AYUSH and Ayurveda: The Business of Traditional Medicine
Evidence, Research and Quality
The sector faces questions on scientific proof, standardisation and safety, so research and testing are crucial for credibility.
Trust in traditional medicine depends on evidence and quality control.
Evidence
Some traditional remedies have been studied with clinical trials; for others, evidence is limited or mixed.
Standardisation
Herbal products vary in strength depending on soil, season and processing, so standard testing is vital.
Safety
Quality checks look for contamination, including heavy metals and pesticide residues.
Research investment
Government institutes and companies fund studies, though the level is small compared with modern pharma.
A firm tests each batch of a herbal powder for active compounds and contaminants before packing.
Herbal products can also carry risks.
- Evidence varies across remedies.
- Standardisation ensures consistency.
- Quality tests check for contamination.
- Research spending is limited.
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