Vedic Medicine is based on scientific evidence

Antigua GAPIO: Quite often we say that Vedic Medicine is not based on scientific evidence. But Vedas do describe six types of evidence.

1.      Pratkyasha:  What is seen, touched, smelt, tasted or heard; which happens before us. For example, diagnosing an acute myocardial infection by seeing an ECG

2.      Anumana: which is logic based on the assumption. E.g. any study based in modern medicine based on Null hypothesis. Most modern medicine studies are based on this concept.

3.      Upmana:  This is the analogy based. If you see a granuloma on histopathology, it is TB unless proved otherwise

4.      Arthapati: This is the conclusion based on circumstantial evidence. For example, during an epidemic of dengue, all fevers are presumed to be dengue first.

5.      Anuplabdhi is evidence based on negation. You diagnose a rare condition after common conditions are ruled out. Most viral disorders today are diagnosed after excluding bacterial infections

6.      Shabda or evidence based on other’s experiences. We practice what was taught to us by our professors.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA