Indian Systems of Medicine

Prof S.N.Naik
Center for Rural Development and Technology, IIT
Delhi
 Traditional Medicine
• Traditional medicine, as defined by the World Health
Organization (WHO), refers to the knowledge, skills,
and practices that various cultures have developed
over time to maintain health, prevent, diagnose, and
treat physical and mental illnesses.
• It encompasses a wide range of ancient and modern
practices used in different regions around the world.
• In India, traditional medicine includes various
indigenous practices and therapies that have been
part of the country’s historical tradition.
 Traditional medicine systems in India
• Some of the well-known traditional medicine systems in India are:
• Ayurveda: Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that focuses on balancing the
body’s energies (doshas) to promote health and prevent diseases. It includes herbal medicines,
diet, lifestyle modifications, and therapies like massage and Panchakarma.
• Yoga: Yoga is a holistic practice that originated in ancient India and includes physical postures,
breathing exercises, meditation, and ethical principles. It is not only a physical exercise but also a
mental and spiritual practice to enhance overall well-being.
• Siddha: The Siddha system of medicine is practiced predominantly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It
is an ancient medical system that originated in Tamil Nadu and is based on the concept of
maintaining a balance between the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) in the body.
• Sowa-Rigpa /Tibetan Medicine: Sowa-Rigpa is a traditional medical system practiced
mainly in the Himalayan regions such as Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Lahaul & Spiti,
and Leh-Ladakh. It is influenced by both Ayurveda and traditional Tibetan medicine.
• Homoeopathy: While not originally part of Indian tradition, homoeopathy has become an
integral part of India’s traditional medicine practices over the years. Homoeopathy is based on
the principle of “like cures like” and uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s
healing response... Read more at: https://www.studyiq.com/articles/traditional-medicine
 Indian Systems of Medicine

The Indian health care covers both the systems-

those originated in India and those originated
outside but were adapted in India.
1.Ayurveda, Siddha,Yoga,Naturopathy and Folk or
Tribal system of health care
2 Unani/GreecoArab, Homeopathy,Tibetian or
Amachi
Traditional Medicine system of India
India is a mega-diversity country rich in
biodiversity species, genetic and ecosystem/
habitat. India is also rich in cultural diversity
with a history of over 6000 years. India’s medical
heritage is most important heritage.

➢ Oral traditions – practiced by village physicians,

folk healers, tribal healers – called as local health
tradition use over 8000 plant species
➢ Organized: codified and systematically arranged
written traditions with conceptual philosophy and
rationales like Ayurveda, Siddha,
Unani,Homeopathy and Amchi use almost 2000
plant species
The Traditional Folk Medicine in India
Folk stream: Comprising mostly the oral traditions practiced
by the rural villagers.
The carriers of these traditions are millions of housewives,
thousands of traditional birth attendants, bone setters, village
practitioners skilled in acupressure, eye treatments,
treatment of snake bites, and traditional village
physicians/herbal healers, the ‘vaidyas’ or the tribal
physicians.
These streams of inherited traditions are together known as
‘local health traditions’(LHT). LHT represent an autonomous,
community –supported living tradition. It is still alive and runs
parallel and the great service the LHT render to the primary
health care needs of the Indian rural mass often goes
unnoticed due to the dominance of the western medicine
Folk-medicine carriers of village-based health traditions in India

Traditional Carrier Subjects Nos.

Housewives and Home remedies, Food and Millions

elders nutrition

Traditional birth Normal deliveries 7 lakhs

attendants

Herbal healers Common ailments 3 lakhs

Bone-setters Orthopedics 60,000

Visha Vaidhyas (Snake,
Natural poisons 60,000
Scorpion, Dog)

Specialists *Nethra
*Skin
*Respiratory
*Dental
*Arthritis
*Mental Diseases
*Liver *1000 in each
*GIT area
*Wounds
*Fistula Piles

Source – Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bangalore

Rural village based:
This involves home remedies practiced at almost every
home, mostly by the mothers and grand mothers – to
specialized individuals, healers or family traditions treating
single or general ailment. This system is mostly oral in
tradition except in certain cases mostly in Kerala,
Maharashtra, Gujarat where some written tradition
maintained through hand written transcripts in local
languages, some of which are now been available in
printed form. Such village folklore medicine or LHT involve
the use of about 5000 plant species with about 25,000 or
more formulations for treating a variety of human
ailments.
Tribal Medicine : This is practiced by the tribal
communities who inhabit in and around the forests.
This tradition is currently fast eroding due to the
change of life style of the tribal people. India has
over 68 million tribal people belonging to 550
communities of 227 ethnic groups as per the
classification made by anthropologists on linguistic
basis. They inhabit in about 5000-forested villages
or lead a nomadic life in the forest. Each tribal
community has a distinct social and cultural
identity of its own and speaks a common dialect.
There are about 116 different dialects and 227
subsidiary dialects spoken by tribal in India.
According to a recent study conducted by the
Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF),
Govt. of India, under the “All India Coordinated
Project on Ethno biology” (AICRPE- 1992-1998;
Pushpangadan 1994), over 10000 wild plants are
reported to be used by tribal for meeting their
primary health care, food and material
requirements . About 8000 wild plant species are
used by the Indian tribes for a variety of medicinal
purposes, which cover about 1,75,000 specific
preparations/applications (Pushpangadan 2002);
of these 2000 species are found to be new claims
and worthy of scientific scrutiny.
Common diseases and health problem in the tribal
areas of Jharkhand
Traditional System of Medicine
 Classical stream –Organized systems

This comprises of the modified and organized medicinal

wisdom with sophisticated theoretical foundations and
philosophical explanations expressed in several classical texts
like Charaka Samhita, Susrutha Samhita, Bhela Samhita,
and hundreds of other treatises (including some in the
regional language) covering all branches of medicine and
surgery. Systems like Ayurveda, Sidha, Unani, Amchi or
Tibetan are expressions of these classical streams.
 ORGANISATIONAL SET UP
(Central Level)
• Central Department under Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare. Govt of India
• Central Research Councils.
• Central Regulatory Bodies.
• National Institutes.
• National Medicinal Plant Board.
• Central Pharmacopoeia Laboratories.
• Manufacturing Unit.
• Hospitals & dispensaries.
 SYSTEM-WISE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR INDIAN SYSTEMS OF
MEDICINE

Medical Colleges Registered Pharmacies

Systems UG PG Practitioners Licensed
Absolvent

Ayurveda 232 60 4,30,890 8,386

Unani 38 08 43,108 453
Siddha 06 02+1 N.Instt. 17,097 384
Homoeopathy 185 32 1,97,252 609
Yoga &
Naturopathy 06 455
TOTAL : 466 103 6,88,802 9,832
Admission 23,280 2,001
capacity
 Ayurvedic System of Medicine
Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of health care both
physical and mental and literally means‘ Science of life’.
This covers the art of living. Health in Ayurveda has been
defined as a well balanced metabolism plus happy state
of being.
Ayurveda is based on hypothesis of five basic elements
:Space, Air, Energy, Liquid and Solid
They exist in body in combined forms liked vata, pitta,
kapha together are called tridosha.
Ayurveda has eight well defined branches.
AYURVEDA
• Ayurveda is a system of sacred Hindu medicine, originating
in India. It is the most ancient system of medicine still in
use today.

• Ayurveda is considered to be the most ancient of all

medical disciplines.

• In Ayurvedic medicine, the patient is viewed as unique, and

‘normality’ as what is appropriate for that particular
person.
Philosophically, Ayurveda
1- Parana : the life energy

2- Tridosha: There are three humors :Vat,Pitt,Kapha

3-Panchmahabutas :There are five elements

 Concepts in Ayurveda
Prana, the life energy:
• Prana is the vital energy, activating both body and mind.

• Nutrient prana from the air gives energy to the vital prana in
the brain, via respiration,

• In the body it is seated in the head, and governs emotions,

memory and other functions of the mind.

• Prana kindles the bodily fire, governs the functioning of the

heart, entering the bloodstream from where it controls the
vital organs.
 Bhutas, the five elements
The basic elements of cosmic energy are:

• Ether (Space) Air Fire Water Earth

• The five elements are related to the five senses:

hearing, touch, vision, taste & smell.

Ether is related to hearing, since sound is

transmitted through it, and from there to the ear, the
associated sense organ, leading to speech, from the
organs of action which are the tongue and vocal
cords.
 Panchamahabhutas
These refer to the five basic elements of
earth(Prithvi),Water( Apa),Fire/Sun (Tejs),
Air(Vayu) and Space(Akash).They are
responsible for creation of animate and
inanimate forms.
 Basic Principle of Ayurveda
• Vata,responsible for all kind of movements in
the body like respiration, movement of joints
and movement of bowels.
• Pitta, is responsible for metabolic process
like digestion,absorption/assimilation of
nutrients and excretion of waste and toxic
materials out of the human body.
• Kapha ,responsible maintaining joints and
providing the lubrication to all joints
 Tridosha
Vata, Pitta & Kapha
(the Three Humors)

• The five elements are manifest in the human body as

three basic principles or humors known as the Tridosha.

• The three humors (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) govern all

biological, psychological and physico pathological
functions of the body and mind.

• The primary requirement for diagnosis and treatment of

disease is to understand the relationship between the
humors.
• When the tridosha works in harmony and functions in a
balanced manner, the result is health and a feeling of
well-being in the individual. However, in cases of
imbalance and disharmony, the result is illness or disease.

• The tridosha is responsible for psychological phenomena,

including basic human emotions such as fear, anger and
greed, and more complicated sentiments such as
understanding, compassion and love, and as such is the
foundation of the psychosomatic nature of man.
• The tridosha has recently been redefined as an
equilibrium, balance and coordination between the
three vital body systems:

➢ Central nervous system (CNS) → vata

➢ Endocrine system → pitta
➢ Immune axis → kapha

• The tridosha can be considered to govern all

metabolic activities:
➢ Catabolism → vata
➢ Metabolism → pitta
➢ Anabolism → kapha
• When vata is out of balance, the metabolism will be
disturbed, resulting in excess catabolism, which is
the breakdown or deterioration process in the body;
excess would therefore induce emaciation.

• When anabolism is greater than catabolism (excess

kapha), there is an increased rate of growth and
repair of organs and tissues.
Daily Rhythm of Tridosh in human body
 Prehistoric of Herbal drugs

• RIGVEDA (67 herbal drug) (2500BC)

• YAJURVED (81 herbal drugs) (2000 B.C.)

• ATHARVAVEDA (290 plants) (1600 – 1000 B.C.)

• CHARAKA SAMHITA (900 B.C.) : is the first recorded treaties of Ayurveda

and describe 341 plants

• SUSHRUTA SAMHITA (600B.C.) with the special emphasis on surgery with

VI section, 185 chapter and 395 medicinal plants.

• HINDU MEDICINE by Bhava Mishra of Megadha(1550 A.D.)

• 470 medicinal plants

• 70 Grantha (Pharmacy lexicons) written mostly between 7th and 16th

centuries.

• At Present 1000 Ayurvedic Remedies are used prepared from 750 plants
Major disciplines of Ayurveda
 Eight branches of Ayurveda
Sl Sanskrit designation Deals with health aspects
No.
1 Kayachikitsa Therapeutic aspect

2 Shalakyatantra Diseases of eyes, ears, nose, throat, oral cavity,

(ENT) tongue
3 Shalyatantra Surgery

4 Kaumarabhritya/Bal Paediatrics
chikitsa
5 Agadtantra Toxicology
6 Bhutvidya/graha Psychiatry
chikitsa
7 Rasayan Knowledge of tonics and processes

8 Vasikaranatantra/Vris Knowledge of Virilities, dealing with lost or

a diminished virility, potency & procreative
ability.
Rasayan(Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Therapy)

Rasayana (Rejuvenation Therapy) is a specialty of

Ayurveda, which mainly deals with the preservation
and promotion of health. It promotes longevity and
prevents or delays the aging process. Rasayana
promotes resistance against infections and other
causative factors for the disease by maintaining the
equilibrium of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Rasayana, if
administered at an early age, also helps the body
metabolism in such a way that he genetic
predisposition for a particular disease is avoided and
the intensity of the symptoms of a particular disease
is greatly reduced.
Rasayana essentially means nutrition at all levels from macro to micro-cellular
level. Rasayana therapy replenishes the vital fluids of the body; boost
the ojas (vital force of life) and the immune system, thus keeping away from
diseases and prevents against ill effects of advanced age. Rasayana brings
about the normalcy of Rasadhatu and thereby maintain other dhatus(body
tissues) in equilibrium for a longer period. Such state of improved nutrition
prevents ageing which can be understood
as vayasthapana or jaranasana (geriatric care).
The Benefits of the RasayanaTherapy:
Rasayana therapy prevents effect of ageing and provides longevity,
improves mental and intellectual competence, preservation of
youthfulness, increased lustre, body complexion and glow of the skin,
healthy condition of voice, excellent potentiality of the body and the
sense-organs,.
The Rasayana drugs are mainly classified as Kamya Rasayana (for
promotion of health of individuals) and Naimittika Rasayana( for cure of
diseases). The commonly used Rasayana drugs are Amalaki
(Phyllanthus emblica), Aswagandha (withania somnifera), Brahmi
(Bacopa monnieri), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Guduchi
(Tinospora cordifolia) and Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) etc., which
promote physical and mental strength.
 Panchakarma
Panchakarma (Purification Therapy) deals mainly with the
removal of toxins and waste materials from the body to
purify the biological system from gross channels to
eradicate the disease completely. It is helpful in the
prevention of disease and preservation and promotion of
health, as well as the management of psychosomatic,
neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and many
other chronic, degenerative diseases and gatrogenic
conditions. Panchakaram plays a vital role in Ayurvedic
therapeutics and occupies an important place in the
Ayurvedic system of medicine. This five-fold purification
theraphy, a classical form of treatment in Ayurveda, includes
Vamana (emesis), Virechana (Purgation), Asthapana
(Deacoction enem), Anuvasana (Oily enema) and Nasya
(Nasal Insufflation).
Panchakarma Treatment is a set of five therapeutic treatments
administered to the patient for the complete detoxification of the body.
According to Ayurveda, the detoxification of the body is essential before
undergoing any other major treatment. Even for healthy people, it is
recommended to undergo this treatment once every five years to get rid
the body of all the impurities and chemical toxins it accumulates over the
years. In some cases, Panchakarma treatment alone can cure many
chronic diseases that will not require any further treatments afterwards.

Panchakarma treatment removes toxins from the digestive system,

bowels, lungs, blood vessels and nervous system. It strengthens the
muscles and joints and helps in the hormone secretion of all glands. It
improves the appetite, sleep quality, sexuality, concentration and memory.
No wonder many people feel like they have a new body after
Panchakarma treatment
1.VAMANA- It is an oleation procedure where the patient is given
Ayurvedic therapies and internal medication. This helps in vomiting and
elimination of the toxins thus disposing the poisons from the body.
2.VIRECHANA- This procedure includes the cleansing of the toxins through
the bowels. The patient is asked to consume Ayurvedic medicines and go
for a natural purgative method thus clearing the guts that aides in purifying
the body or toxins.
3.BASTI- Ayurvedic therapy through medicines or natural decoctions, such
as oils, ghee or milk through enema is known as basti. The decoctions
depend on the disease that needs to be cured. It has huge advantages and
is powerful against diseases like piles, constipation and arthritis.
4.NASYA- People suffering from issues that target the head area, this
Ayurvedic therapy is the best. It is a natural cleansing technique where the
cerebral area gets freed from any kind of pain and nasal drops are
regulated in the nostrils.
5.RAKTAMOKSHAN: Lastly, this process is done for cleaning the blood. As
we know that impure blood is a major cause of any diseases, so this
therapy allows for the purification of the blood thus getting rid of health
issues like psoriasis, pigmentation, dermatitis and many more.
This is how Panchakarma therapy is given to a patient step by step which
delivers excellent effective results thus improving and enhancing the
longevity of the human body.
Panchakarma
 The Siddha System
• The siddha system is similar to Ayurveda

• Siddha system is built with special focus on food habits consisting

with six tastes. The six tastes which are very much concerned with
the Vaatham, Pitham and Kabam etc.

• Causes of diseases as per Siddha system are: Food, climate and

environment.
• Siddha system enumerated many herbal and herbo-mineral
formulations.

• Usage of herbs in siddha system : Juice, Powder , Decoction Pill /

Tablet, Choornam with syrup, Medicated oil, Distilled liquid, Fresh
ground herb, Boiling the kudineer with palm jaggery etc..
 The Unani System

• Unani system was introduced in India by the Arabs and Persians

sometime around the eleventh century.

• India has the largest number of Unani educational, research and

health care institutions.

• The human body is considered to be made up of the following

seven components are: Elements, Temperament, Humors, Spirits,
Faculties and Functions
Principle of Unani
 Homeopathy
• Late 1700’s – developed in Germany by Samuel Hahnemann

• Homeo (similar) and pathos (suffering)

• “Principle of Similar”: Any substance that can create symptoms in a healthy

person can be used to treat similar symptoms in a sick person.

• “Principle of Potentization”: Diluting a substance, with vigorous shaking at each

step of dilution, makes the remedy more, not less, effective by extracting the
vital essence of the substance.

• Homeopathy's popularity is greatly enhanced by its cost effectiveness and the

absence of adverse effects if drugs are administrate in prescribed doses
 Yoga and Naturopathy
• Yoga and Naturopathy are basically drugless therapies.

• It is one of the six systems of Vedic philosophy. It is all so

holistic and seeks complete harmony among the body, mind
and the thinking process

• Yoga has been found useful in the prevention of diseases,

mitigation and cure of diseases and promotion of health.
Yoga advocates an eight-fold path known as “Ashtanga
Yoga” for the all-around development of the human
personality. These are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama,
Pratyahara, Dharma, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
 Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a drug less therapy that includes

:Diet control, water,mudan,sun bathing,
massage treatment, magneto therapy,
 Amachi
Amchi is another ancient well documented traditional
medicinal system, which was popular in Tibet, Mongolia,
Nepal, Bhutan, Himalayan region of India, some parts of
China and former Soviet Union. Though conflicts exist on
the origin place of Amchi medicine as some believed it
originated in India, some say Tibetan region and other
considered it as Chinese origin. Amchi has close similarity
with Ayurveda, though influence of Chinese traditional
medicine and Tibetan folklore also observed in this system
 Traditional Medicine( TM) according to
WHO
Traditional Medicine is a comprehensive term used to
refer both to TM systems and various form of
Indigenous Medicine.
 Traditional Medicine(TM)
• There are many TM systems, including Indian, Chinese,
Arabic, South American, and African.

• WHO defines TM as including diverse health practices

approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plants,
animals, mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual
techniques and exercises applied singularly or in combination
to maintain well being, as well to treat, diagnose or prevent
illness.
WHO encourages the practice and improvement
of traditional medicine
• 75 to 85% of the world’s people still rely on traditional
medicine to provide basic healthcare
• The native materia medica, derived from locally available
medicinal plants, is the mainstay of this grass-roots
ethnomedical system
• Documentation of these folk pharmacopoeias can
expand the traditional healer’s place in world
• Diagnostic criteria and diseases in conventional
medicine need to be correlated with those in traditional
medicine
 Traditional Medicine

Traditional medicine is the sum total of the

knowledge, skills, and practices based on the
theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to
different cultures, whether explicable or not,
used in the maintenance of health as well as in
the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or
treatment of physical and mental illness.
 Complementary/alternative medicine
(CAM)
The terms "complementary medicine" or
"alternative medicine" are used inter-
changeably with traditional medicine in some
countries. They refer to a broad set of health
care practices that are not part of that country's
own tradition and are not integrated into the
dominant health care system.
 Herbal medicines

Herbal medicines include herbs, herbal

materials, herbal preparations and finished
herbal products, that contain as active
ingredients parts of plants, or other plant
materials, or combinations.
 Late 20th to early 21st centuries
• Renewed interest in investigating plants for
medically useful compounds
• Recent success of Taxol from the Pacific yew
tree has shown that this interest is worth
pursuing
 Growth of Alternative Medicine

• Dramatic increase in the use of alternative medical

treatments
– Complementary and Alternative Medicine - CAM
• Refers to a wide range of therapies outside the
mainstream of traditional Western medicine:
– aromatherapy, acupuncture, biofeedback,
chiropractic manipulation, herbal medicine,
hypnosis, and massage therapy
 Dietary Supplements
• Herbal remedies considered “dietary supplements”
Traditionally, dietary supplements referred to
vitamins, minerals, other essential nutrients
• Dietary Supplement Health Education Act of 1994
expanded the category to include other products
such as herbs, other botanicals, amino acids, and
metabolites
 FDA Regulations

Dietary supplements are not required to undergo the

same type of testing or approval that are required for
prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs
– FDA requires extensive testing and clinical studies
of drugs to determine their safety, proper dosages,
effectiveness, possible side effects and interactions
with other substances
– Dietary supplements are not subject to these
 Herbal remedies

• Although not considered drugs by FDA, most

contain active compounds that may offer
health benefits or possibly cause adverse
reactions
• 40% of US population using some form of
CAM - many do not tell physicians
• Many can react with prescription medication -
i.e., Ginkgo
 Traditional and Complementary/
Alternative Medicine
Categories of TM/CAM

Medication Non-medication

 Medicinal plants  Acupuncture

 Chiropractic
 Mineral materials
 Osteopathy
 Animal materials  Manual therapies
 Qigong, Taiji, Yoga
 Physical, mental and spiritual
therapies
 Traditional medicine are Accessible and
affordable in developing countries

RATIO OF PRACTITIONERS TO POPULATION

Traditional Medical
practitioner doctor

Swaziland 1:100 1:10,000

Ghana 1:200 1:20,000
Uganda 1:700 1:25,000
Mozambique 1:200 1:50,000
Traditional medicine in Developed Countries

▪ concern about the adverse effects of

"chemical drugs",
▪ questioning of the approaches and
assumptions of allopathic medicine,
and
▪ greater public access to health
information.
 Herbal Medicine
According to WHO: Herbal medicine is defined as
“Finished labeled medicinal products that contain
as active ingredients of plants parts (aerial or
underground parts) or other plants materials or
combinations there of, whether in the crude state
or as plant preparation.
Herbs:
Include crude plant material e.g. leaves, flowers,
seeds, fruit, stems, wood, bark, roots, rhizomes
or other plant parts ,which may be entire,
fragmented or powdered.
Herbal Material:
Include in addition to herbs, fresh juices, gums,
fixed oils, essential oils, resins, dry powders of
herbs.
 Herbal Remedy

Any botanical product consisting of a substance

produced by subjecting a plant /plants to drying,
crushing or any other process or mixture whose
sole ingredients are two or more substances so
produced. May have potential to be used for risk
reduction, therapeutic or treatment purposes.
Include traditionally used and new ones.
 Finished Herbal Product

Herbal preparation made from one or more herbs.

If more than one herb is present the term mixture may
be used.
These may contain excipients (inert substances used in
preparation) in addition to the active ingredients.
Where chemically defined active substances are
added they are not considered to be herbal.
 Health food

“Any product other than tobacco taken by mouth

that is intended to supplement the diet, such as,
vitamin, mineral, amino acid, enzyme, nutraceutical,
dietary substance or concentrate, metabolite,
constituent, extract or combination of these
ingredients”
 Herbal Preparations
Teas, infusions, decoctions – made by steeping and
soaking herb in water for a few minutes
Tinctures – herb is soaked in alcohol, glycerin or an
alcohol-water combination
Extract – a filtered or distilled tincture
Tablets and capsules – drying the herb, powdering it
shaping it into pills
Topicals – herb added to emollient
Injections – very rare, usually of a tincture
Herbal Medicine classified into three categories

• Phytomedicine or Phytopharmaceuticals such as tablets,

capsules & liquids

• Ditery Supplements containing herbal products also called

nutraceuticals.

• Herbal medicines containing of either crude, semi-

processed or processed medicinal plants. These have
vital place in primary health care in developing countries.
Modern Drugs
A Modern drug defined as clinically efficacious
chemicalentity or synthetic or natural origin,
administered as such or admixed with other entities
capable of being produced in a reproducible form
under good quality control / Analytical control.

Clinically efficacious: The said product has under gone

pharmacological, Toxicological, & clinical screening as
per parameter of modern medicine.
 Some important plant derived drugs
Compound Plant Species
Acetyl digoxin Digitalis lanata
Ajmalicine Catharanthus roseus, Rauwolfia sp.
Ajmmaline Rauvolfia serpentina
Andrographolide Andrographis paniculata
Artemissine Artemisia annua
Asiaticoside Centella asiatica
Berberine Berberis spp.
Caffeine Camellia sinensis
Caffeine Camellia sinensis
Cocaine Erythroxylum cocoa
Codeine Papaver spp.
Codiene Papaver somniferum
Colchicine Colchicum autumnale, Gloriosa superba
Curcumin Curcuma longa
Digitoxin, Digoxin, Digitoxigenin Digitalis spp.
Emetine Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Ephedrine Ephedra gerardiana
Ergometrine, Ergotamine, Ergotoxin Claviceps purpurea on Rye plants
Glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhizinic acid Glycyrrhiza glabra
Hesperidin Citrus spp. Mentha spp.
Contd..
 Some important plant derived drugs
Hyoscine Duboisia spp.
Hyoscyamine Datura spp, Hyscyamus spp.
L-Dopa Mucuna pruriens
Menthol Mentha spp.
Morphine Papaver spp.
Papain Carica papaya
Podophyliotoxin Podophyllum emodi
Quinine, Quinidine Cinchona spp.
Reserpine & Deserpidine Rauvolfia serpentina,
Rutin Eucalyptus spp, Fagopyrum spp, Sophora japonica

Scopolamin Datura sp.

Sennosides A&B Cassia angustifolia, C. acutifolia
Silymarin Silybum marianum
Strychnine Strychnos nux-vomica
Taxol Taxus baccata
Thymol Thymus vulgaris
Vinblastine, Vincristine Catharanthus roseus
Xanthotoxin Ammi majus, Heracleum candicans
Chemical Intermediates
Citral Lemon grass
Diosgenin Dioscorea spp. Costus spp.
Phytosterols (Stigmasterol & Sitosterol) Soya & Calabar Beans
Solasodine Solanum
Hypercin, Hyperforin Hypericum perforatum
 Importance of Traditional Medicine in Healthcare

Cultural Wisdom: Traditional medicine is deeply intertwined with cultural

practices, beliefs, and experiences, making it a valuable repository of
diverse healthcare insights.
Holistic Approach: Unlike some modern medical systems that focus solely
on specific symptoms or diseases, traditional medicine emphasizes the
interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit.
Natural Remedies: Traditional medicine often relies on natural
ingredients such as herbs, plants, and minerals, which are gentler on the
body and may have fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs.
Preventive Care: Traditional medicine places great importance on
prevention rather than just treatment.
Accessible and Affordable: Traditional medicine often uses locally
available resources, making it more accessible and affordable,
particularly in rural or underserved areas.
Global Interest: Traditional medicine has gained recognition on the global
stage, leading to research and scientific validation of its effectiveness.
Initiatives to Promote Traditional Medicine
Ministry of AYUSH: The Ministry of AYUSH was established in 2014 with a vision of reviving
the profound knowledge of our ancient systems of medicine.
National AYUSH Mission (NAM): Government of India is implementing Centrally Sponsored
Scheme of NAM in the country through State and UTs for promotion and development of
AYUSH systems.
Grant-in-aid is being provided to State Governments for development and promotion of
Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
NAM also supports cultivation of medical plants, production of quality and standardized
ingredient for supply of AYUSH, integration of medicinal plants in farming systems and
increasing export of value-added items of medicinal plants.
AYUSH Gram: 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.
Global partnerships: India has signed MOUs with 23 countries for cooperation in field of
Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy in areas such as research, education, training, and
more.
33 AYUSH Information Cell have been set up in 31 countries to disseminate authentic
information about AYUSH systems.
Major Concerns with the Traditional Systems of Medicine in India
Trust-Deficit: There is a major trust-deficit in the soundness of Ayurvedic theories and the fruitfulness
of its practices. Ayurveda is not the medical system of first choice for many people.
Lack of Scientific Validation: Ayurveda has failed to keep pace with the intellectual and scientific
advances of the times. So, it has diminished evidence-based quality.
Sub Standard Courses: Ayurveda practitioners’ graduation courses are often substandard and the
post-graduate courses offered at most of their institutes are of extremely poor quality.
Lack of Practice: While MBBS graduates and post-graduates from public hospitals have to mandatorily
serve a specified bond period in rural areas, graduates and post-graduates from AYUSH public
hospitals are not subjected to any such restrictions.
Lack of Ecosystem: Ayurveda lacks a vibrant ecosystem of science and research.
Trial and Error Methods: Ayurvedic practitioners have to discover treatments and approaches that
actually work. It involves a lot of trial and error with patients and leads to an erosion of the
practitioner’s reputation.
Lack of Investment: Despite numerous efforts made by individuals and organizations to conduct
research, the lack of investment into Ayurvedic research has been a major setback.
Less Integration with Modern Medicine: Ayurveda can be used safely and efficaciously only in about
60%-70% of primary-care illnesses. For rest, Ayurveda needs to be integrated with modern
medicine.... Read more at: https://www.studyiq.com/articles/traditional-medicine/
WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM):
WHO GCTM was established in Jamnagar, Gujarat. It is the first WHO GCTM in the world.
The center was established to support WHO’s efforts to implement the WHO Traditional
Medicine Strategy 2014-2023.
The government has special AYUSH Visa category for foreign nationals, who want to
come to India to take advantage of AYUSH therapy.
A special AYUSH mark for AYUSH products and network of AYUSH parks has been
undertaken to encourage the promotion, research and manufacturing of AYUSH products
in India.
A new category named ‘AYUSH Aahar’ has been announced which facilitates the
producers of Ayurvedic nutritional supplements.
With the aim of boosting infrastructure and promoting research in traditional medicine,
three National AYUSH Institutes have been established:
All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM),
Ghaziabad and the National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH) have been set up.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is providing technical support for
digitalisation of AYUSH Sector under the AYUSH Grid project.
The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library has been created which contains information
about Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga.
The market for medicinal plants in India stood at Rs. 4.2 billion ($
56.6 million) in 2019 and is expected to increase at a CAGR of 38.5
percent to Rs. 14 billion (US$ 188.6 million) by 2030.
The export value of ayurvedic and herbal products amounted to
about $539 million from India in 2021.
Overall, AYUSH exports have reached $18 billion from $3 billion
before 2014. AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani,
Siddha and Homoeopathy.
About 40,000 MSMEs are active in the AYUSH sector.... Read more
at: https://www.studyiq.com/articles/traditional-medicine/