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Introduction

India is set to introduce the AYUSH mark, which will authenticate the quality of traditional medicine products in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made this announcement while inaugurating the Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, and the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Alongside the Ayush mark, the Prime Minister also revealed other initiatives such as Ayush parks to support the promotion, research, and manufacturing of Ayush products across India. Another addition is a new category called 'Ayush Aahar', which aims to assist producers of herbal nutritional supplements. Furthermore, a special Ayush visa category will soon be introduced for foreign nationals seeking Ayush therapy in India.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, which will become the world's first and only global outpost for traditional medicine, serving as an international hub for global wellness. This centre will contribute to India's vision of One Earth, One Health, highlighting the crucial role of India's traditional medicine system in promoting better health outcomes and economic benefits worldwide.

AYUSH System

• Ayurveda and Yoga originated more than 5000 years ago as ancient Indian sciences. 
• Siddha, a popular ancient medical system in South India, and Unani, a traditional system with roots in ancient Greece, are also part of the AYUSH system. 
• Homoeopathy, developed by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the early 1800s, is another component. 
• These systems have maintained a strong following over the years. 
• Many traditional Indian systems, including Ayurveda, have their origins in folk medicine. 
• Important Ayurvedic treatises, such as the Sarangdhara Samhita and Chikitsasamgraha by Vangasena, the Yagaratbajara, and the Bhavaprakasa of Bhavamisra, have been compiled. 
• Yoga is primarily a spiritual practice, combining art and science to promote a harmonious connection between the body and mind. 
• The Unani system of medicine originated in Greece and later found its way to India during the medieval period, blending traditional knowledge from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Arabia, Iran, China, Syria, and India. 
• It focuses on the use of naturally occurring herbal medicines and some derived from animals, marine life, and minerals. 
• The Musalajati-Darshikohi of Nuruddin Muhammad contains comprehensive material on Greek medicine and includes nearly all of Ayurvedic material medica. 
• Siddha, one of the ancient medical systems in India, has strong connections to Dravidian culture. 
• The term "Siddha" refers to achievements, and Siddhars are considered those who have attained mastery in medicine. 
• 18 Siddhars are believed to have made significant contributions. 
• Sowa Rigpa or Amchi, one of the oldest surviving systems of medicine, is popular in the Himalayan region. 
• It was added to the AYUSH system in 2009 and is practised in regions like Leh and Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Darjeeling. 
• It has shown effectiveness in managing chronic diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and arthritis.

In contemporary times

• In March 1995, the Department of Indian System of Medicine was established, later renamed AYUSH in November 2003, with a focus on the development of these systems. 
• In 2014, a separate ministry under the Union Government of India was created, headed by a Minister of State. 
• The Ministry of AYUSH launched the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) in collaboration with CSIR to prevent the grant of patents on non-original inventions by international patent offices. 
• The National AYUSH Mission includes integrating AYUSH into Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals, upgrading hospitals, and establishing integrated AYUSH hospitals with up to 50 beds.

Contemporary relevance of AYUSH

• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) pose a significant threat to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030. 
• Unlike modern medicine, AYUSH takes a holistic approach, focusing on overall well-being rather than just curing illnesses. 
• This approach is particularly important for NCDs, which become chronic conditions that are challenging to treat. 
• Scientific evidence is increasingly available internationally, highlighting the health benefits of alternative medicine systems, especially Yoga. 
• It has been proven that timely interventions with alternative medicines can lead to disease regression and improved health in pre-diabetic and pre-hypertensive conditions. 
• Yoga is not only effective for prevention and control but also for the treatment of various diseases. Many people worldwide have embraced Yoga for a healthier lifestyle. 
• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of AYUSH recommended self-care guidelines based on Ayurvedic literature and scientific publications to enhance preventive health measures and boost immunity, particularly in relation to respiratory health. 
• Several state governments also provided healthcare advice on traditional medicine solutions to strengthen immunity and resistance against COVID-19.

Way Forward

• It is crucial to gather scientific evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of AYUSH medicines and practices. 
• Efforts should focus on capacity building and the development of competent professionals in the AYUSH sector through quality education and training at national and international levels. 
• True integration of traditional and modern systems is necessary, requiring a strategic approach to facilitate cross-learning and collaboration between the two on equal terms. Substantial groundwork is required to achieve effective integration, including building a strong evidence base for traditional medicine, standardizing and regulating AYUSH practices and qualifications, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each system, and addressing philosophical and conceptual differences. 
• To align with India's ongoing drive for universal healthcare and the immense potential of AYUSH, a medium- and long-term plan for seamless integration should be developed promptly.