Alternating The Norm

With a whole ministry behind its back, natural medicine is all set for a comeback.

- Pancham Bhardwaj

India has always been a thriving hotspot of countless natural and alternative medicinal practices that rarely enjoy such acceptance and encouragement anywhere else in the world. These practices have evolved over the years based on interactions with modern healthcare practices. Now, with the establishment of an entire ministry of AYUSH, these alternate forms of healthcare are all set to get a huge boost of legitimacy and growth.

For those who don’t know, The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, better known through its short form, AYUSH is a one-of-akind governmental body that works towards development, education and research in the field of alternative medicine. It started its life as a governmental department, which was later elevated to the status of ministry, and now plans to expand its presence by opening over 100 AYUSH hospitals, an All India Institute of Ayurveda along with an Institute of Naturopathy, and a National Institute of Homeopathy among others. This makes it perhaps the only governmental body solely dedicated to alternative medicine.