Exploring evidence-based uses of traditional medicine, such as ginger to treat nausea, is one of the topics of the second World Health Organization (WHO) Summit on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), taking place this week in India.
While most WHO member states report that 40 to 90 percent of their populations use traditional medicine, a meager 1 percent of global health funding supports research in this area. Additionally, a WHO survey showed regional imbalances in the percentage of countries with a national CIMT policy.
Why have so few funds been allocated to traditional medicine? And is traditional medicine a treatment, a way of life or something else?
To find out, PK Press Club spoke to Rabinarayan Acharya, director general of the Indian Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), which is working with WHO to advance research in this area.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Rabinarayan Acharya is the Director General of the Indian Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).
PK Press Club: How did you get into the field of traditional medicine?
Rabinarayan Acharya: My entry into traditional medicine was formed very early at home. My father received formal training in Ayurveda and Sanskrit at a renowned Sanskrit institution in Puri, Odisha, and I grew up exposed to classical texts, philosophy and scholarly traditions. Odisha’s strong living heritage of Ayurveda has instilled in me a deep respect for Ayurveda as a system of knowledge, and not just as a treatment modality. This foundation, combined with my scientific background and botany specializations, naturally led me to pursue Ayurveda as a career focused on research, evidence generation, and teaching.
PK Press Club: Is Ayurveda a lifestyle or a treatment?
Mr. Acharya: Ayurveda is both a way of life and a system of medicine, but its reach extends far beyond either in isolation. At its core, Ayurveda emphasizes healthy living through proper lifestyle practices (Vihara), dietetics (Ahara), and ethical conduct (Sadvritta). These principles are designed to maintain homeostasis, prevent disease, and promote long-term well-being rather than simply treating disease after it occurs. When illness occurs, Ayurveda offers well-structured therapeutic measures aimed not only at relieving symptoms but also at restoring systemic homeostasis.
This holistic focus aligns closely with conventional public health priorities, such as disease prevention, healthy aging, and management of chronic lifestyle disorders. The principles and practice of Ayurveda are particularly relevant in the context of the global shift towards non-communicable diseases, which are largely driven by modifiable risk factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, stress and environmental exposures.
PK Press Club: The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034 aims, among other objectives, to strengthen the evidence base on traditional medicine. What role do national institutions play in achieving these goals?
Mr. Acharya:At CCRAS, our mandate directly addresses the need identified by WHO that although the use of traditional medicine is widespread, robust evidence on safety, effectiveness and appropriate use must be systematically generated.
We achieve this by designing and conducting methodologically rigorous clinical studies, observational research, and public health evaluations rooted in classical Ayurvedic principles, while adhering to contemporary scientific and ethical standards. These research initiatives focus on drug development, clinical research, pharmacology, medicinal plant research, epidemiology and health systems research, enabling the generation of evidence across the research continuum.
PK Press Club: Currently, less than 1 percent of global health research funding is allocated to traditional medicine. Why do you think this is the case and what will it take to change?
Mr. Acharya:The limited share of global health research funding for traditional medicine is largely due to structural and methodological factors, not a lack of relevance or demand. Systems such as Ayurveda are complex, individualized and implemented as comprehensive interventions, which do not always fit neatly into the conventional biomedical research frameworks that dominate global funding priorities.
Changing this will require a strategic shift towards evidence-based integration, as outlined in the WHO Global Strategy for Traditional Medicine 2025-2034. This means sustained investment in high-quality, fit-for-purpose research that clearly demonstrates safety, effectiveness and public health value – from health promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. It is equally crucial to integrate validated traditional medicine interventions into national health policies.
PK Press Club: To what extent do you hope that more countries will integrate traditional medicine into their health systems?
Mr. Acharya: I am cautiously optimistic and the global dynamics are certainly encouraging. This is particularly relevant at a time when health systems are under pressure from increasing noncommunicable diseases, aging populations, and workforce and resource constraints.
It is important to note that integration does not imply the replacement of conventional care, but rather a complementary approach where safe and effective traditional medicine practices are aligned with national health priorities and public health goals.
PK Press Club: Can you give us an example of evidence-based traditional medicine used to treat bodily or mental health illnesses?
Mr. Acharya:Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), traditionally used as an adaptogen in Ayurveda, has been studied as a complementary treatment for mental health. Evidence suggests it may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while being generally safe and well-tolerated, highlighting its potential as a therapy for mental disorders.
