Editorial

From the editors — Reported by Editors

Supported by its rich biodiversity, India has since ancient times developed its own indigenous systems of medicine. Medicinal plants are found in all of its 15 ecosystems, giving rise to its unique alternative medical systems: Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Unani, each of which depends primarily on plant based formulations for its medicines.

Out of India’s 17,000-18,000 species of flowering plants, more than 7,000 are estimated to have medicinal usage and about 1,178 species are estimated to be in trade with 242 species having annual consumption levels in excess of 100 metric tons.

In 2014, the Indian Government established the Ministry of AYUSH, an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy (a system originally developed by the German physician Dr. Hahnemann in 1805). The name Ayush is also a Hindu name that means “long life,” “good health,” or “well-being.” The Ministry is responsible for developing education, research and propagation of the traditional and alternative medicine systems in India, and for facilitating the international promotion, development and recognition of the AYUSH systems of medicine.

The Ministry has set up Central Councils for Research in each system of medicine and has also created National AYUSH Institutes of Eminence: the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa, the National Institute of Unani Medicine in Ghaziabad, and the National Institute of Homeopathy at Delhi. It has also set up the National Medicinal Plants Board to coordinate all matters relating to medicinal plants.

The popularity of the various medicinal systems differs from state to state. Ayurveda and Siddha respectively have greater popularity in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Unani is better received in the Hyderabad region and among Muslims whilst homeopathy is highly popular in Bengal and Odisha. Sowa Rigpa is the traditional medicine of many parts of the Himalayan region, including Tibet.

Aurovilians have access to practitioners of four alternative systems. There are two Ayurvedic doctors (called Vaidya), one from India, the other from France; there are three resident homeopaths; a Tibetan doctor (called Amchi) and his team visit Auroville once a month; a visiting Siddha doctor gives twice weekly consults at the Auroville’s Health Centre in Aspiration; and one can learn from an experienced herbalist how to use local plants in everyday cooking to treat common health issues.

In this double issue of Auroville Today we carry interviews with these health providers. We also portray Auroville’s lone practitioner in Jyotisha Shastra, Vedic astrology, which is a recognized course of study in many Indian universities. Lastly, we publish interviews with a few not so well known Aurovilians, who are as dedicated to the manifestation of Auroville as those whose names are more in the public awareness.