Traditional medicine emerges as one of the good healthcare providers

The Ministry of Ayush has always been encouraging people to live a healthy lifestyle by educating them through modes of various traditional practices.

It also lays emphasis on Yoga and other practices which are related to our culture and tradition. The Ministry today issued a notice where it stated that the traditional systems of medicine have emerged as one of the prominent healthcare providers. It was added that Ayush aims at providing mental and physical wellbeing through Indian traditional systems of medicine.

Health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs which includes the use of plant, animal and mineral-based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being can be defined as traditional medicine.

Traditional cultures believe that healing is derived from the divine and utilize a holistic approach to healing including the body, mind, and spirit. The community and environment also play an important role in healing an individual along with herbal remedies and ceremonies.

Traditional medicines are considered to be totally safe for health and lack side effects.

Traditional cultures believe that healing is derived from the divine and utilize a holistic approach to healing including the body, mind, and spirit

Assam is a land rich in flora and fauna is known for its medicinal herbs and plants in the hills and forests across the globe. About 300 types of medicinal herbs and plants are known to exist in abundance in the state. Some of its examples are Acacia Polyacantha, Acalypha Indica, Achyranthes Aspera, Acorus calamus.

Acacia Polyacantha is a medicinal plant that is traditionally used to treat livestock diseases and gastrointestinal infections. Based on literature studies, Acalypha Indica has the capability to serve as anthelmintic, anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-venom, hepatoprotective, hypoxia, and wound healing medicine.

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal recently while laying the foundation stones of a Panchakarma Block at Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Borsajai and a Panchakarma Centre of Excellence at State Ayurveda addressed the crowd and said that,  "Ayurveda is the driving force to the state of physical empowerment and mental happiness. We are fortunate that Aai Dharitri has bestowed upon us a rich flora that can unlock huge potential in Ayurveda in Assam and the whole of Northeast".

Sonowal said these initiatives are aimed at providing an opportunity for the Ayurveda to prosper & enrich the health & wellness of the people. "These will enhance our capability to perform Panchakarma, the world-famous & the pride of traditional Indian medicinal practice. The other facilities will enhance the capability to build upon popular consciousness around Ayurveda with evidence-based medical sciences. We must seize this opportunity to build Ayurveda - the wonder of India - a truly global phenomenon to serve humanity", Sonowal added. 

At the same event, the Health & Family Welfare Minister of Assam, Keshab Mahanta, said, "It is a matter of great pride for people of Assam that the traditional Ayurveda is getting such a boost. While this will not only improve our infrastructure, the people will benefit from the rich solutions that Ayurveda provides for various ailments."