Thursday, May 23, 2013

Ayurveda helps Kerala emerge as a key medical tourism hub

The centuries-old tradition of ancient Indian Ayurveda is fast turning Kerala

When British super model Naomi Campbell landed in Kerala last year for an Ayurvedic massage session at Leela Kovalam Beach hotel, she was only affirming the efficacy of the Indian healing system with God's Own Country as its torch-bearer in modern times.

According to sources in Kerala Tourism department, those who visited the state in recent times included Italian film director Bernardo Bertolucci, known for his global hits like Last Tango in Paris and The Last Emperor, who came to the state for Ayurvedic treatment for a nagging ailment.

German TV and film actress Ingeborg Schoener (77) has been trooping into the state for the last eight years for Ayurveda treatment.

Completely cured of her painful knee problem, she thanked the tourism officials that she had stopped allopathic treatments.

"Thanks to Ayurveda, I feel fantastic. I make ghee at home and have stopped using oil to fry food. I do my yoga, drink a glass of hot water first thing in the morning and buy one-year worth of Ayurvedic medicines," a spokesperson for the department quoted her as saying.

Pop star Madonna, Hollywood actress Demi Moore and Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, have also used Ayurveda for their well-being.

Back home, former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee is an ardent believer in the healing properties of Ayurveda's Panchakarma therapy.

After his visit to Kumarakom lake-side resort, from where he famously "mused" on the state of the affair of the nation in 2000, Vajpayee told people around him that he felt very relaxed after Ayurveda therapy in Kerala.

The list of celebrities from the showbiz world, sports and politics, fascinated by Ayurveda's power to rejuvenate, detoxify and cure, is a never ending one.

Former President Pratibha Patil, spouses of Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Kerala Governor Nikhil Kumar, German soccer legend Gerd Mueller's parents, Union Ministers Shashi Tharoor and A K Antony, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Tata Motors MD Karl Slym have all experienced the curative and wellness power of Ayurveda.
into a global medical tourism destination, attracting holidayers as well as International celebrities to the state.