The Indian embassy in Rome celebrated, on 7 November, theAyurveda Day with a conference to which experts from Italian universities and research centers were invited. The ancient Indian medical artbased on the profound knowledge of the body and its relationship with the spirit, was the central theme of the debate to retrace its history and study its effectiveness in the light of recent scientific evidence. Born in India thousands of years ago, Ayurveda is not only a practice linked to traditional medicine, but is now recognized worldwide as a science for psycho-physical well-being.
Yoga and Indian medicine: new perspectives
He was the first to speak Fabio Scialpiprofessor of Philosophy, religions and history of India at Sapienza University, who opened the debate by discussing the origins of yoga and its beneficial effects. “The term yoga means “to yoke” but also “to unite” and the charm of India lies in this: the same concept can be expressed in multiple ways, even apparently contradictory ones, while in reality it opens up an organic universe in all its components” explains. The discipline originated from asceticism and today consists of a series of postural exercises to promote physical relaxation and reduce stress. For the ancient Indian masters it is a form of purification, a spiritual experiencefor others it is an “escape from the world”, an interpretation that the professor considers reductive since those who practice it do not want to escape but overcome the world. “Yoga aims to reach an absolute reality, to be in tune with the universe; aims to overcome the human condition.” Yoga can be compared to art, between the two there is a correlation: both produce an ecstasy which, however, with art is temporary while with yoga it is permanent. “Yoga is a term of comparison with our civilization, which takes us back to a spiritual experience that our materialistic world seems to have forgotten” concludes Professor Scialpi, whose speech is supported by the testimony of Nancy Joseph Myladoorexpert in acupuncture, yoga and Ayurveda. Physical exercise is expected and recommended by traditional Indian medicine which aims more at prevention than cure. “Every therapy in Ayurveda is personalized, because every individual is uniqueand above all it is preventive” reports the doctor, “the body is made up of five natural elements: water, air, earth, fire and ether; the various combinations of these elements determine the differences between individuals”. Ayurveda presents reality as union of macrocosm and microcosmthere is a profound connection between the external world and the internal world and there is a balance between the two that must be maintained. The teachings behind this tradition present an obvious ecological message: Human beings must not cause imbalances by trying to override nature, as it will always end up rebelling. “The fertility of plants and animals are in danger because of us. Nature unleashes its wrath with climate change” states Nancy Myladoor, “actions must be taken that do not harm the environment”. Imbalances in the macrocosm also manifest themselves in the microcosm, causing damage to health. The doctor says she is confident in the progress of Ayurveda and in the attention that the Western world is giving it. “Ayurvedic medicine does not intend to oppose modern medicine but to integrate it“.
Transcultural medicine: the ancient at the service of the modern
Andrea Geracidirector of the National Center for Global Health, expanded the discussion by addressing the topic of Ayurveda, also speaking about his experience. “In recent years, I have changed my perspective on how to pursue well-being: in addition to drugs and natural remedies, spiritual approaches also have a significant impact. The research we conduct at the National Center they use modern tools to confirm ancient beliefs“. The Indian tradition represented a point of passage for him that opened the doors to the philosopher’s teachings Patanjaliwho lived around 500 BC, who divided the actions to be performed under the moral aspect and the virtuous aspect. “Moral actions are nonviolence, sincerity, honesty and sexual continence and non-attachment” he explains, “in particular, lying is a moral poison which creates imbalance.” Virtuous actions are meditation, acceptance of life, willpower, awareness and trust. Following these precepts allows to maintain that balance that Ayurvedic medicine talks about. Andrea Geraci believes that the Western world should deepen its studies in the field of oriental medicine: “modern science has finally noticed some affinities with the ancient wisdom of Asian countries and this is an important first step to spread Ayurveda and its practices”. The relationship between Western and Eastern medicine has been widely discussed by Domenico Vittorio Delfinoprofessor of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacology at the University of Perugia. “In the past, when one fell ill, priority was given to the treatment of women, possessing the knowledge of folk medicine and only afterwards came the scholars – doctors – who brought into play another, more scientific, knowledge. The overtaking of modern medicine over traditional medicine occurred with the discovery of penicillin which caused a real revolution.” In the West, much of the knowledge of traditional medicine has been lost; the movie”The doctor and the sorcerer” by Mario Monicelli exemplifies this change by showing the “clash” between these two figures, with the doctor who would like to administer antibiotics and the sorcerer who opposes him by instead advising the sick to take herbs and other natural remedies. In recent years, however, traditional medicine has had a rebirth, thanks also to the award in 2015 of the researcher Youyou Tu which, through the study of ancient Chinese practices, he discovered the beneficial properties of artemisia annual against malaria. “My department, in Perugia, has also started studying the herbs contemplated by Ayurvedic medicine, such as Rauwolfia serpentinaalso recommended by Gandhi for its effectiveness in reducing anxiety.” The remedies proposed by Ayurveda, still partly opposed in the West, seem to show scientific evidence, which is the subject of study in many research centres. “For years I have supported the idea of “transcultural medicine“, a type of non-dogmatic medicine, which borrows heavily from different traditions and cultural systems, even very distant from ours” declares Professor Delfino and concludes: “the sole purpose of medicine is to promote the well-being of all. Ancient knowledge they should not be abandoned, but examined and put at the service of modern ones“.
Alessandro Masseroni
(8 November 2024)
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