The Growing Relevance of Traditional Medicine

General Studies Paper 2

Context

• The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that traditional medicine is practised in 88% of its member-states — 170 out of 194 countries.

About

• Growing Acceptance: Analysts estimate that the global traditional medicine market will reach $583 billion by 2025, with annual growth rates of 10%-20%.
• Countrywise Market: China’s traditional Chinese medicine sector is valued at $122.4 billion, Australia’s herbal medicine industry at $3.97 billion, and India’s Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) sector at $43.4 billion.
• Shift in Healthcare: This expansion reflects a fundamental shift in health-care philosophy — from reactive treatment models to proactive, preventive approaches that address root causes rather than symptoms alone.

Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy)

• The key aim of the AYUSH Department is to provide health services under the AYUSH stream to the people.
• The AYUSH stream includes Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy systems of healthcare and treatment.
• The Government promotes these systems through various initiatives aimed at integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare.

Key Features of the Ayush System:

• Ayurveda: Focuses on holistic healing using herbs, diet, and lifestyle changes. It emphasizes balance in body, mind, and spirit.
• Yoga and Naturopathy: Yoga promotes physical and mental well-being through postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Naturopathy emphasizes natural treatments and lifestyle changes.
• Unani: Originating from Greek medicine, it uses herbal remedies and emphasizes balance among the body’s elements.
• Siddha: A traditional healing system from South India, focusing on alchemy and herbal medicine.
• Homoeopathy: Based on the principle of “like cures like,” it uses highly diluted substances to treat various ailments.

India’s Ayurvedic Transformation

• The AYUSH industry, comprising over 92,000 micro, small and medium enterprises, has expanded nearly eight-fold in less than a decade.
• India now exports AYUSH and herbal products worth $1.54 billion to more than 150 countries.
• Presently, Ayurveda is recognized as a system of Traditional Medicine in more than 30 countries.
• Ayush Visa: The Ministry of Home Affairs incorporated a new visa category, “Ayush Visa” for foreign nationals seeking medical treatment like therapeutic care, wellness and yoga in India.
• So far, more than 50 products (Unani and Ayurveda) have been registered in 08 countries namely Kenya, USA, Russia, Latvia, Canada, Oman, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka under the International Cooperation (IC) scheme of the Ministry.
• Global Recognition: The Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization has established the World’s first and the only Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO GTMC) in Jamnagar, India.
  • The UN General Assembly in 2014, unanimously adopted a resolution for observing 21st June every year as the International Day of Yoga.

Government Initiatives

• Global Expansion: India has signed 25 bilateral agreements and 52 institutional partnerships, established 43 AYUSH Information Cells across 39 countries.
• Ministry of Ayush: Established in 2014, this ministry is dedicated to promoting traditional medicine, ensuring quality control, and regulating practices.
• NAM: Government is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) in the country through State and UT governments for promotion and development of AYUSH systems.
  • Under the concept of AYUSH Gram, AYUSH based lifestyles are promoted through behavioral change communication, training of village health workers towards identification and use of local medicinal herbs and provision of AYUSH health services.
• Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL): It has been established to promote Ayush products and services globally by the Ministry of Ayush and supported by the Ministry of Commerce.
• Scientific Validation: India has invested significantly in research through institutions including the All India Institute of Ayurveda, the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, the National Institute of Ayurveda, and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences.
  • These institutions focus on clinical validation, drug standardisation and developing integrative care models that combine traditional knowledge with modern medical practices.
• Information, Education and Communication (IEC) in AYUSH: Under the scheme, the Ministry undertakes promotional activities like organization of AROGYA fairs at State and National level; multimedia campaigns; preparation and distribution of publicity material including audio visual material, etc.
• Promotion of International Cooperation: The Ministry deputes AYUSH experts to foreign countries to participate in international meetings, conferences, training programmes, for promotion and propagation of AYUSH Systems.