Kitchen Pharmacy

Science and Medicine - Where Are We Heading?

From ancient times until the sixteenth century, herbs, in their pristine states, had provided immense medical assistance to the society.

Seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries saw the crusaders and their 'science' impose their newfound 'scientific' knowledge on heathens across the globe.

The twentieth century did not lag far behind with trade between nations controlled by capitalist agencies that insisted on procedures based on science and research. The second half of twentieth century saw a spate of growth in bioengineering - tampering genetics, the very roots of nature - for quick capitalistic gains, without regard to the long-term effects on nature and mankind. The 'research' and bioengineering is taking place on a mega scale in the US. This trend has prompted many social groups across Europe, Asia and Australia to protest distribution of produce imported from the US, leaving the American producers in a tizzy. The tight capping of the lid on the bottle of information is no longer possible by the fourth estate, as the American consumer is growing aware of the dangers of this new trend, thanks to the Internet.

The following joke has been making its rounds in the Internet, prodding the consumer to open their heart and question themselves - 'Where are we heading?'

Medicine over the ages for a simple digestive complaint:

5000 BC -	Here, eat this root.
1600 AD -	That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
1850 AD -	That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.
1940 AD -	That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
1970 AD -	Those pills are useless. Here, try this meditation.
1985 AD -	Pills and meditations are humbug. Here, take this antibiotic.
2000 AD -	That antibiotic is harmful. Here, eat this root.

There was a great interest in 'enlightenment' through spiritual teachers and gurus of India in the sixties and seventies. Today, it is not the gurus who draw foreigners to India, it is the desire to learn more about Ayurveda - the traditional Indian medicine that promises physical fitness with all round well being.

Among us Indians, the knowledge had been passed through generations by our legendary 'grandmothers' since the days when Ayurveda was compiled more than six thousand years ago. The exposure to the western 'civilisation' almost obliterated this basic knowledge by its imposing style of living.

We do not get to see our own Moms so often, let alone our grandmothers!

What Would We Do Without Our Moms?

Moms always know which foods to feed when we are not well: ginger ale for our tummy aches, chicken soup for our colds, and fluids for our flu. She knows because her Mom shared the secrets with her. Such knowledge has been passed since thousands of years.

Today, with increasing lack of time for ourselves - leave alone time for our children - it is difficult to learn what our Moms know. We seek medical opinion every time before we consume something in the name of a cure for an ailment!

Even so, we would approach Mom on either of the two occasions:

When we have an ailment and want to know how to deal with it. When we see that jar of some mysterious seeds sitting on the kitchen shelf and are just curious to find out more about the contents. When we see our traditions radically differ from those of foreigners, we are just curious to find out more.

Please note that we are not listing cures but 'methods' to prevent and/ or alleviate symptoms.

In some cases, for the curious reader, we present results of research conducted to find out why certain foods aid our physical recovery. Information contained in these pages is intended for general reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment.