Features
Native medicine and its place today
By Dr. Sarath Gamini De Silva
Much discussion and controversies have arisen today as the world is trying to find a remedy for the pandemic ravaging mankind. As allopathic (Western) medicine found no acceptable cure for the illness so far, vaccines are being introduced at a rapid pace seeming to be effective in preventing the disease. Due to the desperate situation, time taken for developing such vaccines and their use in human beings has been shortened to a fraction of what we have known hitherto. Thus, long term harmful effects, though we are reassured to be minimal, are yet to be seen. With new more virulent strains of the virus already appearing in the UK, how effective the vaccines would be in the long term is anybody’s guess.
To fill the gap in the availability of scientifically verified treatment, many Ayurvedic or native medicines (also called traditional or alternative medicines) have come to the fore. Almost every week a person with questionable credentials comes up with a decoction claiming to be based on an ancient formula brought down the generations secretly in ola manuscripts. They are appealing to the patriotic sentiments of the people expecting them to accept these out of respect for tradition. Sudarshani paanaya, Dhammika peniya are among the foremost. The claims of their origins from divine sources or being brought down from the Himalayas have added to the mystique. As a more recent example we remember how the leaves and the latex of Papaya were promoted for treating dengue fever, later found to be of no use.
In my childhood, I swallowed gallons of kottamalli with or without ginger and katuwelbatu as a remedy for fevers, common colds and the likes. Venivelgeta was added to prevent tetanus after an injury. During school holidays we were given aralu to “cleanse” the bowels to survive the next school term! Epsom salt (savinda lunu) was added to make the induced diarrhoea more profuse and hence to make the treatment more effective. Later on, I spared my own children the agony of going through that treatment. We have heard about various treatments given to prevent rabies after a dog bite, the success proven if the victim did not get the fatal illness after eating pork. Similarly, deaths after snake bites were supposed to be prevented by various forms of native treatment.
There is a scientific explanation for many of these so-called successes. With a very few exceptions most viral infections are self-limiting. A “drug’ given during the illness, whether allopathic or traditional, makes the patient feel comfortable, but the duration of the illness itself is not generally shortened nor complications made less likely. As for tetanus, a majority of wounds will not anyway lead to serious infection. Most snake bites are harmless needing no treatment; so are dog bites. These are a few examples where no one can claim success for their medication as the patients would have recovered anyway without any intervention. There are risks when people overlook well proven vaccines for the prevention of rabies, tetanus and other illnesses or antitoxins for snake bites and resort to traditional medicine.
Almost all the medications used by native physicians are of natural origin. Roots, yams, barks and leaves are the sources. Unfortunately, with the advance of scientific method little or no attempt has been made to isolate the effective chemical compounds in them. Hence in decoctions like kasayas, multiple plant derivatives have to be boiled together in a cumbersome procedure producing a bitter unpalatable drink. Fortunately, some preparations like paspanguwa, peyawa and samahan are available in sachets, which we still take for symptomatic relief showing our faith in native medication. Likewise, some Western medicines are of plant origin where the active ingredient has been isolated and produced in a palatable tablet form. Some original plant compounds are now manufactured in laboratories to increase the volume of production.
It was identified many years ago that some commonly available plants had blood sugar lowering properties. They are recommended by some for use by the diabetic patients. However, one is not aware of any attempts to isolate the active compounds and make them commercially available. It is the duty of governments, and the ministry in charge of traditional medicine, to facilitate and encourage research into finding active ingredients in traditional medicine.
The situation is even worse when non communicable diseases (NCDs) are considered. Illnesses like heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes or arthritis are cases in point. We are still unraveling the exact causation of these illnesses. In such diseases, giving immediate symptomatic relief and the prevention of well-known debilitating or life-threatening long term complications are mandatory. The allopathic drugs have been tested and tried over a long period of time in scientific analysis and well controlled clinical trials to prove that they are effective in treating the illnesses as well as having minimal side effects. Many chemicals, molecules and compounds which started off in laboratories with this process had to be abandoned due to such undesirable effects or lack of effectiveness. Whether any traditional medicine has been subjected to such intensive study is not known. It should be stressed that no “trial and error” method is acceptable when dealing with human life!
There are many anecdotal stories of malignant disease being cured by native medicine. In almost all these instances people have resorted to alternative medicine when allopathic treatment has failed to prevent the progress of the disease. In these instances, after some period of apparent improvement, the disease inexorably gets worse. Even without any treatment, many chronic illnesses are known to subside spontaneously. Alterations in the immunity of the individual may be a factor. Whether any form of treatment can claim credit for such “cures” is questionable. It has become the vogue to undertake extreme dietary changes and other forms of life style modification to alter the course of chronic diseases including malignancies.
People had total faith in native medicine and occult sciences in the olden days as there was no alternative remedy available. Stories about the times of King Ravana and the physician king Buddhadasa are legendary and would have played an important role at that time. But when more established scientifically proven allopathic medicine is available for many illnesses, quoting ancient unverified stories will not help. No one will ever think of going back to horse-drawn carriages because the fuel powered cars cause environmental pollution!
The merits of native medicine are further diminished by their “adulteration” with allopathic drugs alleged to be practiced by native physicians. It is widely suspected that syrups, gulis, etc., actually contain allopathic drugs powdered and reconstituted. Many Ayurveda and related study courses now include some teaching in allopathic medicine and pharmacology. Some traditional physicians prescribe antibiotics and pain killers to gullible public who are naïve enough to believe that they are trained in both systems of medicine! It is well known that a large number of native physicians take allopathic medicine for their own illnesses like hypertension and diabetes. How some such physicians publicly advise against the use of drugs for diabetes like insulin and metformin is deplorable. Over the years these drugs have been proven without doubt to improve the disease and prevent long term complications.
Many herbal products imported mostly from Asian countries currently do not require registration by the drug regulatory authorities. These are costly and are often of no proven benefit. They are commonly prescribed even by doctors registered in allopathic medicine. They should be brought under regulatory control without further delay.
The media play a big role in promoting unproven medications, both traditional and allopathic, spreading harmful misinformation. Politicians seem to take refuge in them when their action or inaction disappoint the public who are looking up to them to control the current pandemic. It is deplorable how they mislead the people by openly ingesting such decoctions. Obviously, they will not be held accountable if unforeseen toxic effects occur in those who swallow it. Those responsible have put the cart before the horse, by asking the experts to decide on the issue after they have already appeared to openly recommend the decoction to the people. The short term substantial financial benefits to those who peddle unproven medications is an incentive to continue hoodwinking the gullible public. The risk of such falsely reassured people ignoring effective public health guidance is worrying.
While showing scenes where alcohol is consumed or there is tobacco smoking, the television screens show a legend to say that these habits are harmful to health. Likewise, it should be mandatory that when questionable medication is shown or advertised, a legend to say that these claims are unproven could rectify the issue to some extent. Ideally, electronic media and other news organisations should have their own advisors on health matters, who can clarify issues before giving publicity to such products. This is especially so at a time when health programs are said to be very popular among viewers
This article is written in good faith to overcome the epidemic of misinformation which is as harmful as the pandemic itself. Coming from a physician trained in allopathic medicine who has much faith in the symptomatic relief given by them, it is not intended to discredit the native forms of treatment or their practitioners. Over thousands of years native medicines were the only form of treatment available to help the people survive illness. More properly conducted research is the urgent need to make the system relevant to today’s needs. However, being ignorant enough to get stuck in history and tradition would ensure that the nation will continue to stagnate without progress. Issues have been logically discussed in the hope that people will be informed enough to see things as they are.
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There’s an ill more dangerous and pervasive than the Coronavirus that’s currently sweeping Sri Lanka. That is the fear to express one’s convictions. Across the public sector of the country in particular many persons holding high office are stringently regulating and controlling the voices of their consciences and this bodes ill for all and the country.
The corrupting impact of fear was discussed in this column a couple of weeks ago when dealing with the military coup in Myanmar. It stands to the enduring credit of ousted Myanmarese Head of Government Aung San Suu Kyi that she, perhaps for the first time in the history of modern political thought, singled out fear, and not power, as the principal cause of corruption within the individual; powerful or otherwise.
To be sure, power corrupts but the corrupting impact of fear is graver and more devastating. For instance, the fear in a person holding ministerial office or in a senior public sector official, that he would lose position and power as a result of speaking out his convictions and sincere beliefs on matters of the first importance, would lead to a country’s ills going unaddressed and uncorrected.
Besides, the individual concerned would be devaluing himself in the eyes of all irrevocably and revealing himself to be a person who would be willing to compromise his moral integrity for petty worldly gain or a ‘mess of pottage’. This happens all the while in Lankan public life. Some of those who have wielded and are wielding immense power in Sri Lanka leave very much to be desired from these standards.
It could be said that fear has prevented Sri Lanka from growing in every vital respect over the decades and has earned for itself the notoriety of being a directionless country.
All these ills and more are contained in the current controversy in Sri Lanka over the disposal of the bodies of Covid victims, for example. The Sri Lankan polity has no choice but to abide by scientific advice on this question. Since authorities of the standing of even the WHO have declared that the burial of the bodies of those dying of Covid could not prove to be injurious to the wider public, the Sri Lankan health authorities could go ahead and sanction the burying of the bodies concerned. What’s preventing the local authorities from taking this course since they claim to be on the side of science? Who or what are they fearing? This is the issue that’s crying out to be probed and answered.
Considering the need for absolute truthfulness and honesty on the part of all relevant persons and quarters in matters such as these, the latter have no choice but to resign from their positions if they are prevented from following the dictates of their consciences. If they are firmly convinced that burials could bring no harm, they are obliged to take up the position that burials should be allowed.
If any ‘higher authority’ is preventing them from allowing burials, our ministers and officials are conscience-bound to renounce their positions in protest, rather than behave compromisingly and engage in ‘double think’ and ‘double talk’. By adopting the latter course they are helping none but keeping the country in a state of chronic uncertainty, which is a handy recipe for social instabiliy and division.
In the Sri Lankan context, the failure on the part of the quarters that matter to follow scientific advice on the burials question could result in the aggravation of Islamophobia, or hatred of the practitioners of Islam, in the country. Sri Lanka could do without this latter phobia and hatred on account of its implications for national stability and development. The 30 year war against separatist forces was all about the prevention by military means of ‘nation-breaking’. The disastrous results for Sri Lanka from this war are continuing to weigh it down and are part of the international offensive against Sri Lanka in the UNHCR.
However, Islamophobia is an almost world wide phenomenon. It was greatly strengthened during Donald Trump’s presidential tenure in the US. While in office Trump resorted to the divisive ruling strategy of quite a few populist authoritarian rulers of the South. Essentially, the manoeuvre is to divide and rule by pandering to the racial prejudices of majority communities.
It has happened continually in Sri Lanka. In the initial post-independence years and for several decades after, it was a case of some populist politicians of the South whipping-up anti-Tamil sentiments. Some Tamil politicians did likewise in respect of the majority community. No doubt, both such quarters have done Sri Lanka immeasurable harm. By failing to follow scientific advice on the burial question and by not doing what is right, Sri Lanka’s current authorities are opening themselves to the charge that they are pandering to religious extremists among the majority community.
The murderous, destructive course of action adopted by some extremist sections among Muslim communities world wide, including of course Sri Lanka, has not earned the condemnation it deserves from moderate Muslims who make-up the preponderant majority in the Muslim community. It is up to moderate opinion in the latter collectivity to come out more strongly and persuasively against religious extremists in their midst. It will prove to have a cementing and unifying impact among communities.
It is not sufficiently appreciated by governments in the global South in particular that by voicing for religious and racial unity and by working consistently towards it, they would be strengthening democratic development, which is an essential condition for a country’s growth in all senses.
A ‘divided house’ is doomed to fall; this is the lesson of history. ‘National security’ cannot be had without human security and peaceful living among communities is central to the latter. There cannot be any ‘double talk’ or ‘politically correct’ opinions on this question. Truth and falsehood are the only valid categories of thought and speech.
Those in authority everywhere claiming to be democratic need to adopt a scientific outlook on this issue as well. Studies conducted on plural societies in South Asia, for example, reveal that the promotion of friendly, cordial ties among communities invariably brings about healing among estranged groups and produces social peace. This is the truth that is waiting to be acted upon.
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By Sanjeewa Jayaweera
It was on 3rd January 1972 that our family arrived in Karachi from Moscow. Our departure from Moscow had been delayed for a few weeks due to the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It ended on 16th December 1971. After that, international flights were not permitted for some time.
The contrast between Moscow and Karachi was unbelievable. First and foremost, Moscow’s temperature was near minus 40 degrees centigrade, while in Karachi, it was sunny and a warm 28 degrees centigrade. However, what struck us most was the extreme warmth with which the airport authorities greeted our family. As my father was a diplomat, we were quickly ushered to the airport’s VIP Lounge. We were in transit on our way to Rawalpindi, the airport serving the capital of Islamabad.
We quickly realized that the word “we are from Sri Lanka” opened all doors just as saying “open sesame” gained entry to Aladdin’s cave! The broad smile, extreme courtesy, and genuine warmth we received from the Pakistani people were unbelievable.
This was all to do with Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike’s decision to allow Pakistani aircraft to land in Colombo to refuel on the way to Dhaka in East Pakistan during the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It was a brave decision by Mrs Bandaranaike (Mrs B), and the successive governments and Sri Lanka people are still enjoying the fruits of it. Pakistan has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of our country. They have come to our assistance time and again in times of great need when many have turned their back on us. They have indeed been an “all-weather” friend of our country.
Getting back to 1972, I was an early beneficiary of Pakistani people’s love for Sri Lankans. I failed the entrance exam to gain entry to the only English medium school in Islamabad! However, when I met the Principal, along with my father, he said, “Sanjeewa, although you failed the entrance exam, I will this time make an exception as Sri Lankans are our dear friends.” After that, the joke around the family dinner table was that I owed my education in Pakistan to Mrs B!
At school, my brother and I were extended a warm welcome and always greeted “our good friends from Sri Lanka.” I felt when playing cricket for our college; our runs were cheered more loudly than of others.
One particular incident that I remember well was when the Embassy received a telex from the Foreign inistry. It requested that our High Commissioner seek an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Zulifikar Ali Bhutto (ZB), and convey a message from Mrs B. The message requested that an urgent shipment of rice be dispatched to Sri Lanka as there would be an imminent rice shortage. As the Ambassador was not in the station, the responsibility devolved on my father.
It usually takes about a week or more to get an audience with the Prime Minister (PM) of a foreign country due to their busy schedule. However, given the urgency, my father spoke to the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Sectary, who fortunately was our neighbour and sought an urgent appointment. My father received a call from the PM’s secretary around 10 P.M asking him to come over to the PM’s residence. My father met ZB around midnight. ZB was about to retire to bed and, as such, was in his pyjamas and gown enjoying a cigar! He had greeted my father and had asked, “Mr Jayaweera, what can we do for great friend Madam Bandaranaike?. My father conveyed the message from Colombo and quietly mentioned that there would be riots in the country if there is no rice!
ZB had immediately got the Food Commissioner of Pakistan on the line and said, “I want a shipload of rice to be in Colombo within the next 72 hours!” The Food Commissioner reverted within a few minutes, saying that nothing was available and the last export shipment had left the port only a few hours ago to another country. ZB had instructed to turn the ship around and send it to Colombo. This despite protests from the Food Commissioner about terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit prohibiting non-delivery. Sri Lanka got its delivery of rice!
The next was the visit of Mrs B to Pakistan. On arrival in Rawalpindi airport, she was given a hero’s welcome, which Pakistan had previously only offered to President Gaddafi of Libya, who financially backed Pakistan with his oil money. That day, I missed school and accompanied my parents to the airport. On our way, we witnessed thousands of people had gathered by the roadside to welcome Mrs B.
When we walked to the airport’s tarmac, thousands of people were standing in temporary stands waving Sri Lanka and Pakistan flags and chanting “Sri Lanka Pakistan Zindabad.” The noise emanating from the crowd was as loud and passionate as the cheering that the Pakistani cricket team received during a test match. It was electric!
I believe she was only the second head of state given the privilege of addressing both assemblies of Parliament. The other being Gaddafi. There was genuine affection from Mrs B amongst the people of Pakistan.
I always remember the indefatigable efforts of Mr Abdul Haffez Kardar, a cabinet minister and the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board. From around 1973 onwards, he passionately championed Sri Lanka’s cause to be admitted as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and granted test status. Every year, he would propose at the ICC’s annual meeting, but England and Australia’s veto kept us out until 1981.
I always felt that our Cricket Board made a mistake by not inviting Pakistan to play our inaugural test match. We should have appreciated Mr Kardar and Pakistan’s efforts. In 1974 the Pakistan board invited our team for a tour involving three test matches and a few first-class games. Most of those who played in our first test match was part of that tour, and no doubt gained significant exposure playing against a highly talented Pakistani team.
Several Pakistani greats were part of the Pakistan and India team that played a match soon after the Central Bank bomb in Colombo to prove that it was safe to play cricket in Colombo. It was a magnificent gesture by both Pakistan and India. Our greatest cricket triumph was in Pakistan when we won the World Cup in 1996. I am sure the players and those who watched the match on TV will remember the passionate support our team received that night from the Pakistani crowd. It was like playing at home!
I also recall reading about how the Pakistani government air freighted several Multi Barrell artillery guns and ammunition to Sri Lanka when the A rmy camp in Jaffna was under severe threat from the LTTE. This was even more important than the shipload of rice that ZB sent. This was crucial as most other countries refused to sell arms to our country during the war.
Time and again, Pakistan has steadfastly supported our country’s cause at the UNHCR. No doubt this year, too, their diplomats will work tirelessly to assist our country.
We extend a warm welcome to Mr Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is a truly inspirational individual who was undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. Since retirement from cricket, he has decided to get involved in politics, and after several years of patiently building up his support base, he won the last parliamentary elections. I hope that just as much as he galvanized Sri Lankan cricketers, his political journey would act as a catalyst for people like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to get involved in politics. Cricket has been called a “gentleman’s game.” Whilst politics is far from it!.
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Believe me, seeing certain videos, on social media, depicting action, on the dance floor, at some of these entertainment venues, got me wondering whether this Coronavirus pandemic is REAL!
To those having a good time, at these particular venues, and, I guess, the management, as well, what the world is experiencing now doesn’t seem to be their concerned.
Obviously, such irresponsible behaviour could create more problems for those who are battling to halt the spread of Covid-19, and the new viriant of Covid, in our part of the world.
The videos, on display, on social media, show certain venues, packed to capacity – with hardly anyone wearing a mask, and social distancing…only a dream..
How can one think of social distancing while gyrating, on a dance floor, that is over crowded!
If this trend continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Coronavirus makes its presence felt…at such venues.
And, then, what happens to the entertainment scene, and those involved in this field, especially the musicians? No work, whatsoever!
Lots of countries have closed nightclubs, and venues, where people gather, in order to curtail the spread of this deadly virus that has already claimed the lives of thousands.
Thailand did it and the country is still having lots of restrictions, where entertainment is concerned, and that is probably the reason why Thailand has been able to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
With a population of over 69 million, they have had (so far), a little over 25,000 cases, and 83 deaths, while we, with a population of around 21 million, have over 80,000 cases, and more than 450 deaths.
I’m not saying we should do away with entertainment – totally – but we need to follow a format, connected with the ‘new normal,’ where masks and social distancing are mandatory requirements at these venues. And, dancing, I believe, should be banned, at least temporarily, as one can’t maintain the required social distance, while on the dance floor, especially after drinks.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana keeps emphasising, on TV, radio, and in the newspapers, the need to adhere to the health regulations, now in force, and that those who fail to do so would be penalised.
He has also stated that plainclothes officers would move around to apprehend such offenders.
Perhaps, he should instruct his officers to pay surprise visits to some of these entertainment venues.
He would certainly have more than a bus load of offenders to be whisked off for PCR/Rapid Antigen tests!
I need to quote what Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe said in his article, published in The Island of Tuesday, February 16th, 2021:
“…let me conclude, while emphasising the need to continue our general public health measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowded gatherings, to reduce the risk of contact with an infected person.
“There is no science to beat common sense.”
But…do some of our folks have this thing called COMMON SENSE!
