German TV documents efficacy of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka

by Anuradha KODAGODA

Nowadays we are living in a too complicated and advanced world in each and every way. It is not possible for us to get about without mobile phones, computers and satellites even for a day. It doesn't' really matters whether we are in a third world country or in a developed country and day by day we are being distanced from the natural environment and getting more and more into an electronic and digital world. Being in this kind of a situation it is important that we pay lots of attention to our health and the systems to avoid various diseases which are very common with this high tech world.

Ayurveda is one of the good solutions to balance the body and mind by using natural treatment which helps us to lead a long and healthy life.

What is Ayurveda? The word Ayurveda was derived from AYU and VEDA. AYU means life VEDA means science or knowledge. Basically it means a science of healthy living. Ayurveda has two aims: to preserve health and to cure a body afflicted with a disease.

It is an ancient system of medicine developed particularly in Asian part of the world.

Ayurveda is fast becoming a household name with all those interested in "Alternative medicine". Yet Ayurveda is not an alternative medicine.

It is one of the oldest forms of medical science known to man - originating 5000 years ago.

Sabine Eckhard is a film maker from Germany who is specialised in documentary filmmaking. She is very much familiar with the Sri Lankan society and culture since she has been in Sri Lanka several times.

This time she is in Sri Lanka for the last four weeks for a special reason which is to research and explore the magical power of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka. The following is an exclusive interview by the Sunday Observer:

"This is a 45 minute documentary film about Ayurveda in Sri Lanka for the TV series, 'Far far Away' which is broadcast on ARD TV in Germany.

First we have observed two German ladies who came for Ayurvedic treatment to Sri Lanka and we observed the way they obtained treatment and how they got cured. Also in the documentary we talk about the Ayurveda history and to get a better knowledge we could meet Dr. Alawathugama who is a famous Ayurvedic doctor who lives in Ambalangoda. With his help we could interview many locals who received Ayurvedic medication for serious illnesses like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and so on. And they spoke about their experience throughout the process and the feeling of relief after the Ayurvedic treatment," Sabine said. "There are four people including myself in our film crew.

The cameraman is Dario Sedo, production and the sounds done by Karl Laabs and there is a German Ayurveda guest actress, Maren Kroymann. Other than that we filmed the real patients who are locals and also a few foreigners who were here for Ayurvedic medication.

I have been in Sri Lanka many times during the past two decades and have been in the Hotel Paragon many times which has specialized Ayurvedic medication. The Ayurvedic medication service I found at Hotel Paragon is fabulous and it is not merely a spa but the professionalism that they show which is fascinating," she said.

In her observation, when compared to the Western medication, the Ayurvedic medication is more health conscious and it kills not only the symptoms but it goes into the root cause of the disease and cures it permanently.

Also Ayurvedic medication warns us the balancing Dosha in our body by being conscious about the food culture in our day-to-day lives and it is 100 percent natural unlike the Western medication which has side-effects at all.

"Other than Ayurveda in Sri Lanka the other best thing that I was really impressed was the Galle city. In my documentary I'm focusing and to make the Galle city prominent which is extremely vigorous as a tourist city.

I must thank the Sri Lankan government and especially the Sri Lanka Ambassador to Germany Sarath Kongahage who supported us a lot throughout in this project and we very much appreciate his ability to understand the gravity of this project and also to maintain good foreign collaboration among the two countries," she further added.

Ayurveda is more than a system of herbal medicine. It is a way to a healthy and long life and can complement modern medicine. Ayurveda has two main aims: It treats the symptoms of a disease and it helps individuals to strengthen their immune system.

Ayurveda treats the body, mind and spirit of a person as a whole entity, and works on the basis that the mind and body affect each other, and together can overcome disease.

One of the fundamental beliefs of Ayurveda is the doctrine of 'Tri Dosha' or the Three Vital Forces 'Vayu, Pita and Kapha'.

Generally translated into Wind, Bile and Phlegm, a more accurate interpretation of Vayu is the transmission of energy within the body; in modern medical terms, nerve impulses, muscle contraction and hormonal activity. 'Pita' may not be confined to bile but signifies the whole scope of metabolism and internal heat production while 'Kapha' means mucus, often described as 'The Protective Fluid'.

The modern concept of mucus as an antibody containing liquid which coats and protects internal linings of the body seems to fit in with Ayurvedic thinking.

"The main point that I am trying to give prominence in my documentary is the tremendous advantages that we can get by using Ayurvedic medication while making sure of a long and healthy life.

Even though Western medication is very much popular around the world including Sri Lanka, there is an excellent market potential for Sri Lanka in the European countries by selling this service, internationally. So far Ayurveda has proved its ability and its power of curing so many diseases 100 percent naturally and with zero side-effects.

In my documentary too it proves the ability of curing some terrible diseases which are very common in nowadays 100 percent by using natural ingredients and herbs. On the other hand I hope my documentary film would be an information source especially in Germany to promote Ayurveda medicine of Sri Lanka which would matters to increase the demand in Sri Lankan tourism.

This documentary film is planned to broadcast in April 2012 in Germany," she further said.

Information sources: Ayurvedasrilanka.com