Homoeopathy and Unani in India

Homoeopathy and Unani are widely used, with different origins, practitioners and debates about evidence.

Two important systems within AYUSH have their own stories.

Homoeopathy

Developed in Germany, homoeopathy is very popular in India, with many clinics and a large number of registered practitioners. Scientific reviews have generally not found evidence beyond placebo, so the debate is ongoing.

Unani

Unani draws on Greek and Arabic medical traditions and developed in India through history, with its own colleges and research council.

Affordability

Both are often cheaper than modern treatment, which supports their use among lower-income families.

Policy

Governments support them through institutions, and critics call for stronger evidence standards.

Cost as a factor

A family with limited income chooses a low-cost clinic for a minor ailment.

Treating all AYUSH systems as having equal evidence

Evidence differs across systems and conditions.

Key takeaways

Homoeopathy is widely used in India.
Unani has Greek-Arabic roots.
Affordability drives use.
Evidence debates continue.