Ministry of Ayush

Successive Five-Year Plans of India (produced by the Planning Commission of India and later the NITI Aayog) allotted considerable focus to alternative, especially indigenous, forms of medicine within the healthcare sector. The Government of India set up a number of committees for healthcare sector development, including Bhore (1946), Mudaliar (1961), and Srivastava (1975), that emphasized the need for improvement of traditional systems of Indian medicine.{{cite journal |last1=Samal |first1=Janmejaya |last2=Dehury |first2=Ranjit Kumar |date=18 October 2018 |title=Utilization, preference, perception and characteristics of people adopting traditional and AYUSH systems of medicine in India: a systematic review |url=https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0176916 |journal=Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine |volume=16 |issue=2 |doi=10.1515/jcim-2018-0020 |pmid=30352037 |s2cid=53024438|url-access=subscription }} The National Health Policy (1983), National Education Policy in Health Sciences (1989), and National Health Policy (2002) further elaborated on the role of the Indian System of Medicine (ISM) and Homeopathy (H) as a means to facilitate healthcare access in rural areas where many Indians lack adequate health services.{{Cite journal|last1=Rudra|first1=Shalini|last2=Kalra|first2=Aakshi|last3=Kumar|first3=Abhishek|last4=Joe|first4=William|date=2017-05-04|title=Utilization of alternative systems of medicine as health care services in India: Evidence on AYUSH care from NSS 2014|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=12|issue=5|pages=e0176916|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0176916|issn=1932-6203|pmc=5417584|pmid=28472197|bibcode=2017PLoSO..1276916R|doi-access=free}}

A diploma course in ayurveda was launched in the third (1961–1966) five-year plan.{{Cite journal |last1=Samal |first1=Janmejaya |last2=Dehury |first2=Ranjit Kumar |date=May 2016 |title=An Evaluation on Medical Education, Research and Development of AYUSH Systems of Medicine through Five Year Plans of India |journal=Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=IE01–IE05 |doi=10.7860/JCDR/2016/18194.7793 |issn=2249-782X |pmc=4948421 |pmid=27437245}} The Central Council of Indian Medicine was established in 1971.{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Yogima |title=Niti Aayog wants axe on homoeopathy, ayurveda bodies |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/niti-aayog-wants-axe-on-homoeopathy-ayurveda-bodies/articleshow/57240971.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-05-02}} followed by Central Council of Homeopathy in 1973.{{Cite journal |last=Ghosh |first=Ajoy Kumar |date=April 2010 |title=A short history of the development of homeopathy in India |journal=Homeopathy: The Journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy |volume=99 |issue=2 |pages=130–136 |doi=10.1016/j.homp.2009.10.001 |issn=1476-4245 |pmid=20471616|s2cid=3758540 }} The sixth (1980–1985) and seventh (1985–1990) five-year plans aimed at developing novel ISM&H drugs. The eighth (1992–1997) five-year plan lent considerable emphasis on the mainstreaming of Ayush.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} The Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy was launched in March 1995, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.{{Cite web |title=About the Ministry |url=https://main.ayush.gov.in/about-the-ministry/ |website=Ministry of AYUSH}}

The ninth five-year plan (1998–2002) ensured for its integration with western medicine.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} It was the first to tackle different aspects of the Ayush system in a standalone manner which focused on overall development including investment in human resource development, preservation and cultivation of medicinal plants, establish a more complete pharmacopoeia, and outline good manufacturing processes.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} The acronym AYUSH was devised in 2003. The department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy was renamed the department of AYUSH in November 2003.

The National Rural Health Mission was launched in 2005 with the stated aim of integrating Ayush practitioners into national health programs, including in primary health care (Ayush medical officers at community health centers, para-professionals et al.) and to provide support for research in the field.{{Cite journal|last=Lakshmi|first=J. K.|date=January 2012|title=Less equal than others? Experiences of AYUSH medical officers in primary health centres in Andhra Pradesh|journal=Indian Journal of Medical Ethics|volume=9|issue=1|pages=18–21|doi=10.20529/IJME.2012.005|issn=0974-8466|pmid=22319847}} The National Rural Health Mission listed the mainstreaming of Ayush as one of its priorities.{{Cite journal |last1=Gopichandran |first1=Vijayaprasad |last2=Satish Kumar |first2=Ch |date=October 2012 |title=Mainstreaming AYUSH: an ethical analysis |journal=Indian Journal of Medical Ethics |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=272–277 |doi=10.20529/IJME.2012.091 |issn=0974-8466 |pmid=23099604|doi-access=free }}

Observers noted an increased focus on Ayush healthcare after the 2014 Indian general elections, which brought the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power.{{Cite news |last=Doshi |first=Vidhi |date=29 January 2018 |title=How ghee, turmeric and aloe vera became India's new instruments of soft power |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/how-ghee-turmeric-and-aloe-vera-became-indias-newinstruments-of-soft-power/2018/01/28/5eb8d836-f4ce-11e7-9af7-a50bc3300042_story.html |access-date=18 February 2019}} On 9 November 2014 the previous government department for traditional Indian medicine was elevated by the administration of Narendra Modi into a standing ministry that includes the promotion of yoga practice and the use of Ayurvedic products.{{Cite news |last1=Bhatia |first1=Rahul |last2=Lasseter |first2=Tom |date=May 23, 2017 |title=Modi's Yogi |language=en |work=Reuters |editor-last=McBride |editor-first=Janet |url=http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/india-modi-ramdev/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |editor-last2=Hirschberg |editor-first2=Peter}} The allotted budget for Ayush had more than doubled since 2013–14, and stood at ₹ 1428.7 crore for 2017–18.{{Cite web |last=Sumaiya Shaikh |date=November 2018 |title=Spoonful of Sugar: Why India's push for alt-med in the public health system is ill-advised |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/Science/why-India%27s-push-for-alt-med-in-the-public-health-system-is-ill-advised |url-access=subscription |access-date=2020-01-16 |website=The Caravan |language=en}}

The ministry runs multiple healthcare programs; primarily aimed at the rural population.

Ayush is supposed to form an integral backbone of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana{{Cite news |date=2018-11-04 |title=Clinical trials on Ayurvedic medicine against dengue underway: Shripad Naik |work=The Economic Times |publisher=PTI |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/clinical-trials-on-ayurvedic-medicine-against-dengue-underway-shripad-naik/articleshow/66497106.cms |access-date=2019-01-22}} and the ministry had long worked for integrating the different systems of Ayush with modern medicine, in what has been described as 'a type of "cross-pathy"'. More than 50,000 children have been enrolled in 'Homeopathy for Healthy Child'.{{Cite web |last=Bhuyan |first=Anoo |date=August 9, 2017 |title=AYUSH Ministry Writes to Nobel Laureate Against His 'False Propaganda' on Homeopathy |url=https://thewire.in/government/ayush-ministry-homeopathy-false-propaganda |access-date=2019-01-23 |website=The Wire}} It observes different days to raise general awareness about Ayush and promote each of the systems.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/first-naturopathy-day-celebrated-by-ayush-ministry-seeking-to-promote-drug-less-system-of-medicine/story-Ma9w7HJ3oIfPAFunRAVb8L.html|title=First Naturopathy day celebrated by Ayush ministry seeking to promote drug-less system of medicine|date=2018-11-19|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-01-31}}

The ministry had collaborated with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to set up the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) in 2001, on codified traditional knowledge on Indian systems of medicines such as ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and yoga as a means of preventing grant of "bed" patents on traditional knowledge and thus counter biopiracy.{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=61511|title=Know Instances of Patenting on the UES of Medicinal Plants in India|date=6 May 2010|publisher=PIB, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India|access-date=21 May 2010}}

The ministry is also at the aegis of several professional research institutes and academic faculties devoted to various forms of alternative medicine:{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhp.gov.in/UploadFiles/microsite/635665058281132058_1.pdf|title=Institutes under AYUSH|access-date=17 January 2020|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603062747/https://www.nhp.gov.in/UploadFiles/microsite/635665058281132058_1.pdf}}

• Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar - Established on 2020 in Jamnagar as an Institute of National Importance poised to take Ayurveda education to new vistas, it added.
• National Institute of Homeopathy - Established on 10 December 1975 in Kolkata as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.{{Cite web|url=http://nih.nic.in/pages/display/121-about-us|title=About Us|website=NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HOMOEOPATHY}} Conducts degree course in Homeopathy (UG since 1987 and PG since 1998); affiliated to the West Bengal University of Health Sciences.
• National Institute of Siddha - Was established at Chennai for an estimated cost of ₹ 470 million; inaugurated in November 2005.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/01/stories/2005090114280700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107022440/http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/01/stories/2005090114280700.htm|archive-date=7 November 2007|title=National Institute of Siddha a milestone in health care|last=Manikandan|first=K.|date=1 September 2005|access-date=16 October 2011|newspaper=The Hindu|location=Chennai}} A joint venture between Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu, the proposal was approved, in principle, during the ninth five-year plan period.{{cite conference|title=India Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy Annual Report 2000-2001|url=http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan009845.pdf|access-date=16 October 2011}} Affiliated to the government-owned Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and also the national headquarters of the Central Council of Research in Siddha (CCRS). Has an attached hospital—Ayothidoss Pandithar Hospital; on an average, 2,174 patients were reported per day (2017–18) whilst there's an in-patient (IP) department with a capacity of 120 beds.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/siddha-hospital-to-get-new-opd-building/article23753817.ece|title=Siddha hospital to get new OPD building|date=3 May 2018|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=4 May 2018|location=Chennai}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/national-institute-of-siddha-modifies-expansion-plan/article4218676.ece|title=National Institute of Siddha modifies expansion plan|last=Madhavan|first=D.|date=20 December 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=23 December 2012|location=Chennai}} Further expansions are in progress.
• National Institute of Unani Medicine - Established in 1984 at Bangalore, as a joint venture between Government of India and Government of Karnataka.{{cite web|url=http://indianmedicine.nic.in/index3.asp?sslid=193&subsublinkid=64&lang=1|title=National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore|publisher=AYUSH|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220163709/http://indianmedicine.nic.in/index3.asp?sslid=193&subsublinkid=64&lang=1|archive-date=2013-12-20|access-date=2013-12-20}} Initially offered research facilities but academic courses were set up from 2004. Currently offers post graduate courses (MD in Unani) in eight different specialties; affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.{{cite web|url=http://www.nium.in/content.php?cr|title=Courses|publisher=National Institute of Unani Medicine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127141743/http://nium.in/content.php?cr|archive-date=2013-11-27|access-date=2013-12-20}}
• National Research Institute for Panchakarma{{anchor|National Research Institute for Panchakarma}} - Set up in 1971 at Cheruthuruthy. Undertakes research activities as well as provides professional and academic training. The institute comes under the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) of the Ayush.

{{cite web |title=Institutions |url=http://ccras.nic.in/content/national-ayurveda-research-institute-panchakarma-cheruthuruthy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424033654/http://www.ccras.nic.in/content/national-ayurveda-research-institute-panchakarma-cheruthuruthy |archive-date= 24 April 2023|access-date=2022-11-28 |website=CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH IN AYURVEDIC SCIENCES |publisher=CCRAS }}

• National Institute of Ayurveda - Deemed university Set up in 1976 at Jaipur, by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; a refurbished extension of the Government Ayurvedic College, Jaipur which was established by the Government of Rajasthan in 1946. Offers research as well academic facilities; affiliated with Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University.
• All India Institute of Ayurveda - Established in 2009 at Delhi; offers research as well academic facilities. Brainchild of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Runs a secondary institute Rashtriya Ayurved Vidyapeeth.
• National Institute of Naturopathy -
• National Institute For Sowa Rigpa -
• Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga - Promotes Yoga philosophy and facilitates training and advanced research, as well. The institute was started in 1970, in the form a hospital, by the now defunct Central Council for Research in Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy, under the Vishwayatan Yogashram. The hospital was later converted into an institute, by name, Central Research Institute for Yoga (CRIY) in 1976, to provide free training to people and to organize research on yoga. In 1988, the institute was renamed to its current name.
• North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy - Established in 2016 at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong. Offers a four-and-a-half-year degree course in Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery and Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery.
• North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine - The NEIFM, Pasighat is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. It is located at Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Central Council for Research in Homeopathy
• Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy

The ministry also monitors two semi-autonomous regulatory bodies:-

• Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) - One of the professional councils under the University Grants Commission (UGC) to regulate higher education in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa-Rigpa. It suggests the professional benchmarks and practices for medical professionals in these systems, as well. The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) Act 1970 (48 of 1970) has been repealed and all the provisions of the [https://ncismindia.org/introduction.php National Commission for Indian System of Medicine] (NCISM) has been come into force with effect from the 11th day of June 2021.{{Cite web |date=11 August 2022 |title=National Commission for Indian System of Medicine |url=https://ncismindia.org/ }}
• National Commission for Homoeopathy - One of the professional councils under the UGC to regulate higher education in Homeopathy. Maintains central registers of homeopaths.

As of March 2015, there were nearly 800,000 Ayush practitioners, over 90 per cent of whom practiced homeopathy or ayurveda. A 2018 study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimated the market share of Ayush medicines at around US$3 billion and that India exported Ayush products of a net worth US$401.68 million in the fiscal year 2016–17.{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2018 |title=AYUSH ministry aims to triple market share of its medicines, services |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ayush-ministry-aims-to-triple-market-share-of-its-medicines-services/articleshow/66476035.cms |access-date=2019-01-31 |website=The Times of India}}

The Department of Pharmaceuticals had allocated a budget of ₹1.44 billion to the ministry for 2018-2020 for manufacture of alternative medicines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/TzXWNjTFU2jIEWLJ1CHVtM/Govt-allocates-Rs-144-crore-to-AYUSH-ministry-for-alternativ.html|title=Govt allocates ₹144 crore to AYUSH ministry for alternative medicines|last=Sharma|first=Neetu Chandra|date=2018-10-20|website=Mint|language=en|access-date=2019-01-31}} The average expenditure for drugs on Ayush and scientifically based medicine has been found to not vary widely.

A strong consensus prevails among the scientific community that homeopathy is a pseudo-scientific,{{cite book|author=Tuomela, R|title=Rational Changes in Science |chapter=Science, Protoscience, and Pseudoscience |publisher=Springer|year=1987|isbn=978-94-010-8181-8|veditors=Pitt JC, Marcello P|series=Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science|volume=98|pages=83–101|doi=10.1007/978-94-009-3779-6_4|author-link=Raimo Tuomela}}{{cite journal|author=Smith K|year=2012|title=Homeopathy is Unscientific and Unethical|journal=Bioethics|volume=26|issue=9|pages=508–12|doi=10.1111/j.1467-8519.2011.01956.x|s2cid=143067523|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1035885}}{{cite book|vauthors=Baran GR, Kiana MF, Samuel SP|title=Healthcare and Biomedical Technology in the 21st Century |chapter=Science, Pseudoscience, and Not Science: How do They Differ? |publisher=Springer|year=2014|isbn=978-1-4614-8540-7|pages=19–57|doi=10.1007/978-1-4614-8541-4_2|quote=within the traditional medical community it is considered to be quackery}}{{cite book|title=Philosophy of Pseudoscience: Reconsidering the Demarcation Problem|author=Ladyman J|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-226-05196-3|veditors=Pigliucci M, Boudry M|pages=48–49|chapter=Chapter 3: Towards a Demarcation of Science from Pseudoscience|quote=Yet homeopathy is a paradigmatic example of pseudoscience. It is neither simply bad science nor science fraud, but rather profoundly departs from scientific method and theories while being described as scientific by some of its adherents (often sincerely).}} unethical{{cite journal|last1=Shaw|first1=DM|year=2010|title=Homeopathy is where the harm is: Five unethical effects of funding unscientific 'remedies'|journal=Journal of Medical Ethics|volume=36|issue=3|pages=130–31|doi=10.1136/jme.2009.034959|pmid=20211989|doi-access=free}}{{cite news |author=Sample |first=Ian |date=21 July 2008 |title=Pharmacists urged to 'tell the truth' about homeopathic remedies |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/jul/21/pharmacists.homeophathy}} and implausible line of treatment.{{Cite web |title=Homeopathy: Complementary therapy |url=https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/homeopathy |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=Cancer Research UK}}UK Parliamentary Committee Science and Technology Committee - [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmsctech/45/4504.htm "Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy"] February 22, 2010.{{cite journal|last1=Grimes|first1=D.R.|year=2012|title=Proposed mechanisms for homeopathy are physically impossible|journal=Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies|volume=17|issue=3|pages=149–55|doi=10.1111/j.2042-7166.2012.01162.x}}{{cite web|url=http://www.easac.eu/fileadmin/PDF_s/reports_statements/EASAC_Homepathy_statement_web_final.pdf|title=Homeopathic products and practices: assessing the evidence and ensuring consistency in regulating medical claims in the EU|date=September 2017|work=European Academies' Science Advisory Council|page=1|access-date=1 October 2017|quote=... we agree with previous extensive evaluations concluding that there are no known diseases for which there is robust, reproducible evidence that homeopathy is effective beyond the placebo effect.}} Ayurveda is deemed to be pseudoscientific{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LiJKseis6OYC&pg=PA20|title=Chapter 1: Psychomythology|vauthors=Semple D, Smyth R|work=Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-19-969388-7|edition=3rd|page=20}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwFKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA293|title=Pseudoscience: The Conspiracy Against Science|last1=Kaufman|first1=Allison B.|last2=Kaufman|first2=James C.|date=2018-01-12|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-03742-6|language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2013-10-09 |orig-date=2011 |title=13-10-09 |url=https://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/13-10-09/ |access-date=2019-01-31 |website=Skeptic |language=en-US}} but is occasionally considered a protoscience, or trans-science system instead.{{cite book|title=Disenchanting India: Organized Rationalism and Criticism of Religion in India|last=Quack|first=Johannes|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2011|isbn=978-0-19-981260-8|pages=3, 213}}{{cite book|title=Science, Spirituality and the Modernization of India|last=Manohar|first=P. Ram|publisher=Anthem Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-84331-776-0|editor-last=Paranjape|editor-first=Makarand R.|pages=172–3|chapter=The blending of science and spirituality in the Ayurvedic healing tradition|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ey1v6JEmvakC&pg=FA172}} Naturopathy is considered to be a form of pseudoscientific quackery,Sources documenting the same:

• {{cite journal |last=Atwood |first=Kimball C. IV |year=2003 |title=Naturopathy: A critical appraisal |url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465994 |journal=Medscape General Medicine |volume=5 |issue=4 |page=39 |pmid=14745386}}{{registration required}}
• {{cite journal |last=Atwood IV |first=Kimball. C. |date=26 March 2004 |title=Naturopathy, pseudoscience, and medicine: Myths and fallacies vs truth |journal=Medscape General Medicine |volume=6 |issue=1 |page=33 |pmc=1140750 |pmid=15208545}}
• {{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Claire |date=11 July 2015 |title=Don't duck the law by sending kids to quacks |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/claire-harvey-dont-duck-the-law-by-sending-kids-to-quacks/story-fni0cwl5-1227438195104 |access-date=2 September 2015}}
• {{cite news |last1=Chivers |first1=Tom |date=10 November 2014 |title=How does naturopathy work? A bit like a flying vacuum-cleaner to Mars |work=Spectator |url=http://health.spectator.co.uk/how-does-naturopathy-work-a-bit-like-a-flying-vacuum-cleaner-to-mars/ |access-date=2 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905094710/https://health.spectator.co.uk/how-does-naturopathy-work-a-bit-like-a-flying-vacuum-cleaner-to-mars/ |archive-date=5 September 2017}}
• {{cite book |title=American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies |date=2009 |publisher=American Cancer Society |editor1-last=Russell |editor1-first=Jill |edition=Second |location=Atlanta |pages=116–119 |editor2-last=Rovere |editor2-first=Amy}} ineffective and possibly harmful,{{cite web|url=http://skepdic.com/natural.html|title=Natural|last=Carroll|first=Robert|date=26 November 2012|work=The Skeptic's Dictionary|access-date=2013-09-08}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ncahf.org/pp/herbal.html|title=NCAHF Position Paper on Over the Counter Herbal Remedies (1995)|year=1995|publisher=National Council Against Health Fraud|access-date=2009-04-17}} with numerous ethical concerns about the practice.{{cite journal|last=Atwood|first=Kimball C. IV|year=2003|title=Naturopathy: A critical appraisal|url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465994|journal=Medscape General Medicine|volume=5|issue=4|page=39|pmid=14745386}}{{registration required}}{{cite journal|last1=Gorski|first1=David H.|date=18 September 2014|title=Integrative oncology: really the best of both worlds?|journal=Nature Reviews Cancer|volume=14|issue=10|pages=692–700|doi=10.1038/nrc3822|pmid=25230880|s2cid=33539406|ref=Gorski Nature}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nWnR1JI7G6gC&pg=PT197|title=Naturopathy|vauthors=Singh S, Ernst E|work=Trick or Treatment?: Alternative Medicine on Trial|publisher=Transworld|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4090-8180-7|pages=197–|quote=many naturopaths are against mainstream medicine and advise their patients accordingly – for instance many are not in favour of vaccination.}} Much of the research on postural yoga has taken the form of preliminary studies or clinical trials of low methodological quality;{{cite journal|last1=Krisanaprakornkit|first1=T.|last2=Ngamjarus|first2=C.|last3=Witoonchart|first3=C.|last4=Piyavhatkul|first4=N.|year=2010|title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2010 |issue=6|pages=CD006507|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2|pmid=20556767|pmc=6823216}}{{cite journal|last1=Ospina|first1=M. B.|last2=Bond|first2=K.|last3=Karkhaneh|first3=M.|display-authors=etal|year=2008|title=Clinical trials of meditation practices in health care: characteristics and quality|journal=Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine|volume=14|issue=10|pages=199–213|doi=10.1089/acm.2008.0307|pmid=19123875|s2cid=43745958}}{{cite journal|last1=Uebelacker|first1=L. A.|last2=Epstein-Lubow|first2=G.|last3=Gaudiano|first3=B. A.|last4=Tremont|first4=G.|last5=Battle|first5=C. L.|last6=Miller|first6=I. W.|year=2010|title=Hatha yoga for depression: critical review of the evidence for efficacy, plausible mechanisms of action, and directions for future research|journal=Journal of Psychiatric Practice|volume=16|issue=1|pages=22–33|doi=10.1097/01.pra.0000367775.88388.96|pmid=20098228|s2cid=205423922}} there is no conclusive therapeutic effect except in back pain.{{Cite journal|last1=Wieland|first1=L. Susan|last2=Skoetz|first2=Nicole|last3=Pilkington|first3=Karen|last4=Vempati|first4=Ramaprabhu|last5=D'Adamo|first5=Christopher R|last6=Berman|first6=Brian M|date=2017-01-12|title=Yoga treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2017|issue=1|pages=CD010671|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD010671.pub2|issn=1469-493X|pmc=5294833|pmid=28076926}} Unani lacks biological plausibility and is considered to be pseudoscientific quackery, as well.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Harriet |date=August 14, 2018 |title=Naturopathy Textbook |url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/naturopathy-textbook/ |access-date=2020-01-16 |website=sciencebasedmedicine.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bellamy |first=Jann |date=December 27, 2012 |title=Naturopathy Embraces the Four Humors |url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/naturopathy-embraces-the-four-humors/ |access-date=2020-01-16 |website=sciencebasedmedicine.org |language=en-US}}

There is no credible efficacy or scientific basis for any of these forms of treatment.Sources that criticize the entirety of AYUSH as a pseudo-scientific venture:

• {{Cite news |last=Shrinivasan |first=Rukmini |date=2015-04-26 |title=Questions over science swirl, but AYUSH stands firm |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sunday-anchor/medicine-wars-homeopathy-allopathy-ayurveda-unani-in-india/article10792873.ece |access-date=2019-01-22 |issn=0971-751X}}
• {{Cite news |last=Krishnan |first=Vidya |title=AYUSH Ministry rails against global study on homeopathy |language=en |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/policy-and-issues/ayush-ministry-rails-against-global-study-on-homeopathy/article8561466.ece |access-date=2017-05-24}}
• {{Cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Ruchi |date=December 12, 2018 |title=Indian academia is fighting a toxic mix of nationalism and pseudoscience |url=https://qz.com/india/1492838/how-scientists-are-fighting-fake-news-and-superstition-in-india/ |access-date=2019-01-31 |publisher=Undark Magazine |language=en |via=Quartz India}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Kaufman |first1=Allison B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwFKDwAAQBAJ |title=Pseudoscience: The Conspiracy Against Science |last2=Kaufman |first2=James C. |date=2018-01-12 |publisher=MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-03742-6 |page=293 |language=en}}

Two systematic reviews, one by The Lancet in 2005 and the other by the Australian government's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in 2015, found no evidence that homeopathy was more effective than a placebo. In a comprehensive review of alternative medicine (including ayurveda and homeopathy) conducted in 2000, the UK House of Lords Committee on Science and Technology was unable to find evidence to support the value of these treatments. Randomized control trials or RCTs for ayurveda and homeopathy have been extremely limited as of 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sunday-anchor/medicine-wars-homeopathy-allopathy-ayurveda-unani-in-india/article10792873.ece|title=Questions over science swirl, but AYUSH stands firm|last=Shrinivasan|first=Rukmini|date=2015-04-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-22|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} Multiple systemic reviews have highlighted several methodological problems with the studies and trials conducted by Ayush and its associates in relation to developing an ayurvedic drug for diabetes.{{Cite journal|last1=Misra|first1=Anoop|last2=Gulati|first2=Seema|last3=Luthra|first3=Atul|year=2016|title=Alternative medicines for diabetes in India: Maximum hype, minimum science|journal=The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology|volume=4|issue=4|pages=302–303|doi=10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00515-X|pmid=27016323|doi-access=free}} A tendency to publish in dubious predatory journals and non-reproducibility by independent studies has also been noted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/big-claims-little-evidence/article22847938.ece|title=Big claims, little evidence|last=Pulla|first=Priyanka|date=2018-02-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-16|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} The Hindu reported in 2015 that India had yet to conduct a systematic review of any of the systems of medicine under the purview of Ayush.

The ministry (in conjunction with other national laboratories) has been subject to heavy criticism for developing, advocating and commercializing multiple sham-drugs (BGR-34, IME9, Dalzbone, Ayush-64 et al.) and treatment-regimes for a variety of diseases including dengue,{{Cite news |date=2018-09-11 |title=Homoeopathy pills to check spread of dengue |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/homoeopathy-pills-to-check-spread-of-dengue/article24920323.ece |access-date=2019-01-22 |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news |last=Chandna |first=Himani |date=16 April 2018 |title=India could have the solution to cure dengue by next year: an ayurvedic pill |work=ThePrint |url=https://theprint.in/governance/india-could-have-the-solution-to-cure-dengue-by-next-year-an-ayurvedic-pill/50136/}}{{Cite web |date=2018-04-17 |title=Ayurvedic dengue cure: Indian scientists create first of its kind drug to treat the disease |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/health/ayurvedic-dengue-cure-indian-scientists-create-first-of-its-kind-drug-to-treat-the-disease/story-7JE1Qj4u0ptwbTLg6gOh9K.html |access-date=2019-01-22 |website=Hindustan Times |publisher=PTI |language=en}} chikungunya, swine flu,{{Cite news |date=2015-01-28 |title=Swine flu prevention: homeo pills effective, say officials |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/swine-flu-prevention-homeo-pills-effective-say-officials/article6828096.ece |access-date=2019-01-23 |issn=0971-751X}} asthma, autism,{{Cite web |last=Shaikh |first=Sumaiya |date=2018-05-15 |title=Do the AYUSH based treatments for autism stand up to scientific scrutiny? |url=https://www.altnews.in/do-the-ayush-promoted-alternative-treatments-for-autism-stand-up-to-scientific-scrutiny/ |access-date=2019-01-22 |website=Alt News |language=en-GB}} diabetes, malaria,{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/the-inefficacy-of-ayush-64-the-anti-malarial-ayurvedic-drug-developed-by-ministry-of-ayush/|title=The inefficacy of AYUSH-64, the anti-malarial Ayurvedic drug developed by Ministry of AYUSH|last=Mittal|first=Shivani|date=2019-01-29|website=Alt News|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-31}} AIDS,{{Cite news |date=2015-04-05 |title=A homeopathic experiment gives hope for treatment of AIDS |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/a-homeopathic-experiment-gives-hope-for-treatment-of-aids-115040200877_1.html |access-date=2019-01-23}} cancer,{{Cite news |date=August 8, 2017 |title=Ministry of Ayush Develops drugs for Dengue, Cancer |work=United News of India |url=http://www.uniindia.com/ministry-of-ayush-develops-drugs-for-dengue-cancer/parliament/news/954245.html |url-access=limited}} COVID-19{{Cite web |last=Karthikeyan |first=Ragamalika |date=2021-05-22 |title=Why the push for AYUSH is harmful: Narendra Nayak interview |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-push-ayush-harmful-narendra-nayak-interview-149330 |access-date=2021-05-23 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Thapar |first=Karan |date=2021-04-30 |title=COVID in India: 35 Questions for K. VijayRaghavan, V.K. Paul and Balram Bhargava |url=https://science.thewire.in/the-sciences/covid-in-india-35-questions-for-k-vijayraghavan-balram-bhargava-and-v-k-paul/ |access-date=2021-05-23 |website=The Wire |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last1=Pulla |first1=Priyanka |last2=October 15, 2020 |date=2020-10-15 |title='A fraud on the nation': critics blast Indian government's promotion of traditional medicine for COVID-19 |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/fraud-nation-critics-blast-indian-government-s-promotion-traditional-medicine-covid-19 |access-date=2021-05-23 |website=Science |language=en}} and others despite an absence of rigorous pharmacological studies and meaningful clinical trials.{{Cite journal|last1=Patwardhan|first1=Bhushan|year=2016|title=Ayurvedic drugs in case: Claims, evidence, regulations and ethics|journal=Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine|volume=7|issue=3|pages=135–137|doi=10.1016/j.jaim.2016.08.005|pmid=27640330|pmc=5052386}}{{Cite web |last=Rukmini |first=S. |date=2017-08-09 |title=7 Scientific Pieces Of 'Propaganda Against Homeopathy' That The Government Might Need To Consider |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/08/09/7-scientific-pieces-of-propaganda-against-homeopathy-that-the_a_23071517/ |access-date=2019-01-23 |website=HuffPost India |language=en}}

A 2018 systematic review of traditional and AYUSH medicine noted the existing regulations to be inadequate for ensuring the safety, quality, efficacy and standardized rational use of these forms of treatment. Researchers also noted a lack of monitoring for adverse effects from the usage of these drugs and of contraindication trials.

The ministry recommended the herb giloy as an "immune booster against" COVID-19{{cite news|title=Mumbai: Study says liver damage likely due to autoimmune response to giloy|work=Mumbai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mumbai-study-says-liver-damage-likely-due-to-autoimmune-response-to-giloy/articleshow/84104472.cms|date=4 July 2021|author=Malathy Iyer}} and issued multiple press releases during the COVID-19 pandemic claiming the herb was safe. Later, multiple cases of liver damage was found in those with a history of giloy consumption.{{cite news |last=Ray |first=Kalyan |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/ayurvedic-drug-backed-by-ayush-ministry-causes-liver-damage-says-study-1088604.html |title=Ayurvedic drug backed by AYUSH Ministry causes liver damage, says study |date=6 March 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |publisher=The Printers, Mysore}}

However, the ministry backed its statement by pointing out that neither the content of the herb usage nor the authenticity of the plant, which could be identified with similar-looking plants, was analyzed.{{Cite web |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1733260 |title=Relating Giloy to Liver Damage is completely Misleading, Says Ministry of Ayush |date=2021-07-07 |website=Ayush}}{{Cite news |title=Liver injury seen in patients using excessive herbal immune boosters like giloy in Covid time |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/liver-injury-excess-giloy-herbal-home-remedy-treatment-covid-1824248-2021-07-05 |last=Mordani |first=Sneha |date=2021-07-06}}

The Washington Post noted the efforts behind the revival of Ayurveda as a part of the ruling party's rhetoric of restoring India's past glory. It also noted that the Ayurveda industry was largely non-standardized and that its critics associated the aggressive integration of Ayurveda into healthcare services with the Hindu nationalist ideology of the ruling party. There have been allegations coming out of right-to-information requests that it is the Ayush ministries official policy to not hire Muslims as trainers.{{Cite web|date=2016-03-12|title=Ayush minister rejects RTI response of no-Muslim hire policy|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/we-don-t-recruit-muslims-modi-government-s-ayush-ministry/story-n31ky0RXYRcXk7s7eRYSVK.html|access-date=2020-06-20|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}

Some researchers have argued that the provision of Ayush services is an example of "forced pluralism" which often leads to disbursal of incompetent healthcare services by unqualified practitioners.{{Cite journal|last1=Sheehan|first1=Helen E.|year=2009|title=Medical pluralism in India: patient choice or no other options? {{!}} Indian Journal of Medical Ethics|journal=Indian Journal of Medical Ethics|language=en|volume=6|issue=3|pages=138–41|doi=10.20529/ijme.2009.045|pmid=19653589|s2cid=6339140|doi-access=free}} Ayushman Bharat has been noted to increase privatization of state healthcare facilities and compel rural populace into preferentially choosing alternative medicine, raising concerns about ethics.{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspective/all-not-well-modi-flagship-health-scheme|title=All is not well with Modi's flagship health scheme|last=Singh|first=Jyotsna|date=1 March 2019|website=The Caravan|language=en|access-date=2019-12-07|archive-date=7 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207155558/https://caravanmagazine.in/perspective/all-not-well-modi-flagship-health-scheme}} The proposal of integrating Ayush with western medicine has been criticized.{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/dangerous-ayush-practitioners-prescribe-modern-medicine/|title=Why is it dangerous for AYUSH practitioners to prescribe modern medicine?|last=Shaikh|first=Dr Sumaiya|date=2018-01-13|website=Alt News|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-22}} The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed strong opposition to integrated medicine,{{Cite web |date=2018-02-06 |title=Ayush doctors support NMC bill, hold rally |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ayush-doctors-support-nmc-bill-hold-rally-75976 |access-date=2019-01-22 |website=The News Minute}}{{Cite web |last=Isalkar |first=Umesh |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Bridge course for Ayush practitioners draws ire |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/bridge-course-for-ayush-practitioners-draws-ire/articleshow/62329736.cms |access-date=2019-01-22 |website=The Times of India}} often by using the term "mixopathy".{{Cite web |last=Sirur |first=Simrin |date=2022-02-19 |title=Don't call practitioners of Indian medicine 'quacks', have rights under law, says Commission |url=https://theprint.in/health/dont-call-practitioners-of-indian-medicine-quacks-have-rights-under-law-says-commission/838476/ |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Taskin |first=Bismee |date=2020-12-08 |title='No point mixing all in one' — IMA to fight govt move to allow Ayurveda doctors to do surgery |url=https://theprint.in/health/no-point-mixing-all-in-one-ima-to-fight-govt-move-to-allow-ayurveda-doctors-to-do-surgery/562449/ |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}} In 2020 and 2021, the IMA held nationwide protests to demonstrate against federal changes issued by the Ministry of Ayush that permit ayurvedic practitioners to perform minor surgical procedures.{{Cite news |last=Jamkhandikar |first=Shilpa |date=2020-12-11 |title=One million Indian doctors on strike to protest surgeries by traditional practitioners |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/india-strike-idUSKBN28L17D |access-date=2022-05-01}}{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Prachi |date=August 12, 2020 |title=The Contest Between AYUSH and Allopathy Shouldn't Forget Public Health |url=https://science.thewire.in/health/ministry-of-ayush-mixopathy-ayurveda-allopathy-indian-medical-association-doctors-shortage-rural-areas-public-health/ |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=The Wire |language=en-GB}}{{Cite journal |last=Sharma |first=Dinesh C. |date=2021-02-13 |title=Indian Medical Association launches hunger strike |url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00363-9/abstract |journal=The Lancet |language=English |volume=397 |issue=10274 |page=567 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00363-9 |issn=0140-6736 |pmid=33581811 |s2cid=231885079|url-access=subscription }}

The ministry had attracted widespread criticism after publishing a pamphlet titled Mother and Child Care through Yoga and Naturopathy which asked pregnant women to abstain from eating meat and eggs, shun desire and lust, hang beautiful photos in the bedroom and to nurture spiritual and 'pure' thoughts among other advice.{{Cite web |last=Rathee |first=Pranshu |date=2018-11-20 |title=What is AYUSH and the controversy around it? |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/what-ayush-and-controversy-703993.html |access-date=2019-01-22 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Pandey |first=Geeta |date=2017-06-21 |title=Reality Check: Should pregnant women shun meat and lust? |language=en-GB |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40341898 |access-date=2019-01-22}} In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry recommended Arsenicum album 30 as a preventive drug; the claim was without any scientific basis or evidence, and was widely criticized.{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/no-homeopathic-drug-arsenicum-album-30-cannot-prevent-coronavirus-infection-as-claimed-by-ayush-ministry/|title=No, homeopathic drug 'Arsenicum album 30' cannot prevent Coronavirus infection, as claimed by AYUSH ministry|last=Shaikh|first=Dr Sumaiya|date=2020-01-31|website=Alt News|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-05}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/coronavirus-highly-irresponsible-on-the-part-of-ayush-ministry-to-prescribe-unani-medicines/article30692601.ece|title=Coronavirus {{!}} Highly irresponsible on the part of AYUSH Ministry to prescribe Unani medicines|last=Prasad|first=R.|date=2020-01-30|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-02-05|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-to-read-the-ayush-ministry-advisory-on-coronavirus-infection-6241438/|title=Explained: How to read the AYUSH ministry advisory on coronavirus infection|date=2020-01-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-05}}

The ministry rejected the NHMRC's 2016 study on homeopathy which was regarded as the most rigorous and reliable investigation into homeopathy to date.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/policy-and-issues/ayush-ministry-rails-against-global-study-on-homeopathy/article8561466.ece|title=AYUSH Ministry rails against global study on homeopathy|last=Krishnan|first=Vidya|date=2016-05-05|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last=Ernst |first=Edzard |date=2017-05-28 |title=Homeopathy: the NHMRC report revisited |url=https://edzardernst.com/2017/05/homeopathy-the-nhmrc-report-revisited/ |access-date=2019-01-23 |website=edzardernst.com |language=en-GB}} In 2017, the ministry set up a committee at the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) to counter claimed western propaganda against homeopathy; the committee was ill-received.{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/846578/centre-sets-up-committee-to-deal-with-false-propaganda-against-homeopathy|title=Centre sets up committee to deal with false propaganda against homoeopathy|author=Scroll Staff|website=Scroll.in|date=8 August 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-23}}

A NSSO survey in 2014 found that only 6.9% of the population favored Ayush (3.5% ISM and 3.0% homeopathy) over conventional mainstream medicine and that the urban population was slightly more conducive to seeking Ayush forms of treatment than their rural counterparts; another survey in 2016 reiterated the same findings, approximately.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/90-of-Indians-prefer-allopathy-over-AYUSH/articleshow/47981441.cms|title=90% of Indians prefer allopathy over AYUSH - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=8 July 2015 |access-date=2019-01-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/health-and-fitness/people-want-modern-medicine-not-miracle-cures/story-TqBXj2AZAnk8Nbj41z5V5I.html|title=People want modern medicine, not miracle cures|date=2016-05-22|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} A 2014 study did not report any significant difference between the usage of Ayush services by rural and urban populace, after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic variables. Low-income households exhibited the highest tendency for Ayush followed by high-income households and on an overall, Ayush lines of treatment were majorly used to treat chronic diseases. The treatments were more used among females in rural India but no gender-differential was observed in the urban populations. Chhattisgarh (15.4%), Kerala (13.7%), and West Bengal (11.6%) displayed the highest Ayush utilization levels.

A 2018 review article noted that the states exhibited differential preference for particular Ayush systems. Ayurveda and Siddha respectively show greater popularities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Unani was well received in Hyderabad region and among Muslims whilst homeopathy was highly popular in Bengal and Odisha. It further noted that the preference among the general population for usage of Ayush revolved around a perceived "distrust or frustration with modern medicine, cost effectiveness, accessibility, non-availability of other options and less side effects of Ayush medicines".

{{Reflist}}

• [http://ayush.gov.in/ Ministry of Ayush, Official website]

{{Pseudoscience}}{{Union ministries of India}}{{Authority control}}

A

Category:Ministry of Ayush

Category:2014 establishments in Delhi

Category:Alternative medicine organizations