AYUSH Systems Research Articles

Should the AYUSH doctors be underutilized at subhealth centers under Ayushman Bharat while they prove effective at higher facilities under National Health Mission?

AYUSH systems of medicine are the six different indigenous systems of medicine prevalent and practiced in India. Postindependence, these individualized and healer-based systems got government patronization and legal support and converted into medical systems and evolved with time to the present form. From being the department of Indian Systems of Medicine in March 1995 to the Department of AYUSH in 2003 and most recently the ministry of AYUSH in 2014, these systems of medicine have evolved continuously with the growing need of time. With the initiation of National Rural Health Mission in 2005 under the scheme of mainstreaming of AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions, these systems were promoted at each level and the practitioners came out of their silo and became part of the mainstream health-care delivery system serving both rural and semi-urban communities in the country. However, with the recent AYUSHMAN BHARAT program, these practitioners, especially the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery graduates, were offered to serve at the subcenter level as the Mid-Level Health Provider which in a way demotes the cadre. This opinion discusses about this dichotomy situation with AYUSH workforce and government's “easy and soft target” attitude in utilizing AYUSH workforce.

Impact Assessment of Effectiveness, Acceptance and Usage of AYUSH Advisories and Measures in Prevention of COVID-19 through AYUSH Sanjivani Mobile Application

Background: Ministry of AYUSH deals with developing education, research, and propagation of indigenous traditional medicine systems in India, and in view of public health challenge posed by COVID-19, the ministry had issued preventive and prophylactic advisories. Results and discussion: The advisories issued by Ministry comprises interventions from different AYUSH systems of medicine for preventive health measures and also for boosting immunity during COVID-19 crisis. Further, the Ministry has undertaken study through AYUSH Sanjivani mobile app for generating data of large population with a target of 5 million people. Generation of data on effectiveness, acceptance, and usage of AYUSH advocacies and measures among the population and its impact in the prevention of COVID-19 are the core expected outcomes. Conclusion: The present short communication is related to the prophylactic advisories issued by Ministry of AYUSH and details of objectives and expected outcomes of AYUSH Sanjivani mobile application developed by AYUSH Ministry.

Health Promoting Properties of Behman safed, a root of Centaurea behen Linn.-A Review

Medicinal plants have been used since prehistoric period for the cure of various diseases. In many developing countries, a large proportion of the population relies on herbal medicine in order to meet health care needs. Although, other health care system exists side by side with modern medicine still, Unani medicine, is one of the alternate system maintained its popularity for historical and cultural reasons.1 About 8,000 herbal drugs have been codified in Ayush systems.2 One of them is Centaurea behen Linn., a member of (Asteraceae) family commonly known as safed behmen in Unani medicine.3 It possesses multiple pharmacological actions and medicinal activities such as muqawwi bah (aphrodisiac),kasir riyah (carminative),muhallil auraam (anti-inflammatory), muqawwi qalb (cardio tonic),musakkin (sedative), Mudire-haiz (emmenagogue) etc. It is used preferablly to treat various diseases such as yarqan, (jaundice), hasate kulliya (kidney stone), hasate masana (urinary stone) etc4. Centaurea species have also shown the presence of flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, especially guaianolides, germacranolide type sesquiterpene lactones3 and an alkaloid behamine4 .Hence, this review attempts to compile the information regarding the health promoting properties of centaurea roots in light of recent scientific advancement along with its pharmacological actions, therapeutic uses and pharmacological studies. Keywords: Unani Medicine, Behman safed, Centaurea behen Linn. Pharmacological actions.

Homoeopathic Awareness among the Tribal Population Visiting a Homoeopathic Hospital set up in West Bengal

Background Tribal population in India had been known to depend on traditional tribal medicines for long to cure their ailments. With the development of health care facilities and spread of AYUSH system:of late many tribal people are seeking homoeopathic treatment. More than half of the tribal population of West Bengal are concentrated in the South western part of the state that covers the districts of Paschim Medinipur, Purulia, and Bankura. Midnapore Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital being located in the same region gets a good number of tribal patients seeking homoeopathic care. Objective To assess the level of homoeopathic awareness and the reasons for their preference to homoeopathic system. Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted in the outpatient department of Midnapore Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Government of West Bengal, India from January 2016 to June 2016 on adult tribal population using a self-administered questionnaire. Results The survey performed on tribal patients reflected the level of homoeopathic awareness, prevalence of disease, socio-demographic data, and health status of the tribal population. The positive effect with homoeopathic treatment also became evident in the study. Conclusion A favorable attitude toward homoeopathy among the tribal population was obtained. However, some wrong notions about the mode also emerged in the study. In this respect, the authors felt the need on arrangement of homoeopathic health camps and distribution of homoeopathic awareness materials in tribal language to improve the scenario.

Coriandrum sativum Linn. Traditional, Biochemical and Biological activities: An Overview

The oldest form of medicine known to mankind is herbal medicine. Today, it is the most widely practiced form of medicine in the world. Using medicinal plants for treatment is considered very safe as there is no or minimal side effects. Most of the plant materials collected from the rain forests and other places are currently used for conducting extensive research for their potential medicinal value. In Ayush systems of medicine about 8,000 herbal drugs have been codified 2. One of them is Coriandrum sativum Linn. belongs to the family Apiaceae and commonly known as kishneez khushk in Unani medicine.3It possesses multiple pharmacological activities which are revealed previously, such as anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative-hypnotic, neuroprotective, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, insecticidal, antioxidant, cardiovascular, analgesic, anticonvulsant, memory enhancing, antidiabetic, anticancer, gastrointestinal, deodorizing, dermatological, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, reproductive, hepatoprotective,, antimutagenic, detoxification etc4,14. The current review gives an overview of the pharmacological effects and chemical constituents of Coriandrum sativum.

Role of naturopathy and yoga therapy on subjective well-being and prevention of non-communicable diseases

Background: National Health Policy 2017 recognizes the need to nurture Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) system of medicine through the development of infrastructural facilities of teaching institutions, improving quality control of drugs, capacity building of institutions and professionals. It also recognizes the need for building research and public health skills for preventive and promotive health care. Linking AYUSH systems with Accredited Social Health Activists and Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee would be an important plank of this policy. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine patients’ subjective feeling of well-being and outcomes after naturopathy treatment. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among inpatients (IP) of a naturopathy center in the field practice area of an Rural Health Training Centre attached to the Department of Community Medicine in a Medical College, Navi Mumbai. Questionnaires were distributed for 3 months to all the IP who were willing to participate and give their feedback at discharge. A total of 64 subjects responded. They were personally interviewed, their history and presenting complaints were listed, clinical examination was done, positive findings were noted, details of treatment and advice given were enumerated. Obtained data were tabulated in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS software. Patients received normal care from the respective therapists and no intervention was done from our side. Permission from the Institutional Review Board for conducting the study was taken. Results: Systolic blood pressure before and after therapy was compared, there was a difference of mean reduction in 4 mmHg with P = 0.00. Significant reduction in weight was noticed among overweight and obese people taking the therapy. A strong positive correlation was seen when quantity of weight reduction was correlated with initial Body Mass Index (BMI). The correlation constant was 0.811 with a significance level of 0.00. Conclusion: Naturopathy therapy as well as yoga practice results in a broad range of outcomes from physical and emotional change through to wider benefits involving the patients’ lifestyle, outlook, and attitude toward their health.

Is AYUSH systems for only showcasing or worth ofadressing the problems of the community?

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Utilization, preference, perception and characteristics of people adopting traditional and AYUSH systems of medicine in India: a systematic review.

Background Albeit Indian system of medicine has been practised since long however it has got recent prominence after some policy decisions made to make it more accessible to the people of India. Methods A two fold search strategy was adopted to obtain the literature; search through PUBMED and hand search through cross references. Of the 58 articles obtained through both the search approaches 13 articles were finally included in the review. Results The studies reviewed assessed the utilization, preference, perception and characteristics of people adopting traditional and AYUSH systems of medicine in India. Utilization was observed in a particular geographical area (states) and by a specific group of people such as tribal and general population, medical practitioners and religious groups. Perception about AYUSH system was mixed with different segments of the society. Preference among the general population revolved around distrust or frustration with allopathic medicine, cost effectiveness, accessibility, non-availability of other options and less side effects of AYUSH medicines. Moreover people primarily adopted AYUSH systems of medicine based on their personal experiences and recommended the same to other people as well. Conclusions A mixed response was observed through this systematic review with regard to utilization, preference, perception and characteristics of people adopting traditional and AYUSH systems of medicine in India. A higher level of awareness and governmental patronization is required to make it available to the common man at the last corner of the society for the benefit of the former and the system as well.

Awareness, practice and views about integrating AYUSH in allopathic curriculum of allopathic doctors and interns in a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi, India

ObjectiveTo assess the knowledge, attitude, perception and practice of Ayurveda, yoga, Unani, Siddha, homeopathy and naturopathy (AYUSH) among allopathic doctors and interns and determine their opinion regarding integration of AYUSH education within the allopathic curriculum. MethodsThis prospective, cross sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching Hospital, New Delhi, India, from March 2016 to March 2017. A survey of 500 allopathic doctors and 150 interns was performed using a structured questionnaire. ResultsA majority of doctors (95.2%) were aware of the term AYUSH and had knowledge of yoga (70.6%), homeopathy (55.6%), Ayurveda (50.3%), Siddha (47.8%), naturopathy (32.9%) and Unani (28.9%). Most of the participants (63.0%) felt that therapies under AYUSH are effective. A majority (84.0%) of the doctors were of the view that more research is required in the field of AYUSH. While homeopathy (44.0%) was the most common system used by doctors for themselves, yoga was the therapy most commonly (60.0%) recommended to patients. Nearly half of the doctors (46.7%) recommended AYUSH to their patients, mainly for chronic illness (74.0%). A majority (77.5%) of the respondents agreed that students of allopathic medicine should be familiarized with AYUSH. The modes of incorporation of AYUSH into the medical curriculum most commonly suggested by respondents were optional courses (54.5%) and introductory lectures (42.3%). ConclusionDoctors and interns of allopathic medicine are aware of AYUSH systems. They use it for themselves and recommend it to patients. They believe that familiarization of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery students with AYUSH therapies and their integration with allopathic medicine may help in improving patient care.

Integration of Unani System of Medicine in Mainstream Healthcare for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) often called as lifestyle diseases are those non-infectious diseases which are of long duration and slow progression and can affect all age groups in one way or the other. The Global burden and threat of NCDs constitutes one of the major challenges for healthcare system in twentyfirst century. Keeping in view of the current scenario, a collaborative pilot project of Directorate General of Health Services and Ministry of AYUSH was launched namely Integration of AYUSH systems in National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) known as NPCDCS-AYUSH Integration Project. Inter alia, the project on integration of Unani Medicine in NPCDCS was officially launched by Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) in June 2016 at Lakhimpur-Kheri District (LKD), Uttar Pradesh and is being implemented in all the 17 CHCs of the district. This paper aims to highlight the strategies and achievements made during June 2016 to November 2017 (18 months) through various qualitative and quantitative indicators viz.-aviz. IEC/BCC development, training and orientations programs conducted, health lectures and monitoring visits; and population based screening, enrolment of patients for NCDs, outreach camps and yoga classes conducted; respectively. During this period 1,62,839 people were screened and 24,911 patients were enrolled for management and treatment of selected NCDs in LKD. The enrolment data suggested that among the population screened during the period, prevalence of common NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cancers in LKD was 6.41%, 8.07%, 0.7% and 0.06% respectively. Significant results were obtained through this analysis which clearly shows the need and acceptance of this integration model in general public. This project is the model of integration of Unani system of Medicine in mainstream healthcare and this can be replicated for other districts not only for NPCDCS but also for integration with other National Health Programmes to provide better healthcare facility in the country.

Evaluation of Hypolipidemic Activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Leaf in Atherodiet-induced Wistar Albino Rats

Aim: Hyperlipidemia has been ranked as one of the greatest risk factors contributing to prevalence and severity of coronary heart diseases. The present study has been taken up to evaluate hypolipidemic activity of hydro alcoholic extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. leaf, as this plant is widely used by the local healers of South India for treatment of various illnesses. Materials and methods: The experiment was carried out in atherodiet-induced hyperlipidemia in Wistar Albino rats. The experiment duration was 28 days and it comprised six groups, such as healthy control, extract control, disease control, treatment group low dose, treatment group high dose, and standard drug (SD). The biochemical investigations including lipid profile with Atherogenic Index and Coronary Risk Index, and other metabolic parameters were evaluated using standard protocols. Histopathology studies for vital organs of animals were also carried out. Results: The study showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of C. halicacabum L. leaf has significant hypolipidemic activity in the atherodiet-induced hyperlipidemia in Wistar rats when compared with the disease control group. The histopathology study also evidenced the safety of the extract. Conclusion: The study concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of C. halicacabum L. has significant hypolipidemic activity at the prescribed dosages. Clinical relevance: As the plant has shown promising effect in the aspect of hypolipidemic activity, further studies have to be carried out for developing of new product as single drug and in the formulations of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) system of medicines for management of hyperlipidemia.

Medicinal plants conservation and development areas (MPCDAs)-An initiative towards conservation of medicinal plants

India is one of the hot spots of world's biodiversity having wealth of medicinal plants. Forests are the main habitat of Medicinal Plants and a large number of species are also endemic that gives India a unique position in the world. Medicinal plants form the major resource base of our traditional systems of medicine or AYUSH systems of medicines and folklore medicines. Even allopathic medicines also used plant based raw material for the preparation of medicine. However, due to various anthropogenic activities and unsustainable harvesting from wild, many medicinal plants species in India have become endangered and have been included in Red Data Book of threatened species. Thus, there is an urgent need to have measures taken to protect/conserve the natural habitats of these medicinal plants wealth of the Country. Some important medicinal Plants species of conservation concern in India are Aconitum heterophyllum (Atis), Aconitum atrox (Mitha), Bergenia ciliata (Pashan bhed), Commiphora wightii (Guglu), Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Salampanja), Nardostachys grandiflora (Jatamansi), Paris polyphylla (Satva), Picrorhiza kurrooa (Kutki), Podophyllum hexandrum (Bankakri), Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha), Rheum australe (Revand chini), Saraca asoaca (Ashok) etc. The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Government of India, in this regard, has taken initiatives to support in-situ conservation of medicinal plants through establishment of Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs) throughout the country. For in-situ conservation, the State Forest Departments are playing a vital role in establishing the MPCDAs, ensuring conservation of the Red Listed Medicinal Plants species along with associated flora. Considering the richness in diversity of medicinal plants in India, there is still a good scope for conservation of these resources in their natural habitats through establishment of MPCDAs throughout the country. In addition, considering the diversity of medicinal flora, the state forest department in collaboration with research institutions should come forward to carryout research and development studies on conservation as part of germplasm of endemic medicinal plants species and augment the medicinal plants biodiversity base in the country.

Government policies and initiatives for development of Ayurveda

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAyurveda (Sanskrit: Ayus - life +Veda - knowledge) means the “True knowledge of life”. Ayurveda deals with a complete self-sustainable system of medicine. The Government of India through its Ministry of AYUSH is responsible for policy formulation, development and implementation of programs for the growth, development and propagation of Ayurveda. Aim of the studyThis review aimed to highlight the various aspects of government policies and initiatives for development of Ayurveda. Materials and methodsWe critically reviewed various books, annual reports, policy documents and various ancient Ayurvedic literatures. Besides the websites of Ministry of AYUSH, National Medicinal Plant Board, Central Council for Research on Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and AYUSH research portal have been searched and data was recorded. ResultsThe vision of the ministry is to position AYUSH systems as the preferred systems of living and practice for attaining healthy nation. The ministry has identified its mission in terms of seven broad thematic functional areas of AYUSH activities. These are information, education and communication; drug administration, human resource development, medicinal plants, research and development, international collaborations, AYUSH services. Different programs have been taken up towards increasing visibility, acceptability and usage of Ayurveda vis-a vis its integration in the health system. Strategies to globalize and promote Ayurveda are being taken up through AYUSH clusters focusing its safety-efficacy-quality aspects and rational use of Ayurveda ConclusionThe government policies are taking firm steps towards promotion and development of Ayurveda. Research and development towards validation of Ayurveda is being projected as the thrust area.

Alternative medicine: an ethnographic study of how practitioners of Indian medical systems manage TB in Mumbai.

Mumbai is a hot spot for drug-resistant TB, and private practitioners trained in AYUSH systems (Ayurveda, yoga, Unani, Siddha and homeopathy) are major healthcare providers. It is important to understand how AYUSH practitioners manage patients with TB or presumptive TB. We conducted semi-structured interviews of 175 Mumbai slum-based practitioners holding degrees in Ayurveda, homeopathy and Unani. Most providers gave multiple interviews. We observed 10 providers in clinical interactions, documenting: clinical examinations, symptoms, history taking, prescriptions and diagnostic tests. No practitioners exclusively used his or her system of training. The practice of biomedicine is frequent, with practitioners often using biomedical disease categories and diagnostics. The use of homeopathy was rare (only 4% of consultations with homeopaths resulted in homeopathic remedies) and Ayurveda rarer (3% of consultations). For TB, all mentioned chest x-ray while 31 (17.7%) mentioned sputum smear as a TB test. One hundred and sixty-four practitioners (93.7%) reported referring TB patients to a public hospital or chest physician. Eleven practitioners (6.3%) reported treating patients with TB. Nine (5.1%) reported treating patients with drug-susceptible TB with at least one second-line drug. Important sources of health care in Mumbai's slums, AYUSH physicians frequently use biomedical therapies and most refer patients with TB to chest physicians or the public sector. They are integral to TB care and control.

An Evaluation on Medical Education, Research and Development of AYUSH Systems of Medicine through Five Year Plans of India.

Indian system of medicine has its origin in India. The system is currently renamed as AYUSH, an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathy. These are the six Indian systems of medicine prevalent and practiced in India and in few neighboring Asian countries. The primary objective of this review was to gain insight in to the prior and existing initiatives which would enable reflection and assist in the identification of future change. A review was carried out based on the five year plan documents, obtained from the planning commission web portal of Govt. of India, on medical education, research and development of AYUSH systems of medicine. Post independence, the process of five year planning took its birth with the initiation of long term planning in India. The planning process embraced all the social and technology sectors in it. Since the beginning of five year planning, health and family welfare planning became imperative as a social sector planning. Planning regarding Indian Systems of Medicine became a part of health and family welfare planning since then. During the entire planning process a progressive path of development could be observed as per this evaluation. A relatively sluggish process of development was observed up to seventh plan however post eighth plan the growth took its pace. Eighth plan onwards several innovative development processes could be noticed. Despite the relative developments and growth of Indian systems of medicine these systems have to face lot of criticism and appraisal owing to their various characteristic features. In the beginning the system thrived with great degree of uncertainty, as described in 1(st) five year plan, however progressed ahead with a vision to be a globally accepted system, as envisaged in 11(th) five year plan. A very strong optimistic approach in spreading India's own medical heritage is the need of the hour. The efforts are neither completely insufficient nor sufficient enough; hence a continuous endeavor for the revival and dissemination of India's own medical inheritance for the welfare of the society at large is highly desirable.

Mainstreaming of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy with the health care delivery system in India

India has a population of 1.21 billion people and there is a high degree of socio-cultural, linguistic, and demographic heterogeneity. There is a limited number of health care professionals, especially doctors, per head of population. The National Rural Health Mission has decided to mainstream the Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) system of indigenous medicine to help meet the challenge of this shortage of health care professionals and to strengthen the delivery system of the health care service. Multiple interventions have been implemented to ensure a systematic merger; however, the anticipated results have not been achieved as a result of multiple challenges and barriers. To ensure the accessibility and availability of health care services to all, policy-makers need to implement strategies to facilitate the mainstreaming of the AYUSH system and to support this system with stringent monitoring mechanisms.

Situational analysis and future directions of AYUSH: An assessment through 5-year plans of India.

AYUSH is an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. These are the six indigenous systems of medicine practiced in India. A department called Department of Indian System of medicine was created in March 1995 and renamed to AYUSH in November 2003 with a focus to provide increased attention for the development of these systems. Very recently, in 2014, a separate ministry was created under the union Government of India, which is headed by a minister of state. Planning regarding these systems of medicine was a part of 5-year planning process since 1951. Since then many developments have happened in this sector albeit the system was struggling with a great degree of uncertainty at the time of 1st5-year plan. A progressive path of development could be observed since the first to the 12th5-year plan. It was up to the 7thplan the growth was little sluggish and from 8thplan onward the growth took its pace and several innovative development processes could be observed thereafter. The system is gradually progressing ahead with a vision to be a globally accepted system, as envisaged in 11th5-year plan. Currently, AYUSH system is a part of mainstream health system implemented under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). NRHM came into play in 2005 but implemented at ground level in 2006 and introduced the scheme of “Mainstreaming of AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions” to strengthen public health services. This scheme is currently in operation in its second phase, since 1stApril 2012, with the 12th5-year plan. The scheme was primarily brought in to operation with three important objectives; choice of treatment system to the patients, strengthen facility functionally and strengthen the implementation of national health programmes, however, in some places it seems to be a forced medical pluralism owing to a top-down approach by the union government without considerable involvement of the concerned community. In this study, the 5-year planning documents have been reviewed, from the 1stplan to 12thplan, to enable reflection and throw some light into the future directions of AYUSH system.

Role of AYUSH workforce, therapeutics, and principles in health care delivery with special reference to National Rural Health Mission.

Decades back AYUSH systems of medicine were limited to their own field with few exceptions in some states as health in India is a state issue. This took a reverse turn after the initiation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005 which brought the concept of “Mainstreaming of AYUSH and Revitalization of Local Health Traditions” utilizing the untapped AYUSH workforces, therapeutics and principles for the management of community health problems. As on 31/03/2012 AYUSH facilities were co-located in 468 District Hospitals, 2483 Community Health Centers and 8520 Primary Health Centers in the country. Several therapeutics are currently in use and few drugs have been included in the ASHA drug kit to treat common ailments in the community. At the same time Government of India has recognized few principles and therapeutics of Ayurveda as modalities of intervention to some of the community health problems. These include Ksharasutra (medicine coated thread) therapy for ano-rectal surgeries and Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenative therapy) for senile degenerative disorders etc. Similarly respective principles and therapeutics can also be utilized from other systems of AYUSH such as Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. Akin to Ayurveda these principles and therapeutics can also help in managing community health problems if appropriately implemented. This paper is a review on the role of AYUSH, as a system, in the delivery of health care in India with special reference to National Rural Health Mission.

Naturopathic medicine in India

AbstractBackgroundNaturopathy is a traditional system of medicine that believes in the body's innate capacity to heal itself. In India, the philosophy and practice of naturopathy differs from that of other countries. Yet little is known about the practice and regulatory affairs of naturopathy in India.ObjectivesTo explore the Indian perspective of naturopathy in terms of philosophy, practice, regulatory issues, challenges and future directions.MethodsAn online literature search was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords ‘naturopathic medicine’, ‘AYUSH systems’, ‘naturopathy’ and ‘CAM in India’. Websites of universities and government bodies were also searched for details regarding regulation and registration. Unstructured interviews were conducted with eminent experts and local physicians via telephone and in person to understand the challenges in practice and their views on the standardisation of naturopathy.ResultsNaturopathic medicine in India is a purely drugless approach. Naturopathic physicians use diet therapy, mud, hydrotherapy, massage, acupuncture, chromotherapy, magnet therapy, acupressure and yoga therapy as their main interventions. Lack of appropriate regulatory bodies, research, uniformity in practice and adequate support from the government are the main issues facing the naturopathic community in India.ConclusionNaturopathy, as practised in India, is a drugless system that believes in the body's self‐healing capability. The lack of solid evidence for many of its modalities indicates the need to offer adequate research training to professionals to assist them in building an evidence‐based practice. The standardisation of naturopathy can only happen by forming a central regulatory council and by calibrating its educational standards with respect to traditional philosophies.