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Traditional Indian Medicine, Part I About Traditional Indian Medicine

Shi Yu, Zhang Chao, Li Xiaodong

PII: S2095-7548(20)30059-4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcms.2020.06.007
Reference: JTCMS 280

To appear in: Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences

Please cite this article as: Yu S, Chao Z, Xiaodong L, Traditional Indian Medicine, Part I About
Traditional Indian Medicine Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1016/
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 Traditional Indian Medicine

Part I About Traditional Indian Medicine

1. What is traditional Indian medicine

Traditional Indian medicine is one of the oldest medical sciences in the world,
including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, etc., AYUSH for short.
Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine are the representative of the application of the
drug in AYUSH[6]. AYUSH emphasizes holistic medicine, which takes the body, mind

of
and spirit as a whole. Human beings achieve physical, mental and emotional health

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through harmonious coexistence with nature [1].

2.
-p
Cognition of the human body in traditional Indian medicine
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The basic theories of Indian medicine are five elements theory and three
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humoralisms theory. The five elements theory is a natural philosophy in Vedic culture,
which is used in medicine to explain human physiology. The five elements theory
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holds that everything in the world is composed of five basic elements: Prithvi(earth),
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Jala(water), Agni(fire), Vayu(air), and Akasha(ether), which supplement the

corresponding elements in the human body after being ingested into the human body.
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According to the three humoralisms theory, there are three kinds of humoralisms
(Tridosha) - gas (Vata), bile (Pitta) and mucus (Kapha), the balance of the three
humoralisms determines the health and disease status of the human body, the disease
is caused by internal and external factors leading to the imbalance of the three
humoralisms, while the treatment is to restore the balance of the three humoralisms by
[2,3]
means of medicine and diet therapy . [FIG.1]After that, seven kinds of
tissues(Saptadhatus) (Rakta, Mamsa, Asthi, Shukra, Meda, Majja and Rasa) were
added, all of which were thought to be from food. Others incorporated malas: purisha,
mutra and Sweda. In this way, a relatively complete theoretical system has been
formed, that is,the disorder of humoralism, body composition and excreta is the
source of disease [4].
 As an organism, the tissues of human body are formed by the combination and
transformation of these five basic elements. Whether you are healthy or sick depends
on whether the whole body system is in balance, including whether all parts of the
body are in balance with each other. Both internal and external factors can disrupt the
balance of nature and lead to disease. Imbalances can be caused by overeating, bad
habits and ignoring healthy life rules. At the same time, abnormal seasons, incorrect
exercise, improper use of sensory organs and adverse effects of body and mind will
also disrupt the existing normal balance. The basic treatment methods can be summed
up as “body cleansing” and “heart cleansing”. By adjusting diet, the body and mind

of
system can be restored to balance, the bad habits and behaviors can be corrected, or

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the disorder of the body can be regulated by drugs.

3. AYUSH's diagnosis method

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AYUSH points out that the diseases can be divided into two categories: suitable
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medical treatment and surgical treatment, and the diseases causing mental and
physical “pain” can be attributed to three reasons. Diagnosis and treatment tend to be
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human characteristics rather than disease itself. The age of the patient, the living
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environment, the social and cultural background and the constitution of the patient
should be considered before the doctor makes the diagnosis. The diagnosis means
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mainly observing the symptoms and signs of the disease, and the specific method is to
touch, feel the pulse, tongue coating, skin color, ask and observe the eyes, face and
urine. The diagnosis and treatment methods are mainly to strengthen the
detoxification, medicine, diet, exercise and health preservation of the body function,
eliminate the factors that cause the imbalance of the body system and its components,
restore the balance, strengthen the physique, prevent or reduce the occurrence of the
disease [5].

4. Treatment of AYUSH

4.1. Drug therapy

The drugs used are mainly herbs, including animals, minerals and marine drugs.
In clinical practice, the drugs used are single or compound. Utilizing the properties of
Villeje, Vipaja, and Kinna (that is, physical properties, chemical composition, and
physiological flow) of drugs,it stimulates the functions of specialized organs, exerts
the natural activity of medicinal plants, and stimulates the natural healing power of
humans. In addition, Indian herbal therapy has a very old history. This 5,000-year old
therapy mainly uses the oil extracted from herbs to remove toxins from the body for
patients and restore the body to a natural balance.

Acupuncture massage

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Chakra is an Indian acupuncture method, which divides the human body into

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seven energy centers from the perineum to the head along the median line. It is
believed that these energy centers are corresponding to some important acupuncture
-p
points. Acupoints are selected in seven energy center areas for acupuncture, so as to
re
activate Chakra, stimulate its energy flow and achieve the treatment purpose. In
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Chakra acupuncture, the most commonly used acupoints are Baihui, Sishencong,
Danzhong, Shendao, etc. located in the center of the head. After acupuncture at the
na

selected acupoints, the patients are required to consciously observe the relevant
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Cnakrna area and think that the patient's mind is very important for the treatment
effect [5]. At the same time, Indian doctors believe that if the flow of energy in human
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meridians is blocked and obstructed, there will be health problems. Finger massage of
the corresponding parts of the hand and plantar can help and adjust the energy in the
meridians, make them flow normally, and remove the blockages and obstacles of the
flow channels.

4.2. Psychotherapy

Ayurveda medicine can calm people's mind and divide the mental energy of
human body into three kinds,namely satwa, rajas and tamas. The harmony of these
three kinds of energy can keep people away from interference and disease, activate
people's perception and make people happy to seek peace[5]. Indian doctors believe
that human health, first of all, is the health of the mind, which directly affects the body.
For example, music can make people's soul enter into the void, understand
“Tao”,which can restore and improve the human bodyin emotion, psychology and
physiology, music meditation can also bring clear thinking, healthy body and
harmonious interpersonal relationship.

4.3. Yoga

Yoga improves the function of various organs or systems of the human body
through the power of thinking and ideas,as well as the created functions, so as to
prolong life and prevent aging and disease. Yoga plus exercise can make healthy

of
people feel happy, reverse the pathological and biochemical changes caused by

ro
metabolic syndrome, such as hypertension, obesity and hyperglycemia. People who
practice yoga often feel significantly less anxiety, stress and depression than
-p
others,which may be related to their relaxed and relaxed state of mind, it may also be
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related to the increase of antioxidants in the blood and the decrease of pressure
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hormone cortisol content after practice.

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4.4. Surgical techniques

There are eight kinds of surgical methods involved in the classic Indian Sushruta
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Samhita: resection, incision,stab, puncture, extraction, puncture and collaterals,

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suturing and bandaging.

5. Composition and characteristics of AYUSH

5.1. Ayurveda medicine

Ayurveda dates back to 5000 B.C. and is a major component of AYUSH. It is

known for the oldest documented comprehensive medical system in the world.
Ayurveda includes 8 specialties including internal medicine(Kayacikitsa), surgery
(Salya Tantra), otolaryngology (Salakya),gynecology and pediatrics(Kaumarabhrtya),
psychiatry (Bhutavidya), toxicology (Agada Tantra),Gerontology (Rasayana Tantra),
eugenics and expediting (Vajikarana) [6], and the treatment methods include Shamana,
Shodhana, surgical therapy and diet therapy. The main feature of Ayurveda is holistic
therapy, focusing on the close relationship between the body and the mind,
emphasizing that it is more important to keep the balance of all parts of the body than
to eliminate external pathogenic factors, using processed natural drugs instead of
extracted substances or synthetic chemicals medicine, emphasizing the prevention and
treatment of diseases by relying on diet. Ayurveda believes that “the habits of
medicine and food are different, but the principles remain the same” and “the
emphasis on eating healthy food”. Therefore, some researchers believe that the value
of Ayurveda lies in that “as one of the great meta Sciences, Ayurveda is not only
useful to clinicians and experts, and housewives to draw valuable insights.”

of
Ayurveda used the “Pancha karma” method in its treatment. “Pancha karma”

ro
therapy is applied to various processes of body regeneration, purification and life
-p
extension. Pancha karma consists of five karmas (actions), which are used to remove
re
toxins from body tissues. They are Virecgan (purified by using powder, paste or
lP

decoction), Vaman (by using certain drugs to force the treatment of vomiting), Basti
(using an enema made of medicinal oil), Rakta moksha (blood detoxification) and
na

Nasa (by nasal administration, such as decocting, oil and smoke)[6].

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5.2. Unani medicine

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Unani medicine originated fromGreece. Through the efforts of Arab doctors

Rhazes (850-925 A.D.) and Avicenna (980-1037 A.D.), it developed and flourished on
the basis of absorbing traditional medicine from Egypt, Syria, Iraq, India, China,
Persian Gulf and other countries. Unani Medicine believes that there are four kinds of
humoralisms: blood, sputum, yellow bile and black bile. Disease is the imbalance of
humoralism balance, and one or several parts of the body cannot exclude waste. In the
treatment of Unani medicine, it is emphasized to give full play to the self-healing
ability of the human body, help the human body to enhance the ability to overcome
the maladjusted state of the body, and recommend vaccination and immunization to
prevent diseases. The drugs used in Unani medicine are plant-based preparations such
as oils, tinctures, powders and ointments.
5.3. Siddha medicine

Siddha, one of the oldest medical systems in India, was developed in the southern
state of Tamil Nadu ,southern India. Siddha medical system is very similar to
Ayurveda medical system. The basis of treatment is the theory of three elements and
three humoralisms. Siddha system believes that the physical, moral and physical
health of individuals is controlled by 96 factors. These 96 factors include perception,
speech, pulse diagnosis and so on. Perception is a common determinant in the
treatment of psychosomatic diseases, mainly relying on minerals, metals and a small
amount of plant products [6]. Siddha medicine also created a set of longevity theory

of
called “kayakalpa”. It is very similar to the geriatric medicine in modern medicine. It

ro
also uses gold and mercury to refine medicine to pray for youth. The Siddha system
-p
uses a variety of plant and mineral powder preparations, which are prepared by
re
various methods including calcination.
lP

5.4.Homeopathy
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Homeopathy was proposed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German doctor, in the

17th and mid-18th century based on the law of “immunological memory” and
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“memory of water” and the similarity of diseases and drugs in pharmacology. It uses
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drugs that produce symptoms similar to the disease, first to produce or aggravate the
symptoms of the disease, and then to treat them. After a century of practice,
Homeopathy has become an important part of AYUSH and has been endorsed by the
Government of India. There are various institutions, research centers and regulatory
agencies to help spread the system. In Homeopathy, mother tinctures or water extracts
of drugs (plant, animal, venom and mineral) are diluted and supplemented according
to pharmacopoeia method (specific mixing or shaking method) to prepare extremely
low-potential formulations[4].

5.5. Yoga medical system

Yoga is as old as Ayurveda, which emphasizes maintaining and restoring human

health to prevent disease. Yoga is quite popular in India. Through the treatment and
diagnosis of the patients' pulse, analyze the patient's Tridosha status, and it was
proposed to achieve peace and improve health through meditation practice and
lifestyle management. Yoga's postures are used in a variety of clinical and nonclinical
conditions to treat various physical and emotional abnormalities [4].

6. Clinical treatment advantages of AYUSH

6.1. Ayurveda medicine

Rasayana method(rejuvenated method) in Ayurveda medicine can protect and

promote health by promoting longevity and preventing or delaying the aging process,

of
while panchakama (purification therapy) can completely purify the body's diseases by

ro
removing the body's toxins and wastes. Some compounds in Ayurveda medicine are
-p
very effective for various common diseases, such as common cold, fever, excessive
re
gastric acid, ulcer, cough, gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, amebic dysentery, liver
diseases, uterine bleeding, urinary tract infection, arthritis, gout, bronchial asthma, eye
lP

diseases and so on; At the same time, it also shows good effects in the treatment of
na

some chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, angina,

myocardial infarction, congenital heart disease, etc.), cancer, dengue fever,
ur

inflammatory diseases, kidney diseases, etc. Some studies have shown that Ayurveda
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drugs can also help to deal with some emergencies, such as severe diarrhea and
vomiting, typhoid fever, delirium, burns, poisoning, threatened abortion, miscarriage
and so on [6].

6.2. Unani medicine

Unani medicine is used to treat hepatitis, gastroenteritis, metritis, fever,

cardiovascular disease, palpitation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disease,
fever, insomnia, schizophrenia, epilepsy, gonorrhea, urinary tract infection, kidney
stones, headache, dizziness, cold, migraine, hernia pain, arthritis, syphilis, paralysis,
diabetes insipidus, bed wetting, anxiety, typhoid, measles, pestis Variolosa, premature
ejaculation, etc.

6.3. Siddha medicine

 Siddha medicine is used to treat different diseases, such as skin problems
(psoriasis), sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infection, hepatobiliary and
gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, general weakness, postpartum anemia, diarrhea,
rheumatic diseases, prostate enlargement, peptic ulcer, venereal disease, common
fever, allergic diseases, etc. [6].

Part II History of Traditional Indian Medicine

As early as around 2500 B.C., there was an early civilization in the Indus River
Basin, i.e. Halaba culture, with characters, cities, more developed handicrafts such as

of
textile, pottery, metal processing, etc. During the Vedic era (about 14th century B.C.

ro
to 600 B.C.), the Aryans who dominated India created Vedic culture with Brahmanism
-p
as the core, and also opened the source of ancient Indian philosophy and natural
re
philosophy. There are four major collections of documents describing various kinds of
knowledge, thoughts and legends in the Vedic era, i.e. Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda
lP

and Atharvaveda. Among them, Atharvaveda (appeared around 2000 B.C.) already
na

contains many medical contents, including human structure, physiology, embryo,

disease, medicine and treatment And so on. However, the medicine in this period is
ur

not based on the basic theory of naturalism, but a kind of witch doctor [5].
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In about 1500 B.C., Ayurveda medicine, as one of the four Upaveda (supplement
and deduction of Vedas), was divided into two schools:Atiyah-Inner Medicine School
and Dhanvantari-Surgery School,which were written in the first half of the 1st century
B.C.,scholars in these two categories wrote two major books on Ayurveda
medicine—Caraka samhita and Susruta samhita. Around 500 A.D., the third
important Ayurveda medical work, Astanga hridaya samhita, was published, which
integrated the views of two medical schools of Ayurveda. From 500 AD to 1900AD, a
total of 16 important drug monographs were published as supplements to Ayurveda's
medical classics one by one.

There is evidence that Ayurveda medicine has enriched almost all medical
systems in the world. Through the sea trade with India, Egyptians learned Ayurveda
medicine; the invasion of Alexander brought the Greeks and Romans into contact with
Ayurveda medicine. Traditional Unani medicine is formed in such communication. In
the early part of the first millennium, with the spread of Buddhism to the East,
Ayurveda medicine spread to the East, and had a great influence on Tibetan medicine
and traditional Chinese medicine.

Part III Development of Traditional Indian Medicine

1. Management system

of
In accordance with the corresponding Parliamentary Act,following the
establishment of the Central Society of Indian Medicine in 1970 and the establishment

ro
of the Central Society of Indian Homeopathy in 1973, the Central Society of Indian
-p
Homeopathy was responsible for setting the minimum standards of education, clinical
re
and professional ethics in the corresponding industries. In 1995, the Government of
lP

India established the Indian Medical and HomeopathyBureau under the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare of India. Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Naturopathy
na

have their respective departments for management. The highest research institutions
of traditional medicine are Ayurveda Central Council, Siddh Central Council, Unani
ur

Research Central Council, Yoga and Naturopathy Central Council. The Indian
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Pharmacopoeia Committee and IndianLaboratory Committee carry out the

standardization and modernization of AYUSH, and specially organize the preparation
and printing of traditional Pharmacopoeia and other publications, such as
theTraditional Indian Pharmacopoeia and the Production of ISM Drugs with Current
Good Production Practices.

2. Policy

AYUSH focuses on the management, education, regulation, development and

growth of Indian pharmaceutical systems (ISM) in India and abroad. There are few
subordinate institutions of the Ministry. There are several autonomous institutions in
the form of research committee, professional committee, pharmacopoeia laboratory,
national research Institute, academy of sciences and hospital. In 2002, the state
introduced policies on the Indian medical system and homosexual diseases.The main
[6]
objectives of this policy are: (1) to use AYUSH to promote good health, and to
promote health care to the local people (mainly those who cannot afford or have
access to modern medical facilities) by means of prevention, promotion, mitigation
and treatment; (2) to provide affordable, safe and effective AYUSH services and
medicines; (3) to ensure that the supply and authentic products of APIs meet the
Pharmacopoeia Standard requirements to help improve the quality of drugs for
domestic and / or export;(4) integrate AYUSH into the medical service system and
national planning, and ensure the maximum possible use of the huge infrastructure of

of
hospitals, pharmacies and doctors; (5) provide full opportunities for the expansion and

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development of ISM, utilize their potential, strength and revive their glory.

3. Education
-p
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The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) was established by the Central
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Council of Indian Medicine Act of 1970 and is mainly responsible for managing the
education and practice of ISM. Over the past two decades, the AYUSH College/
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Teaching Authority has experienced significant growth. In 2013, there were more than
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500 graduate schools of AYUSH University in India, with an enrollment capacity of

more than 25,000. Ayurveda has 261 graduate schools, while Siddha, Unani,
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Homeopathy and Naturopathy have 9, 41, 188 and 17 graduate schools respectively.
In 2013, there were more than 125 graduate schools in India(Ayurveda 76, Unani 8,
Siddha 3, Homeopathy 40) and more than 2700 schools had enrolment qualification.
The National Ayurveda Institute of India (Jaipur), National Naturopathy Research
Institute (Poona), Ayurveda Graduate Institute of Teaching and Research (Jamnagar),
National Unani Medical Research Institute (Bangalore) and National Siddha Medical
Research Institute (Chennai) are the top institutions of AYUSH education.

4. Medical treatment

The population of India is about 1.2 billion, of which more than 70% live in rural
areas.Although the government has established a multi-level network of health
institutions in states, counties, districts, and villages, it is estimated that the services
provided by the national health system can only cover up to 30% of the total
population, and the rest rely on local Ayurveda medicine. It was in 1970 that India
changed its pre independence policy and recognized Ayurveda and other medical
systems to promote the development of national health. Since then, a large number of
Ayurveda hospitals and clinics have been established throughout the country, most of
which are funded and managed by the Indian and state governments.In India, western
medicine and traditional medicine are two completely independent systems. In
modern general hospitals, there are few traditional medical departments. Traditional

of
medical hospitals generally do not use western medicine, and doctors in traditional

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hospitals cannot prescribe western medicine, which better preserves the localization
and independence of Indian medicine [3] -p
. According to statistics, there are more than
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3,100 AYUSH hospitals and 57,056 beds in India, of which the Ayurveda hospital has
the largest number (2,408), Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy, Homeopathy and yoga have
lP

255, 267, 29, 201 and 7, respectively; there are more than 26,000 AYUSH pharmacies
na

serving the whole country, and the number of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, yoga,
Naturopathy and Homeopathy pharmacies are 15,927 1,483, 830, 140, 120, 7,585;
ur

there are about 686,319 AYUSH registered employees (up to 387,976 employees
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registered under the Ayurveda system), and the number is increasing [6].

5. Drugs

In India, about 70% of modern drugs are found in natural resources, and many
other synthetic analogues have been prepared from prototype compounds isolated
from plants. It is reported that more than 60% of anticancer drugs on the market or in
clinical trials are based on herbs. Currently, about 80% of antibacterial,
immunosuppressive, cardiovascular and anticancer drugs come from plants. More
than 70% of 177 approved anticancer drugs are based on natural products or
imitations. About 25% of the world’s prescription drugs come from plant sources, and
there are nearly 121 such drugs in use. In AYUSH medicine, a large number of herbs
are used. It is estimated that Ayurveda medicine uses about 1,200-1,800 kinds of
plants, Siddha medicine includes 500-900 kinds of plants, Unani uses 400-700 kinds
of medicinal plants, Amchi medicine uses nearly 300 kinds of plants, and Indian folk
therapists use more than 7,500 kinds of medicinal plants in different medicines [6].

6. Scientific research

Based on the priority areas of national development and the advantages of

Ayurveda medicine, the AYUSH department has set the following key research areas:
respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, geriatric medicine and immunotherapy,
metabolic diseases, liver diseases, malaria, etc. At present, AYUSH research is carried

of
out from multiple perspectives, including basic research, literature research, drug

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research, and clinical research. For clinical research, the Indian government
emphasizes the focus on researching traditional medical theories and requires
-p
researchers to understand both AYUSH and Western medicine. There are currently
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more than 400 research institutions engaged in traditional medicine in India, including
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the Indian Ayurveda Scientific Research Center, the Siddha Scientific Research Center,
the Unani Scientific Research Center, the Yoga Research Center, Central Drug
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Research Institute (CDRI) and several private research centers, institutions and
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universities actively engaged in the research, development and promotion of

traditional Chinese herbal medicines. From basic research to preclinical or clinical
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research, from standardized research to ISM development is the current research

hotspot. At the same time, the Indian government also supports different research and
development plans related to medicinal plant research. Over the years, the budget
allocation of Ayush Province has gradually increased. During the 12th Five-Year Plan
(2012-2017) of india, AYUSH’s total allocation was Indian Rupee 10.44 billion,
which is 235% more than the actual expenditure during the 11th Five-Year Plan [6].

7. Industry

In the process of R & D, production and marketing, India’s large-scale traditional

pharmaceutical manufacturers have always been in line with the international thinking,
and attached great importance to guiding enterprises to explore the international
market. While going to the world, the Indian government is gradually investing more
human and material resources to protect its intellectual property rights of traditional
medicine from being infringed, which will also promote the development of
traditional medicine industry in India. There are 74 FDA approved drug production
bases in India, and India has become the country with the largest number of FDA
approved drug production bases outside the United States. At present, there are mainly
two kinds of drugs produced and sold in the market: traditional preparations of special
production and combination of patent and monopoly drugs, which are consistent with
those described in the specific official books of Ayurveda. India has become the

of
largest exporter of medicinal plants, plant drugs and value-added products (e.g.

ro
essential oils, gum, etc.) in the world. There are nearly 9,000 traditional
-p
pharmaceutical manufacturers in India. Although most of them (7,744) participated in
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the production of Ayurveda drugs, 485, 344 and 323 production units participated in
the production of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathic drugs, respectively. It is estimated
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that 2,000 tons of medicinal plant raw materials are needed every year, of which more
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than 1,500 kinds of herbs are also sold as dietary supplements or traditional ethnic
medicines; nearly 960 kinds of medicinal plants are in trade, of which 178 kinds
ur

consume more than 100 tons every year. The export value of Indian medicinal plants
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and related products is about USD 110 billion, and the market of health products is
about USD 1 billion , and it is still growing [6,7].

8. Intellectual property protection

India has 8% of the world’s plant resources, of which at least 44% can be
developed into drugs. However, due to the lack of technical means, attention and
awareness of safeguarding rights, many traditional drug patents have been plagiarized.
In view of the universality and seriousness of this situation, the Indian government
has gradually begun to attach importance to it, and has carried out a series of practices
to protect and rationally develop traditional medical knowledge: such as the new
revision of the patent law, the collection and filing of traditional medicine knowledge,
the establishment of a registration and invention patent system, the establishment of a
special investment foundation, etc. Through these means, Indian traditional medicine
patents have been well protected [3].

9. Pharmacovigilance system

With the gradual improvement of the recognition of traditional medicine in India,

the adverse drug reaction reporting rate of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicine has
also increased dramatically, and the safety of AYUSH’s drugs has also received
increasing attention. In November 2006, two clinical pharmacologists, Urmilla Thatte
and Vaidya Supriya Bhalerao, in Mumbai, India proposed the idea of establishing a

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traditional pharmacovigilance system, implemented an Ayurveda pharmacovigilance

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plan independent of the national pharmacovigilance system, and organized a seminar
on “Ayurveda Pharmacovigilance”. In December 2007, a WHO-sponsored seminar
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was organized in the Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda
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(IPGTRA) in Ziggurat, Jamnagar, demonstrating the possibility of implementing
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Ayurveda pharmacovigilance. In 2008, the Traditional Medicine Administration of the

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the India in New Delhi issued the Protocol
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for National Pharma-covigilance Program for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Drugs
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(PNPP for ASU), to supervise the safety of three traditional medicines, namely
national Ayurveda drugs, Siddha drugs and Unani drugs. On January 21, 2009, the
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National ASU Pharmacovigilance Advisory Committee reviewed the protocol. On

February 15, 2010, the Secretary of the National Traditional Drug Administration
chaired the evaluation meeting of the ASU pharmacovigilance protocol, which
approved the establishment of the ASU pharmacovigilance project. In the same year,
the National Pharmacovigilance Program was renamed as Pharma-covigilance
Programme of India (PvPI), which was jointly implemented by the Central Drugs
Standard Control Organization and the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission to
supervise all types of drugs in India.

Since the establishment of an independent ASU pharmacovigilance system in

India, a series of achievements have been made in the safety supervision of ASU
drugs, including [8]: (1) a complete three-level supervision system of traditional
pharmacovigilance has been formed, and most of pharmacovigilance centers have
been established in ASU medical colleges, ASU medical institutions, and ASU
scientific research institutes, so as to realize the combination of government
supervision and technical control of professional institutions. (2)The adverse reaction
reporting rate of traditional drugs has increased significantly, the number of adverse
reactions / adverse events reported in the past has increased rapidly, and there are
detailed adverse reaction reports and causal evaluation. (3) Traditional
pharmacovigilance education has greatly improved the content of pharmacovigilance
in the curriculum of postgraduates of traditional medicine such as Ayurveda, and

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trained a group of teachers, doctors and medical assistants engaged in the supervision

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and research of traditional pharmacovigilance. (4) To improve the safety of traditional
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medicine registration, the Traditional Medicine Administration of the government of
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India requires the Drug Registration Agency to take pharmacovigilance as a standard
when authenticating new drugs.
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Part IV the Future of Traditional Indian Medicine

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With more and more people pursuing complementary medicine and worrying
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about the side effects of synthetic drugs, herbal drugs are gradually moving from the
edge to the mainstream market. According to the survey, 80% of the world’s
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population is optimistic about the development of traditional medicine and is willing

to try to use herbal medicine as the main health care drug. India has rich resources of
herbal plants, with more than 3,000 kinds of medicinal plants, and more than 6,000
kinds of herbs are used by the folk, accounting for about 75% of the third world
herbal species, with more than 1,000 factories producing traditional herbs, coupled
with AYUSH’s clinical experience in using herbal medicine for thousands of years,
and has the opportunity to become the world’s largest herbal manufacturer [9].

AYUSH has a good background of scientific validity and has been recognized by
recent research. However, the promotion of herbal medicine still faces many
challenges, mainly in developed countries. Before promoting the knowledge of
traditional herbal medicines in the world, the following problems need to be
overcome: (1) The identification and quality of medicinal materials are important
obstacles affecting the promotion of traditional Indian medicine. For example, the
phenomenon of “different things with the same name” or “different names with the
same thing” is common, there are fewer talents with professional identification
knowledge and experience, the content of mould and heavy metal in herbal medicine
exceeds the standard, and the herbal medicine is adulterated and deteriorated. (2)
Ayurveda doctors do not attach great importance to the side effects of herbs. Although
the occurrence and severity of side effects of herbs are far less than that of synthetic
drugs, they cannot be ignored. (3) Due to the government’s neglect of supervision, the

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area of habitats suitable for the growth of herbal medicines is decreasing. The

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unscrupulous exploitation of wild medicinal plants by pharmaceutical factories has
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caused adverse effects on the pharmaceutical resources in India, and some rare
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medicinal resources are on the verge of extinction. (4) Unlike China, India does not
focus on promoting the health care role of Ayurveda medicine in developed countries,
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although many people are really interested in this mysterious medicine. (5) Many
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herbal medicines in India are not produced and sold in accordance with the
international market norms, which is also the reason why they are unable to enter the
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western developed countries.

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AYUSH is not only a medical means, but also a healthy way of life, especially its
use of herbal medicine, together with the rendering of Indian theology and Buddhism,
has covered it with a mysterious veil. At present, AYUSH is in an awkward position.
Under the medical background of Western medicine occupying the mainstream
position, AYUSH presents a state of two levels of differentiation: In the poor areas,
people can’t enjoy western medicine resources and still use Ayurveda medicine; in the
upper class society, the expensive aromatherapy and essential oil therapy in Ayurveda
medicine are very popular. Especially in Europe and America, AYUSH is regarded as
an “alternative” therapy of modern medicine, which is full of attraction [10]. Even
some European and American people go to AYUSH’s hometown to do life courses,
experience a full set of AYUSH itinerary including diet, yoga, meditation, still sitting,
massage, spiritual lectures, etc., becoming a new selling point of Indian tourism.

How to combine the knowledge of modern analytical technology with the

broader perspective of AYUSH’s application of medical principles is helpful to gain
wider acceptance in the world. It is more and more necessary to prove and cultivate
the scientific basis of AYUSH medical system to maintain this ancient and valuable
medical system as a living tradition.

References

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[1] Liu Xinmin, Zou Jianqiang, Shen Zhixiang, et al. Overview of Traditional Indian

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Medicine [J]. World Science and Technology - Modernization of Traditional Chinese
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Medicine and Materia Medica, 2005, 7 (6): 86-88
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[2] Qiu Weixin. Introduction to Traditional Indian Medicine [J]. Chinese Journal of
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Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1999, 6 (10): 77-78

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[3] Zhang Zijun, Zhang Yongmei, Xu Jun, et al. Development Status of Traditional
Indian Medicine [J]. World Chinese Medicine, 2014, 9 (5): 654-657
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[4] Y.S. Jaiswal, L.L. Williams. A glimpse of Ayurveda - the Forgotten History and
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Principles of Indian Traditional Medicine [J]. Journal of Traditional and

Complementary Medicine, January (2017), 7(1): 50-53.

[5] Yang Deli, Kang Li. Traditional Indian Medicine and Traditional Chinese
Medicine [J]. International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 30 (4):
314-316.

[6] S. Sen, R. ChakrabortyRevival, Modernization and Integration of Indian

Traditional Herbal Medicine in Clinical Practice: Importance, Challenges and Future
[J]. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, April (2017), 7 (2): 234-244

[7] M. M. Pandey, Subha Rastogi, and A. K. S. Rawat, “Indian Traditional Ayurvedic

System of Medicine and Nutritional Supplementation,” Evidence-Based
Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2013, Article ID 376327, 12 pages,
2013.

[8] Lin Zhijian, Zhang Xiaomeng, Zhang Bing, et al. Overview and Practice of
Pharmacovigilance System of Traditional Indian Medicine [J]. Practical Drugs and
Clinical Remedies, 2018, 21 (3): 354-358

[9] Yan Liang. Overview of traditional medicine in Asia Pacific Region [J].
Asia-Pacific Traditional Medicine, 2005, Guide: 19-20

[10] N. K. dubey. Global promotion of Ayurvedic herbal medicine: opportunities for

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India [J]. Asia-Pacific Traditional Medicine, 2017, 13 (2): 4-5

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Fig legend
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[FIG.1]Relationship between five elements and three humoralisms in

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traditional Indian medicine

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