Source: BACFO Pharmaceuticals (India) Limited

Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine in the world and traces its root to ancient India (1500 B.C.). The word Ayurveda is
derived from the Sanskrit words, Ayur – life and Veda –knowledge (Science) and is aptly commonly referred as ‘The science of
life’. Life, according to Ayurveda, is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. It is an approach which utilizes all
that Nature provides to overcome the illness and by strengthening oneself, to maintain good health. The aim of Ayurveda is to
give complete health and not just getting free from physical diseases, it brings the concepts of preventive health care and
health promotion.

Ayurveda may come from ancient texts, but these principals are just as relevant and applicable today. Ayurveda is becoming
increasingly popular globally because it speaks of the elementary concepts of (a) contact with nature (b) holism and (c) we
are what we eat. Ayurveda provides an integrated approach to preventing and treating illness. It believes that the Mind and
Body are one and it influences each other. There can be no mental health without physical health, and physical without mental
health.

Ayurveda recognizes three main energies that combine to form all things in the universe. These are recognized as being
fundamental to all life and are seen in the process of growth, maintenance, and decay in the western sciences. Their actions
are named, Anabolism, Metabolism, and Catabolism. These energies combine in limitless ways to create the unique qualities of
each individual. Ayurveda names these basic energies:

Vata – the force symbolized by Air,
Pitta – the force symbolized by Fire,
Kapha – the force symbolized by Water

The quality and the relative balance of these forces determine health and disease. We need all these three energies to
function in proper balance. When these three energies act harmoniously, the functions of digestion, absorption and
elimination create health. Each individual has different constitution of body because they have different proportions of
these energies. The illness or diseases are manifest due to the imbalances within a person and are treated by restoring the
natural balance. Ayurvedic treatment does not suppress the main symptom and create new ones as side effects of the main
treatment. It is to remove the root cause and give permanent relief. In Ayurveda our whole life and lifestyle must be in
harmony before we can enjoy true well-being.

Though Ayurveda may be deriving its fundamental structure from these energies, its application is far beyond. Ayurveda gives
a complete insight to nature and lists down more than 1200 plants and their medicinal values. It probes flora and fauna
intensively and provides safe and effective alternatives from nature. These are very relevant in today’s jungle of synthetics
and chemicals.

Significant progress has been made in the manufacturing process and standardization of Raw materials. The progressive
manufacturing companies of Ayurvedic and Herbal healthcare products have realized the variances that are endemic to Herbal
products. Moisture, temperature, soil, time of plucking the herbs, use of insecticide/pesticide etc affect the herb quality
and its profile. This naturally makes the production of standardized Ayurvedic products more challenging.

According to Mr. Arun Chauhan, Managing Director BACFO Pharmaceuticals,“Standardization of raw material will ensure the
required percentage of active ingredients”. He also emphasizes the importance of ‘Research & Development, Stringent Quality
Controls that also take cognizance of Microbial loads and heavy metals, Clinical trials and appropriate packaging, to sell
Ayurveda in a scientific manner’.

Ayurveda, which is treated as an ‘Alternative Therapy’ in the West is fast acquiring the role of ‘Primary Therapy’ due to the
scientific and modern approach now implemented by the good quality manufacturers.