Ayurveda is trusted by millions of people across the country as it is deeply integrated into our diet and daily routines. People have used Ayurveda through food and medicine and it has stood the test of time. A large part of the population has even less trust in modern medicine.
Knowledge and awareness about alternative medicine has existed in India and other countries for many years.
Since ancient times, Indian society has relied on traditional medical methods practiced locally. The introduction of allopathic medicines during the British era and the disdain of the British rulers for traditional Indian medicine were responsible for the considerable decline of traditional Indian medicine. The expansion of traditional medicine is also hampered by the lack of research infrastructure and ease of use. Higher funding and resources for research, development, and marketing have promoted the growth of allopathic medicine. Yet nearly 70% of India’s rural population still relies on traditional medicine for basic health care.
Alternative medicine in India
The AYUSH and alternative medicine sector in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period 2022-2027.
Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homeopathy constitute the Indian system of alternative medicine (AYUSH). India is considered the center of alternative medicine, including Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha and homeopathy, due to its wealth of ancient scientific knowledge. The Indian market is now witnessing an increase in demand for AYUSH and alternative medicines due to growing public awareness about the usefulness and effectiveness of traditional medical systems, as well as increased government support for these systems and of the expansion of R&D.
India is currently one of the leading exporters of alternative medicines in the world. India is positioned to become a global leader and is expected to witness an exceptional growth of 50% in the next five years thanks to a strong foundation in ancient Ayurveda and massive use of Ayurvedic medicines.
The United States and European countries like Germany and France are the main export destinations. With increasing scientific research and validation by the AYUSH Ministry, the sector can become a leader in global medicine. By developing critical infrastructure and regulatory framework, the Indian government is constantly promoting the sector.
A sudden increase in the use of alternative medicines has been reported in the context of Covid-19
A dramatic increase in the use of, or shift towards, alternative medicines has been observed in the context of Covid-19 due to several factors.
At the beginning of the pandemic, fear gripped most countries due to the unknown factor. The lockdown was an acknowledgment that treatment for Covid 19 was not available. The lockdown further worsened logistics and impacted medical supplies and aid to most countries. India has still managed to power distribution systems to reach people far beyond, in different regions. .
Since a treatment was not available, medical advice and professionals were experimenting with the best available options. Many have used available medications to treat their symptoms and tried different combinations. This, coupled with fear of the unknown, has led to panic buying and hoarding of medications, even for symptoms…. This leads to further shortages and increased purchasing costs. Additionally, treatment protocols were constantly changing, which motivated many people to use herbal alternatives and Ayurveda. The various impacts of Covid and its long-term effects have also made people adopt the traditional approach due to its immunity-boosting effects and absence of side effects. In this desperate Covid context, the market for alternative medicines, like Ayurveda, has grown due to the growing demand for various Ayurvedic products for boosting immunity. According to an August 2020 report, since March, the demand for honey, chyawanprash and turmeric in Ayurvedic stores has increased by 45%, 85% and 40% respectively. Suggestions from the Ministry of AYUSH to combat Covid-19 have been the main driver of interest in these articles.
An old saying goes… “Necessity is the mother of invention.” » Some Ayurvedic brands with a scientific vocation have even produced innovative and scientific solutions to treat Covid-19 and its various symptoms; some have even found a way to the WHO COVID resource database, which is a testament of sorts to the effectiveness of the science of Ayurveda.
To conclude
The incidence of diseases is higher in the 21st century due to pollution, stress, poor lifestyles and inappropriate deaths. On this front, the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 was designed and released in 2013, emphasizing the integration of traditional and complementary medicine to advance universal health care and ensure quality , safety and effectiveness of these treatments.
To ensure that everyone has access to basic healthcare, the world is looking for traditional medical systems that are affordable, easily accessible and more physiologically compatible.
In light of the above, alternative protocols such as our usual herbs and kitchen condiments, based on traditional knowledge, and science-based oil serums (Ayurvedic Nanocellopathy), are being explored.
Let us also not forget that modern medicine was created much later than man. The best system for healing the body was nature. It’s just that, due to lack of research or scientific validation, traditional sciences have turned into alternatives. As we have seen with Covid-19, scientific research is urgently needed to build people’s confidence in alternative medicine. A brilliant example of a scientifically validated alternative protocol is the inclusion of 2 poly-herbal compounds that are part of the WHO Covid research database. More research of this type will allow humanity to return to the use of Ayurveda with confidence (and not through force of habit or lack of resources or access to allopathy) in its therapeutic capacity. This is the way forward to develop this sector which is safe, efficient and easily accessible and which can be integrated into everyone’s lifestyle.
I am not claiming that one system is superior to another. None can be. However, when people are distressed, they look for different solutions. Now is the time to respect different approaches and rely on different systems to create a health system that allows people to make informed choices and ensures a level playing field.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed above are those of the author.
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