At THE WEEK AYUSH Conclave, a panel discussion on 'Why Healing is Integrated', moderated by Kanu Sarda, Senior Special Correspondent at THE WEEK, brought together experts from across disciplines to underline the importance of combining traditional and modern systems of medicine for holistic healthcare.
Dr Raghuveer A.R., Senior Naturopathic Physician at SOUKYA, explained that the firm practises an integrated approach combining yoga and complementary therapies which has attracted patients from across the globe.
"When you do quality service, people will come for AYUSH therapies for hypertension, diabetes etc. People across the globe visit us and avail quality services."
He emphasised that lifestyle disorders such as hypertension and diabetes largely stemmed from a lack of discipline, unhealthy eating habits, and inadequate physical activity.
“Earlier, people would sweat through daily work, but today’s sedentary lifestyle leads to toxin accumulation,” he pointed out.
He also highlighted the importance of key organs such as the skin, lungs, liver, and large intestine in maintaining overall health.
According to him, many AYUSH therapies focused on detoxification, offering particular attention to colon health.
“Most toxins accumulate in the colon. If you cleanse it, 70 per cent of the problem is addressed,” he added.
Dr Raghuveer also noted that immunity is closely linked to gut health, and neglecting it can invite disease. He reiterated that good dietary habits, along with proper cleansing practices, are essential for maintaining long-term health.
Vasanti S. Iyer, CEO and Director at the Sri Sri School of Yoga, Art of Living, said that yoga can play a significant role in both prevention and healing, though it works best as a preventive practice.
She also emphasised the need for an integrated approach, noting that allopathy is essential for acute care, while yoga can support long-term well-being.
“If practised consistently, yoga can help reverse conditions before they become chronic,” she pointed out.
Iyer added that while yoga has helped even patients with serious illnesses, its impact is limited in very advanced stages such as stage-four cancer.
She pointed out that many health issues stem from stress, fatigue, and mental patterns that develop over time.
“Disease is multi-dimensional, so healing must also be multi-dimensional,” she said.
"Maintaining balance in daily habits such as eating and sleeping, along with integrating different systems of medicine, is key to overall health."
Dr Anju Majeed, Group Executive Chairperson of the Sami Sabinsa Group, said that in the context of modern lifestyles, an important question to ask is whether consumers are using safe and reliable ingredients.
She emphasised the need for stronger scientific validation of traditional practices. While traditional methods have proven their value over time, she noted that integrating modern science through clinical and pre-clinical studies was essential to ensure consistency and credibility.
“Consumers need to be confident that whatever they are taking is safe and delivers the same results every time,” she said, underscoring the importance of standardisation.
She added that ensuring quality begins at the farm level. From sourcing safe raw materials to conducting rigorous safety assessments and scientific studies, every stage of the process must be carefully monitored.
Transparency, she stressed, is equally important.
“We need to clearly communicate what works and what does not,” she said, highlighting the role of evidence-based practices in building trust among consumers.
Mekhla Mattoo, a leading expert on Pranic Healing, said that the practice could be used both as standalone therapy and alongside allopathic medicine.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared that when she began more than 20 years ago, she had little inclination towards self-discovery.
“I simply walked into a class to see what it was about,” she said, recalling a time before the internet when learning relied heavily on personal interaction and curiosity.
She said that Pranic Healing is a highly focused and structured practice. Despite initially considering herself the least sensitive among participants, what impressed her was its standardised approach, which made it accessible and learnable.
“It is not just a belief system. There is a proper method and discipline behind it,” she said, adding that the practice is standardised across more than 120 countries.
Explaining the concept of energy, Mattoo said energy plays a role in everyday interactions.
“Whenever you talk to someone, there is an exchange of energy. Some people's energy uplifts you, while others may drain your energy,” she explained.
Pranic Healing, she added, helps individuals manage such day-to-day experiences, provided they approach things with a neutral and balanced state of mind.
"Pranic Healing can be particularly helpful for people dealing with stress," she pointed out.