ABSTRACT
Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical practice, primarily focuses on maintaining an optimal health and improving natural resistance (immunity) to protect the body from various diseases. Though the Ayurvedic concepts of health and disease are different from the modern biology, 332there is an increasing interest in integrating both the streams for the better understanding of human wellness and illness. The present article is an attempt to compare the concepts of microbiology in Ayurveda and modern medicine and to see how scientists study the anti-microbial concepts with the guidance of Ayurveda. The article also presents a comparative description of various Ayurvedic disease symptoms that are now identified as typical microbial infections. Though the article is not giving a comprehensive list of all microbial diseases, it introduces the potentials of Ayurveda and herbal formulations in the management of infections and highlights the significance and challenges of bridging two unique health management systems, which are epistemologically different. The chapter also emphasize on the necessity of a novel integrative and trans-disciplinary approach for bioprospecting Ayurvedic concepts of Microbiology.
