Introdcution

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that has been practised for more than 5000 years. It is a time-tested holistic system of medicine since the origin of human socialization; it has devoted itself to the health & happiness of the people.

Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of Nepal. Ayurveda is not merely a science of doctor & patient but is a science of day to day life. People adopt it as a life style & hence, it has been remaining live with their valuable tradition from era to era. Actually, it is a science of art of living.

There are different medical systems in the world. And Nepal, too, is in the stream of the countries that use modern allopathy predominantly for their peoples’ health. But studies show that more than 60% of the Nepali people use Ayurveda for any aspect of the primary health care & it is estimated that 90% of the diseases, at present, can be cured by Ayurveda, without any side effects & even with less expenses.

Today, the world is suffering from a burden of communicable & non-communicable diseases of different prognosis. Although there is a lot of advancement in disease diagnosis & treatment, these all are of a little importance due to emergent life-threatening disease like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Muscular dystrophy etc. So, the world is in search of such therapy that can combat against diseases & guide people for eternal happiness. For this reason, the world is in search of holistic medicine. In a study conducted in Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, on the topic “Attitudes of doctors of Bir Hospital towards the harmonization of Ayurveda & Modern medicine”, 84.52% of the doctors inquired were positive about the combined Rx (treatment) of Ayurveda and Modern medicine to get superior results where no one system is successful. More than 65% of the doctors inquired accepted that they prescribed Ayurveda medicine & more than 33% accepted that they had referred their patients for Ayurveda.

These all facts reflect that the world is in favor of Ayurveda. Nepal is well known for its biological diversity throughout the world. The geographical variation ranging from the lowest altitude place (Kechanakalan, Jhapa) to the highest peak (Mt. Everest) of the world is really a gift from nature. And it has made possible for Nepal to possess the medicinal plants of more than 1600 species (out of the 7000 identified species) of which 700 species are in use at the moment. So, one of the most important areas through which Nepal can attain sustainable development is through the development of Ayurveda.

Apart from these, WHO (World Health Organization) has widely accepted the service provided by the traditional medicine(TM) in the different countries. It emphasizes the use of locally available affordable & trusted medicine system for the health of the people.
Recent reports from the different organizations/agencies show that the TM is becoming the issue of common interest and people are investing billions of dollars for research and exploration of importance of the traditional medicine. It can be hoped that doing such experiments in clinical level will bring it in the scientifically sound position. In Tanzania, WHO, in collaboration with China, is providing technical support to the Chinese herbs Artemisia annua where the local production of the medicine will reduce the price of one dose from $6 or $7 to a more affordable $2.

Moreover, in Africa, up to 80% of the population uses traditional medicine for Primary Health Care. In China, traditional herbal preparations account for 30-50% of the total medicinal consumption. It is stateworthy that in Sanfrancisco, London & South Africa, 75% of the people living with HIV/AIDS use TM/CAM. At least 25% of Modern medicines are made from plant first used traditionally.

In conclusion, these all show that the world tends to favor the traditional medicine and Ayurveda will be the true-master of the remedy.