Hindu Narrative

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<!--QuoteBegin-SwamyG+Apr 22 2007, 07:55 AM-->QUOTE(SwamyG @ Apr 22 2007, 07:55 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Obviously in a skeptic's mind the question comes is if the usage of camphor was a case of serendipity? Or was it used knowing fully well the properties of it (like the case where we use odomos knowing that it is supposed to be a mosquito repellent)?
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SwamyG - questions like this have occurred to me time and time again when given explanations about ancient practices that appear to fit in with modern science. In medicine there is a constant mental conflict (among patients) between science, ayurvedic science, "traditional knowledge" and just plain superstition being passed off as science.

My personal observations do not relate to camphor per se - but are more general. There are definitely some areas in which ancient Hindu knowledge tallies well with the results of "modern science' with its repeatable experimental results and double blind studies. There are other areas in which Ayurvedic science has definite strengths that have not yet been understood or proven in terms of the modern science of repeatable experimental results and double blind studies. There are also areas where the traditional knowledge is both not based on any science and is positively harmful.

I have examples that I will quote by and by.