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Revival, modernization and integration of Indian traditional herbal medicine in clinical practice:
Importance, challenges and future.
ABSTRACT:
India is known for its traditional medicinal systems—Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. Medical systems are
found mentioned even in the ancient Vedas and other scriptures. The Ayurvedic concept appeared and
developed between 2500 and 500?BC in India . The literal meaning of Ayurveda is “science of life,” because
ancient Indian system of health care focused on views of man and his illness. It has been pointed out that the
positive health means metabolically well-balanced human beings. Ayurveda is also called the “science of
longevity” because it offers a complete system to live a long healthy life. It offers programs to rejuvenate the
body through diet and nutrition. It offers treatment methods to cure many common diseases such as food
allergies, which have few modern treatments. However, one should be aware that Ayurvedic nutrition is not
a “magic bullet” system but requires the full participation of the patient to succeed. It is an interactive
system that is user-friendly and educational. It teaches the patient to become responsible and self-
empowered. Ayurveda is not a nutritional system for those seeking an escape or excuse to further abuse their
body or mind. It is a system for empowerment, a system of freedom, and long life.
Food is the major source for serving the nutritional needs, but with growing modernization some traditional
methods are being given up. Hence, the modern food habits are affecting the balanced nutrition. There is an
ever widening gap in nutrient intake due to which normal life is no longer normal. However, affluence of
working population with changing lifestyles and reducing affordability of sick care, in terms of time and
money involved, are some of the forces that are presently driving people towards thinking about their
wellness.
The Indian subcontinent is a vast repository of medicinal plants that are used in traditional medical
treatments. The alternative medicines in the traditional systems are derived from herbs, minerals, and
organic matter, while for the preparation of herbal drugs only medicinal plants are used. Use of plants as a
source of medicine has been an ancient practice and is an important component of the health care system in
India. In India, about 70?percent of rural population depends on the traditional Ayurvedic system of
medicine. Most healers/practitioners of the traditional systems of medicine prepare formulations by their
own recipes and dispense to the patients. In the Western countries, approximately 40?per cent of people are
using the herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases
In last century, medical science has made incredible advances all over the globe. Overall mortality rate
decreased, expectancy of life increased, a lot of new life saving drugs discovered which helps us to fight
against several infectious and other diseases, and new advancement in the field of technology has boosted
the capacity of modern science. In spite of such incredible advancement whether such benefit of modern
science/medicine has reach to the every door of the world? World Health Organization (WHO) in an
International Conference on Primary Health Care in 1978 commonly known as ‘Declaration of Alma-Ata’
express the need to achieve the goal ‘Health for All’ step by step manner through tackling the poverty,
illiteracy and poor sanitation. In 1998, WHO incorporates a new global health policy “Health for All in the
21st Century” and set the goal to achieve health security, health equity, increased healthy life expectancy
and to ensure access to essential quality healthcare for all.Modern medical science, despite so many
achievements and progress, is finding itself difficult to reach to every people and deal with the ever-
increasing diseases and disorders. Still, majority of world population mainly in developing and
underdeveloped countries does not have access to modern medicine and depends on the time-tested
traditional/alternative or complementary systems of medicine, many of these systems is much older
compared to the allopathic medical wisdom.Therefore, the major questions still exist – (1) whether the goal
has achieved? (2) whether ‘Health for All’ can be possible without scientific integration of traditional herbal
medicine in clinical practice?
In the 21st century, pollution, unhealthy lifestyle, environmental toxins increases the risk of diseases. The
side effects, overuse/misuses of allopathic drugs are also a major concern. In 2013, WHO developed and
lunched ‘WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023’ and emphasised to integrate traditional and
complementary medicine to promote universal healthcare and to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness
of such medicine.Therefore, the world is looking for cost effective, easily available, better physiological
compatible traditional systems of medicine and holistic approach to avert such problem and provide the
basic healthcare to all.
Knowledge regarding the therapeutic, toxicological effect of plants, minerals and other substances go back
to the prehistoric times when people have migrated to into the Indian subcontinent. Several evidences
indicated that in Indian subcontinent medical intervention like dentistry and trepanation were exercised as
early as 7000 BCE. Current archaeo-botanical excavations pointed towards the evidence regarding the use of
medicinal plants in the Middle Gangetic region since the 2nd millennium BCE which are still found in
Ayurvedic folk medicine.6 India is a land of different group of people who have their own religion, beliefs,
culture, language and dialects. Thus, diverse medicinal systems have developed in this region. A number of
medicinal systems also introduced here from outside and enriched in India. Since ancient time, Indian
society depends on traditional medicinal systems practiced here. Introduction of allopathic drug during
British era and neglecting Indian traditional medicine by British ruler are responsible for significant erosion
of Indian traditional medicine. High scientific progress in allopathic medicine and modern facilities also
resists the growth of traditional medicine. Still, about 70% rural populations of India are believed in
traditional medicine for primary healthcare.
Traditional medicine particularly herbal medicine playing important role in maintain of health in rural and
remote areas. Inclusion of traditional herbal medicine in clinical practice will help to achieve the target
‘health for all’ . Indian traditional medicine like Ayurveda and others have sound scientific background of
effectiveness and also acknowledged by the recent researches. Although efforts are needed to overcome
barriers like irrational use, quality control and standardization issues, high pharmacovogilance etc. Stick
implementation of rules, monitoring and periodic revision of regulations are absolute necessary to promote
Indian traditional medicine. Overall, adequate knowledge about the system, high quality clinical trial, proper
information about such drugs and their effectiveness among common people required towards the promotion
of such medicine. Integration of Ayurvedic and others Indian traditional medicine in clinical practice will
helpful to promote the health of the people who are unable to access the modern medicine properly.
Utilization of such medicine along with conventional drug surly put more values to promote health or cure
diseases in the better way. Therefore, mainstreaming of indian system of medicine along with allopathic
drugs and healthy lifestyle will be helpful to provide healthcare service in best possible way to all people not
only in India but around the globe.
Submitted by-
Dr.Ambrish Mishra
Faculty of Ayurveda,
Institute of Medical Science,
Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi(221005),U.P

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Revival, modernization and integration of Indian traditional herbal medicine in clinical practice:

Importance, challenges and future.

Banaras Hindu University,

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