Set to fulfill Oxford dreams, physician from Pune aims to dispel myths around Ayurveda

“Research in Ayurveda on a platform like Oxford University is the first-of-its-kind in the world of medicine and health care. This is an opportunity to study the right evidence-based parameters that can be applied to Ayurveda, while maintaining its originality and authenticity as a science,” says Eeshani Bendale.

“Ayurveda deserves to be communicated in a language that can be comprehended by the scientific world today, which is why I have chosen this path,” adds Bendale who completed her Bachelors in Ayurvedic medicine and surgery (BAMS) from Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya. She is the only one from Pune who has already joined the course; the second candidate will start in October this year.

Bendale had earlier completed an MSc in Nanomedicine from Swansea University Medical School, Wales, UK. During that course, she researched Ayurvedic nanomedicines originating from the subject of Rasashastra, a field of high scrutiny and controversy today.

“I understand that there are a lot of factors that contribute to the stigma that exists around Ayurveda and my work is focused on dispelling the myths and misconceptions about it and presenting the science for what it truly is,” said Bendale.

“In the past few years, research has been initiated in Ayurveda to some extent with the motive of providing an evidence-based approach. However, a miniscule amount of this research can be deemed valid on the global scientific map. Few people have been able to address Ayurveda from gold-standard platforms that are globally respected,” added Bendale who has given several talks on Ayurveda on various national and international platforms.