‘Ayurveda Kids’; a blessing in disguise
Aphysician is not a mere dispenser of medicine. A physician would be a healer and a therapist who cares for the physical as well as the mental well being of patients. He is a benefactor to the society paving the right way for a healthy life style.
Ayurvedic physician Ranjith Abeywardena is a prominent Ayurvedic practitioner in Sri lanka hailing from a famous Ayurvedic family. He is the healer of thousands of patients across the globe. He cures patients at the medical oasis famously known as the Abeywardena Ay u r ve d a Oushadhalaya in Nugegoda, which has a reputation for healing patients who never thought would be healed. He is the former Ayurvedic advisor attached to the Ministry of Tourism and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau who frequently comes forward in print and electronic media sharing his wealth of knowledge educating the public on the correct facts of Ayurvedic medical science.
As one enters Abeywardena Oushadhalaya in Nugegoda one sees a series of adorable baby pictures. Ayurvedic physician Ranjith Abeywardena explains them as “Ayurveda kids”. In other words they are the children born with the blessings of Ayurveda treatment at Abeywardena Oushadhalaya in Nugegoda. This Ayurvedic centre is a haven for many mothers who are going through emotional turmoil due to childlessness and many fathers who sigh not having the pleasures of bringing up their own children.
What is the background for establishing Abeywardena Oushadhalaya in Nugegoda?
My professional ancestry descends from ayurvedic physicians. My father late Wilfred Abeywardena was a famous ayurvedic physician. So were both my paternal uncles Wilson Abeywardena ( Bope Veda Mahattaya)and Ovnis Abeywardena. They were all celebrated Ayurvedic physicians. So was my father’s uncle the famed Ayurvedic physician B. G. E. Vidyathilake who was popularly known as “Kollupitiye Veda Mahattaya”. These are the members of my medical ancestry who I have met during their life time. But our medical ancestry extends much beyond that for many generations. My father, my uncles and my father’s uncles have served as members of the Ayurvedic Medical Board. It is with that background I started my practice in traditional ayurvedic treatments at Abeywardena Oushadhalaya No.22D Railway Station Avenue Nugegoda. It has a history of over sixty (60) years. The long respected history of our medical lineage is the reason for initial establish- ment and further development. My father was well known all over the island as an expert in treating sexual and reproductive medical problems. I believe that I carry that inheritance.
How qualified are you to treat patients?
The Ayurvedic physicians of Sri Lanka who are registered are registered under two categories. One is as a general practitioner and the other is specialized practitioner. I am registered as a general practitioner under the registration no. 12636. General practitioners have the right and skill of treating all ailments. With the practice of traditional ayurvedic methods practitioners can treat only ail- ments pertaining to that specialty For example there are medical ancestries that are specialized to treat snake bites or respiratory disorders. Thus they treat only within that frame work.
I as a general practitioner treat all forms of medical concerns such as diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, gastritis, piles, arthritis, sinus, wheezing, urological diseases, skin problems as well as all cosmetic and beauty related treatments.
Abeywardena Oushadhalaya is a centre that provides childless ladies with successful results, in making their dream come true to be mothers. How did you think of focusing on that field?
I consider that it is a meritorious deed to help the childless to have children. Sometimes it is their biggest dream. My medical ancestry was distinguished in reproductive health and eminent in curing sexual diseases. I am utilizing that legacy. Furthermore my skill and the extensive education I have got in this field and the repetitive success I have experienced in helping patients with reproductive and sexual concerns made me concentrate on this area.
In your opinion what are the reasons for not having children and delay in conceiving?
Reasons are of two kinds; social and medical. In explaining the social reasons I could say that due to higher education many young people get married at a matured stage. This make them pass a good stage of child bearing stage dedicating it to higher education. Concentration of career is another reason. Many professionals fully concentrate on their career mostly delaying having a child till they get fully settled professionally and financially. Even once settled they are too stressed or do not have sufficient time to productively focus on their family life and sexual life. This affects reproduction. One partner working abroad is another commonly seen concer n. Sometimes even if the spouses live under one roof they live separately or do not have time for each other.
Medical reasons are another aspect. With regard to men there could be problems with regard to generation of sperms and other sexual deficiencies. As for women there is a plethora of medical issues as such irregular menstruation, endometriosis, Polcystic ovary syndrome (PCOD), fibroids, obesity, hormone issues, lack of physical fitness, lack of physical fitness and fear of sexual intercourse are some of the many medical reasons.
What kind of medical problems do you currently provide treatment for?
I treat concerns such as subfertility, endometriosis, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, fertility hormone treatments and other reproductive and medical situations which the other ayurvedic practitioners have not addressed as much. I have helped numerous childless parents to enjoy the joy of parenthood by combining the invaluable knowledge I have received from my Ayurvedic forefathers and my skill and ability to face challenges. I have the statistics of all the data of my successful patients.
In addition to the that as a general practitioner I treat all forms of medical concerns.
Some are of the opinion that Ayurvedic medical treatments are not effective. What is your opinion on that?
That is a total myth. Currently there is a lot of criticism on Ayurveda as some of the people in practice have no proper knowledge on this ancient highly esteemed medical system. I responsibly state that ayurvedic herbs and medicines do not cause the harm that chemical drugs do. According to the way I see, Ayurveda is the best answer in the world for gynecological disorders, subfertility and sexual deficiency. I have tried to create awareness on capacity and capability of Ayurvedic medicine and also to encourage the public to enjoy the benefits of this medical system. I have explained the efficacy of this system in the media discussions that I have participated in the recent past. I am delighted to see that many patients have been benefited by my treatments and that they are living happily enjoying the blessings of womanhood and motherhood. Such encouraging positive results motivated me to engage further in this field.
One hard problem that arises with regard to gynecological disorders is hysterectomy which is removal of the uterus ( womb). How do you treat this condition?
Yes, there are countless women who have faced this problem. However in Ayurvedic treatments it is possible to effectually treat without removing the uterus. There are so many women who can successfully conceive and deliver a healthy baby, but who have not been able to do so because they have not been medically guided or treated in the appropriate manner. They are suffering psychologically and emotionally due to lack of awareness of an effective treatment method. I am delighted that I have been able to provide such innumerable patients with the solution they need by treating them in the Ayurvedic system. They enjoyed a healthy pregnancy and are blessed with healthy children now.
Can you tell us one of your success stories?
Oh there are so many. As you walk in you see the photos of “Ayurveda kids” who are the success stories from Abeywardena Oushadhalaya. But what you see are just a few. I never thought of collecting and making a display of my service. I did it whole heartedly. However the other staff members here suggested that we keep a record. Now I have a proper record of the names and details of all the patients who have reaped the benefits of my treatment. I can show them to anyone. Just to cite one story a lady who is 46 years old conceived after taking my treatment. It is a myth that age is a barrier to have children. It proper medical treatment is rendered we can certainly break that barrier.
Are you satisfied with the service you have rendered so far?
Yes, I honestly am. Since my Ayurvedic student days I have ethically served as a student leader, and subsequently as a leader in the Ayurvedic professionals’ unions. I served as the Ayurvedic advisor attached to the Ministry of Tourism and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. That time I worked to the best of my ability to spread Ayurveda both locally and internationally. Presidential awards were accorded at that time to many Ayurvedic professionals and Ayurveda hotels in the Tourism Industry. I was the chief organizer of the 3rd International Ayurveda Conference at the Taj Samudra. Representing Sri Lanka as the chief organizer facilitated me to generate global recognition for Ayurveda. I consider that a victory as much a great service rendered to Ayurveda.