Curriculum Ayurveda with western medicinal plants
Western science meets Eastern experience.
The traditional descriptions of European medicinal plants from the Hippocratic era or monastic medicine are fascinatingly similar to the Ayurvedic theory of substances.
Based on the principle of using regionally grown raw materials wherever possible, after 30 years of Ayurvedic phytotherapeutic experience in Europe it is important to integrate the great therapeutic value of indigenous plants to a greater extent.
This need is more relevant than ever, as challenges such as species protection and environmental pollution in India as well as marketability regulations in Europe will further restrict the availability of Ayurvedic phytotherapeutics in the future.
The tradition of European phytology and phytotherapy goes back a long way. Hippocrates, The father of humoural medicine, the Greek physician and natural scientist, used willow bark as early as the 4th century BC. The active ingredient salicin was used to develop the most successful medicine of all time - aspirin - in the 20th century. The Greek physician and natural scientist Galenos in the 2nd century A.D. wrote a large work on medicinal plants known at the time with a variety of preparation methods that were considered authoritative throughout the Middle Ages.
The traditional galenics named after him described the three central medicinal preparations Infusum (infusion), Maceratio (cold water extract) and Decoctum (decoction), which have always played an important role in Ayurveda.
Classification. Application. Realisation.
In the course of modern laboratory technology, Western science increasingly devoted itself to analysing the chemical compositions and ingredients of medicinal plants in order to be able to prove their range of effects. As a result, development moved further and further away from the knowledge that had been acquired and practised by nature-loving connoisseurs over many centuries.
In order to be able to prescribe European drugs Ayurvedically, the therapist must refer to the traditional taxonomy according to the principles of taste (Rasa), pharmacological properties (Guna), post-digestive effect (Vipaka), potency (Virya), specificity (Prabhava), direction of action and application (Karma). This classification is the basis for phytotherapeutic use.
„The future of Ayurvedic phytotherapy lies in Europe." R.S.
Ralph was one of the first Europeans to analyse and classify indigenous medicinal plants according to Ayurvedic criteria. His research journey began in 2000, inspired by an encounter with his teacher Prof K. C. Chunekar from Varanasi - one of the leading experts on Dravyaguna in India at the time.
Chunekar specialised in the identification of Ayurvedic medicinal plants and taught Ralph how exactly Western plants can be classified Ayurvedically. For 22 years now, Ralph has been developing new recipes on this basis to supplement and gradually replace traditional Indian products.
Join us on this exciting study trip!
For over 12 years Dr Shubhangee Satam (MD Dravyaguna) is a jewel in the AYUMED teaching team and works closely with Ralph on Dialogic Teachings around the world of Ayurvedic substances and formulations.
Together they lead this training series on western medicinal plants. „Shubi“ is largely responsible for the correct taxonomy of mono drugs, their categorisation according to classical principles and substitution options for Indian substances. Ralph contributes his 27 years of practical experience in diagnostics and therapy as well as product development to this training programme.