COMPLEMENTARY
&
ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS
OF
MEDICINE
(CAM)
CURRENT SCENARIO
More and more people worldwide are
spending billions on herbal remedies.
In the US alone the use of
complementary and alternative
medicine has doubled in the past
decade.
IN USA
42.1% used CAM therapy
$ 21.2 billion spent
IN UK
28.3% used CAM therapy
Pound 450 million spent
Why we need it ???
Life
not in communion with Nature
Lack of Social Interaction
Search of Happiness via Materialistic Means
Lack of Self-introspection
Denial of responsibility towards Society
which yields to……...
…...
….Problem of Today’s Society
Stress and Strain
Absence of Inner Joy and Peace
More and more Psychosomatic Ailments
Lack of emotional support during periods of crises
Understanding
The Concept of Sound Health
Defined by WHO as ….
* Physical
* Mental
* Spiritual and
* Social Well-being
Alternative Systems of Medicine
emerged because of
• Limitations of Various Branches of Medicines
• Synthesis of Proven Systems
• Need for Preventive Measures
• Inexpensive Treatment
• Emphasizes Mind and body link
Complementary Therapies
Biological therapies : Herbal remedies
Aromatherapy
Dietary theapies
Orthomolecular therapies
Mind - body therapies : Hypnotherapy
Pranic Healing
Meditation
Complementary Therapies
Herbal Remedies– Plants and their Extracts
Aromatherapy– Essential oils usually inhaled
Dietary Therapies—Right diet to promote
health,prevent or control illness
Orthomolecular Therapies—Large vitamin doses
Or mineral supplements.
Complementary Therapies
MIND BODY INTERVENTIONS
Hypnotherapy-for behavioral and mental
problems.
Healing-Prayer,directed thoughts and spiritual
healing.
Meditation-deep breathing and inner relaxation.
Tranquility and equipoise.
Alternative systems & Therapies
Diagnostic Systems : Iridology-looking at eyes
Dowsing-through rods
Radionics-invisible energy
fields
Kinesiology-energy
imbalances in muscles.
Alternative systems & Therapies
Energy Therapies
Crystals- said to influence the patients’ aura
Reiki-channels spiritual energy to heal body,mind
Laying on of hands-to manipulate the body’s
energy
NONE SYSTEMATICALLY REVIEWED YET
MANIPULATIVE THERAPIES
OSTEOPATHY; MANIPULATION
OF MUSCLES AND JOINTS
CHIROPRACTIC;MANIPULATION
OF SPINE
MASSAGE;RUBBING,KNEADING OR
PRESSURE
REFLEXOLOGY;MASSAGE OF
SPECIFIC PARTS OF FOOT,ACU POINTS
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
AYURVEDA-ANCIENT INDIAN DISCIPLINE
-’SCIENCE OF LIFE’ based on
Mind,body,spirit interactions.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
HOMEOPATHY
NATUROPATHY
OPINION OF SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
Some of the complementary
therapies may be like a harmless
fashion or may be a mass
hysteria but…..
Alternative systems of medicine like
Ayurved definitely opens new
horizons for prevention and cure of
diseases.
OPINION OF SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
Conventional medicine regards body
as a machine like a computer or a
jumbo jet.
CAM thinks that healthy body is a
system in balance.The whole body is a
self regulating extended network.
CAM EXPERTS SAY THAT
NETWORK PATHOLOGIES ARISE WHEN
THEBODY SELF ORGANISES IN RESPONSE TO
SOME DISTURBANCE BUT BECOMES
CONFUSED AND ENDS UP WORSE AT SELF
REGULATION THAN BEFORE.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AND
CHR .FATIGUE SYNDROME ARE EXAMPLES OF
PRIMARY NETWORK PATHOLOGIES.
Ayurved
The Atharva Veda contains early description of the use of herbal
medicine
Ayurveda is fifth veda or upveda
The ancient Indian sages, who came
face to face with the truth, revealed the
secrets of wholesome living after intense
research and observation of Herbs and
gave us the gift of Ayurved
Ayurved
The vedic scripture describes Ayruved as emanated
from Brahma (The Creator)
Rishi Tradition
The tradition of Ayurved can be traced from
Brahma to Indra and later to Charak,
Sushurut and Dhanvantri who all became
Masters of various branches of Ayurveda
The Lineage
Rishi Dhanvantari perfected Chikitsa Tatva
Vigyan, Divodas developed Chikitsadarshan,
Chikita Kaumidi was developed by Kashiraj
and Ashwini developed Chikitsa Sartantra and
Bhramagna
Ayurved was made comprehensive by Charak rishi
and later expanded by Patanjali to give new dimensions
to this science
Patanjali who pioneered Yoga
Darshan,enunciates yoga for
Complete mental, physical and
spiritual health
Charak became
patanjali in later phase
of life

Yam
 Niyam
 Asan
 Pranayam
 Pratyahar
 Dhyan
 Dharna
 Samadhi
AYURVEDA encompasses ..
Herbal healing
Rasa, Bhasma and Rasayan
Meditation and Yoga
Dietary control
PANCHAKARMA
Yagyopathy
The Gift of Mother Nature
… Of Which Herbal Healing plays a Major Role
PROTAGONIST AS WELL ANTAGONIST ELEMENTS
The Grandeur of Himalayas
The greater Himalayas are very well known as a
home to many magical herbs
Herbs and their Quality ….
Emblica officinalis
• Nervine Tonic
• Antacid
• Bronchodilator
• A rasayan
• Intellect Promoting
Terminalia arjunaca Vitalizer
• Anti arrhythmic
• Cardiotonic
• Styptic
• Reduces cholesterol
Arjuna
Herbs and their Quality ….
Ashwagandha
Bacopa monnieri
• Brain Tonic
• Expectorant
• Anti-pyretic
• Anti-leprotic
Withania somnifera
• Spermopoietic
• Nutritive Tonic
• Anti-Depressant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Strength Promoter
Brahmi
Herbs and their Quality
TribulusTerrestris
Diuretic, Digestant
Aphrodisiac, Urinary lithotriptic
Gokshur
Boerhavia diffusa
Anti inflammatory,
Cardiac stimulant, Diuretic, Analgesic
Punarnava
Herbs and their Quality
Nirgundi
Vitex nirgundo
Analgesic , Diuretic, Emmenagouge,
Anti-inflammatory, Wound healer
Sariva
Hemidesmus indicus
Blood purifier, Anti-inflammatory
Anti-pyretic, Astringent
The Revival of Ayurved
Brahmavarchas Research Center
Brahmavarchas Research Center
Research Institute dedicated for Scientific Spirituality
Yagyapathy - An Approach To Total Health
* Oral medicines - Effect only
through digestion. But not fully
absorbed.
* Negative impact on digestive
system.
* Intravenous therapies - Quick
effect but risk of reaction and
side effects.
Yagya - sublimation of herbs in sacrificial fire
*Yagya fume and vapours - inhalation
through respiration and skin pores.
*Direct reach to each part of the body.
* Painless, risk less, harmonious effects.
Breakthroughs in Yagy0pathy
Excellent remedy for psychosomatic
disorders
Treatment of Neurosis, psychosis,
schizophrenia, Depression , Melancholia,
Hysteria.
YAGYA CHAMBER
Salient features
* Analysis of Samidhas, Herbs in
the phytochemistry lab
* Characterization vis-a-vis
Shastric literature
* Analysis of fumes by Gas-liquid
Chromatography
* Hematological analysis
The Patron Founder
Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya
Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma
The Achievements
 Preservation of Herbal Plants of More Than 450 varieties,which
otherwise could have become extinct.
Delivering these readily available plants for Medicinal and Spiritual
use to each and everyone on “no profit” basis.
 Testing of Constituents of Herbal Plants
 Synthesis of Various Branches of Western and alternative Systems
of Medicines.
 Scientific Analysis of Effects of Yagyopathy,the most ancient
science of herbal healing through vaporization of these herbs and
Mantra Chikitsa
 Distribution of Herbs in purest form.
A Cordial Invitation
BRAHMAVARCHAS RESEARCH
INSTITUTE,UNIVERSITY OF DIVINE
CULTURE
SHANTIKUNJ
HARDWAR HIMALAYAS UA
INDIA 249411