There are so many systems of medicine practised in India. If these are noted down on a paper, a long list will be drawn, and even then some of them might still be left out. Except some major and popular systems of medicine, everyone is usually used amongst people of one particular area or the other. However some of the systems are prevalent in a limited culture. Out of them, four major systems, viz. Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, and Unani, are recognized by the Indian Govt. Many medical colleges are established in every State to impart knowledge in these four systems of medicine. Every system of medicine has its own medical colleges which are either run by the Govt. or by the private trusts. Every type of medical college is recognized by its council. These councils are established and governed by the respective States. Any student who has passed 12th standard in biology stream is eligible to get admission in these medical colleges. Generally, the medical college offers admission through a common entrance test. Rest of the systems of medicine are learned by the people themselves. There is no Govt. college available to teach the remaining systems of medicine.
The most popular system of medicine however is Allopathy nowadays. It has caused revolution in the field of medicine. Some fatal and incurable diseases can even be treated by this system. There is one peculiarity in Allopathy; once a disease is suppressed through it, this disease may reappear after some time. Diagnosis is the most important part of Allopathy. It may cause more harm if the diagnosis is wrong. This system got popularity in India during the British rule, that is why people here call it ‘English treatment’ though Ayurveda was considered the first line of treatment before the introduction of Allopathy in India.
Nowadays the second popular system of medicine is Homeopathy. It was first introduced in Punjab, a rich state of India, when it was ruled by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Once he seriously fell ill and couldn’t get relief from any medicine, and a homeopath was called from Germany for the treatment of the Maharaja. He got relief from his illness through the Homeopathic treatment. After that the Maharaja requested the doctor to stay back forever, and the doctor accepted his humble offer. Slowly and gradually, it became popular in the whole country.
Homeopathy was discovered by Dr. Hahnemann, a German physician. This system has a power to cure the disease; in it the patient as a whole is considered for treatment, not only the disease is targeted for treatment. If the diagnosis of the disease and selection of the medicine is matched correctly it eradicates the disease quickly and permanently. The best part of this system is that its medicine doesn’t leave any side effects on the patient. So that It is considered to be the side effects free system of medicine in comparison with the other systems of medicine.
Ayurveda comes on the third number according to the popularity graph of the systems among patients though the Govt. sanction more budget to Ayurveda than to the Homeopathy. This is the oldest system of medicine in India and is estimated that it was originated 5000 years BC. It is said that at the time of ‘Samundra Manthan’, God Dhanvatri emerged from it and he originated the Ayurveda. Some say that a system of medicine is detailed in ‘Atharveda’ and on the basis of it, Ayurveda was developed. It was flourished during the king Ashoka’s period as he opened many medical colleges and hospitals. Maharishi Charak wrote a famous book on Ayurveda, called ‘Charak Samhita’ during the reign of king Kanishka. The details of five hundred medicines are given in this book that is why Charak is called father of Ayurveda. According to it, diseases are caused by either the excess or deficiency of one of the three factors called—‘Vata, Pitta and Kaffa’.
Unani is the fourth most popular system of medicine in India and was brought here by the Muslim rulers in sixth century. It had spread everywhere in the country up to thirteenth century and Muslim kings were the patron of this pathy.
There is one more system of medicine presently gaining popularity known as Accupuncture though it was born in China. In this system, the body of the patient is penetrated with fine needles at some specific points called Accupuncture points. Different set of Accupuncture points are used for every disease. Seeing its effectiveness it is being used all over the world even though it has not got the status of recognized system of medicine.
There is an old saying, ‘Prevention is better than cure’. This saying seems to be fit correctly in true sense on ‘yoga’ – a specialized type of exercises is used in it. Although Yoga emphasizes only at one point i.e. ‘How to keep body and mind fit’, it can cure many illness. Yoga is also being taught to those who go in to the space. Baba Ramdev has become the icon of yoga presently as he is popularizing it through all means. Naturopathy is also being used by many hopeless patients and they are being benefitted by it. Seeing its benefit, many trusts have adopted it and have opened its centers at many places in India. In this system, natural means are used to treat the patient. Naturopath believes that our body is made up of five elements viz. earth, air, water, fire and sky. If any of these elements is disturbed in the body, it falls ill. It is seen some times that even an incurable disease is cured through its use. Like naturopathy: Magneto therapy, Hydrotherapy, Sun therapy, Massage, Reiki etc. are also being extensively used by the patients.
In spite of so many systems of medicine being used and the Govts also spending in trillions on health every year, even then the no. of patients is increasing day by day. Seeing the graph of the patients, a question arises – What is the secret to live healthy. As a man is the integral part of the nature so only those who are nearer to nature can live healthy. Preservative used in food, tinned food, stressful life are the main causes of the ill health so these should be reduced from the life, only then a man can live healthy. If the medicines can render health no rich would fall ill. Happiness is only the secret of health in life.