Mehfooz Alam/Patna

Dr. Muhammad Shamim Akhtar, a well-known Ayurvedic practitioner of Bihar rues the fact that the British ruled India. He says it was during the imperial rule that India’s ancient indigenous healthcare system Ayurveda was ignored; all research in it came to a halt as Allopathic medicine was given patronage and preference.

In a conversation with Awaz-the Voice, Dr. Muhammad Shamim Akhtar, who along with his wife Dr. Tabasim Jahan, an Unani doctor, is the founder of Majhuliya Healthcare Center in West Champaran, says, “Since Ayurvedic medicines have no side effects and it treats the root cause of the disease and rejuvenates the body, it would have flourished with its share of research not been stopped during the British rule.” He says if Ayurveda was given due attention as modern medicine is being given, it would have been the most successful healthcare system in the world today.

The doctor couple runs awareness programs to connect people with Ayurveda.

Speaking with Awaz-the Voicem, Dr. Muhammad Shamim Akhtar said that Ayurveda was the most popular healthcare regime in India until the 18th century. Most Indians relied on it as it not only prevents and cures diseases but also boosts the immunity and strength of the body.

Dr Akhtar said that as Ayurveda medicines are prepared from natural resources like herbs, plants, bark, flowers, etc. these are non-toxic and have only a few side effects.

Speaking about Acharya Charak, the ancient sage who is called the father of Ayurveda, who is credited with editing the ancient medical treatise Charaka Samhita, one of the foundational texts of classical Indian medicine and Ayurveda, Dr. Akhtar says, "It is recorded that Ayurveda had 152 types of surgeries even before the BC (Before Christ) era."

Ancient Physician - work of an nonymous ARTIST

He says that therefore, it's a myth that ancient healthcare systems lacked surgical treatment.

Dr. Mohammad Shamim Akhtar asserts that surgery and medicine started from Ayurveda. He says in an era of organ transplants, it may sound unbelievable that Ayurveda physicians in ancient India performed organ transplants.

He says that Sushruta was considered a great surgeon who implanted the head of a horse on another. The books of Ayurveda have recorded this surgery. He says that surgery based on Ayurveda would have flourished if it had not been neglected due to historical reasons.

However, after the 18th century, the indigenous methods of treatment, which were the gift of Indian medicine, faced neglect and were marginalized. The British rule replaced this system with allopathy's chemical drugs. Most of the research also was cornered by the modern methods of treatment of diseases that faced abject neglect and hence lagged.

According to Dr. Shamim Akhtar, despite challenges, Ayurveda remains popular and a preferred way of life and its practitioners are prepared to serve and treat humanity.

He said, many Acharyas, practitioners of Ayurveda, have done a great service to humanity in saving lives and treating diseases.

Dr. Muhammad Shamim Akhtar says that Ayurveda is almost as old as human civilisation. Ayurvedic medicine has been guiding Indians in lifestyle and healthcare for millennia.

Statue of Sage Sushrut, ancient surgeon

He claims that Ayurveda could cure every disease. It is the basic treatment for diseases like arthritis pain, arthritis, joint pain, heart and cancer disease, asthma, etc. It can also help humans do away with hypertension (Blood pressure), and diabetes.

He says while an Allopath prescribes medicines for a disease, an Ayurveda doctor believes in eradicating a disease from its root cause.

Dr. Shamim Akhtar however says that the situation in India was changing as central and provincial governments are working to promote Ayurveda. This is also increasing people's inclination towards Ayurveda and more medicine manufacturing units are being set up and most importantly, attention is being paid to the authentic recipes of medicines.

"The government has tried to give life to Ayurveda, but more work needs to be done in this direction."

As a man in the field, Doctor Akhtar is happy to notice that people have not forgotten the fact that Ayurveda cures without any side effects.

Dr. Muhammad Shamim Akhtar says he and his wife had set up Majhuliya Health Care Center in West Champarann to encourage people towards indigenous methods of treatment. “When efforts are made, a large section of people returned to Ayurveda; they are satisfied with the successful treatment.”

“I am an Ayurvedic doctor and my wife and brother are doctors of Unani medicine, so our experience of natural and indigenous treatment has been successful.”

Dr. Shamim says that Ayurveda offers an inexpensive treatment and rejuvenates health while treating the disease.

"People are tired of treatment for cough, asthma, joint pain, BP, diabetes and other chronic diseases; they come for Ayurvedic treatment. Today, diabetes has become a common disease and Ayurveda has a very good treatment for it.”

ALSO READ: Kerala: How Dalit Muslims forced Waqf to end discriminatory masjid bylaws

However, he says that the Indian government must launch a nationwide campaign to raise awareness towards the benefits of Ayurveda.