Hi Santosh, Very good, and very hard questions. I don't think I can do them justice...
> What is the scientific basis of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda? What, in your opinion, makes western medicine any more scientific than Chinese medicine and Ayurveda? To me, the "science" in medicine involves: * observation * experimentation * analysis * documentation * publishing of information * open sharing of information * And this, in a continuous cycle, ad infinitum Maybe I'm missing some things. You can help me here. Actually, there *is* one more thing. An openness to change, and openness to new ideas, fresh thinking. It is my opinion, but I speak as a layman and am open to change, that Chinese medicine and Ayurveda meet these criterion as much as western medicine. Maybe we see a little less of "openness to change", but you have to remember that these forms of medicine are a lot older. > Should "alternative" medicine be accepted without proper scientific tests on the > efficacy and safety of any of its treatments? Actually, I think it's just the other way around. People are actually turning to alternative medicine because they believe is a safer alternative, in the long run, than western medicine. Maybe western medicine is not as much to blame as the *practice* of western medicine, the quick shoot from the hip. If you are feeling down, we got prosac, if you have a cold, we got antibiotics, if your child has "attention deficiency", hey, we got drugs for that too. (If you have a headache, chop off your testicles :) The practice of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda usually takes a more holistic approach. The recognition of the patient A as an individual, different from patient B with the same symptoms. That said, it is my opinion that a good healer is a good healer, no matter whether they are practicing western medicine or alternative medicine. > Would you discontinue standard modern medical treatment, and seek the above types of > treatment instead? I think it would depend on the problem, and I think I'd keep an open mind. I *hate* going to doctors, you can't believe how much.... I think there are some things for which modern medicine is better and some things for which alternitive medicine is better. So much for me. Tell me where you stand. Are you totally against alternative medicine? Why? What do you think about Dr. Vasant Lad and the Ayurvedic Insititue in New Mexico? What do you think about pulse diagnosis? What do you think about herbology and acupuncture as practiced in Chinese medicine? Allwyn. ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
