and patients’ families
about their practices.
 Through awareness, acceptance, collaboration, and creativity, acute and critical care nurses can create
a safe and comfortable setting for patients and patients’ families.

SUMMARY
The use of complementary and alternative medicine remains controversial, as it has arisen
largely from systems that are apart from conventional medicine. However, complementary
and alternative medicine is in widespread use in the community and this mandates that
medical workers be educated. In particular, its potential interaction with prescribed medicines
needs to be discussed with patients. Complementary and alternative medicine is most often
used to complement conventional therapy rather than as an alternative to it, and most often is
directed at symptom relief. Some therapies have become main stream, such as psychological
therapies, and these have been demonstrated to improve quality of life. Other complementary
and alternative medicines have been the subject of research. For example, ginger, acupuncture
and hypnosis have all been shown to be effective in trials of their use with chemotherapy
induced emesis. Studies of prayer, however, highlight the methodological challenges of
researching complementary and alternative medicine. Patients’ perceptions of
complementary and alternative medicines are firmly divided into those who use them as part
of a holistic approach and those who reject them, usually on the basis that they are not
curative. Little work has been done on the complex interactions with family over the use of
complementary and alternative medicine, which can either be divisive or improve cohesion.
Finally, the attempts to practice integrative medicine are analyzed as a model for the way
forward for patient centered care.

CONCLUSION
CAM has a wide range of scope, nurses should have proper awareness regarding this and
should help the patient to choose appropriate CAM. And have to stress that they select
appropriately trained and licenced practitioners. Encourage patients to ask alternative
providers about their background and training and treatment modalities they use. By doing so
patient will be better equipped with awareness and they will take wise decision about their
health care.

REFERENCE
1. Chintamani “Lewis’s Medical Surgical Nursing” published by Mosby Elsevier India
Private Ltd. Page no:77-85
2. Shebeer P. Basheer & S. Yaseen Khan “A Consice Text Book Of Advanced Nursing
Practice” published by EMMESS Medical Publishers, Banglore:page no:661-675
3. Taylor Lillis LeMone Lynn “Fundamentals Of Nursing” 7th edition published by
Wolters Kluwer| Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London. Page no: 718-723
4. www.ayush.gov.in
5. AYUSH research portal gov of India

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