Over The Counter Trend Is A Serious Challenge In Ayurveda: Dr. Rahul Jain

Dr. Rahul Jain is an Ayurveda Physician based out of Ludhiana, Punjab. He practises from his own Jain Health Centre Clinic. He is an expert in Holistic Health, Pain Management, Nutritional Counseling, and Migraine. He has over 10 years of experience. Read Dr. Rahul Jain’s interview below.

Please tell us about your professional background briefly.

I have done my bachelor in Ayurvedic medicine and surgery from Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar. I was part of the 2002-2008 batch.

Why did you choose Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is an excellent life science. Besides, Allopathy has only temporary cure and its treatments are merely symptomatic. Ayurveda treats the root cause. I strongly believe in natural medicines and the goodness of herbs and I admire Ayurveda.

What is your experience when it comes to treating patients? Do they trust the treatment?

Patients do have trust or at least they look forward to build trust. Yes, the acceptance for Ayurveda is far less that that of Allopathy. But this should be taken in a positive way and Vaidyas should work together to promote the advantages of Ayurveda. Every practitioner should have deep knowledge. Another thing that we see with patients is the compliance issue. Many patients do not like the taste of the Ayurvedic medicines.

If the practitioner is confident, the patients understand. For example, Ashwagandha powder is a great medicine and costs far less the patients. Some companies have also introduced the Kwath tablets, which is a good thing.

Any challenge that you face as a practitioner?

Over the counter trend is a serious challenge for Ayurveda. Patients straight away ask which medicines they should take rather than leaving it upon the wisdom of the practitioner to assess and evaluate and prescribe in their own way. This mindset of quick and symptomatic treatment stems from the Allopathic treatment approach with which patients are too familiar and do not know any better. For example, if they have a bad stomach they just want to take Pancharishta without consulting a Ayurveda physician.

Another challenge is that patients come to Ayurveda only when a certain disease has worsened. As in case of knee and joint problems, people try treatment and when it advances to the level where in the doctor advises knee replacement, then only it strikes their mind to pursue Ayurveda cure. Awareness of Ayurveda is very important so that such tendencies can be done away.

Any out of ordinary situation that you have faced while treating a patient?

Once I was giving Janu Basti to a patient and I used oil from a local company for the first time. The patient developed skin sensitivity and knee and joints became reddish. That was one out of way incident, fortunately controllable.

How effective is traditional medicine as a cure?

I would urge practitioners to stick to classical medicines all the time. Poor quality is always a problem. So using classical medicines ensures that even companies have to provide quality medicines. This practice needs 100% commitment to ensure full effectiveness.

What do you think of Ayurveda’s future and its role in integrated medicine?

Ayurveda has a really bright future.

About integrated medicine, there are two types. In one new Ayurveda practitioners often use mix-pathy which is a little justified since they have to survive and earn a livelihood for their families. On a higher level, integrated medicine is used in complex diseases, such as cancer in which after chemotherapy if the patient is experiencing headaches, one can apply Shirodhara to ease the problems, and so on. Both types are good. New practitioners are fine to use 90% Ayurveda and 10% other Allopathic approach for the reasons already mentioned. Seasoned practitioners can help modern medicine with their expertise, which is again a good thing for the benefit of the patients. Integrated approach is the need of the time.

Do you think Nirogstreet is making a difference by striving to help empower Ayurveda and its practitioners through dedicated technology platforms and other initiatives?

Definitely, Nirogstreet is making some good efforts. It has people like Dr. Gupta working for the cause of Ayurveda. More such endeavors are needed and if 50 such dedicated Vaidyas have the same kind of commitment, Ayurveda will see a great progress.

What are your hobbies?

I like playing cricket and traveling. I also like gardening.

What message would you like to convey to the people on well-being?

I’d say stay away from social media expertise and rumors. There is a lot of misinformation out there about Ayurvedic Nuskhas and treatments. If you think something is really good, first take it to an Ayurvedic practitioner and consult them before applying it all by yourself. This will save you many complications.

Read More► Ayurveda can cure diseases from the root: Dr. Bhawana Bhatt