In Latin-speaking Ancient Rome, a cradle of Western Civilization, they understood the importance of mens sana in corpore sano—‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’.

But long before that there had emerged in India, and later Sri Lanka, a health-and-wellness philosophy that took mind-body synergy to a whole new level—Ayurveda. 

Derived from the sanskrit words ‘ayur’ (life) and ‘veda’ (knowledge), Ayurveda is deeply rooted in the Vedic culture, specifically the Atharva Veda, one of the four sacred texts of ancient India.

And the fact that it still thrives today is a testament to how well it serves not only as a physical wellness regime, but also as a ‘philosophy of life, for life’. 

But ‘thrive’ might be something of an overstatement. For while it remains deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture, its health foundations have been steadily supplanted over the years by science-based modern medicine. 

Nevertheless, traditional Ayurveda is increasingly front and centre of Sri Lanka’s growing wellness tourism offer, particularly for older British, Northern European and Russian visitors escaping their cold, dark and enervating winter months. 

Many are seeking a natural alternative to modern medical treatments, a holistic regime that offers harmonious, not to say spiritual, dimensions that can include yoga, mindfulness, and meditation.  

Meanwhile, a recent piece in Echelon spotlit how Ayurveda might be making a ‘modern comeback’ in the shape of Colombo-based Link Natural Products, which it says is ‘committed to provide innovative, safe and effective products for our consumers to enjoy a healthy life’.

The company, maker of the Samahan brand, adds it is ‘on a mission to bring the benefits of Ayurveda into a contemporary context … blending this traditional wisdom with modern science may be the open secret that underpins its success. 

‘We believe that wellness has no boundaries. We will strategize to expand our footprint in the international market and take Sri Lanka to the world.’

Which is a vision shared—up to a point—by long-time traditional practitioner Dr Ravindra Karandeniya, who runs the foreigner-focused Ayurveda Sarana Beach Hospital in Dungalpitiya, between the sea and Negombo Lagoon. 

While keen to ‘take Sri Lanka to the world’, he is nevertheless anxious that the spirit of Ayurveda is not over-exploited and diminished by spin-off commercialization. 

That said, he is also aware of the need to ensure that it remains relevant today and in the future, and to make its benefits more convenient and accessible to people with stressful modernistic lifestyles.

He thus advocates a three-point plan that could be adopted by practitioners and commercial spin-offs to promote and invigorate Ayurveda’s core disciplines:

• • Harness modern technology, such as digital platforms, to enhance and disseminate Ayurvedic knowledge and practices.
• • Collaborate with government officials and policymakers to find a balance between preserving the integrity of Ayurveda and adapting it to meet the needs of the tourism industry.
• • Conduct research on the integration of Ayurvedic principles and modern medical practices, with a focus on preventive healthcare.

The hospital, a former hotel, accommodates 20 guests in double rooms, and employs eight therapists, two cooks, two housekeepers, two managers, and one gardener. 

Cultural differences are highlighted, with traditional Sri Lankan home remedies and dietary preferences and food preparation contrasted with those of the West. 

Dr Ravindra believes that Ayurveda helps improve nutrition, especially for children, encourages community medical officers to promote healthy diets, and meets the challenge of maintaining good health amidst modern influences and urbanization. 

Ancient beginnings

Ayurveda in India and Sri Lanka emerged 3,000 years ago as an all-round approach to health, focusing on balancing the mind, body, and spirit to achieve wellbeing. 

At its core is the belief that the universe consists of five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—which together form three doshas, or energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Maintaining balance among these doshas is the essence of Ayurveda.

This knowledge was initially transmitted orally by sages, and only later compiled into classical written texts like the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. 

The Charaka Samhita emphasizes internal medicine, while the Sushruta Samhita focuses on surgical practices. Both provide detailed guidelines on diet, herbal remedies, lifestyles, and wellness therapies.

Dr Ravindra emphasizes prevention rather than cure, personalized treatment, and harmony with nature to influence and integrate with modern medicine. Treatments are tailored to an individual’s unique constitution, and they treat root causes rather than symptoms. 

He employs traditional Sri Lankan remedies that contain local spices, oils, and endemic herbs such as binkohomba (Munronia pinnata), lunuvila (Bacopa monnieri), and heen bovitiya (Osbeckia octandra), which are renowned for their health benefits.

The hospital offers a range of therapies, including Panchakarma, an intensive detoxification process, and Shirodhara, where warm herbal oil is poured onto the forehead to calm the mind, plus massage and physiotherapy. 

Says Dr Ravindra: ‘Sri Lankan Ayurveda is not just a wellness system, but a way of life deeply ingrained in our culture. Together with yoga, meditation, and traditional diet, it really is that ‘philosophy of life, for life’. 

‘So although I welcome any new initiative that helps make sure Ayurveda stays relevant in this day and age, we mustn’t lose touch with the ancient philosophies that underpin its benefits.’