Browsing by Author "Randiwela, R. M. D. S."

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The Concept of Dietetics in Traditional Medical Systems of Greek Medicine and Ayurveda Medicine
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Randiwela, R. M. D. S.; Molligoda, S. P.
In traditional medical systems of Greek medicine and Ayurveda medicine, food is identified to be a crucial medicinal factor determining the health and well-being of an individual. According to Greek medical concept of dietetics, one must have a balanced diet during different seasons, which is cooked accordingly and eating should be done in moderation to maintain proper health. Ayurveda, through the concept of dietetics, specified the characteristics of food in terms of quality, quantity and time which vary with age, constitution, digestive power and season. The objective of this paper is to analyze the concepts of dietetics in Ancient Greek medicine and Ayurveda medicine along with its effect on human body and health, especially with regards to Humour and identify the parallels in their identification, approach, presentation and prescription. Moreover, it will also analyze the physical health practices such as exercises, sleep as prescribed medical treatments defining a healthy lifestyle along with diet. The Historic method under Qualitative Research Methodology will be applied as this study will have to read, analyze and interpret historical and literary material in English and Sinhala translations as its main device for gathering information. It can be observed that the concept of dietetics in both Greek and Ayurveda medicine identify that wrong cooking procedures, irregular timing, and consuming imbalanced and non-congenial food, not following the prescribed rules for preparing, preserving and eating food may also cause the imbalance of Humours causing a deterioration in health in an individual. It can be identified that as prescribed by both Greek and Ayurveda medicine, one has to consume a balanced diet that suits the age and season to stay healthy, and deviation from this may cause diseases.
The humoral theory and human psychology in traditional medical systems of ancient Greek medicine and Ayurveda medicine
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Randiwela, R. M. D. S.
The humoral theory is one basic principle which identified a number of bodily liquids as the main constituents of living beings. Thereby health is the maintenance of balance between these Humors while diseases are their imbalance. Its earliest roots in the West can be detected in Greek medicine in the medical cult practices of Asclepius in Asclepeions (700 BCE) and later in Hippocrates who was an Asclepiad (460 – 377BCE). In the East, the humoral theory can be witnessed in Ayurveda (1000 BCE) as the concept of Tridosha. Moreover, both systems highlighted that the levels of Humors not only affect the humans physically causing disease but also psychologically diseasing the mind as well. For instance, Greek medicine identifies as the Humors of blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile and the four temperaments of Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic and Phlegmatic which ultimately decided the attributes of a person. Ayurveda recognizes three bodily liquids named Tridosas of vatha ‘Air’, pitha ‘Bile’ and kapha ‘Phlegm’ as the key to the maintenance of physical health while Trigunas or three virtues of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas maintained wellbeing of the human psychology. Moreover, both systems believed in maintaining a relative proportion of Humors in the human body to be regulating the human temperament along with behavioral manifestations. Thereby the objective of this paper is to analyze the Theories of Humors in Ancient Greek medicine and Ayurveda medicine and its effect on human psychology, the effect of human psychology on the balancing and unbalancing of Humors and identify the parallels in their identification, approach and treatments. Moreover, it will also analyze the holistic approach apparent in both Greek medicine and Ayurveda medicine where the human was considered as a psychosomatic entity. This paper will use Historic method under Qualitative research methodology as this study will have to read, analyze and interpret historical material in English and Sinhala translations as its main device for gathering and analyzing information. Thus, this will mainly involve the finding, reading, evaluating, organizing and synthesizing of both primary sources and secondary sources relevant to the topic in order to finally arrive at the purpose of the study. In conclusion, it can be observed that though there is a similarity in the identification of Humors and its effect on temperaments and mind conditions as apparent in Greek medicine and Ayurveda medicine, the approach in their classification, identification and number are different. However, it can be concluded that in traditional medical systems identified as in Greek medicine and in Ayurveda medicine, the knowledge on functioning of Humors and its relation on temperaments and Trigunas can be identified as a depiction of scientific perception of mental health in traditional medical systems. Moreover, the significance of mental wellbeing to the overall physical wellbeing and physical wellbeing to the mental wellbeing are also apparent.
The paradigm shifts from humoral theory to germ theory
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Randiwela, R. M. D. S.; Subasinghe, A. W. K. W.
This study examined the historical and intellectual transformation from humoral theory to germ theory on diseases, marking a significant shift in medical thought. Utilizing qualitative methodology, the research examined primary and secondary sources under historic method and content analysis to illuminate the decline of humoral theory and the subsequent ascendancy of germ theory. Humoral theory, rooted in ancient Greek medicine (5th Century BCE), posited that human health depended on a delicate equilibrium of four bodily fluids: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. Dominating medical practice for millennia, this paradigm influenced diagnosis, treatment, and social perceptions of health. However, its limitations in explaining the etiology and progression of diverse diseases created an intellectual void, especially in explaining the cause of infectious diseases, the existence of which was not known in early days of history. Concurrently, the Renaissance ushered in a renewed emphasis on observation and experimentation, and it challenged, among many other thoughts, the theoretical underpinnings of humoral medicine. The invention of the microscope opened a new frontier, revealing a previously unseen microbial world. Although the first microscopists Antonie van Leeuwenhoek observed the first microorganisms and subsequent microscopy revealed more about them, their relevance to diseases remained unknown. Then, in the 19th century, the world witnessed a watershed moment in terms of the emergence of germ theory. Louis Pasteur’s groundbreaking work on infectious diseases, coupled with the procedure Robert Koch formulated to confirm the link between a disease and the pathogen that causes it, a procedure came to be known as the Koch's postulates, provided irrefutable evidence for the microbial causation of the relevant diseases. Unsurprisingly, this paradigm shift in medicine was met with resistance from traditional medical practitioners entrenched in humoral theory. Intellectual debates ensued regarding the nature of contagion, the role of the environment, and the implications of the new theory on public health eventually leading to the acceptance of germ theory on infectious diseases, and acceptance which brought in had profound consequences. It transformed science of medicine, birthing the novel disciplines medical microbiology and immunology. Public health measures, such as sanitation, and vaccination, and procedures including disinfection, sterilization and aseptic techniques, were predicated on germ theory. However, the legacy of humoral theory persists, and the importance of regulated body biochemistry in non-infectious diseases remains undeniable. It is still seen influencing concepts like balance, temperament, and the mind-body connection in contemporary medicine and alternative healing practices. This study underscored the dynamic nature of medical knowledge, shaped by a complex interplay of historical, scientific, and social factors. The transition from humoral theory to germ theory exemplifies a paradigm shift in the field of medicine, highlighting the importance of empirical observation, experimental rigor, and intellectual openness in medical understanding.
Unani Medicine from Egypt to Hippocrates of Cos and Ayurveda Medicine to modern Day Are the Traditional medicinal Systems of Unani, Ancient Greek and Ayurveda Based on the Same Principles of Restoration of health?
(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Randiwela, R. M. D. S.
Out of the numerous medical systems, Unani medicinal system from Egypt, Greek medicine from ancient Greece and Ayurveda medicine from India can be identified as three principle traditional medicinal systems that have survived up to the modern world of medicine. It is remarkable to note that one can witness similarities in the teachings and practices based on the principles of restoration of health among these three traditional medicinal systems. This research concentrates on the three traditional medicinal systems of Unani, ancient Greek and Ayurveda to examine whether all three systems of traditional medicine are based on the same principles of restoration of health. Though it is difficult to find the primary influence, it can be seen that the basic principle of medicine is the basis of the three traditional medicinal systems, Unani, Greek and Ayurveda. traditional medicinal systems identify them to be blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Moreover, all three systems of medicine deal with the basic principle based on the concept of any disturbance caused to the balance/ equilibrium causes disease and by restoring balance to the unbalanced or disturbed, health can be restored to the body. A qualitative data analysis was used as the study had to interpret historical material in this study. Historic and comparative methods were also used to meet the expected findings and conclusions of the study.