Traditional vs Modern Medicine: Approaches to Health - CCCU

This essay delves into the traditional approaches to health and illness, focusing on ancient beliefs related to the universe, human life, and various healing practices. It explores Ayurveda, which emphasizes maintaining equilibrium between wind, gall, and mucus; Chinese medicine, which centers on the life energy of ch’i; and early European practices, which highlight the balance between blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. The essay further discusses Ayurveda's diagnostic methods, herbal remedies, lifestyle changes, and meditation techniques. It also contrasts traditional methods with modern Western medicine, highlighting Ayurveda's potential advantages in wound healing and combating antibiotic resistance, ultimately concluding that traditional medicines are superior due to their holistic approach to physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being.

Running head: Traditional Approach to Health and Illness
Traditional Approach to Health and Illness

Traditional Approach to Health and Illness 1
The main aim of the essay is to discuss the traditional approach of health and illness
concerned about the ancient beliefs related to the universe, human life, fortune, sin,
God and faith (Barry and Yuill, 2012). The ancient ideas about wellbeing, ailments and
disease are bifurcated into various perceptions namely Ayurveda, Chinese and
European ways of restoring health. According to Ayurveda, the healing procedure
comprises of maintaining the equilibrium between the three main humours i.e. the wind
(vayu), gall (pitta) and mucus (kapha). According to ancient Chinese explanations, six
humours are derived from the life energy of ch’i. According to early European
explanations, the Greek physicians advised that for creating health, the stability
between the blood, phlegam, yellow bile and black bile is necessary.
According to the ancient methodology of healing, the stability of the mental or emotional
health, both within the patient and amongst him and the outside environment is
essential (Aggleton, 1990).
One of the above mentioned traditional approaches towards health and illness is
Ayurveda. Diagnosis in Ayurvedic medicine consists of the examination of the pulse
rate and intuition of the physician. In the therapy of Ayurveda, herbal remedies are
applied; lifestyle of the patient is changed along with meditation, thereby assisting the
patient to reinstate the equilibrium amongst him/her and the environment and thus
creating good health.
The fluctuations of the seven constituents which make up the body i.e. blood, flesh, food
juice, fat, bone, marrow and semen cause disease in the human body. The essential
components which are accountable for creating imbalance amongst humans and the
environment, thus creating unhealthiness are climatic conditions, mental attitude and
diet. The balance between the person and his or her external environment creates good
health. The imbalance in any of the three humours result in ill –health of the individual
(Naturodoc, 2018).

Traditional Approach to Health and Illness 2
According to Baird et al. (2017) for example Ayurveda emphases on the routine and
nutritional habits of the patient to treat him. The changes in the main components such
as diet, lifestyle, attitude and the behavioral patterns of the patient are necessary for the
wellbeing of the patient.
In the modern times, Ayurvedic drugs have been used for developing new drug
candidatures or formulations from already known facts through clinical researches. In
many cases, Ayurveda proves to be a better option than the Western Medicine in the
modern times. For example, Ayurveda has the capability of wound healing with the help
of various preparations better than the Western Medicine.
In the Western countries, the usage of the combination of traditional and modern
medicines is growing day by day. The clinical efficacy of the traditional medicines have
been found better than the modern medicines in reducing the mortality and mobility rate
which is caused by the side effects of the conventional prescribed drugs. Ayurveda has
also been found effective against diseases where pathogens develop antibiotic
resistance (White, 2015).
Thus, to conclude, it can be said that the traditional medicines are proved to be far
better than the modern medicines in the current scenario. It is because of their ideology
that the balance of the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional aspects are essential
for regaining good health and avoidance from any ailments.

Traditional Approach to Health and Illness 3
References
Aggleton, P. (1990) Health. London: Routledge. pp.51-58.
Baird, J. , Jacob, C., Barker., Fall,C.H.D. , Hanson., Harvey,N.C., Inskip ,H.M.,
Kumaran,K. and Cooper,C. (2017) Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: A
Lifecourse Approach to the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases. Healthcare
2017.5(14), pp.1-12.
Barry, A. and Yuill, C. (2012) Understanding the Sociology of Health. An Introduction.
3rd edn. London: Sage Publishing .
Naturodoc (2018) Principles of Naturopathic Medicine [online]. Available from:
http://www.naturodoc.com/cardinal/naturopathy/nat_principles.htm [Accessed 13th
February, 2018].
White, P. (2015) the concept of diseases and health care in African traditional religion in
Ghana. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies. 71(3), pp.8-25.