For over 7 years now, homemaker Ms. R. Ramadevi has been consulting with the primary doctor at the Swami Dayananda Ayurveda Clinic, Kodavasal, for gout fingers in both her hands. “The initial diagnosis revealed high uric acid content in the blood. But now with diet changes and regular medication, the pain is manageable,” she shares.
Based on the advice of Dr. Rajendran Sekar, Ms. Ramadevi now consumes fresh food and is off cauliflower. Sour dishes are also a strict no-no and so is store bought chicken.
Started in 2005, the clinic sees a monthly patient footfall of 200. For a village like Manjakkudi, Ayurveda treatment becomes very economical, otherwise patients would have to travel 20 kms either side, to Tiruvarur or Kumbakonam, to consult a physician. Some patients who consult at the clinic come in from nearby places like Karaikal, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai.
The Swami Dayananda Ayurveda Clinic was set up to preserve and promote indigenous medical treatment in line with modern lifestyle. “The motto of Ayurveda is Swasthasya Swasthya Samrakshanam which means to preserve the health of a healthy person,” states Dr. Rajendran Sekar. He adds that Ayurveda is gaining popularity because there is an understanding among patients that some illnesses cure slowly rather than subsidizing instantly.
Sri. G. Mariyappan and many of his family members vouch for the power of Ayurveda. A banking executive with Indus Ind Bank, he lived with a bloated stomach issue till he came across Ayurveda. “Earlier, I was taking allopathy tablets but that was giving side effects like mouth ulcers.” After the switch over to the Ayurveda line of treatment, it is a lot better for him.
Convinced of this traditional form of healing, Sri. G. Mariyappan brought his mother as well his uncle to the Swami Dayananda Ayurveda Clinic for treatment. His mother has recurrent knee pain, while his uncle always felt low and tired due to poor blood flow in the body. “Both are doing much better now,” shares Sri. G. Mariyappan.
The patients who visit the Swami Dayananda Ayurveda Clinic are seeking cure for orthopedic disorders like osteoarthritis, sciatica, cervical spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral neuropathy.
Some patients are also seeking Ayurevedic care for skin diseases like psoriasis and metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus and thyroid problems, chronic conditions like asthma, anemia and eosinophilia, stomach and abdomen related such as gastric ulcers and fatty liver, hormonal imbalances such as PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease), fibroid concerns and varicose veins to reproductive issues like male and female infertility to everyday irritants like hair fall. The Swami Dayananda Clinic’s daily footfall ranges between 5 and 10 patients.
Consultation at the clinic is subsidized at Rs. 100 for new patients. Follow-up visits within a week are free. The most common form of medication is tablets and kashayam (syrup form).
A herb garden is located in close vicinity to the Ayurveda Clinic. Medicinal plants such as Tulsi, Nirgunti, turmeric and ginger are typically used in home remedies as well as in ayurvedic treatments.
