The largest difference exists in the basis of the Western holistic treatment and the basis of Ayurveda. Western holistic treatments are based on TCM or 'Traditional Chinese Medicine'. The key components of TCM are as follows:
Qi (pronounced like "chee") - this is the vital energy necessary for life (blood, body fluid)
Zang-Fu - the internal organs; and Jing-Luo: - this governs the meridian and collateral systems of the body. (Brown, 2001)
Practitioners of TCM also used a system referred to as "The Eight Principles" which are used to categorize illness or disease. These eight principles are comprised of "four pairs of polarities, including:
interior/exterior;
hot/cold;
deficiency/excess; and Yin/Yang." (Brown, 2001)
These principles are stated to determine:
1) Disease location;
2) the nature of imbalance;
3) the presence of a pathological (disease) factors; and 4) the strength of the body's own energies. (Brown, 2001)
Summary and Conclusion
Ayurvedic medicine is much older than the holistic systems of treatment being used in the Western world however, the Western world does make use of the traditional Chinese medicines at a greater rate than every before. Ayurvedic medicine does complement the use of other medicines and is many times used in combination with other alternative holistic treatments in the West. Predictions are for the growth of Ayurveda and other holistic healing systems growth in the years to come.
Bibliography
Brown, Liz (2001) East Meets West and Western Medicine Takes a Back Seat: Why Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicines are at the Core of All That's Right with Holistic Healing Today. Better Nutrition Journal. December 2001. Online available at http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_12_63/ai_83076770/print.
Cooper, Edwin L. (2004) 12th International Congress of Oriental Medicine. Oriental Medicine and Biotechnology in the Post-Genomic Era - WHO's Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002 Date: November 6-9, 2003. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal. 2004 1(1):103-106 Oxford University Press.
Healing Choices (2007) Guide to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare. Online available at http://www.healingchoicesonline.com/.
Herlihy, John a. (2003) the Mystery and the Miracle Ayurveda. 13 April 2003. AuthorsDen.com. Online available at http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewShortStory.asp?AuthorID=1363&id=7866.
Lim, Daniel (2006) Uniqueness of Individuals - Health & Sickness: An Ayurvedic Perspective. Ayurvedic herbalism. Online available at http://www.uvm.edu/~dlim/Ayurveda/healthsickness.html.
Praveen, R.; Shankar, R.; and Shenoy, N. (2002) a Study on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies in and Around Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, Western Napal. Clinical Medicine & Health Research. Online available at http://clinmed.netprints.org/cgi/content/full/2002050007v1.
Remski, Matthew (nd) Very Brief Overview of Ayurveda. Online available at http://www.renaissanceyoga.ca/Articles/Articles/PerspectiveonAyurveda.doc.
Torsunov, Dr. (2007) Ayurveda for Soul. Online available at http://www.torsunov.com/about.htm.
Ayurveda and Western Science: Compare and Contrast
Sample Source(s) Used
Bibliography
Brown, Liz (2001) East Meets West and Western Medicine Takes a Back Seat: Why Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicines are at the Core of All That's Right with Holistic Healing Today. Better Nutrition Journal. December 2001. Online available at http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_12_63/ai_83076770/print.
Cooper, Edwin L. (2004) 12th International Congress of Oriental Medicine. Oriental Medicine and Biotechnology in the Post-Genomic Era - WHO's Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002 Date: November 6-9, 2003. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal. 2004 1(1):103-106 Oxford University Press.
Healing Choices (2007) Guide to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare. Online available at http://www.healingchoicesonline.com/.
Herlihy, John a. (2003) the Mystery and the Miracle Ayurveda. 13 April 2003. AuthorsDen.com. Online available at http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewShortStory.asp?AuthorID=1363&id=7866.
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