Introduction

Ayurveda originated in India long back in pre-vedic period. Rigveda and Atharva-veda ( 5000 years B.C.), the earliest documented ancient Indian knowledge have references on health and diseases. Ayurved texts like Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were documented about 1000 years B.C. The term Ayurveda means ‘Science of Life’. It deals elaborately with measures for healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Besides, dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to combat illness. These principles of positive health and therapeutic measures relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual welfare of human beings. Thus Ayurveda becomes one of the oldest systems of health care dealing with both the preventive and curative aspects of life in a most comprehensive way and presents a close similarity to the WHO’s concept of health propounded in the modern era.

A perusal of its several classical treatises indicate presence of two schools of Physicians and Surgeons and eight specialities. These eight disciplines are generally called "Ashtanga Ayurveda" and are :-

• Internal Medicine(Kaya Chikitsa)
• Paediatrics(Kaumar Bhritya)
• Psychiatry( Bhoot Vidya)
• Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology(Shalakya)
• Surgery( Shalya)
• Toxicology( Agad Tantra)
• Geriatrics(Rasayana)
• Eugenics and aphrodisiacs(Vajikarana)

Compendia on these subjects like Charak Samihta, Sushruta Samhita etc. were written by the ancient scholars during B.C. period. These were used for teaching of Ayurveda in the ancient universities of Takshashila and Nalanda.

During its early period, it was perhaps the only system of overall healthcare and medicine which served well the people in such crucial areas as health, sickness, life and death. It enjoyed the unquestioned patronage and support of the people and their rulers. This situation promoted maximally the growth of this system. Practically all the systematic ground work of laying down its basic concepts, principles and medicaments took place during this period of Indian history.

The Medieval Period

Then followed a long period of medieval history marked by unsettled political conditions and several invasions from outside the country when  Ayurveda faced utter neglect. Its growth was stunted, its teaching and training were stopped from being spread and its monopoly in practice or utilization was eroded greatly by the officially supported systems. Ayurveda barely survived because of its native roots and also because the official systems of medicine could not reach everywhere particularly in widely scattered and difficult rural areas.

The Present Era

The political situation of the country was destined to change in favour of freedom from foreign rule. With the awakening of nationalism and movement for freedom the Indian cultural values and way of life (including health care and sickness cure systems) surfaced again. The patriotic  zeal of the people, their leaders and benevolence of the rulers of princely States initiated the revival of Ayurvedic system of medicine even before the country got its freedom. In 1916, the Members of Imperial Legislative Councils pressed the Government to accept this ancient and indigenous system of Ayurveda for developing it on scientific basis and for increasing its usefulness. In 1920, the Indian National Congress demanded Government patronage for Ayurveda and Provincial Governments began to grant assistance. The State and Central Governments appointed several committees to suggest ways and means of rehabilitating this time tested system in the service of the people and promote its further growth following modern scientific parameters and methods. As a result, several States started schools and colleges for training of competent Ayurvedic practitioners with working knowledge of modern medicine.

After, the country became free in 1947, the movement for revival gained additional momentum. The first Health Ministers’ Conference resolved that Ayurveda should be developed and put to use for providing medicare to the people. In due course of time this system got official recognition and became a part of the National Health network of the country. In several ways, the official health policies, national plans and programmes accorded to it the same status as enjoyed by the dominant Allopathic system. At present the system is well set to re-orient itself to modern scientific parameters. Simultaneously, it is well poised for much greater, effective utilization so as to enable the country to reach its goals of Health for all and regulate population growth. In the present situation, Medical Scientists are researching Ayurveda remedies for lifestyle related diseases, degenerative and psychosomatic disorders.

DEFINITION

The classical works on Ayurveda describe it as under :

It is that knowledge of life which deals elaborately and at length with conditions beneficial or otherwise to the humanity, and, to factors conducive to the happiness, or responsible for misery or sorrow besides indicating measures for healthful living for full span of life .

Ayurveda is also considered as ‘Science of life’. This probably makes it the earliest medical science having a positive concept of health to be achieved through a blending of physical, mental, social moral and spiritual welfare.

According to the ancient books of knowledge, health is considered as a prerequisite for achieving the supreme ends of life consisting of righteousness, wealth, artistic values and spiritual freedom. Preventive and curative aspects of diseases are considered as important components of the concept of positive health.

Ayurveda deals elaborately with measures of healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Besides dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to combat illness. These principles of positive health and therapeutic measures related to physical, mental, social and spiritual welfare of human beings. Thus Ayurveda became one of the oldest system of medicine dealing with both the preventive and curative aspects of life in a most comprehensive way.

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Concepts and Principles

Life in Ayurveda is conceived as the union of body, senses, mind and soul. The living man is a conglomeration of three humours (Vata, Pitta &Kapha), seven basic tissues (Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja & Shukra) and the waste products of the body such as faeces, urine and sweat. Thus the total body matrix comprises of the humours, the tissues and the waste products of the body. The growth and decay of this body matrix and its constituents revolve around food which gets processed into humours, tissues and wastes. Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism of food have an interplay in health and disease which are significantly affected by psychological mechanisms as well as by bio- fire(Agni).

According to Ayurveda all objects in the universe including human body are composed of five basic elements (Panchamahabhutas) namely, earth, water, fire, air and vacuum(ether). There is a balanced condensation of these elements in different proportions to suit the needs and requirements of different structures and functions of the body matrix and its parts. The growth and development of the body matrix depends on its nutrition, i.e. on food. The food, in turn, is composed of the above five elements, which replenish or nourish the like elements of the body after the action of bio-fire (Agni). The tissues of the body are the structural whereas humours are physiological entities, derived from different combinations and permutations of Panchamahabhutas.

Health or sickness depends on the presence or absence of a balanced state of the total body matrix including the balance between its different constituents. Both the intrinsic and extrinsic factors can cause disturbance in the natural equilibrium giving rise to disease. This loss of equilibrium can happen by dietary indiscrimination, undesirable habits and non-observance of rules of healthy living. Seasonal abnormalities, improper exercise or erratic application of sense organs and incompatible actions of the body and mind can also result in creating disturbance of the existing normal balance. The treatment consists of restoring the balance of disturbed body-mind matrix through regulating diet, correcting life-routine and behaviour, administration of drugs and resorting to preventive Panchkarma and Rasayana therapy.

In Ayuveda diagnosis is always done of the patient as a whole. The physician takes a careful note of the patient’s internal physiological characteristics and mental disposition. He also studies such other factors as the affected bodily tissues, humours, the site at which the disease is located, patient’s resistance and vitality, his daily routine, dietary habits, the gravity of clinical conditions, condition of digestion and details of personal, social, economic and environmental situation of the patient. The diagnosis also involves the following examinations:

• General physical examination
• Pulse examination
• Urine examination
• Examination of the faeces
• Examination of tongue and eyes
• Examination of skin and ear including tactile and auditory functions.

The basic therapeutic approach is, ‘that alone is the right treatment which makes for health and he alone is the best doctor who frees one from disease’. This sums up the principal objectives of Ayurveda, i.e. maintenance and promotion of health, prevention of disease and cure of sickness.

Treatment of the disease consists in avoiding causative factors responsible for disequilibrium of the body matrix or of any of its constituent parts through the use of Panchkarma procedures, medicines, suitable diet, activity and regimen for restoring the balance and strengthening the body mechanisms to prevent or minimize future occurrence of the disease.

Normally treatment measures involve use of medicines, specific diet and prescribed activity routine. Use of these three measures is done in two ways. In one approach of treatment the three measures antagonize the disease by counteracting the etiological factors and various manifestations of the disease. In the second approach the same three measures of medicine, diet and activity are targeted to exert effects similar to the etiological factors and manifestations of the disease process. These two types of therapeutic approaches are respectively known as Vipreeta and Vipreetarthkari treatments.

For successful administration of a treatment four things are essential. These are

• The physician
• The medicaments
• The nursing personnel
• The patient

The physician comes first in order of importance. He must possess technical skill, scientific knowledge, purity and human understanding. The physician should use his knowledge with humility, wisdom and in the service of humanity. Next in importance comes food and drugs. These are supposed to be of high quality, wide application, grown and prepared following approved procedures and should be available adequately. The third component of every successful treatment is the role of nursing personnel who should have good knowledge of nursing, must know the skills of their art and be affectionate, sympathetic, intelligent, neat & clean and resourceful. The fourth component is the patient himself who should be cooperative and obedient to follow instructions of the physician, able to describe ailments and ready to provide all that may be needed for treatment.

Ayurveda has developed a very vivid analytical description of the stages and events that take place since the causative factors commence to operate till the final manifestation of disease. This gives this system an additional advantage of knowing that possible onset of disease much before the latent symptoms become apparent. This very much enhances the preventive role of this system of medicine by making it possible to take proper and effective steps in advance, to arrest further progress in pathogenesis or to take suitable therapeutic measures to curb the disease in its earliest stage of onset.

The treatment of disease can broadly be classified as

1. Shodhana therapy (Purification Treatment)
2. Shamana therapy (Palliative Treatment)
3. Pathya Vyavastha (Prescription of diet and activity)
4. Nidan Parivarjan (Avoidance of disease causing and aggravating factors)
5. Satvavajaya(Psychotherapy)
6. Rasayana therapy(use of immunomodulators and rejuvenation medicines)

(a) Shodhana treatment aims at removal of the causative factors of somatic and psychosomatic diseases. The process involves internal and external purification. The usual practices involved are Panchkarma (medically induced Emesis, Purgation, Oil Enema, Decoction enema and Nasal administration of medicines), Pre-panchkarma procedures (external and internal oleation and induced sweating). Panchkarma treatment focuses on metabolic management. It provides needed purificatory effect, besides conferring therapeutic benefits. This treatment is especially helpful in neurological disorders, musculo-skeletal disease conditions, certain vascular or neuro-vascular states, respiratory diseases, metabolic and degenerative disorders.

(b) Shamana therapy involves suppression of vitiated humours (doshas). The process by which disturbed humour subsides or returns to normal without creating imbalance of other humours is known as shamana. This treatment is achieved by use of appetisers, digestives, exercise and exposure to sun, fresh air etc. In this form of treatment, palliatives and sedatives are used.

(c) Pathya Vyavastha comprises indications and contraindications in respect of diet, activity, habits and emotional status. This is done with a view to enhance the effects of therapeutic measures and to impede the pathogenetic processes. Emphasis on do’s and don’ts of diet etc is laid with the aim to stimulate Agni and optimize digestion and assimilation of food in order to ensure strength of tissues.

(d) Nidan Parivarjan is to avoid the known disease causing factors in diet and lifestyle of the patient. It also encompasses the idea to refrain from precipitating or aggravating factors of the disease.

(e) Satvavajaya concerns mainly with the area of mental disturbances. This includes restraining the mind from desires for unwholesome objects and cultivation of courage, memory and concentration. The study of psychology and psychiatry have been developed extensively in Ayurveda and have wide range of approaches in the treatment of mental disorders.

(f) Rasayana therapy deals with promotion of strength and vitality. The integrity of body matrix, promotion of memory, intelligence, immunity against the disease, the preservation of youth, luster and complexion and maintenance of optimum strength of the body and senses are some of the positive benefits credited to this treatment. Prevention of premature bear and tear of body tissues and promotion of total health content of an individual are the roles that Rasayana therapy plays.

In Ayurveda, regulation of diet as therapy has great importance. This is because it considers human body as the product of food. An individual’s mental and spiritual development as well as his temperament is influenced by the quality of food consumed by him. Food in human body is transformed first into chyle or Rasa and then successive processes involve its conversion into blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone-marrow, reproductive elements and ojas. Thus, food is basic to all the metabolic transformations and life activities. Lack of nutrients in food or improper transformation of food lead to a variety of disease conditions.

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Development and its Status

In course of time Ayurveda, which started as a magico-religious practice, matured into a fully developed medical science with eight branches which have parallels in the modern western system of medicine. The growth of these eight specialties gave Ayurveda another name of Astanga Ayurveda. In the last 50 years of development in the teaching and training, it has developed into following sixteen specialties .

1. Ayurveda Siddhanta (Fundamental Principals of Ayurveda).

2. Ayurveda Samhita.

3. Rachna Sharira (Anatomy).

4. Kriya Sharira (Physiology).

5. Dravya Guna Vigian (Materia Medica & Pharmacology).

6. Ras-shastra.

7. Bhaishajya Kalpana (Pharmaceuticals).

8. Kaumar Bharitya (Peduatrics).

9. Prasuti Tantra (Obstetrics & Gynaecology).

10.Swasth-Vritla (Social & Preventive Medicine).

11.Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine).

12.Rog Nidan (Pathology).

13.Shalya Tantra (Surgery).

14.Shalkya Tantra (Eye & ENT).

15.Mano-Roga (Psychiatry)

16.Panchkarma.

• Divine origin of Ayurveda from Lord Brahma - Dates back to origin of human race
• Mention of various references on Health, Diseases and Medicinal Plants in Rig-veda and Atharv-veda- 5000 BC
• Origin of Attreya and Dhanwantari School of Ayurveda-1000 BC
• Documentation of Charaka Samhita -600 BC
• Documentation of Sushruta Samhita- 500 BC
• Advent of Muslim Rulers and start of the Decline of Ayurveda –1100-1800 
• Resurrection of Ayurvedic system of Medicine under the rule of Peshwas.-1800 AD
• Classes in Ayurvedic medicine opened in Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta -1827
• Discontinuation of classes in Government Sanskrit College by British-1833
• Dr. Komar Commission (one-man commission) to make investigation in indigenous system of medicine- 1917
• Indian National Congress Convention at Nagpur recommended acceptance of Ayurvedic  system of medicine as India’s National Health Care System-1920
• Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College in Delhi-1921
• Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya established Ayurveda college in B. H.U., Varanasi-1927
• Enforcement of Drugs and Cosmetics Act for Ayurvedic/Siddha/Unani medicines-1940
• Bhora Committee or Health Survey and Development Committee recognised past services of indigenous medicines but failed to recommend for its further development.-1943
• Chopra Committee recommended systems of old and modern systems of medicines to evolve a common system of medicine.-1946
• Pharmaceutical Enquiry Committee headed by Dr. Bhatia, for intensive research in indigenous drugs of Ayurveda.-1953
• Recommendation of Dave Committee for uniform standards of Ayurveda education-1955
• Establishment of Institute of Post-Graduate Training and Research in Gujarat Ayurvedic University, Jamnagar, Gujarat-1956-57
• Udupa Committee set up. It recommended that there is a need for integrated system of medicine and a training course in Siddha and Ayurveda-1958
• Establishment of Post Graduate Institute of Ayurveda at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh-1963-64
• Amendment of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 for Indian systems of medicines/drugs-1964
• Establishment of Central Board of Siddha and Ayurvedic Education-1964-65
• Setting up of an apex Research Body for Indian medicine & Homoeopathy, ‘Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (CCRIMH)’-1969
• Establishment of Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian medicine, Ghaziabad, U.P.-1970
• Constitution of Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) under IMCC Act- 1970 for regulation of education and practice –1971
• Establishment of National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan-1972-73 
• Publication of Part-I of Ayurvedic formulary containing 444 preparations-1976
• Establishment of Central Council of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS)-1978
• Passing of Amended Drugs and Cosmetics Act regulating import/export of Indian Systems of Medicine-1982
• Setting up of Indian Medicine Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd. in Mohan, Almora Distt., Uttaranchal.-1983
• Silver Jubilee function of Jawaharlal Nehru Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants Garden and Harbarium, Pune. Inaugurated by Shri R. Venkataraman, Vice-president of India .-1986
• Second World Conference on Yoga & Ayurveda held at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh-1986 
• Foundation stone of Jawaharlal Nehru Anusandhan Bhawan, Institutional Area, Janakpuri, New Delhi by Hon’ble Vice President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma-1988 
• Establishment of National Academy of Ayurveda (Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth)-1989
• Creation of separate Department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy in Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India-1995
• Introduction of Extra mural Research Programme for accredited organizations with central assistance- 1996
• Implementation of Central Scheme in 33 organizations for development of agro-techniques of important medicinal plants-1997
• Maiden participation of Ayurveda alongwith other systems in India International Trade Fair-1998
• Implementation of Central Scheme in 32 laboratories for developing pharmacopoeial standards of Medicinal Plants/ ISM Formualations-1998
• Establishment of specialty clinic of Ayurveda in Central Govt. Hospital (Safdarjung Hospital) New Delhi-1998
• Implementation of IEC( Information, Education & Communication) Scheme for NGOs for propagation and popularization of Ayurveda & other systems-1998-1999
• Participation in Mystique India ( Exhibition cum fair on Indian Traditions)-1997 to 1999
• Introduction of Vanaspati Van Scheme for large scale cultivation of Medicinal Plants-1999
• Inauguration of Ayurveda conference at Newyork, USA by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee –2000
• Gazette Notification for constitution of Medicinal Plant Board under the Deptt. of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy –2000
• Publication of 2^nd volume of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia- 2000
• Introduction 7 of Ayurvedic Medicines in RCH Programme-2000
• Constitution of Advisory group for research in Ayurveda –2000
• Policy Decision on mainstreaming of Ayurveda in RCH programme as per National Population Policy-2000
• Implementation of Central Scheme of assistance for strengthening of State Drug Testing Laborites and Pharmacies- 2000-2001
• Publication of 3^rd volume of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia- 2001
• Publication of English edition of 2^nd volume of Ayurvedic Formulary of India- 2001
• Maiden participation of ISM tableau on Republic Day- 2001
• Exhibition and presentation of Ayurveda during World Health Assembly, Geneva- 2001
• Presentation on evidence based support by Deptt. of ISM&H before House of Lords, U.K. against Sir Walton Committee’s Report on status and nomenclature of Ayurveda among Complementary and Alternative systems of Medicine – 2001
• Participation of Deptt. in "Made in India" exhibition organized by CII in South Africa-2001

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Globalisation

India has moved forwards in advocating global usefulness of Ayurveda contemporary scenario of health care through global net works. As a result many foreign countries have began looking to India for understanding Ayurveda and incorporating it through education, research and practice to meet the overwhelming desire of consumers to access Complementary & Alternative Medicine. Indian Missions in U.S.A., U.K., Russia, Germany, Hungary, South Africa have played an effective role in channeling the information of Ayurveda and opening up new opportunities for the spread of Indian Medicine in to foreign institutions and the general public awareness building about Ayurveda in the foreign countries has been identified as an important thrust area. During 2001-2002 following efforts were made by the Indian Govt. in the area of globalisation:

1. Experts were deputed to attend symposia & Seminars held in foreign countries to project Indian experiences & initiatives in the field of traditional medicine.
2. A delegation led by Joint Secretary, Department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy and consisting of Ayurveda experts, scientists and industry representatives presented scientific basis of Ayurveda and the extensive research work done before a Sub Committee on Alternative Medicine set up by the House of Lords of the U.K. Parliament resulting in to moving the Ayurvedic single herbal medicines from category-3 to category-1. This presentation led to dispel doubts about the efficacy validity and scientific basis of Ayurveda which was in fact acknowledged by Lord Walton in the UK Parliament.
3. A Seminar cum Exhibition mainly of Ayurveda was arranged in Geneva on the occasion of the World Health Assembly with a view to sensitize the participants of the assembly about the infrastructure, strengths, scientific validity & basis of Ayurveda and efficacious role of Panchkarma in treatment of chronic diseases. The event was well received and succeeded to generate interest for Ayurveda products and literature.
4. Two seminars and a presentation of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy were organised in the ‘Made in India’ show at Johannesburg, South Africa during 18-21 July, 2001. Yoga demonstrations and literatures on the practice of Ayurveda,use of medicinal plants in the treatment of comon ailments, strengths of Homoeopathy in health care and preventive & curative roles of Yoga were arranged during the seminar. Getting convinced with the strength and scientific basis of Ayurveda, South Africa has decided to enact a Regulation which will oversee in import of Traditional medicines particularly Ayurveda & Unani. Indian delegation under the leadership of Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare also visited the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, which is a part of the University of Dehradun where, it has been decided to introduce a course on ayurveda.
5. Yoga experts from National Institute of Yogam, New Delhi participated in a Yoga conference arranged by the Indian Embassy in Dushanbe, Kazakhstan. Lecture cum Demonstration of Yoga were given not only to the general public but also to the staff of Ministry of Defence, teaching faculty & students of Medical University, doctors and staff of the Army Hospital.
6. An Indian team comprising Joint Secretary of the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy and Ayurveda experts from premier institutes participated in a seminar on Indian Systems of Medicine held in Berlin, Germany. Infrastructure related details, policy support, research work of Ayurveda was highlighted through an audio-visual presentation.
7. A five member delegation led by the Secretary of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy visited Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia to assess the development made on the implementation of the MOU signed between India and Russia for undertaking collaborative & co-operative activities in the field of Ayurveda. A series of meetings were held during the visit with Deputy Health Minister of Russian Federation, Academic Council of Doctors of St.Petersburg. Moscow institute of Medico-social Rehabilitation, Russian State Medical University, Academician G,I,Marchuk-Director of the Russian Academy of Sciences and representatives of Russian companies interested in importing Ayurvedic medicines and other products. The main issues discussed were related to deputation of Ayurveda teachers & experts, establishment of Ayurveda Research Center in Russia, import of Ayurveda medicines, translation of Ayurveda books & research papers in Russian language and above all recognition of Ayurveda as a medical and health care system in Russia. All these issues are actively followed up for fruitful implementation of the MOU for propagation of Ayurveda in Russia in right perspective.
8. Secretary of the Department along with Adviser –Ayurveda visited USA in November 2001 to discuss Ayurveda education programme with the officers of the National Center for Alternate & Complementary Medicine, which is under the National Institute of Health, Bethedsa, Washington; for evolving plans to facilitate the introduction of training modules on Ayurveda in US medical schools. A clear strategy for overall development and propagation of Ayurveda in USA has been laid down and capsule courses of Ayurveda will be introduced in US medical schools. It was decided that a team of 15 medical experts would visit India for interaction with Indian experts for exploring possibility of research collaboration in the field of Ayurveda. University of Maryland’s Medical School was found to be very receptive to introducing Ayurveda sessions in the university and to start short term teaching programme for students.
9. An Ayurveda officer from the department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy participated in a W.H.O. Regional meeting on ‘Integration of Traditional Medicine in the National Health Systems’ held in November 2001 at Harare, Zimbabwe.
10. A Memorandum of Understanding is being signed with the Government of Hungary for development of Ayurveda in that country. Hungarian Government has recognized Ayurveda and 40 of its products are being sold there.

In order to prevent grant of patents based on Indian Traditional Knowledge, Government of India has undertaken an ambitious project of creating a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library. This is a joint venture of the Council of Scientific Research and Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha. This project is intended to cover about 35,000 formulations available in 14 classical texts of Ayurveda to convert the information in to patent compatible format. The work has been initiated with a co-operative set up of 30 Ayurveda experts, 5 Information Technology experts and 2 Patent examiners. The digital library will include all details in digital format about international patent classification, traditional research classification, Ayurveda terminology, concepts, definitions, classical formulations, doses, disease conditions and references to documents.

Following thrust areas have been identified for strengthening the base for

sustained propagation of Ayurveda and other Indian Systems of Medicine:

Establishment of specialized treatment facilities of Indian Systems of Medicine like Panchakarma, Ksharsutra therapy etc. as an adjunct to conventional Allopathic treatment for widening the choice of the patients in assessing the health care services.

1. Massive Research and Development efforts for establishing efficacy and safety of drugs of Indian Systems of Medicine has been planned to be launched through intramural and extramural research programmes of the department.
2. Augmenting availability and quality of Raw materials used in Ayurveda , Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy medicines.
3. Strengthening of the Medicinal Plants Board with a view to make it pro-active in helping cultivation of medicinal plants keeping in mind the internal and external demands. It is aimed to give authority and powers to the board under the Act of the Parliament during 10^th Plan period.
4. Strengthening of Pharmacopoeial Laboratories and committees will be done so that pharmacopoeial standards of all the drugs used in Ayurveda, Unani , Siddha and Homeopathy systems of medicine are made available at the earliest possible.
5. Quality control measures will be attempted to have enforced maintenance of quality standards of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy drugs at all levels including GMP requirements.
6. Regulatory mechanism for manufacture, quality control and marketing of Neutraceuticals/Food supplements and corresponding legislation have been identified as important thrust areas to be dealt on priority basis.
7. Encouragement for internal patenting and sensitization will be introduced to manufacturers and researchers dealing in the medicinal uses of plant based drugs.
8. Medical tourism will be propagated by establishing facilities specialized treatment therapies of Ayurveda like Panchakarma & Yoga in tourist hotels and resorts so as to attract domestic and foreign tourists who, particularly travel to various places for seeking treatment facilities of traditional medicine. These therapies mainly play a significant role in providing rejuvenation and psychophysical relaxation. Such centers will be established at tourist places so that tourist may have dual benefit of site seeing and availing health promotive procedures at the same time and same place. The objective is to exploit the popularity of Ayurveda and Yoga for propagating tourism.
9. Development of National Centers of excellence of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy has been thought of to create high-class education and research facilities meeting the requirements of modern era of tremendous medical advancements and for imparting training to medical scholars from foreign countries.
10. Other thrust areas :

1. Collection, cataloguing and preservation of manuscripts relating to Indian Systems of Medicine.
2. Publication of self contained textbooks of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Yoga disciplines containing essence of traditional literature and results of research findings.
3. Implementation of Continuing Medical Education for ISM & H personnel;
4. Human Resource Development Programme;
5. Effective Information, Education & Communication measures for propagation of ISM& H;
6. use of Modern Technology & Bio-technology;
7. Absorption of results of Operational Research Studies & Clinical Trials in the National Health Programme;
8. Revitalization of Household Health Traditions and Folklore Remedies
9. Integration of ISM&H with Conventional Medical facilities.