India’s Traditional Medicine Systems: Building Quality, Access and Global Confidence

India is steadily positioning its traditional medicine systems on the global health map, focusing on quality, accessibility, and scientific credibility. From Ayurveda and Yoga to Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, these age-old systems are now being reshaped to meet modern global health expectations.

In a significant move, India recently hosted the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, bringing together policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals and regulators from across the world. The summit highlighted India’s vision of integrating traditional wisdom with modern science, ensuring safety, efficacy and universal acceptance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the gathering, stressed that while traditional medicine has immense potential, it must earn global trust through evidence-based research, standardisation and transparency. “Traditional medicine does not always get the recognition it deserves. To gain global confidence, it must be supported by science,” he said.

One of the landmark initiatives announced was the launch of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library, a massive digital repository that provides access to research papers, clinical studies, regulatory frameworks and traditional knowledge from around the world. This step is expected to enhance accessibility and promote informed decision-making among researchers and healthcare systems globally.

The Indian government, through the Ministry of AYUSH, has been actively strengthening quality control by introducing good manufacturing practices, pharmacovigilance systems, and clinical validation protocols. These measures aim to ensure that traditional medicine products meet international safety and quality standards.

India is also expanding global access to its traditional medicine systems. The inclusion of traditional medicine in international trade agreements, such as the recent agreement with Oman, reflects growing international confidence and demand for Indian wellness products and therapies.

At the grassroots level, initiatives like the development of biodiversity hubs and herbal corridors, including projects such as Odisha’s proposed “Sanjeevani Hills,” underline the country’s commitment to sustainable sourcing and conservation of medicinal plants.

Experts believe that India’s approach—rooted in tradition but driven by science—could redefine global healthcare by offering affordable, preventive and holistic solutions. As non-communicable diseases and lifestyle disorders rise worldwide, traditional medicine systems are gaining renewed relevance.

With sustained investment in research, regulation and international collaboration, India’s traditional medicine systems are no longer confined to cultural heritage alone. They are emerging as a credible, accessible and globally respected pillar of modern healthcare.