Auyrveda is certainly the oldest herbal tradition predating the Chinese and probably forming the basis of the Chinese system. Both these systems take years of scholarly training. I prefer the western wise women tradition (Susan S. Weed I'm talking about you!). To be clear I don't think its "better" I just find it more accessible to the average person.That being said a good herb is a good herb and I use many herbs that come from both traditions. Off the top of my head I could mention turmeric which my family has used with great success for arthritic conditions. The form we used of that particular herb is a bio-available extract of the active ingredient Curcumin manufactured by AOR.