In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, there are few experiences as enriching as coming together with like-minded practitioners from across the globe—those who believe in the enduring wisdom of traditional medicine and its relevance in today’s world. I had the privilege of attending the 2025 World Congress on Traditional Medicine in Rome, where I was both a student and a teacher—learning from global pioneers while sharing a glimpse of our work at SSANH, one of the best ayurvedic center in Kerala with the international community.

This experience was not only a professional milestone but also a deeply personal reaffirmation of why I chose the path of Ayurveda: to heal holistically, to respect the individuality of each patient, and to continue learning from nature, tradition, and science alike.

Presenting a recent case which is close to my Heart

As part of the scientific program, I had the honor of presenting a case study titled “Ayurvedic Substitution for Modern RA Medicines”. The case involved a middle-aged woman who had been on conventional rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medication—methotrexate, corticosteroids—for years. While these medications initially provided relief, their side effects began to take a toll on her health and quality of life.

Through a structured, evidence-informed Ayurvedic regimen, we gradually reduced and eventually eliminated her dependency on modern drugs, replacing them with classical herbal formulations, Panchakarma therapy, and strict dietary and lifestyle modifications. What was most striking in this journey was not just the reduction in her symptoms, but the restoration of vitality—ojas—that we so often overlook in modern clinical outcomes.

I shared this story not as a triumph of Ayurveda over allopathy, but as a case for coexistence, for complementary approaches, and for personalized, long-term healing that respects both tradition and innovation.

A keynote that left a Mark

While presenting was a fulfilling experience, I must admit that one of the most profound moments for me at the conference came during the keynote session by Dr. Zhenhuan Liu, a renowned Chinese neurorehabilitation expert. His talk on scalp electroacupuncture therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder was deeply moving and thought-provoking.

Dr. Liu’s work demonstrated how targeted stimulation of scalp points could lead to measurable improvements in children with autism—enhancing speech, cognition, and social interaction. The meticulousness of his clinical observations, combined with the ancient principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, reflected a perfect harmony between science and soul.

His message resonated with me: true healing lies at the intersection of compassion, clinical insight, and the courage to explore traditional knowledge through the lens of modern inquiry. I left his session inspired to further document our Ayurvedic practices with scientific rigor, so they too can be recognized, validated, and shared with the wider medical world.

Learning from Global Peers

What made this conference unique was the spirit of collaboration across disciplines—Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, African herbal traditions, Unani, and modern integrative medicine. There was no sense of hierarchy or competition, only shared purpose: how can we improve patient outcomes through the safe, responsible use of traditional systems?

From herbal pharmacology to new findings in acupuncture and yoga therapy, every session sparked ideas. I had engaging discussions with researchers from Japan working on botanical extracts for arthritis, and with a South African team developing mobile diagnostics for tribal herbal remedies. It was both humbling and energizing to see how diverse our approaches are, and yet how aligned we are in our intent—to treat the person, not just the disease.

Gratitude for My Team at Home

While I was immersed in knowledge-sharing, I never stopped thinking about the patients back at Ayurvedic Hospital Kerala. RMO and Junior doctors at SSANH ensured that patient care continued smoothly in my absence. They not only maintained treatment protocols but also kept me informed of any anomalies or unexpected developments. In critical situations, they sought my guidance remotely, ensuring that no patient’s needs were left unmet.

The Patient Takeaway: Empowerment Through Options

If there is one message, I wish to bring home from this experience, it is this:

As a patient, you have more options than you might think.

Ayurveda is not just about herbs or massages—it is about understanding your unique constitution, the imbalances that lead to disease, and the natural ways in which your body can be guided back to health. This does not mean rejecting modern medicine but choosing an approach that is sustainable, and aligned with your body’s own intelligence.

Conditions like RA, diabetes, PCOS, and even certain autoimmune and neurodevelopmental disorders can be managed and cured with Ayurvedic therapies. However, the key is responsible guidance. Do not self-medicate. Seek qualified practitioners. Understand that Ayurveda is not fast medicine—it is deep medicine.

Looking Ahead

Returning from the conference,

• I plan to integrate learning from all my global peers into my treatment modality or the approach towards patients.
• We will also begin documenting more of our patient outcomes to contribute to the growing body of integrative medicine research.

I believe we are standing at a pivotal time in global healthcare—a time when the world is looking back at traditional systems, not with nostalgia, but with respect and curiosity. If practiced responsibly, Ayurveda has the potential to be a vital part of the world’s future healthcare narrative.

To all my patients, colleagues, and fellow seekers: let us keep the conversation alive, the science rigorous, and the healing….. DEEPLY HUMAN.