Minister for Health, Dinesh Gundu Rao, on Thursday highlighted the urgent need to strengthen research in Ayurveda and build specialised expertise within India’s traditional system of medicine. Speaking at a national conference on public health and traditional medicine, Rao emphasised that Ayurveda holds critical insights into addressing contemporary lifestyle-related health challenges, including chronic diseases, stress, obesity, and metabolic disorders.
Bridging Tradition and Modern Science
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasised that bridging the gap between Ayurveda and modern medical science is vital for the system’s evolution. While Ayurveda relies on centuries-old texts, observation, and empirical practices, modern medicine relies on clinical trials, statistical validation, and mechanistic understanding. Rao highlighted that combining these approaches can provide scientifically credible solutions to contemporary health challenges, making Ayurveda more acceptable to doctors, patients, and policymakers alike.
Strengthening Research Infrastructure
Rao pointed out the need to build dedicated research infrastructure for Ayurveda. Currently, many colleges and research institutes lack advanced laboratories, analytical equipment, and multidisciplinary teams needed to conduct high-quality pharmacological and clinical studies. Strengthening infrastructure will enable systematic investigation of medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and therapeutic techniques, while also supporting collaborations with biomedical and pharmaceutical institutions.
Encouraging Clinical Trials and Evidence-Based Practices
A major challenge for Ayurveda, the minister noted, is the limited number of rigorous clinical trials. He urged research councils, universities, and private practitioners to design well-structured studies that follow international standards. Such trials would not only validate traditional treatments but also identify dosage norms, contraindications, and potential side effects, enhancing safety and public trust. Rao emphasised that evidence-based practice is key to integrating Ayurveda into hospitals, wellness centers, and public health programs.
Developing Specialised Educational Programs
Specialised expertise in Ayurveda, according to Rao, is critical for both research and treatment. He proposed introducing advanced degree programs, fellowships, and postdoctoral opportunities focused on clinical research, pharmacology, and interdisciplinary healthcare studies. By combining traditional knowledge with laboratory-based research and modern diagnostic skills, Ayurveda practitioners will be better equipped to innovate, evaluate therapies, and contribute to scientific literature.
Integration with Preventive Healthcare
The Health Minister highlighted Ayurveda’s preventive healthcare potential. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders are rising in India, largely due to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and stress. Ayurveda’s focus on diet, exercise, detoxification, and mental well-being offers preventive solutions. Rao urged researchers to study these interventions scientifically, enabling government health programs to incorporate Ayurveda strategies for disease prevention.
Quality Control and Standardisation Challenges
One of the persistent obstacles in Ayurveda is quality control and standardisation. Variation in herb sourcing, preparation techniques, and dosage can affect efficacy and patient safety. Rao stressed the need for regulatory frameworks that standardise cultivation, extraction, and formulation processes. Certification systems and traceability of raw materials were suggested to ensure that Ayurvedic products meet consistent quality standards, both domestically and internationally.
Global Recognition and Export Potential
Ayurveda is gaining international attention, and Rao pointed out the opportunity to position India as a global leader in traditional medicine. Scientific validation, high-quality products, and specialised expertise can enhance credibility abroad, increasing export opportunities for herbal medicines and wellness therapies. Collaboration with international universities and research institutes will also help in validating Ayurvedic treatments and building global trust.
Rao also called for the development of specialised expertise in Ayurveda, stressing that practitioners need advanced training beyond conventional college curricula. He recommended integrating modern diagnostic techniques, laboratory research skills, and knowledge of contemporary healthcare practices into Ayurveda education.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasised that bridging the gap between Ayurveda and modern medical science is vital for the system’s evolution. While Ayurveda relies on centuries-old texts, observation, and empirical practices, modern medicine relies on clinical trials, statistical validation, and mechanistic understanding. Rao highlighted that combining these approaches can provide scientifically credible solutions to contemporary health challenges, making Ayurveda more acceptable to doctors, patients, and policymakers alike.
Role of Government Policy and Funding
Rao underscored that government support is essential for the growth of Ayurveda. Policy measures, research grants, and funding for centres of excellence can catalyse innovation and ensure systematic development of the field. Scholarships and incentives for researchers and students were highlighted as crucial to attracting talent into Ayurveda research and clinical practice. These efforts aim to institutionalise a long-term vision for Ayurveda in India’s healthcare system.
Public Awareness and Community Engagement
The minister also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns. While Ayurveda is widely known, misconceptions and inconsistent practices limit its adoption. Educating citizens on scientifically validated therapies, preventive care practices, and lifestyle interventions can empower communities to make informed health choices. Public engagement, combined with rigorous research, will strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of Ayurveda.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasised that bridging the gap between Ayurveda and modern medical science is vital for the system’s evolution. While Ayurveda relies on centuries-old texts, observation, and empirical practices, modern medicine relies on clinical trials, statistical validation, and mechanistic understanding. Rao highlighted that combining these approaches can provide scientifically credible solutions to contemporary health challenges, making Ayurveda more acceptable to doctors, patients, and policymakers alike.
The Health Minister highlighted Ayurveda’s preventive healthcare potential. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders are rising in India, largely due to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and stress. Ayurveda’s focus on diet, exercise, detoxification, and mental well-being offers preventive solutions. Rao urged researchers to study these interventions scientifically, enabling government health programs to incorporate Ayurveda strategies for disease prevention.
Future Outlook and Strategic Vision
Concluding his address, Rao articulated a strategic vision for Ayurveda over the next decade. The focus will be on building research excellence, specialised expertise, policy support, and global collaboration. By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific validation, India can ensure that Ayurveda contributes meaningfully to modern healthcare, addresses pressing lifestyle-related diseases, and positions itself as a respected, evidence-based system both nationally and internationally.
The minister stressed that while Ayurveda has a rich heritage and centuries of empirical knowledge, its potential remains underutilised due to gaps in research, standardisation, and professional training. By combining traditional wisdom with scientific investigation, Rao said, India can modernise the system while ensuring credibility, safety, and broader applicability in modern healthcare.
Research and Scientific Validation Needed
A core message from Rao’s address was the need for evidence-based research in Ayurveda. Clinical trials, pharmacological studies, and systematic documentation of herbal formulations are essential to validate efficacy, optimise treatments, and ensure patient safety. Authorities emphasised that without rigorous scientific validation, Ayurveda risks remaining a peripheral healthcare option rather than an integrated solution to lifestyle and chronic ailments.
Experts noted that strengthening research infrastructure, funding dedicated laboratories, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration with biomedical institutions could significantly accelerate the validation of traditional practices. Standardisation of medicinal herbs, preparation methods, and dosage protocols was also highlighted as a key requirement for scaling Ayurveda’s adoption.
Rao emphasised that integrating Ayurveda into public health programs, wellness initiatives, and community health interventions could reduce the burden of chronic diseases, promote preventive care, and improve overall quality of life. Policy measures and research support will be critical to achieving this goal.
Developing Specialised Expertise
Rao also called for the development of specialised expertise in Ayurveda, stressing that practitioners need advanced training beyond conventional college curricula. He recommended integrating modern diagnostic techniques, laboratory research skills, and knowledge of contemporary healthcare practices into Ayurveda education.
Universities and training institutions have been encouraged to create advanced courses, fellowships, and research-oriented programs that equip students with both traditional and scientific knowledge. Such initiatives aim to produce a generation of practitioners capable of conducting high-quality research, delivering specialised treatments, and contributing to global recognition of Ayurveda.
Minister for Health, Dinesh Gundu Rao, on Thursday highlighted the urgent need to strengthen research in Ayurveda and build specialised expertise within India’s traditional system of medicine. Speaking at a national conference on public health and traditional medicine, Rao emphasised that Ayurveda holds critical insights into addressing contemporary lifestyle-related health challenges, including chronic diseases, stress, obesity, and metabolic disorders.
Addressing Lifestyle-Related Health Challenges
The Health Minister pointed out that lifestyle-related health issues—such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stress—have become pressing concerns. Ayurveda, with its emphasis on diet, exercise, herbal therapies, and mental well-being, provides a holistic approach that can complement modern medicine in preventing and managing these conditions.
Rao emphasised that integrating Ayurveda into public health programs, wellness initiatives, and community health interventions could reduce the burden of chronic diseases, promote preventive care, and improve overall quality of life. Policy measures and research support will be critical to achieving this goal.
Future Directions and Policy Support
Looking ahead, the minister indicated that the government will support initiatives to strengthen research, enhance professional expertise, and integrate Ayurveda into mainstream healthcare. Measures under consideration include funding research projects, establishing centres of excellence, providing scholarships for advanced training, and promoting interdisciplinary collaborations._vb_02.jpeg)
Rao concluded by stating that with systematic research, specialised expertise, and policy backing, Ayurveda could play a transformative role in addressing modern health challenges, benefiting millions of citizens while showcasing India’s traditional knowledge on the global stage.
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