This document discusses the importance of practicing science-based Ayurvedic medicine. It argues that Ayurveda is a science-based medical system that relies on proven principles and reasoning based on cause, mechanism, and effect. True Ayurvedic practice emphasizes "Shasthrartha karma," or practice based on scientific principles, rather than "Karmartha shasthra," or science based on practice. It states that Ayurvedic diagnosis, principles, and treatments are fundamentally scientific and capable of accurate predictions. The document stresses that Ayurvedic evidence must guide medicine to achieve intended effects and prevent harm with certainty, rather than just showing probabilistic benefits outweighing risks. It contrasts Ayurved

1. DR. REMYA KRISHNAN MD (AYU), PHDDR. REMYA KRISHNAN MD (AYU), PHD
Why Ayurveda doctors should Care aboutWhy Ayurveda doctors should Care about
practisingpractising Science Based MedicineScience Based Medicine

2. What is Science?What is Science?
 Science is tested ,verified andScience is tested ,verified and
permanently proven and establishedpermanently proven and established
knowledge (set of rationale) based onknowledge (set of rationale) based on
reasoning by cause- mechanism – effect.reasoning by cause- mechanism – effect.
 ““Science" also refers to a body ofScience" also refers to a body of
knowledge itself, of the type that can beknowledge itself, of the type that can be
rationally explained and reliably applied inrationally explained and reliably applied in
every period .every period .

3. Ayurveda is Science Based MedicineAyurveda is Science Based Medicine
 Ayurveda incorporates permanently proven andAyurveda incorporates permanently proven and
established theorems and principles for practice .established theorems and principles for practice .
 In Ayurveda, Medicine is led by Science and notIn Ayurveda, Medicine is led by Science and not
the reverse .the reverse .
 So Ayurveda isSo Ayurveda is Science Based MedicineScience Based Medicine

4. Science Based AyurvedaScience Based Ayurveda
 Ayurveda advocates conscientious use of BasicAyurveda advocates conscientious use of Basic
science in making health care decisions .science in making health care decisions .
 Ayurveda emphasises upon “ShasthrarthaAyurveda emphasises upon “Shasthrartha
karma” ( Science Based practice )and not “karma” ( Science Based practice )and not “
Karmartha shasthra” (Practice based Science)Karmartha shasthra” (Practice based Science)
 The rationale for diagnosis, pathophysiologicThe rationale for diagnosis, pathophysiologic
principles and treatment principles in Ayurvedaprinciples and treatment principles in Ayurveda
are fundamentally correct and thus capable ofare fundamentally correct and thus capable of
accurate predictions .accurate predictions .
 Thus Ayurveda is “Science Based EvidenceThus Ayurveda is “Science Based Evidence
Based”Based”

5. Science Based thinking is deterministic way of viewingScience Based thinking is deterministic way of viewing
 Ayurveda advocates the scientific steps forAyurveda advocates the scientific steps for
deterministic way of exploring a human subjectdeterministic way of exploring a human subject
in his unique circumstances and the impact ofin his unique circumstances and the impact of
external environment upon him .external environment upon him .
 Ayurveda thus deserves to be instigated inAyurveda thus deserves to be instigated in
schools to inculcate the fundamentalschools to inculcate the fundamental
knowledge of human being and his response toknowledge of human being and his response to
external environment in childrenexternal environment in children

6. Evidence Based MedicineEvidence Based Medicine
 Evidence Based Medicine is Medicine based onEvidence Based Medicine is Medicine based on
evidence .evidence .
 Evidence is required for intended action of theEvidence is required for intended action of the
medicine in a situation and not mere “efficacy” .medicine in a situation and not mere “efficacy” .
 Evidence must not mere lead the medicine “do moreEvidence must not mere lead the medicine “do more
good and less harm” in a probabilistic way .good and less harm” in a probabilistic way .
 Instead, evidence must enable the medicine “doInstead, evidence must enable the medicine “do
the intended and thus protect from harm based onthe intended and thus protect from harm based on
certainity.certainity.

7. Do the intended &protect from allDo the intended &protect from all
harmharm
- This is the motto of AyurvedaThis is the motto of Ayurveda
- Evidence in Ayurveda is not information toEvidence in Ayurveda is not information to
support benefits of medicine .support benefits of medicine .
- Evidence in Ayurveda is “the systematicEvidence in Ayurveda is “the systematic
knowledge to do the intended and protect fromknowledge to do the intended and protect from
harm “.harm “.
- The systematic knowledge for the same isThe systematic knowledge for the same is
explained in the science of Ayurveda .explained in the science of Ayurveda .
- Ayurveda gives prime importnce toAyurveda gives prime importnce to ScienceScience
Based Evidence ,Based Evidence , not “Evidence based Science “not “Evidence based Science “
..

8. Evidence is notEvidence is not
 Information supporting use of medicine .Information supporting use of medicine .
 Information supporting the benefits of Medicine outweighing theInformation supporting the benefits of Medicine outweighing the
risks .risks .
 Information showing 80% chance of certainityInformation showing 80% chance of certainity
 Credibility of opinions offered by experts in the fieldCredibility of opinions offered by experts in the field
Evidence is :Evidence is :
 Knowledge refined to guide the use of medicine .Knowledge refined to guide the use of medicine .
 Knowledge refined to guide the use in specific individual.Knowledge refined to guide the use in specific individual.
 Knowledge refined to guide the use in specific internalKnowledge refined to guide the use in specific internal
circumstances .circumstances .
 Knowledge refined to guide the use for attainment of health ofKnowledge refined to guide the use for attainment of health of
subjectsubject

9. Ayurveda applies MATHEMATICAL THINKINGAyurveda applies MATHEMATICAL THINKING
 Mathematical thinking is deductive: theMathematical thinking is deductive: the
inference of particular instances byinference of particular instances by
reference to a general law or principle.reference to a general law or principle.
““General to specific”.General to specific”.

10. Statistical Thinking vs. MathematicalStatistical Thinking vs. Mathematical
ThinkingThinking
 Statistical thinking is inductive: theStatistical thinking is inductive: the
inference of general laws from particularinference of general laws from particular
instances.instances.
““Specific to general”Specific to general”
Application of statistical thinking isApplication of statistical thinking is
unscientific in Ayurvedaunscientific in Ayurveda

11. Why Should We Care AboutWhy Should We Care About
Teaching “Shasthraarthas” and notTeaching “Shasthraarthas” and not
shasthra ?shasthra ?
The teaching of shaasthararthas would equipThe teaching of shaasthararthas would equip
Ayurvedic medical graduates toAyurvedic medical graduates to

Understand algorithms of decision making inUnderstand algorithms of decision making in
diagnosis and treatment explained in shasthradiagnosis and treatment explained in shasthra

Understand and apply science based evidencesUnderstand and apply science based evidences

Translate shasthraarthas into everyday clinicalTranslate shasthraarthas into everyday clinical
situations which they encounter withsituations which they encounter with

Estimate and confirm the accuracy of theirEstimate and confirm the accuracy of their
calculations in decision making .calculations in decision making .

Effective communiction of shasthraarthas withEffective communiction of shasthraarthas with
colleagues and patientscolleagues and patients

12. NOT AYURVEDANOT AYURVEDA
 Without the pertinent application ofWithout the pertinent application of
shathraarthas, there is no shatshra .shathraarthas, there is no shatshra .
 So today, though there is a community toSo today, though there is a community to
learn, practice and propagate Ayurveda,learn, practice and propagate Ayurveda,
as they are not even getting to know aboutas they are not even getting to know about
and practice shasthraarthas, what theyand practice shasthraarthas, what they
practice is not Ayurveda !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!practice is not Ayurveda !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 There is no solution other than learningThere is no solution other than learning
shaasthraarthas and their pertinentshaasthraarthas and their pertinent
application rather than read shaasthra !!!!application rather than read shaasthra !!!!

13. THANKYOUTHANKYOU