Holistic healing goes beyond medicine: Dr Issac Mathai

Dr Issac Mathai is a Harvard trained physician, who is known globally as a proponent of holistic healing. Apart from providing treatment to well known personalities from around the world, he was instrumental in inaugurating a Yoga and Indian traditional medicine research centre in one of London's oldest hospitals.

Dr Issac Mathai at SBS Melbourne studios Source: SBS Punjabi

Currently visiting Australia, Dr Mathai was a guest at SBS's studios in Melbourne earlier this week, where he spoke about holistic healing with traditional Indian methods as 'a science of life.'

"Holistic healing looks at a person as a whole and heals their mind body as well as spirit. It goes well beyond medicine," he said.

'Yoga is India's biggest gift to humanity," he said, adding, "we must now introduce the world to India's greatest heritage - Ayurveda. We have knowledge about 6,000 different herbs and each can be used therapeutically."

"Whilst western medicine has made tremendous advances in recent times, but this ancient science of life can do wonders in conjunction with their therapies. Especially for neurological problems, intestinal issues, arthritis and other chronic ailments, Ayurveda can do wonders."

Dr Mathai says, "Even western medical practitioners now agree in the value of Ayurveda and natural medicine. Recently, I was delighted when Prince Charles and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened an AYUSH research centre in St Charles Hospital in London. I wish that more centres like this would open up in other major hospitals too.

HRH Prince Charles, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dr Issac Mathai at he opening of the AYUSH centre at a major hospital in London Source: Supplied

Dr Mathai began teaching therapeutic yoga in London in the 1980s, going on to open a wellness centre named Soukya in southern India.

The centre boasts of many well-known personalities amongst those who visit regularly.

"I have the highest regard for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who had visited the best of best hospitals in the US and elsewhere before coming to us. He was sceptical at the start, but when he experienced the difference it made, he said it felt like magic."

According to Dr Mathai, the Noble laureate from South Africa has been back to their centre in India three times. Similarly, Dr Mathai spoke of the Hollywood actress Emma Thompson and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall's visit to their Bangalore facility.

"Camilla has come and stayed with us six times," said Dr Mathai.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, with Dr Mathai and his team at their wellness centre in India Source: Supplied

Dr Mathai said Ayurvedic and other ancient Indian therapies can be used in conjunction with western medicine and found to be very beneficial with chronic illnesses.

'Although we don't claim that we can cure serious ailments like cancer, we work alongside cancer institutes," he told SBS Punjabi.

He also spoke about general health and wellness, and the need for everyone to watch what they eat. "Food is medicine and medicine is food," he said. "Too many people eat too much or too little food, at the wrong time."

Dr Mathai gave some health tips and home remedies for general well being - urging everyone to use turmeric, mint, lime, ginger and honey on a daily basis.