Page 28 - Traditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report

Traditional Medicine Systems of

India

1. Traditional Medicine Systems Available in Health

Service System

India has a rich and long heritage of Indian Traditional Systems popularly known
as Ayush systems of Medicine which are well organised, codified, institutionalised, well

documented and professionally practised, consisting of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy,
Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy and are well integrated into healthcare

delivery system of the country. Ayush systems of medicines like Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa,
Unani, Homoeopathy have unique practices, however, at fundamental level the concepts

are very much similar to Ayurveda and are primarily based on Ayurveda Ancient India:
Hub of knowledge of the world

In the history of more than 5000 years, India was the wealthiest and most
advanced nation and the spine of this feat was the knowledge of the people. Ancient

India had a systematic learning system. The system of transmission of knowledge was
initially ‘Gurukul’ system wherein the knowledge was transmitted from ‘Guru’ (Teacher)

to ‘Shisya’ (Disciple). Over period of time, the system of transmission of knowledge got
institutionalised, and rulers established universities. Famous universities viz., Nalanda,

Vikramshila, Valabhi, Odantapuri, Pushpagiri, etc were the hub of knowledge wherein
scholars from all across the globe used to pursue higher education like Vedas, Sanskrit,

Philosophy, Ayurveda, Agriculture, Politics, Archery, Warfare, Astronomy, Commerce,
Futurology, Music, Dance, etc. During the Buddhist period, monks travelled all over the

places not only preaching religion and philosophy and dispelling ignorance, but also
India
alleviating human suffering through practice of Ayurveda, spreading Ayurveda along with
Buddhism to other nations.
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