In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in India’s healthcare landscape towards embracing traditional systems of medicine alongside conventional treatments. This trend has propelled the growth of AYUSH – an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. The Indian AYUSH industry, which now has a turnover of $18.1 billion, saw a 17% growth between 2014 and 2020. During this period, certain product segments within the industry experienced even more significant growth rates. Plant derivatives led with a 21% increase, followed by nutraceuticals at 20.5%, pharmaceuticals at 15.8%, plant extracts at 14.7%, and herbal plants at 14.3%. All this increase was despite the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic in 2020. As of November 2021, India has 565,000 registered AYUSH doctors contributing into this field of medicine.
AYUSH systems, deeply rooted in ancient Indian traditions, offer holistic approaches to health and wellness. This blog explores the rising prominence of AYUSH in India, its key components, benefits, challenges, and its potential impact on the country’s healthcare sector.
Understanding AYUSH: An Overview!
AYUSH represents a diverse range of traditional medicinal practices that have been practised for centuries in India. Each component of AYUSH offers unique approaches to healing:
- Ayurveda: Based on the principles of balance and harmony, Ayurveda utilises herbal remedies, dietary guidelines, and lifestyle practices to promote overall well-being.
- Yoga and Naturopathy: Yoga, an ancient practice originating in India, focuses on physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation for mental and physical health. Naturopathy emphasises the body’s inherent ability to heal itself through natural remedies, diet, and lifestyle modifications.
- Unani: Influenced by ancient Greek and Persian medicine, Unani emphasises the use of herbal medicines, dietary interventions, and lifestyle adjustments to restore health and balance in the body.
- Siddha: Originating in Tamil Nadu, Siddha medicine utilises herbs, minerals, and meditation techniques to treat various ailments and promote longevity.
- Homoeopathy: The term “Homoeopathy” originates from the Greek words “hómoios” (similar) and “páthos” (suffering). Coined by Samuel Hahnemann in the 18th century, it is based on the principle that cures like using highly diluted substances to treat symptoms. Based on the principle of “like cures like,” homoeopathy uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
The Rising Popularity of AYUSH in India
Several factors have contributed to the growing popularity of AYUSH in India:
-
Cultural Heritage:
AYUSH systems have deep roots in Indian culture and heritage, making them an integral part of the country’s identity and tradition.
-
Holistic Approach:
AYUSH emphasises holistic health and wellness, addressing not only physical symptoms but also mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
-
Increasing Health Awareness:
With rising health consciousness among the Indian population, there is a growing interest in alternative and complementary forms of medicine that offer natural and non-invasive treatments.
-
Establishment of The Ministry of AYUSH:
With the formation of the Ministry of AYUSH on 9th November 2014 the Term AAyush started gaining momentum not just in India but globally.
-
Global Reach:
AS per a recent survey by the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the global population trust & use traditional medicine for primary healthcare. 110 countries utilize herbal medicine, 90 use Ayurveda, 100 use Homeopathy, and over 82 use the Unani system. Interest in Ayush Systems is resurging due to the unique health challenges of the 21st century
-
Government Support:
The Indian government has been actively promoting AYUSH through various initiatives, including setting up AYUSH hospitals, research centres, and educational institutions, as well as integrating AYUSH into public healthcare programs.
-
Strengthening AYUSH institutions:
The Indian government is enhancing AYUSH institutions for education, drug development, and research to achieve excellence.
-
CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB):
Conducting Ayurgenomics research linking Ayurveda Prakriti with genome sequencing for personalized medicine.
-
Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research (CIMR) at AIIMS:
Focusing on advanced research in Ayurveda and Yoga, with significant findings like Yoga as an adjunctive therapy for migraines and vasovagal syncope.
-
Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi:
Studying the effects of Virechana on gut microbiota.
-
Ayurtech at IIT Jodhpur:
Developing AI-driven frameworks for population and individual risk assessment and early health interventions.
-
NIMHANS, Bengaluru:
Using Yoga and Ayurveda for integrative treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Benefits of AYUSH Practices
The adoption of AYUSH practices offers several benefits for individuals and the healthcare system as a whole:
-
Promotion of Wellness:
The AYUSH industry in India, which includes a variety of products such as formulations, extracts, derivatives, nutraceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods, has been rapidly growing.
-
Accessibility and Affordability:
Many AYUSH treatments are cost-effective and readily accessible, especially in rural and underserved areas where conventional healthcare facilities may be limited.
-
Minimal Side Effects:
AYUSH therapies often have fewer side effects compared to conventional treatments, making them suitable for individuals seeking gentler alternatives.
-
Integration with Modern Medicine:
AYUSH can complement conventional medical treatments, offering additional options for patients and promoting a more comprehensive approach to healthcare.
- Inclusion of AYUSH in Health Insurance: IRDAI has mandated the inclusion of AYUSH treatments in health insurance coverage starting from April 1, 2024. Insurance companies are required to develop board-approved policies for AYUSH coverage, ensuring these treatments are on par with conventional medical treatments. This move aims to provide policyholders with the option to choose their preferred treatment and to include AYUSH hospitals in their network for cashless facilities.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite its growing popularity, AYUSH still faces several challenges:
Ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of AYUSH products and practices remains a challenge, necessitating robust regulatory frameworks and quality control measures. Greater awareness and acceptance of AYUSH among healthcare professionals and the general public are needed to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding traditional medicine.
Furthermore, there is a call for more research and scientific evidence to validate the effectiveness of AYUSH treatments and integrate them into mainstream healthcare practices. Achieving seamless integration between AYUSH and conventional medicine requires collaboration, coordination, and mutual respect between practitioners of both systems.
AYUSH practitioners, like all healthcare professionals, require professional indemnity (PI) coverage to mitigate risks associated with potential liabilities arising from their practice. Despite the holistic and natural approach of AYUSH disciplines, errors in diagnosis, treatment, or patient management can occur, leading to legal claims. Maintaining PI coverage is essential for safeguarding against such liabilities and upholding ethical practice standards.
Moreover, in an era where healthcare accountability and patient empowerment are paramount, AYUSH practitioners face challenges that could harm their reputation and profession. These challenges include misinterpretation of traditional practices, patient dissatisfaction due to varied treatment outcomes, regulatory scrutiny concerning the integration of alternative medicine, and the potential for legal actions stemming from perceived malpractice.
Coveryou’s tailored PI insurance not only supports their professional growth but also aids in effective risk management, ensuring they can focus on delivering quality care without undue concern about legal consequences.
Sources :
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1809812
https://ayush.gov.in/images/annualReport/DecadeAyushReport.pdf
