The recent spat between a legendary Indian chess grandmaster and a Twitter-famous hepatologist got me thinking: Are alternative medicine systems like Ayurveda, Homeopathy, or Unani really “medicine” in the scientific sense?
Now, I know this is a touchy subject. So instead of diving into cold stats and abstract arguments, let me share some real-life stories — including one that probably saved my life.
Story #1: The Dog Bite That Could’ve Gone Very Wrong
I was in high school when an unvaccinated stray dog bit me. Terrified and clueless, I bolted home, scrubbed the wound with antiseptic, and rushed to our family doctor.
He calmly gave me a tetanus shot, rang up my parents, and prescribed a series of anti-rabies injections — one each day for a week, all around the navel. Not pleasant, but hey, I'm still here, typing this blog post today. That medicine, backed by years of clinical trials and rigorous research, saved my life.
Honestly, it never crossed my mind to visit an Ayurvedic or Homeopathic clinic that day. And let's be real — who would? In emergencies, almost everyone instinctively turns to modern, allopathic medicine.
So, are alternative medicine practitioners even relevant in such life-threatening scenarios? Would anyone trust them with something like a dog bite? I wouldn't — and that was before I even understood the difference between "alternative" and "allopathic" medicine.
Story #2: But Wait — Is Allopathy the Only Answer?
Not always.
Let me take you back to another memory, around the same time. There was a 60-something woman in our neighborhood — a gentle, unmarried lady who had become increasingly fearful with age. She started believing her anxiety was caused by some kind of spiritual affliction.
Someone told her to visit a temple dedicated to Maa Durga. She invited me along for moral support. The priest conducted a ritual involving neem leaves. After some prayers, he gently tapped each devotee’s head with a blessed neem sprig.
I asked her afterward: “Why not see a doctor?”
She replied, “I’ve tried all the medicines. Nothing helped.”
Did the ritual cure her fear? I don’t know. But a few weeks later, she passed away — peacefully, in her sleep. Did the ritual help her find emotional peace? Perhaps. Who am I to say?
Story #3: Exam Panic and Prayers
Think back to your high school board exams — Class X or XII. Remember that mind-numbing anxiety that made even your favorite subject look like Greek? Did we go to a psychiatrist? Rarely. Most of us did what people across faiths have always done — we prayed. Because sometimes, comfort doesn’t come in a capsule. It comes from faith, ritual, or sheer belief.
The Saline Water Paradox
Recently, I visited a doctor for a common cold. Along with prescribing some tried-and-tested medication, he casually added, “Also, do some steam inhalation and gargle with warm salt water.”
It struck me — these home remedies have been around for centuries, long before “modern medicine” existed. Yet, here they are, still being recommended by certified doctors.
So, What’s the Point?
Maybe alternative medicine isn’t about replacing modern science, but complementing it — spiritually, emotionally, or even symptomatically in some cases. But when lives are on the line? There’s no substitute for science-backed medicine.
That said, belief has power too. And sometimes, a neem leaf, a temple bell, or a whispered prayer can give us what no prescription ever can — hope.
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