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KERALA, INDIA, May 31, 2004: Kashayam, choornam and lehyam are some of the more popular names by which people identify ayurveda medicines. While most of these formulas are considered good for health, people generally are hesitant to make use of such a treatment procedure, says this article. One reason is the taste. That may change as ayurveda medicines are now available in capsules. However, the effectiveness and acceptability of these medicines available in tablet and capsule forms are yet to be known. Ayurveda is so ingrained in Kerala society that there is no community or religious group which does not have an ayurveda physician. Yet, less than seven percent of people make use of ayurveda as the first option of treatment. Nagarjuna Herbal Concentrates Ltd. in a study with help from experts in the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, found that the industry is not producing drugs for treatment as such. Different ayurveda physicians prefer to formulate their own concoctions or dried herbs or prescribe the various formulations available in the market. According to the study, inconvenience in taking ayurvedic formulations is cited as one of the major reasons for not opting for the ayurvedic treatment.



V. G. Devadas Namboothiripad, Managing Director of Nagarjuna, points out that conservative thinking and tradition should not be confused. Since the Indian philosophy allows a change with times and ayurveda is a part of the philosophy, such changes can be assimilated and this would make ayurveda more meaningful to more people. Another professor of ayurveda in the Tripunithura college, T.P. Sarsa, says that the mode of intake might be convenient for people but it is likely that it may not bring the desired results. Since the treatment is also based on different rasas, like the bitter or the sour taste of the herbal mixture, the effect of taking a capsule cannot be gauged, she adds.

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