π Topic 04 of 6 Β· Chapter 07 Β· Health Technology & Pharmaceuticals
AYUSH & Traditional Medicine in India
Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH β complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
πΏ AYUSH β What Does it Stand For?
| Letter | System | Origin | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Ayurveda | Ancient India | Oldest medical system; herbs, diet, lifestyle; Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita |
| Y | Yoga & Naturopathy | Ancient India | Physical and mental wellness; International Yoga Day = June 21 |
| U | Unani | Greece/Arab | Based on Hippocrates; 4 humours theory; popular in Muslim communities |
| S | Siddha | Tamil Nadu | Ancient Tamil medical system; herbs, minerals; practiced in South India |
| H | Homeopathy | Germany (Samuel Hahnemann) | “Like cures like”; highly diluted substances; popular in India |
πΏ Ministry of AYUSH
- Established in November 2014 (upgraded from Department of AYUSH)
- Promotes traditional and alternative medicine systems
- India’s AYUSH industry = ~$18 billion; growing rapidly
- COVID-19 boosted AYUSH β Kadha, Ashwagandha, Giloy became popular
- CCRAS (Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences) β Ayurveda research
- CCRH (Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy) β Homeopathy research
π§ International Yoga Day
- Celebrated on June 21 every year
- Proposed by PM Narendra Modi at UN General Assembly (September 2014)
- UN adopted resolution in December 2014 with record 177 co-sponsors
- First International Yoga Day: June 21, 2015
- June 21 = summer solstice = longest day of year in Northern Hemisphere
- Yoga is now practiced in 190+ countries
β Key Facts:
β’ AYUSH = Ayurveda + Yoga & Naturopathy + Unani + Siddha + Homeopathy
β’ Ministry of AYUSH = established November 2014
β’ International Yoga Day = June 21 = proposed by PM Modi = UN adopted 2014
β’ India’s AYUSH industry = ~$18 billion
β’ Charaka Samhita = ancient Ayurveda text; Sushruta = father of surgery
β’ AYUSH = Ayurveda + Yoga & Naturopathy + Unani + Siddha + Homeopathy
β’ Ministry of AYUSH = established November 2014
β’ International Yoga Day = June 21 = proposed by PM Modi = UN adopted 2014
β’ India’s AYUSH industry = ~$18 billion
β’ Charaka Samhita = ancient Ayurveda text; Sushruta = father of surgery