What qualifications should I expect a Ayurvedic physician to possess?
Probably the most widely known and respected is B.A.M.S – which stands for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. A physician may also be a M.D. which is a postgraduate qualification and stands for Master of Medicine. Both qualifications are validated by a Government’s University system. The training is full time over several years and includes detailed knowledged of allopathic (western clinical) as well as Ayurvedic principles. Having said this, it has to be said, that as in the west, there are other qualifications, such as diplomas in specific or limited aspects of Ayurveda, such as beauty therapy or sports medicine. There are also perfectly good Ayurvedic colleges and related medicine systems such as the Siddha system, but that may lack ‘external verification’ of quality. There is no easy answer to how an ancient system of medicine can fit into the modern world. 4. How old is Ayurveda? Most practitioners routinely claim that the science of Ayurveda is at least 5000 years old. T
