Ecocentrism and Open Knowledge: A Unified Vision for Food, Health, and Environment from Traditional Wisdom

Authors

  • Chithra J S ASTER Research Foundation, Research & Innovation, Dr. Moopen’s Medical College, Meppadi P.O, Wayanad Dist, Kerala- 673577, (chithra.js@drmoopensmc.ac.in)
  • Damodaran Vasudevan Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Trissur

Keywords:

Ecocentrism, Open data, Sustainable Development Goals, Food as medicine, Healthcare, Biodiversity, Environmental philosophy, Traditional medicine

Abstract

The food-first strategy, i.e., seeking nutritional solutions for preventing and managing diseases rather than relying on supplements, has recently gained momentum among the general public and policymakers, owing to increased awareness. Traditional medicine practitioners across the globe approach food as having therapeutic potential and dietary routine as a way of preventive healthcare. Conventional systems like Ayurveda in India included herbs, spices, and plant-derived/animal-derived components in specific preparations to be used to prevent/treat ailments. As these preparations are very particular about the source of raw materials, the preservation of the flora and fauna, and in broader terms, the biodiversity, is of paramount significance. Ancient knowledge in India emphasizes this aspect, and in Chattampi Swamikal’s teaching, ecocentrism is represented with an open knowledge approach. In our opinion, an eco-centric approach with open access to knowledge seems crucial for achieving sustainable development, especially concerning food, health, and the environment.

Author Biographies

  • Chithra J S, ASTER Research Foundation, Research & Innovation, Dr. Moopen’s Medical College, Meppadi P.O, Wayanad Dist, Kerala- 673577, (chithra.js@drmoopensmc.ac.in)

    Chithra J S is working as Senior Scientist at the Research and Innovation, Dr Moopen's Medical College, Wayanad, Kerala. She with a team of researchers has founded Posei-Derma in the pursuit of extracting bioactive compounds from marine resources to develop Nutra-cosmeceuticals, which is currently incubated at KuBIIC, University of Kerala. She received her PhD in Biotechnology from Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, India. She has been selected for research fellowships by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt of India and has articles published in international peer-reviewed journals, conferences and books. Earlier she was a senior scientist at Next Big Innovation Labs, Bangalore, India in the domain of 3D-bioprinting of organs. She can be contacted at jschithra@gmail.com

  • Damodaran Vasudevan, Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Trissur

    Vasudevan, Damodaran M is Director of the Jubilee Centre for Medical Research in Thrissur. He also holds the positions of Dean of Research at Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi and is the Founder President of Vidyadhiraja International, Vallikunnam in Alleppy Dist.. Earlier he served as the Principal of the College of Medicine at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi and Dean, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Gangtok and Principal, Govt Medical College in Thrissur. After earning his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, he obtained MD in Biochemistry from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, London. An authority in allergy and immunology, he has also conducted extensive research on cancer. An elected fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, he was honoured with the prestigious Dr. B. C. Roy Award by the Medical Council of India in 1992 for excellence in medical teaching. He is the author of the ‘Textbook of ‘Biochemistry for Medical Students’ (1995), a widely used textbook in medical colleges across 23 countries, now in its eleventh edition, with Spanish and Slovak translations available. He has also written textbooks for dental and paramedical students. Over his career, he has mentored 35 PhD students and published more than 260 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

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Vannucci, Marta. Human Ecology in the Vedas. New Delhi, DK Print World, 1999.

Note: The views expressed in the article are solely of the authors and not of their respective organizations

Chattapmi Swamikal (1853-1924)

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Published

2025-03-10

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Vol. 12 No. 1 (2025): Open Knowledge

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