|
 
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| EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 8
| Issue : 2 | Page : 95-96 |
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Research in Pashu Ayurveda: Future prospect
Rabinarayan Acharya
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| Date of Submission | 03-Feb-2023 |
| Date of Acceptance | 06-Mar-2023 |
| Date of Web Publication | 31-Mar-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya
Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, Janakpuri, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jdras.jdras_22_23
How to cite this article:
Acharya R. Research in Pashu Ayurveda: Future prospect. J Drug Res Ayurvedic Sci 2023;8:95-6 |
The relationship between animals and humans in society has been existing from time immemorial, and the chronicle of veterinary medicine has intimately coupled with the development of human medicine. The holistic approach of Ayurveda in human and animal health care has a long history that can be traced back to prehistoric civilizations. Traditional Indian literature in the form of the holy Veda, Purana, and Brahmana Granthas has been inundated with information on both human and animal health care. Though “Ayurveda,” “the science of life,” is mainly considered to deal with human beings but in totality, it also deals with animals (Pashu-ayurveda) and plants (Vriksha-ayurveda). Numerous illustrations of veterinary medicine based on the holistic approach of Ayurveda have been mentioned in the Garuda Purana, Agni Purana, Atri-Samhita, Matsyapurana, and many other ancient works of literature. Epics such as Mahabharata depicts the treatment of thousands of injured animals by experts such as prince Nakula, who specialized in treating horses, and prince Sahadeva, in treating cows. Ayurveda treatises namely Charaka samhita, Sushruta samhita, and Harita samhita contain many allusions to animal care and treatment. However, Salihotra, Palkapya, and Atreya were among the most admirable and well-regarded veterinary science scholars who contributed unique works to developing Ashwayurveda, Gajayurveda, and Gavayurveda. These ancient experts have written various treatises on veterinary medicine, surgery, and ethics and are still popular among scholars working in Pashuayurvea.[1]
Indian veterinary science is well known for its specialized literature, which endows with information on traditional methods of preventing and treating diseases of animals before the advent of contemporary medicine.[2] It comprises nature-based medicines and their therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic applications in rearing and caring for animals. However, in the present era, cattle owners mostly give preference to the use of modern medicines for their animal health care. The broad-spectrum adverse effects of modern synthetic drugs, such as antibiotic residues, lead to antibiotic resistance in humans; the different toxic metabolites linger in the meat, and the by-products of synthetic drugs become a matter of concern in their long term usage. These issues have ultimately surged the exploration of alternative medicines, such as Ayurveda nature-based preparations, which are economical and secure compared to modern synthetic agents.[3],[4],[5],[6] On the other hand, in recent years, there has been an increased interest by the pharmaceutical industry in discovering medicines derived from traditional systems. Various recently conducted studies have experimented and found that plant-based medicines can frequently be used alongside the conventional approach for animal health care, mainly for complicated or chronic conditions. However, due care should always be considered for possible drug-herb interactions, herb-herb interactions, and dosing.[7]
Veterinary Ayurveda provides a comprehensive approach by using nature-based ingredients to tackle the root causes of disorders besides the symptoms. The use of medicinal plants in treating ailments and the productivity of livestock and poultry have generated a renewed interest in recent times. Applying advanced technology-oriented hyphenated techniques in R&D is a powerful tool in unravelling the hidden medicinal benefits of dynamic veterinary Ayurveda science. Along with that, there is an urgent need for systematic documentation of published literature and traditional remedies practiced in rural and tribal pockets of India and their publication in a single platform. There needs to be more scientific validation of these traditional claims and quality control of the products per standard norms and practices. More research and acceptability of Pashu-ayurveda need to be a part of the regular curriculum of veterinary sciences. The universities of veterinary sciences should come forward to pay attention on research and development in this field, and in this connection, a Pashu-ayurveda chair needs to be established at such universities. Similarly, farmers need to be educated about the hazards of the irrational use of antibiotics in livestock and will have to be encouraged to cultivate medicinal plants in their farms and backyards and use them rationally in livestock. Pharma industries shall conduct researches on herbal residues and its use as feed and fodder in livestock. The plethora of surgical, parasurgical, and even therapeutic procedures including Nasya, Basti etc., described in classical Ayurvedic text need to be explored in veterinary practices in line with the basic principles of Ayurveda.
In the recent past, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the aegis of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, has taken several initiatives to establish veterinary Ayurveda as an evidence-based science. In this regard, “The Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part-IV (Veterinary)” was published by the Ministry of Ayush in October 2022, comprising 50 selected formulations to facilitate the manufacture and use of Ayurveda Veterinary Drugs. The ministry has taken steps to explore and revive ancient manuscripts/rare books on veterinary Ayurveda and documentation and publication of traditional practices and local health traditions in veterinary Ayurveda. Further, CCRAS, in collaboration with Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, Punjab, conducted research in the field of veterinary Ayurveda, addressing the need of livestock owners. The medicinal plant garden and nursery developed on the GADVASU campus provide information on uses of medicinal plants in veterinary practices and sensitize to revisit the traditional knowledge of Pashu-ayurveda. Clinical studies are ongoing to manage various gastrointestinal diseases, enhance the milk production, and provide remedial relief for mastitis in ruminants. Trans-Disciplinary University (TDU), Bengaluru, is working on developing practical and farmer-friendly ethnoveterinary practices. The National Dairy Development Boards (NDDB) is promoting these practices throughout the country in regional languages so that livestock owners can take an interest in using herbs in daily practices. Such initiatives will undoubtedly open new avenues to the practitioners, manufacturers, researchers, academicians, and enthusiasts of veterinary Ayurveda.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
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| 2. | Mazars G Traditional veterinary medicine in India. Rev Sci Tech 1994;13:433-51. |
| 3. | Phondani PC, Maikhuri RK, Kal CP Ethnoveterinary uses of medicinal plants among traditional herbal healers in Alaknanda catchment of Uttarakhand, India. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med 2010;7:195-206. |
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