India’s evolving medical pluralism: the changing relationship between Ayush and biomedicine
https://doi.org/10.47093/3034-4700.2026.3.2.88
Abstract
The morbidity rates of chronic non-communicable diseases together with medical inflation, have renewed interest in integrative health with the amalgamation of modern science traditional medicine systems. The World Health Organization latest traditional medicine strategy advocates universal access to evidence-based, people-centred traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. In India, Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homeopathy (Ayush) and other indigenous medicine systems are deeply rooted in the culture and are currently being mainstreamed through policy and programmatic reforms. This review with bibliographic analysis examines the development, institutionalization and regulation of Ayush in India, together with models of Ayush–biomedicine integration, the available evidence and major barriers. The bibliographic analysis included 256 English-language articles and reviews published between 01.01.2005 and 31.12.2025 in Web of Science and PubMed and identified four major thematic areas, seven co-authorship clusters and increasing publication activity after 2019, reaching 42 publications in 2025.
Available studies suggest potential applications of Ayush in chronic diseases, mental health, supportive oncology care, pain management and preventive health. However, many studies remain small, heterogeneous, adjunctive or observational, showing that the evidence base is still uneven. Several integrative practice and India-specific initiatives are discussed, ranging from co-location and cross-referral to collaborative and community-based care. Institutional development also involves research, education and regulation, public health integration and digital health. Interdisciplinary research, stronger quality regulation, capacity building and further evaluation of integrative models are needed to support an evidence-based and patient-centred healthcare system. Overall, the findings suggest that India is moving beyond medical pluralism towards a more organized integrative healthcare model.
Keywords
Ayush,
evidence-based medicine,
TCIM,
WHO,
traditional medicine,
India,
health policy,
healthcare integration
Supporting agencies: The authors acknowledge funding support from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) under Project Grant No. MLP002635.
About the Authors
Damini Sharma
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research
India
India
Damini Sharma, PhD, Principal Project Associate
14, Satsang Vihar Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
Suman Ray
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research
India
India
Suman Ray, PhD, Senior Principal Scientist
Dr K S Krishnan Marg, New Delhi, 110012, India
Charu Lata
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research
India
India
Charu Lata, PhD, Principal Scientist and Head, Traditional Knowledge Division
14, Satsang Vihar Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Sharma D., Ray S., Lata Ch. India’s evolving medical pluralism: the changing relationship between Ayush and biomedicine. The BRICS Health Journal. 2026;3(2):5-20. https://doi.org/10.47093/3034-4700.2026.3.2.88
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