INDIGENOUS MEDICAL SYSTEM OF INDIA

PRESENTED BY
VIJAY AMALARAJ A
WHAT IS INDIGENOUS MEDICAL SYSTEM ?

 The Word INDEGENOUS means anything that is occurring natively

 The existence of medical systems in India can be said from the time of the
earliest civilization in the subcontinent
 These medical systems include Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga, Naturopathy
and Sowa Rigpa.
 Besides these, there are other folk medicines used in India.
 These systems have provided healthcare to a large part of the population.
Despite their existence for such a long time, these systems are not as
prominent as the modern system
 These have been brought together under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda,
Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy)
MINISTRY OF AYUSH

 Ministry of Ayush was formed on the 9th of November 2014 with a vision of
reviving the profound knowledge of our ancient systems of medicine and
ensuring the optimal development and propagation of the Ayush systems of
healthcare.
 Earlier, the Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy
(ISM&H) formed in 1995, was responsible for the development of these
systems.
 It was then renamed as the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy,
Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) in November 2003 with focused
attention towards education and research.
LETS DEEP DIVE
AYURVEDA

 Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000

years ago.
 Term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science
or knowledge).
 Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life. Based on the idea that disease is
due to an imbalance or stress in a person's consciousness
 Ayurveda treatment starts with an internal purification process, followed by a
special diet, herbal remedies, massage therapy
 Some of the products used in Ayurvedic medicine contain herbs, metals,
minerals, or other materials that may be harmful if used improperly or without
the direction of a trained practitioner
 Charaka is called 'Father of Ayurveda‘
MILESTONES IN AYURVEDA

 Intervening of Ayurveda in the treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy

 National Ayurvedic Medical Association(NAMA) represents the Ayurvedic
profession in the United States of America
 Integrative management of COVID-19
 Registered practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa-Rigpa are now
authorised to issue medical fitness certificates
UNANI

 Unani or Yunani medicine is Perso-Arabic traditional medicine as practiced in

Muslim culture in South Asia and modern day Central Asia.
 Unani medicine first arrived in India around 12th or 13th century with
establishment of Delhi Sultanate (1206–1527) and Islamic rule over North India
 The Unani System of Medicine is included in the Central Council of Indian
Medicine as per IMCC, Act 1970.
 outstanding physician and scholar of Unani Medicine, Hakim Ajmal Khan (1868
– 1927)
 Having gained recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1976,
the Unani system became increasingly accepted internationally as a system of
traditional medicine
 The six important factors considered by unani practitioners are:
(air), (food and drink),(bodily exercise and reponse),(mental work
and rest), (sleep and wakefulness), (retention and excretion)
 Their therapies includes Cupping, venesection, exercise, leeching, massage and
bathing also
 Surgical intervention is their last option
 Psoriasis is well treated with unani system

OBSTACLES IN UNANI MEDICINE

 The vast materia medica, from herbal and animal to mineral sources, as described
in ancient Unani textbooks, is sometimes so vague that authenticity must be
established by modern pharmacognostic assessments (by means of a basic,
descriptive pharmacology) before medicines can be put to use.
 In addition, the use in Unani medicine of precious stones and minerals, the chief
ingredients of many polyformulations (medicines containing multiple ingredients),
is expensive. Those items often are unavailable as well, thereby hindering
effective treatment.
 Intense research is important for the use of kushta, the incinerated finely
powdered substance prepared from known toxic metals, such as (mercury), (
arsenic),(mercuric chloride), and (iron rust).
 Medicines made with those minerals, when used with caution and expertise, may
be effective, but they have significant toxic side effects.
SIDDHA

 Siddha system of medicine is mainly practised in the Southern part of India. It

is one of the earliest traditional medicine systems in the world which treats
not only the body but also the mind and the soul.
 The word Siddha has its origin in the Tamil word Siddhi which means "an
object to be attained" or "perfection" or "heavenly bliss“
 "Siddhargal" or Siddhars were the premier scholars of this system in ancient
times. Siddhars, mainly hailing from Tamil Nadu laid the foundation for
Siddha system of medicine
  According to the tradition it was Shiva who unfolded the knowledge of Siddha
system of medicine to his concert Parvati who handed it down to Nandhidevar
and he in turn to the 18 siddhars. Therefore it is called ‘Shiva Sampradayam,
(tradition of Siva), or ‘Siddha Sampradayam’.
 Agasthiyar is the prominent one among the eighteen and some of his works
are still standard books of medicine and surgery in daily use among the Siddha
Medical practitioners.
 The Siddha system is capable of treating different diseases other than emergency cases. In
general, it is effective to treat skin problems mainly STD, Psoriasis, urinary tract
infections, gastrointestinal tract, diseases of liver, etc. It is also effective for general
debility, diarrhoea, postpartum anaemia, and general fevers in addition to allergic and
arthritis disorders.

CRITICISM ON SIDDHA
 Since 2014, the Supreme Court of India and Indian Medical Association have described
Siddha medicine as quackery,[3][21][10] and there is no governmental recognition
of siddhars as legitimate physicians.[3] The Indian Medical Association regards the Indian
institutions that train people in Siddha medicine, the supposed degrees granted, and the
graduates of those programs as "fake".[3][10] Since 1953, the Indian national government has
not recognized Siddha medicine or any alternative system of medicine as valid, and there is
no proposal to integrate Siddha medicine into conventional medicine practiced in India.[3][10]
 There may be as many as one million quack "doctors", including siddhars, practicing
medicine in the rural regions of India, a condition not actively opposed by the Indian
government out of concern for serving some health needs for the large rural population.[3]
[21][22][4][23]
 The Indian Medical Association emphatically opposed this position in 2014.[3] In
2018, licensed Indian physicians staged demonstrations and accused the government of
sanctioning quackery by proposing to allow rural quacks to practice some aspects of clinical
medicine without having complete medical training.[4]
HOMEOPATHY

 Homeopathy is a complementary or alternative medicine. This means that

homeopathy is different from treatments that are part of conventional Western
medicine in important ways.
 It's based on a series of ideas developed in the 1790s by a German doctor called
Samuel Hahnemann
 Homeopathy was introduced in India the early 19th century. It flourished in
Bengal at first, and then spread all over India.
 In the beginning, the system was extensively practised by amateurs in the civil
and military services and others.
 Mahendra Lal Sircar was the first Indian who became a homeopathic physician.
 Homeopaths generally refer this as Like be treated with likes.
 Homeopathic remedies are used by the public for viral diseases, different forms
of allergic conditions, skin disorders, behavioral problems and several chronic
long term diseases.
 Homeopathy in India is regulated through the Homeopathy Central Council
Act, 1973.
 Bronchial Asthma is cured effectively by homeopathy
YOGA AND NATUROPATHY

 Yoga is a discipline that dates back to thousands of years and is regarded as one of the best practices known to calm the inner
self. The practice aims to attain self-realization, by improving the inherent power of an individual in a balanced way. This
discipline was founded by saints and sages, who presented a rational interpretation of their experiences and formulated a
practical and scientifically sound method to be available within everyone’s reach
 The Father of Yoga, Maharishi Patanjali combined multiple aspects of yoga and called them “Yoga Sutras” or aphorisms. He
advocated “Ashtanga Yoga”; the eight-fold path of yoga that facilitates the all-round development of human beings. These
components are Yama, Niyama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Asana, Pranayama, Dhyana and Samadhi
 Naturopathy is an art and science of healthy living and a drug less system, It has its own concept of health and disease and also
principle of treatment. In today's age, Naturopathy is Recognized and well accepted as an independent System of medicine.
 Medical Yoga Therapy or “Yoga Chikitsa” is the dynamic state of physical and mental ease, coupled with spiritual well-being. Yoga
helps one to develop a positive state of health by not only treating illness, but also helping one to understand the underlying
causes of disease
 9 Benefits of Yoga by John Hopkins University by conducting survey
Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility,
Yoga helps with back pain relief,
Yoga can ease arthritis symptoms,
Yoga benefits heart health,
Yoga relaxes you, to help you sleep better,
Yoga can mean more energy and brighter moods,
Yoga helps you manage stress,
Yoga connects you with a supportive community,
Yoga promotes better self-care
Naturopathic practitioners use many different treatment approaches. Examples
include:
 Dietary and lifestyle changes
 Stress reduction
 Herbs and other dietary supplements
 Homeopathy
 Manipulative therapies
 Exercise therapy
 Practitioner-guided detoxification
 Psychotherapy and counseling.
 In India, revival of Naturopathy took place with the translation of Germany’s
Louis Kuhne’s book ‘’New Science of Healing’’. The translation was done in
the Telugu language by Shri D. Venkat Chelapati Sharma in 1894.
 Afterward, it was translated into Hindi and Urdu languages in 1904 by Shri
Shroti Kishan Swaroop. All the efforts hugely gave Naturopathy a wide
propagation. 
SOWA RIGPA

 “Sowa-Rigpa” commonly known as Amchi system of medicine is one of the

oldest, Living and well documented medical tradition of the world.
 It has been popularly practice in Tibet, Magnolia, Bhutan, some parts of
China, Nepal, Himalayan regions of India and few parts of former Soviet Union
etc
 The majority of theory and practice of Sowa-Rigpa is similar to “Ayurveda”
 Bodies of all the living beings and non living objects of the universe are
composed of Jung-wa-nga; viz Sa, Chu, Me, Lung and Nam-kha 
 six years course is Bachelor in Tibetan Medical System (BTMS) or Amchi
Chikitsa Acharya
 medicines developed comprise these very five elements. In our body, these
elements exist in the form of Lus-sung-dun (Skt: Sapta Dhatu), Ngepa-Sum
(Skt: Tri-dosa), and Dri-ma-Sum (Skt: Trimala). In diet, drinks, and drugs,
these elements are present in the form of Zhu-jes (Skt: Vipaka), Ro-dug (Skt:
Shast-rasa), Nus-pa (Virya), and Yontan (Skt: Guna). On the basis of the
similarity and dissimilarity of the five elements, a physician can direct his
skills and knowledge to treat the patient.
FOLK MEDICINES

 Pati vaithiyam
 Varma kala
 And lot more
 Folk medicine practitioners are called as quacks
STATS OF AYUSH
TAKE HOME MESSAGE

 Traditional medical systems are very effective with very minimal side effects
 Long term medication assisted diseases can be treated with these system
rather intaking of allopathic drugs e.g Diabetes Rhumatoid Arthritis etc
 By this we support our traditional medical systems as well as ourself
ANY QUESTIONS
THANK YOU