An Ayurvedic Vaidyar at Work

by Sheela Rani Chunkath

Nestled in the suburbs of Poonamallee, at Nazarapeth about hour from the metropolis of Chennai is the Sri Jayendra Saraswathi College of Ayurveda. Run by the Kanch Mutt, it is dedicated to producing efficient and effective ayurvedic vaidyars.

Dr. Ramadas Maganti, the principal of this venerable institution is an expert, among other things on musculo-skeletal disorders. On any given day you find 30 to 50 patients waiting with large plastic covers. Most of these patients have consulted numerous orthopedicians, taken many MRIs, CT Scans and X-rays and then ultimately finding no relief come to ayurveda with their bags full of files and their hearts filled with hope. Having learnt that a friend or relative found relief in ayurvedic treatment and that Dr. Maganti had saved them from spine or knee surgery, they come in droves.

It is an experience to watch Dr. Maganti at work. He asks questions for about ten minutes, examines the patient and comes to a conclusion regarding the line of treatment. Since the clinic is pretty crowded, only a vaidyar with years of experience can do justice to the crowd of patients waiting anxiously. Dr. Maganti does just that. Dr. Maganti invariably tell the patient to ask friends and relatives to come to ayurveda as a first option and not after they have wasted time and thousands of rupees on unnecessary diagnostic procedures.

A typical conversation would run thus, "So how is it that you come to consult an ayurvedic vaidyar". "I was told that I would have to have a spine surgery. I was told by my relatives that you helped them without surgery".

Dr. Maganti usually draws up a prescription for ten days. Since many patients who have musculo-skeletal issues suffer from a build up of ama or toxins in the system, a deepana pachana routine (to improve the appetite and kindle the digestive fire) would be prescribed plus medications to attack the cause of pain. Kokilaksham kashayam, Maharasnadi kashayam, Mahayogaraja guggulu etc. are some of the drugs commonly used. In ayurveda there is a concept of trial treatment or Upashayam. Medicines are prescribed only for 10 days. The patient returns after 10 days and reports on his wellness quotient. Depending on his reply Dr. Maganti continues the prescription, adds to it or changes it completely. If after 15 to 20 days the patient does not report any improvement the patient is advised admission for panchakarma.

I have seen many patients come in a stretcher and go back walking within a couple of weeks or months depending on the severity of the disease. Medicines are then prescribed to be taken at home and periodic visits keeps the patient healthy and away from the operation theatre.

Dr. Maganti's clinic is famous for those who come with various aches and pains -- sometimes in the joints, sometimes the pain flits to the back, sometimes it feels like a wringing muscular pain. Dr. Maganti is often heard to say that in almost any household there will be at least one person suffering from such pains -- a precursor to rheumatoid arthritis. Called modaku vatam in Tamil, it is resul of ama or toxins which build up in the system due to improper or poor digestion and dosha vitiation. It can be treated with ayurveda and Dr. Maganti is a past master at it. He is also famous for mitigating the effects of strokes, treatment of skin disorders such as psoriasis, respiratory disorders, diabetes, endocrine disorders etc. It boggles the mind but every ayurvedic doctor treats the complete human body; not discrete organ systems. Dr. Maganti is a true and complete ayurvedic vaidyar who has brought relief to thousands of patients suffering from a variety of ailments.

--- The writer is retired Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/