What is the difference between Ayurveda and modern medicine?
While conventional medicine dates back 200 years at the most, Ayurveda inherits a legacy of more than 5000 years. There are scholars who place its date of origin even before that period. Apart from dates of origin, the major difference between Ayurveda and conventional medicine lies in the treatment method—while most modern medical treatments operate at the symptomatic level, Ayurvedic treatments work at much deeper causative levels. Ayurveda considers a human being to be a part of nature, and as such, employs all-natural treatment methods. And while modern medicine is based on germ theory, Ayurveda is based on the theory of biological humors and body energies. Modern medicine uses synthetic and chemical drugs but Ayurvedic treatments are totally natural and all Ayurvedic medications are herbal. Moreover, these medications are always supplemented by the right diet, lifestyle changes, meditation, exercises and yoga. As a result, Ayurvedic remedies do not have harmful side-effects.