The "knowledge of life and longevity", is perhaps the oldest existing body of knowledge on the healing process. This holistic and natural healing system was developed by highly evolved spiritual beings who not only addressed the problems of the body and mind but also of the human spirit and consciousness. This knowledge system which is in perfect harmony with the Indian thought process and the origin of which synchronises with the origin of the universe, does not aim at a mere cure of the disease syndrome. Ayurveda gives a detailed account of how the "living body is only a microcosm of the macrocosm that is nature" and all elements that exist in the latter are reflected in the living body. One of the leading names that comes to mind when one talks of Ayurveda, is the Arya Vaidya Pharmacy.
The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) was founded in 1943 by late Arya Vaidyan P.V. Rama Variar, a renowned physician trained in the age old Ayurveda traditions of Kerala. He is an eminent national as well as international figure in traditional medicines. It has been under his leadership that the AVP has crossed milestones like:
- Establishment of an international institute of Ayurveda for research and its recognition by the Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
- Identification of the Institute by the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Banaras Hindu University & the Bharathiar University as a place for doctorate research and projects.
- Countrywide expansion of marketing network
- Debut in the global market
- Grant of a research project from the national institutes of health, USA some activities of the group: Three production facilities in Kerala where over 450 different types of classical Ayurvedic medicines are manufactured; A network of over 30 branches and 981 Ayurvedic outpatient centres all over the country which caters to the needs of the masses and through which the Ayurvedic medicines produced above are distributed; A 120 bed in-patient Ayurveda hospital in Coimbatore where patients from all over the world are treated for various disorders like: Rheumatoid arthritis; Migraine; Hemiplegia; Paraplegia; pondylosis; Back pain; Sciatica; Skin diseases; Menstrual problems etc.
One of the important achievements of this institution has been to bring the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) together to collaborate on a research project entitled "Efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis" - this was the first time the WHO recognised the role that traditional medicine can play in health care.