Generally holistic medicine is defined differently as a separate system of medicine and as a combination of different systems of medicine.

Holistic medicine puts emphasis on the development of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the person. It gives guidelines on lifestyle, nutrition, social behavior, emotional stability, and highest levels of health of physique and mind.

Educating the beneficiaries deeply about the benefits and different aspects of holistic treatment is one significantly important aspect of holistic medicine.

Apart from Ayurveda, the terms like alternative medicine, complementary medicine and natural healing too are associated with holistic healthcare.

Anything that is not involved in Allopathy is classified as alternative medicine. Some techniques employed to assist Allopathy treatment is generally termed complementary medicine. Natural healing has different meaning, which usually connotes nil use of medicines.

Today there are holistic medicine associations in the USA, Canada and other western countries. They emphasize holistic medicine as an art and a science of healing that addresses the person as a whole – the person is not simply body, mind or spirit, but a dynamic combination of all three.

Curative methods when needed are designed according to the requirements of the person and not according to the symptoms of the condition. Western holistic medicine identifies diseases to be causing due imbalance at physical, emotional or social level.

Balance is reinstated to reclaim health. The holistic medicine practitioner gives guidance to lifestyle changes.

In the west too, the modern concepts of holistic medicines are in no way different from the Ayurvedic principles set 6,000 years ago. Acknowledging the person and not treating a person as a piece of machine is important.

Socrates too has warned against providing treatment to isolated units.

A human being is made of different elements – the elements are not just blood, bones and muscles, but also sophisticated mental system that has a lifetime of experience. Holistic medicine is not just any treatment method, but a lifestyle.

What goes in comes out. This is true on human health too. What goes in will have its effect on not only body, but also mind. The thoughts one nurture, the kind of people one mingles with etc have an effect on his/her health just as what he consume as food. Holistic health involves balancing the thoughts and food habits too.

There is a full fledged clinical center near the aushada sala. The hospital has developed with all the facilities of a high tech hospital. SNA Ayurvedics has more than 400 medicines. Most of them prepared after the directions of Ashtavaidyans.

Rithu Ranjini, the medicine to address periods and diseases of women has wide acceptance. Same is the case of Pancha jeeraka gudam, a medicine for post delivery care. There are different medicines from SNA Pharma to address pregnancy.

Janani, a project of giving Ayurvedic care to carrying women, new mothers and newly born kids, includes medication and special treatment that starts during pregnancy and lasts through 90 days after delivery. Prasoothi Tantra or the science of prenatal and post natal care is a complex topic. SNA Oushadashala seems to be the one that has advanced so much in woman childcare with Ayurveda.

Combining scientific advances with tradition can be helpful to many people. Asoka Pharmaceuticals has deep roots in tradition. It also embraces the developments in science and technology.

Well-equipped research and development wing of Asoka pharmaceuticals have brought to market several patented Ayurvedic medicines. Rakthaposhini (blood enhancement), Jeevanthadi Rasayanam are the main among them. They also have a medicinal oil to cure dandruff.

The hospital in Kannur Dist Kerala has facilities to do variety of Ayurvedic treatments and therapies, including Panchakarma.

Ayur Rumol for muscle cramps, Viyagada for increased sperm count, Ksheeramrit are the main products from Deseeya Ayurveda Pharmacy.

The name has another significance too. Freedom struggle was at its peak while this oushadasala (a medicine shop) was instituted. Jayam means victory and Bharatam is the other name of India. Thus Jayabharatam is the victory of India in her struggle for freedom.

Proximity to the Western Ghats ensured a rich supply of fresh medicinal plants. Thus the production of medicines got a head start.

Jayabharatam Oushadasala has more than 300 medicines, including 32 patented medicines in the market. The production facilities and treatment center are developed to reach strict quality compliance.

Most of the herbs come from own medicinal plant garden.

Commercial production of medicines started in the year 1987. Kandamkulathi vaidyasala can be located near Mala in Thrissur Dist. Kerala. Company today has over 450 medicines in the market. Kandamkulathi eladi lehyam, Thengin Pookkuladi Rasayanam, Karpooradi lehyam, are the most prominent among them.

Kandamkulathi Ayurvedic Nursing Center is a full fledged Ayurvedic Hospital. Kandamkulathi Ayurvedic Clinic has branches at Munnar, Kovalam and Kochi. Facilities for panchakarma therapy are available in those centers. Kandamkulathi Ayurvedic Health Resort on the banks of Periyar River at Aluva in Ernakulam Dist has a prominent position in Kerala health tourism or Kerala Ayurveda tourism.

KAPL has 20 patented medicines and over 350 preparatory medicines, which are used in the treatment of sinusitis, asthma, arthritis, etc. One can find several rare Ayurvedic herbal medicinal plants in their medicinal plant garden at Dharmapuri.

The research and development wing of Nagarguna insists on strict quality controls. The researches are aimed at the general development of Ayurveda, medicinal plant properties, plant extracts, packing, handling and preservation of medicines, etc. Chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognacy, pharmaceutics, and Ayurveda are the important departments of Nagarjuna Ayurvedic R & D wing. The research wing also has tie-ups with Cochin University of Science and Technology, Medical College Kottayam, Manipal Medical College, Madras University, etc.

There are also attempts to record and categorize the instances like complete cure of conditions where modern medicine completely failed. In India in general and Kerala in special, there are many instances where Ayurvedic practitioners succeeded in bringing back to life, persons in severe conditions, where modern allopathic professionals gave up hope.

CountPlus by Nagarguna is used for treatment male infertility. Medicines for hepatitis, is another product worth the mentioning.

Nagarjuna Ayurvedic Treatment Center at Kalady in Ernakulam Dist. Kerala offers treatment for a variety of physical conditions.

Specialty clinics run by the company treat diabetes, ARSAS^^^^, and vata related diseases.

Dr. M S Valiathan (^^^^) and Dr A D Damodaran are the directors of Nagarjuna Ayurvedic Research Foundation.

Another attempt by Nagarjuna is to promote cultivation of Ayurvedic medicinal herbs across Kerala.

The annual national conference aimed at education on medicinal plants is conducted under the aegis of Oushadhi. Continuing Medical Education for Ayurvedic practitioners is another positive step by the company. It has a wide product range of more than 450 medicines, 15 of them are patented to the company.

An Ayurvedic hospital with panchakarma treatment facilities is the latest major development by the company.

Now the Vaidyasala has grown to a 25-bed capacity hospital, Dhanwantary Vaidyasala. The pharmaceutical department of the vaidyasala produces 310 medicines. They also produce 26 other medicines for exclusive in house use at the vaidyasala.

Dhanwantary Vaidyasala is not so much open to manipulation of traditional methods for the sake of modernity. Persons seeking Ayurvedic treatment must reach the hospital. However, online consultancy is provided. Treatment directions are given over internet. Many patients from countries like Germany, Australia etc reach the vaidyasala.