Baba Ramdev’s Bogus Propaganda about Ayurveda - The Surge
Pathanjali Research Institute was established in 2017 in Haridwar by Ramdev and Balkrishna. It was established to strengthen Ayurveda through scientific research based on proof. This institute was also envisioned to make India the ambassador of Ayurvedic research.
Baba Ramdev now claims that he has got scientific proof that Ayurveda can cure hypertension, cancer, arthritis, liver sclerosis, thyroid issues, fatty liver and hepatitis. He also claims a similar Ayurvedic remedy for many unsolved medical problems.
In India, for a person to practice Ayurveda he/she must have a Bachelor’s degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) is a five and half year course. People thereafter can opt to specialise by doing an MD OR MS in the same field. To become a pharmacist, they should pursue a separate degree called B.Pharma. Baba Ramdev does not have any qualification to practice and propagate Ayurveda which undermines his credibility.
Yoga, which draws from the same source of Ayurveda, is a lifestyle. According to Risk Pawaskar who has taught Ayurveda from 1995 and is still practising it, the ultimate aim of Yoga is Moksha while Ayurveda tries to provide health. According to him, Ayurveda cannot treat hypertension as there is no hypertension in Ayurveda. Hypertension is a diagnosis of modern medicine and Ayurveda is totally different system of medicine. Ayurveda will have a different diagnosis and treatment and we cannot compare both.
According to Mahendra Patil, every person is treated individually in Ayurveda. Treatment and medicine differ according to the individuals. Patanjali medicines work on general prescription and are not personalised. So medicines like coronal might not be helpful to people from the perspective of Ayurveda.
Patanjali Foundation which tries to prove the Ayurvedic stream of medicine in an evidence-based manner has conducted trials for a few medicines using a sample of 50 or 100 people. The coronal medicine is proved to be successful through a study based on clinical trials of 100 patients.
Balakrishna has also published many research papers on Yoga and Ayurveda in various journals. Though the position of Balakrishna as co-author is often questioned and many papers are disqualified, Patanjali continues to site these articles as evidence of its success.
Ayurveda has been a trusted branch of medicine in India for centuries. There are dedicated consumers for ayurvedic medicine and a large number of practitioners who practise Ayurveda. India still has an Ayush ministry and a health minister who is willing to promote any activity that would enhance the field of Ayurvedic medicine. But while other countries like China and Japan are trying to develop integrative approaches in medicine, India is still reluctant to acknowledge the presence and strength of Ayurveda.