CNM Students take a trip to Kerala, India
Greeba Skinner - CNM Graduate
A group of CNM’s herbal medicine students (2004-2006) plus a student from the ACNM in Australia visited Kerala for 3 weeks. We studied the fundamental principles of Ayurveda endorsed by the Sanjeevani Ayurveda Foundation.
As a group we wished to extend the basic knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine and lifestyle that had been imparted to us at the CNM. We were truly not disappointed with the level of knowledge and hospitality that the Nair family of Nemom in Triuvananthapuram shared. We all returned to the UK enriched and inspired by the practical, verbal and non-verbal teachings experienced.
The course was 108 hours in length with approximately half of the time being theory and the other half practical. We were taught mainly by Dr Vinod Nair and his close friend and colleague Dr Krishna Kumar who both studied Ayurveda under the ancient Gurukala system of 1 to 1 education whereby you live and learn with a Master. Their degrees were obtained from the largest and oldest Ayruveda college and hospital (1889) in the world in Triuvanathapuram which took approximately 7-8 years of study.
Obviously you can not learn Ayurveda in the 3 weeks we had, however, the fundamental principles that were shared with us were invaluable and when truly grasped revealed golden nuggets of wisdom. The course imparted an ancient scientific template which can be applied to all aspects of life demonstrating that Ayurveda is a universal principle and language.
The five primordial principles – the Panchaboothas – were discussed: Ether; Air; Fire; Water and Earth and the Tridosha theory was also discussed. We were very much encouraged to apply these principles in exploring our own traditional usage of herbs and foods.
The practice of Panchakarma (Ayurvedic cleansing programme) was discussed and also observed on many occasions. The treatments initially involve an application of oil to the whole body with massage and/or if necessary sweating therapy i.e. stream or sauna baths to excite and release toxins (ama) in to the circulation of the body. Then the suitable eliminatory treatment according to the individual case i.e. enema to reduce pitta is carried out to balance the dosha and to remove any ama.
This ancient formula of cleansing is a firm guide for treatment protocols and gave the group plenty of food for thought for our future practices as Naturopaths and Herbalists.
Practically we studied and practiced deep tissue massage and pulse taking most days.
A day was spent learning how to prepare and make medicated pastes, powders and oils by hand. We ground all of the herbs in a large pestle and mortar and prepared the oil on an open fire learning the 3 stages of preparation. This open fire method is one which we all observed in the Ayurvedic college and hospital where there were at least 9 large vats of medicinal oil being processed. As genuine students of natural medicine Dr Nair fortunately managed to organise this visit as ‘tourists’ are not allowed which also meant that we could not take any pictures.
The college is adjoined to the hospital and all herbal preparations and food are made on site for the patients. There is a very busy dispensary within the grounds with the hospital supplying an impressive government dispensary and others throughout the city.
Ayurveda has many branches of medicine which are all catered for at this hospital’s various departments such as: General Surgery; ENT & Ophthalmology; Obstetrics and others. We even visited their separate Toxicology Unit which treated snake bites according to the snake’s dosha! We also visited the separate Women’s and Gynaecological Unit where we observed case taking and Panchakarma treatments such as douching and leaching.
Yes this public hospital is a little unkempt in comparison to the privately run clinics, however, MRSA was not an issue; the patients ate freshly prepared food, and even those in poverty received much needed treatment. In the west we undoubtedly pay a lot of money for complementary medicine and in many respects we felt behind the times that day and all shared the desire for such a government run hospitals in Britain.
We also visited the breathtaking Tropical and Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) where conservation and sustainable utilisation of the plant biodiversity of India, particularly of Kerala is the focus.
The Ethnopharmacological investigations conducted at this institute initiated by the traditional plant knowledge of the tribes’ people has lead to saleable medicines with 50% of the profit being given back to their communities. This benefit sharing model was truly inspiring and a strong contrast to native relations in other countries where traditional healing knowledge has been exploited and valuable medicinal plants being destroyed.
So all in all a wonderful journey where we made sincere friends and great contacts for life. We were made to feel most welcome and the Nair family looked after us as they would their own family.
Throughout the year there are occasions when groups of students or interested parties can go and study when there are no patients staying for treatments at their home in Nemom. Browse the Kerala International website as set out below and contact Mala Nair on 0044 116 2622195 to check available dates. This invaluable learning experience may contribute towards 10% of your required clinical hours subject to agreement with the CNM.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
With thanks to – Hermann Keppler Principal of CNM, Dr. V. Gopakumar Nair, Dr. V. Nair, Dr T.S. Krishnakumar, Mala Nair, Dr M.R.V. Namboothiri MD (Ayurveda) Principal of Triuvananthapuram’s College of Ayurveda, Prof.(Dr.) P. Pushpangadan UN Equator Initiative Laureate Former Director, MBRI, Lucknow Director General and Dr Abzena.
LINKS
Kerala International – www.keralainternational.co.uk
Tropical and Botanic Garden and Research Institute – www.tbgri.in
CNM - The College of Naturopathic Medicine UK
Tags: herbal medicine, kerala
