• Know about studies that document success of some Ayurvedic medicines during Covid19, how Ayurveda acceptance is increasing, WHO initiatives on One Health and Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, Jamnagar. Obstacles to increasing exports of AYUSH products.

During British colonial rule, Western medicine began to dominate India, leading to the decline of Ayurvedic practices in favor of Western medical knowledge. However, traditional healers continued to practice Ayurveda, which never completely disappeared. Due in large part to growing interest in eastern philosophies, yoga, meditation and medicinal plants, this health care system started to garner notice in the western world in the early 1960s and 1970s.

Ayurvedic principles and medicines were introduced to the West largely because to the writings of prominent ayurveda physicians, scientists, and spiritual leaders like Swami Vivekananda. Ayurveda is acknowledged as a traditional medical system in more than 30 countries, and Ayurvedic and herbal products or medicines are sold to more than 150 countries, according a recent Ministry of Ayush report on the sector's expansion from 2014 to 2024. 

Ayurvedic medications are natural and often local; there are concerns about their standardization and quality control in international markets. Negative side effects may arise from the improper formulation or administration of some Ayurvedic treatments. Despite increased interest in the scientific underpinnings of Ayurveda, mainstream Western medicine finds it challenging to embrace Ayurvedic treatments due to a lack of thorough clinical research and contemporary scientific confirmation.

Several evidence-based study papers have been generated by renowned physicians and scientists in the fields of modern medicine and Ayush. Ayurvedic Formulary and Pharmacopeias have been published by the Ayush Department. Global acceptance of this life-saving approach has expanded since the COVID-19 pandemic. This holistic health care method addresses the physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being of people. A few examples of published articles are given below. 1

This study aimed to compare the intake of Guduchi Ghana Vati and Sudarshana Ghana Vati for the prevention of COVID-19 in a population in a containment zone with a control arm of normal preventive care. Communities in 19 Indian districts across 14 states were found to have at least one confirmed incidence of COVID-19. Through the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, which identified 15 institutes, 20,000 healthy volunteers regardless of gender were enlisted from these chosen communities in the intervention group, and 10,000 healthy participants were enrolled in the control group.

Sudarshana Ghana Vati and Guduchi Ghana Vati shown potential safety and benefit in the prevention of COVID-19 and were well tolerated by the individuals. Additionally, the study found that the mean ISQ score increased from 8.50 at baseline to 9.16 at the 30-day mark, a statistically significant increase. The prophylactic administration of trial medications in the study demonstrated prophylactic against the disease by improving immunity and having antiviral and antipyretic characteristics. All of the subjects who did get the sickness recovered fully from their mild illness. This study were conducted by CCRAS. 2

The study focused on the creation of evidence-based practice and the synthesis of current practice-based evidence ever since the COVID-19 epidemic began. A workable decentralized and participatory framework model for providing and reporting Ayurvedic services that can be replicated in environments with limited resources was developed by the Kerala government. An integrative health system strategy can lead to better use of these services. Such integration and mainstreaming of Ayurveda would be accelerated by the development of reliable scientific evidence on the effectiveness of the Ayurvedic management methods.

India's Modern Revival

At the start of the 20th century, there was an effort to revive traditional Indian culture, and Ayurveda was a part of that. Ayurvedic research and institutes were funded in part by the Indian government. In the 1960s and 1970s, Ayurveda first gained popularity in the West, partly as a result of growing interest in eastern philosophies, yoga, meditation, and medicinal plants. The works of Indian spiritual masters like Swami Vivekananda played a significant role in bringing Ayurvedic principles to the West. Later, Dr. B.M. Hegde and Deepak Chopra introduced Ayurveda, yoga, and holistic medicine to the west.

As Western nations became more interested in natural health and wellbeing in the 1980s and 1990s, Ayurveda was acknowledged as part of the broader movement toward alternative and complementary medicine. Growing awareness of stress-related diseases and the need for preventative health measures contributed to Ayurveda's rise in popularity. Numerous educational establishments began offering Ayurvedic courses and certifications in the US, Europe, and other nations. Ayurveda extended over the world thanks in part to the growth of Ayurvedic spas, wellness retreats, and health centers, particularly in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

One health concept, biodiversity and health Day

According to the One Health Initiative Task Force, One Health advocates “the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals, and our environment.” (OHITF) Evidence of zoonotic disease transmission between species and growing consciousness of "the interdependence of human and animal health and ecological change" led to its development. According to this perspective; public health is no longer only a human concern.  

"One Health, according to WHO sources, is a comprehensive, unified strategy that seeks to optimize and sustainably balance the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. We must comprehend the context involving the breakouts of Covid-19 and Nippha. Health care providers need to be empowered and educated about nature-based solutions. At the worldwide level, a safe environment, clean water, hygiene, and stringent water management systems are required. To prevent diseases like cholera, typhoid, jaundice, and dysentery, regional centers should concentrate more on food and drink hygiene. The ruling system is responsible for timely invention and control measures. Give indigenous people the tools they need to stop the deadly diseases. Prioritize health outcomes while funding inclusive, nature-based solutions

WHO initiative on Ayurveda

1. According to WHO global report on traditional and complementary medicine 2019, about 90% of member states informed the use of traditional and complementary medicine in health care in their respective countries. The WHO International Standard Terminologies on Ayurveda were released by this organization in 2022. Experts from relevant institutions provided technical assistance in the preparation of the document. 3617 Ayurvedic words in all, including 4528 synonyms. This book contains background concepts, core concepts, anatomical terms, morbidity and diagnostic terms, materials, preparation of medicine and food. Treatment for ailments and preventive health care. Experts from 18 countries contributed peer review of the book.

2. Formation of an Indian WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine at Jamnagar, Gujarat. On November 3, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus announced the opening of the Global Center for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar. The first of its kind centre is intended to serve as a global centre for traditional medicine. The following are the goals of the newly established Global Centre for Traditional Medicine - utilizing technology to develop a conventional knowledge database system. The center intends to develop testing and certification procedures for traditional medicines based on international standards in order to increase their acceptability. Establishing a forum for international professionals in traditional medicine to collaborate. Patient gets a holistic method of treatment.

The following issues provide a significant obstacle to the global presence of the Ayush industry: 

1. Ayush medications are not legally approved overseas.

2. The contamination of heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicaments and raw materials.
3. According to the textual reference, the use of readily available medicinal plants in the place of endangered plants with comparable properties. This issue is in connection with Negative list according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
3. The regional differences in Ayurvedic pharmacopeia with respect to identifying certain medicinal herbs.

4. The effectiveness and safety of rasaushadhas.

5. Criteria for medicine labels that comply with exporting countries' national laws and regulations. The industry will suffer since the medication is branded as a neutaceutical, even though it can be quite different from what is sold locally. 

Current scenario of export of medicines

Ayurveda is acknowledged as a traditional medical system in more than 30 countries, and Ayurvedic and herbal products or medicines are sold to more than 150 countries, according a recent Ministry of Ayurveda report on the sector's expansion from 2014 to 2024. 

According to Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation agency, India exports Ayush products to markets in the United States, Russia, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Kenya, Germany, Vietnam, China, Italy, United Kingdom, Western Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and other nations.

Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL)

To promote Ayush goods and services internationally, the Ministry of Ayush formed the Ayush Export Promotion Council (Ayushexcil), with assistance from the Union Ministry of Commerce. It was formally introduced at Global On April 20, 2022, the Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit took place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with the goal of monitoring the export of Ayurvedic medicines.

With the help of the WHO, the Ayush department, and worldwide collaboration from governments, we may publish evidence-based data to address the problems in the field of Ayurveda and distribute information and drugs globally. Legal action should be taken against the anti-propaganda for ayurvedic systems.

References

1. Ayurveda formulations for prophylaxis against coronavirus disease-2019 infection - A prospective community-based study in identified containment zones of 19 districts across India. (Dr. Vipin Sharma, Research Officer (Ay.), RARI, Jammu and 52 Authors) AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda) 45(1):p 1-11, Jan–Mar2024. | DOI: 10.4103/ayu.ayu_223_2

2. Ayurvedic Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Kerala, India and Its Impact on Quarantined Individuals A Community Case Study by Sharmila Mary Joseph, Divya S. Iyer and Rajmohan Velayudhan Pillai (Department of Ayush, Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India, Government Ayurveda Medical College,Thiruvananthapuram,India)  PMCID: PMC8554199 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.732523 was published in the journal  Frontiers in Public health. 

Author is Chief Sub Editor, Centre for Textual Studies and Publications, Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal.

This article was first published in Oushadham Magazine (Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Association of India). Author has asked esamskriti to share article.

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