Dubai embraces wellness: revealing the power of Indian alternative medicine at a global event

AYUSH, an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, represents a holistic approach to mind-body wellness. This year’s conference, organized by the Indian Ministry of AYUSH and Science India Forum, focused on the theme ‘Prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs)’ through complementary and alternative medicine.

More than 1,300 delegates attended the event to participate in talks, interactive workshops and exhibitions. Academics, doctors and wellness experts shared their insights on using AYUSH therapies to address chronic health issues such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, autism, cardiovascular diseases and anxiety.

Panel discussions and keynote speeches challenged conventional ideas about healthcare and sparked conversations about a more holistic approach to wellness.

One such topic was on how Ayurveda and related fields such as Tantra can be used in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Among the panellists were Ayurvedic doctors Mangalath Prasad of Sunethri Ayurvedashram in Kerala, Shilpa Swar, CEO and founder of Shiv Ayurveda and SIFA in Singapore. The chairman of the plenary session was Subrahmonian Kaladimana Surya Bhattathiripad from Kottayam, Kerala.

They spoke at length about how a sound Ayurvedic dietary plan, yoga exercise systems, spiritualism that focuses on the conscious sense of self, and the use of medicinal herbs in conjunction with the ancient natural energy flow practices of tantra, which can be described as a quantum physics perspective could help a child with autism spectrum disorder. Globally, the panel said that “one in 45 children is diagnosed with some form of ASD,” making it a cause of great concern for many parents. They observed how managing an expectant mother’s diet and sense of well-being can also have an immense impact on the child’s health.

Bhattathiripad in his summary explained how the ancient Indian sciences of astrology and tantra, dating back millennia, could play a role in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder. He said: “Of course, everything should be done under the guidance of a qualified Ayurveda practitioner. However, an innovative approach is to use the ancient Indian science of Tantra. “This system creates an electromagnetic field as part of its ancestral practices, which can be used to help young people with ASD.”

According to the British National Institutes of Health, “…there are two types of energy or fields in our brain: electromagnetic and quantum fields. “The electromagnetic field is believed to be a dominant energy in the purely motor and sensory inputs of our brain, while the quantum field or energy is perceived as more influential in brain cognitions.”

In the case of ASD, motor and sensory abilities are affected; therefore, a naturally created electromagnetic field could help.