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| {{short description|Indian government ministry for traditional medicines}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Ministry of Ayush]] |
| {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
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| {{use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
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| {{Infobox government agency
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| | name = Ministry of AYUSH
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| | seal = Emblem of India.svg
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| | seal_width = 70px
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| | seal_caption = [[Emblem of India]]
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| | logo =
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| | formed ={{start date and years ago|2014|11|09|df=y|p=y|br=y}}
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| | employees =
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| | budget =
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| | minister1_name = [[Sarbananda Sonowal]]
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| | minister1_pfo = Cabinet Minister
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| | minister2_name = [[Mahendra Munjapara]]
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| | minister2_pfo = Minister of State
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| | chief1_name =[[Rajesh Kotecha]]
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| | chief1_position = [[Secretary]]
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| | jurisdiction = {{flagicon|India}}[[Republic of India]]
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| | website = {{url|http://ayush.gov.in/}}
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| The '''Ministry of [[Ayurveda]], [[Yoga]], [[Naturopathy]], [[Unani]], [[Siddha medicine|Siddha]], Sowa-Rigpa and [[Homoeopathy]]''' (abbreviated as '''AYUSH''') is purposed with developing education, research and propagation of indigenous alternative medicine systems in [[India]]. As per a recent notification published in the Gazette of India on 13 April 2021, the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), will now be known as the Ministry of Ayush. The Ministry of Ayush includes the '''seven traditional systems of healthcare.'''
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| The Ministry is headed by [[Sarbananda Sonowal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/news/story/modi-cabinet-reshuffle-now-new-ministers-portfolio-inside-details-ntc-1286673-2021-07-07|title=Modi Cabinet Full List|website=www.aajtak.in}}</ref>
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| The ministry has faced significant criticism for funding systems that lack [[biological plausibility]] and are either untested or conclusively proven as ineffective. Quality of research has been poor, and drugs have been launched without any rigorous pharmacological studies and meaningful [[clinical trials on Ayurveda]] or other alternative healthcare systems.<ref name="Rathee2018">{{cite news|title=What is AYUSH and the controversy around it?|last=Rathee|first=Pranshu|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/what-ayush-and-controversy-703993.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-04|date=2018-11-20|archive-date=2020-11-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122144706/https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/what-ayush-and-controversy-703993.html|publisher=[[The Printers (Mysore)]]}}</ref><ref name="Narayanan2020">{{cite news|work=[[Firstpost]]|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/patanajali-covid-19-ayush-ministry-weak-response-ramdevs-coronil-stunt-endangers-people-jeopardises-ayurveda-homeopathy-8529151.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121014011/https://www.firstpost.com/india/patanajali-covid-19-ayush-ministry-weak-response-ramdevs-coronil-stunt-endangers-people-jeopardises-ayurveda-homeopathy-8529151.html|archive-date=2020-11-21|date=2020-07-01|last=Narayanan|first=Kavya|title=AYUSH Ministry is endangering people, jeopardising Ayurveda with lax response to Patanjali's Coronil and COVID-19, warn experts}}</ref> The ministry is well known for promoting pseudoscience and quackery in the form of unscientific alternative medicine.
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| == History ==
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| === Emphasis on indigenous healthcare models ===
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| Successive [[Five-Year Plans of India|five-year plans]] had allotted considerable focus to alternative, especially indigenous, forms of medicine within the healthcare sector.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} Numerous committees set up by the Government of India for the development of the healthcare sector (Bhore (1946), Mudaliar (1961) and Srivastava (1975)) which emphasized upon the improvement of traditional systems of medicine in India.<ref name="De Gruyter Online – academic publishing 2018">{{cite journal|title=Utilization, preference, perception and characteristics of people adopting traditional and AYUSH systems of medicine in India: a systematic review|date=18 October 2018|journal=Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine|volume=16|issue=2|doi=10.1515/jcim-2018-0020|pmid=30352037|last1=Samal|first1=Janmejaya|last2=Dehury|first2=Ranjit Kumar|s2cid=53024438}}</ref> The National Health Policy (1983), National Education Policy in Health Sciences (1989) and National Health Policy (2002) highlighted the role of Indian School of Medicine (ISM) and Homeopathy (H) in improving healthcare access and asked for enabling its penetration to the rural masses.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal|last1=Rudra|first1=Shalini|last2=Kalra|first2=Aakshi|last3=Kumar|first3=Abhishek|last4=Joe|first4=William|date=2017-05-04|title=Utilization of alternative systems of medicine as health care services in India: Evidence on AYUSH care from NSS 2014|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=12|issue=5|pages=e0176916|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0176916|issn=1932-6203|pmc=5417584|pmid=28472197|bibcode=2017PLoSO..1276916R}}</ref>
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| === Educational courses and ISM&H ===
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| A diploma course in Ayurveda was launched in the 3rd (1961–1966) five-year plan and the Central Council of Indian Medicine was established in 1970 followed by Central Council of Homeopathy in 1973.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} The 6th (1980–1985) and 7th (1985–1990) five-year plans aimed at developing novel ISM&H drugs and utilizing ISM&H practitioners in rural family healthcare.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} The 8th (1992–1997) five-year plan lend considerable emphasis on the mainstreaming of AYUSH.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} The Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) was thus launched in March 1995, under the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://ayush.gov.in/about-us/about-the-ministry|title=About the Ministry|website=Ministry of AYUSH}}</ref>
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| === Mainstreaming and AYUSH ===
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| The ninth five-year plan (1998-2002) ensured for its integration with western medicine and was also the first to tackle different aspects of the AYUSH system in a standalone manner and focused on an overall development ranging from investing in human resource development and preservation and cultivation of medicinal plants to completing a pharmacopoeia and outlining good manufacturing processes.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} The department was renamed to AYUSH in November 2003.<ref name=":0" /> The [[National Rural Health Mission]] was subsequently launched in 2005 to integrate AYUSH practitioners in national health programmes esp. in primary health care (AYUSH medical officers at community health centers, para-professionals et al.) and provide support for research in the field.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lakshmi|first=J. K.|date=January 2012|title=Less equal than others? Experiences of AYUSH medical officers in primary health centres in Andhra Pradesh|journal=[[Indian Journal of Medical Ethics]]|volume=9|issue=1|pages=18–21|doi=10.20529/IJME.2012.005|issn=0974-8466|pmid=22319847}}</ref>
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| === After 2014 ===
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| Observers noted an increased focus on AYUSH healthcare after the [[2014 Indian general election]]s, which brought [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] to power.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/how-ghee-turmeric-and-aloe-vera-became-indias-newinstruments-of-soft-power/2018/01/28/5eb8d836-f4ce-11e7-9af7-a50bc3300042_story.html|title=How ghee, turmeric and aloe vera became India's new instruments of soft power|date=29 January 2018|work=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=18 February 2019}}</ref> On 9 November 2014 it became a ministry in its own right; by 2017–18, the allotted budget was ₹ 1428.7 crore and has more than doubled than that in 2013–14.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/Science/why-India%27s-push-for-alt-med-in-the-public-health-system-is-ill-advised|title=Why India's push for alt-med in the public health system is ill-advised|last=Shaikh|first=Sumaiya|date=November 2018|website=[[The Caravan]]|language=en|url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref>
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| == Activities ==
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| === Healthcare ===
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| The ministry runs multiple healthcare programs; primarily aimed at the rural population.
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| AYUSH is supposed to form an integral backbone of the [[Ayushman Bharat Yojana]]<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/clinical-trials-on-ayurvedic-medicine-against-dengue-underway-shripad-naik/articleshow/66497106.cms|title=Clinical trials on Ayurvedic medicine against dengue underway: Shripad Naik|date=2018-11-04|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> and the ministry had long worked for integrating the different systems of AYUSH with modern medicine, in what has been described as 'a type of "cross-pathy"'.<ref name=":1" /> More than 50,000 children have been enrolled in 'Homeopathy for Healthy Child'.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/government/ayush-ministry-homeopathy-false-propaganda|title=AYUSH Ministry Writes to Nobel Laureate Against His 'False Propaganda' on Homeopathy|website=The Wire|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> It observes different days to raise general awareness about AYUSH and promote each of the systems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/first-naturopathy-day-celebrated-by-ayush-ministry-seeking-to-promote-drug-less-system-of-medicine/story-Ma9w7HJ3oIfPAFunRAVb8L.html|title=First Naturopathy day celebrated by Ayush ministry seeking to promote drug-less system of medicine|date=2018-11-19|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref>
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| The ministry had collaborated with the [[Council for Scientific and Industrial Research]] (CSIR) to set up the [[Traditional Knowledge Digital Library]] (TKDL) in 2001, on codified traditional knowledge on Indian systems of medicines such as [[Ayurveda]], [[Unani]], [[Siddha medicine|Siddha]] and [[Yoga]] as a means of preventing grant of "bed" patents on traditional knowledge and thus counter [[biopiracy]].<ref name="pt">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=61511|title=Know Instances of Patenting on the UES of Medicinal Plants in India|date=6 May 2010|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau|PIB]], [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Ministry of Environment and Forests]], [[Government of India]]|access-date=21 May 2010}}</ref>
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| === Institutions ===
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| The ministry is also at the aegis of several professional research institutes and academic faculties devoted to various forms of alternative medicine:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhp.gov.in/UploadFiles/microsite/635665058281132058_1.pdf|title=Institutes under AYUSH}}</ref>-
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| * '''National Institute of Homeopathy''' - Established on 10 December 1975 in Kolkata as an autonomous organisation under the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]].<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|url=http://nih.nic.in/pages/display/121-about-us|title=About Us|website=NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HOMOEOPATHY}}</ref> Conducts [[Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery|degree course]] in Homeopathy (UG since 1987 and PG since 1998); affiliated to the [[West Bengal University of Health Sciences]].<ref name=":16" />
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| *'''[[National Institute of Siddha]]''' - Was established at [[Chennai]] for an estimated cost of ₹ 470 million; inaugurated in November 2005.<ref name="NIS_AMilestoneInHealthCare">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/01/stories/2005090114280700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107022440/http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/01/stories/2005090114280700.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2007|title=National Institute of Siddha a milestone in health care|last=Manikandan|first=K.|date=1 September 2005|access-date=16 October 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai}}</ref> A joint venture between [[Government of India]] and [[Government of Tamil Nadu]], the proposal was approved, in principle, during the 9th Five Year Plan period.<ref name="AnnualReport2000_2001">{{cite conference|title=India Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy Annual Report 2000-2001|url=http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan009845.pdf|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="NIS_AMilestoneInHealthCare" /> Affiliated to the government-owned [[Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University]] and also the national headquarters of the Central Council of Research in Siddha (CCRS). Has an attached hospital—Ayothidoss Pandithar Hospital; on an average, 2,174 patients were reported per day (2017–18) whilst there's an in-patient (IP) department with a capacity of 120 beds.<ref name="Hindu_NewOPDBuilding">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/siddha-hospital-to-get-new-opd-building/article23753817.ece|title=Siddha hospital to get new OPD building|date=3 May 2018|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=4 May 2018|location=Chennai}}</ref><ref name="Hindu_NISModifiesExpansionPlan">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/national-institute-of-siddha-modifies-expansion-plan/article4218676.ece|title=National Institute of Siddha modifies expansion plan|last=Madhavan|first=D.|date=20 December 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=23 December 2012|location=Chennai}}</ref> Further expansions are in progress.<ref name="Hindu_NISModifiesExpansionPlan" />
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| *'''[[National Institute of Unani Medicine]]''' - Established in 1984 at [[Bangalore]], as a joint venture between Government of India and Government of Karnataka.<ref name="ayush">{{cite web|url=http://indianmedicine.nic.in/index3.asp?sslid=193&subsublinkid=64&lang=1|title=National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore|publisher=AYUSH|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220163709/http://indianmedicine.nic.in/index3.asp?sslid=193&subsublinkid=64&lang=1|archive-date=2013-12-20|access-date=2013-12-20}}</ref> Initially offered research facilities but academic courses were set up from 2004. Currently offers post graduate courses (MD in Unani) in eight different specialties; affiliated to [[Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nium.in/content.php?cr|title=Courses|publisher=National Institute of Unani Medicine|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127141743/http://nium.in/content.php?cr|archive-date=2013-11-27|access-date=2013-12-20}}</ref>
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| *'''National Research Institute for Panchakarma'''{{anchor|National Research Institute for Panchakarma}} - Set up in 1971 at [[Cheruthuruthi|Cheruthuruthy]]. Undertakes research activities as well as provides professional and academic training. The institute comes under the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) of the AYUSH.<ref name=CC1>
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| {{cite web
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| |url=http://www.ccras.nic.in/Networking/20081101_Institute2.htm
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| |title=Institutions
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| |publisher=Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha
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| |access-date=2010-08-01
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| |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107032935/http://ccras.nic.in/Networking/20081101_Institute2.htm
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| |archive-date=7 January 2010
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| |url-status=dead
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| |df=dmy-all
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| }} | | }} |
| </ref>
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| *'''[[National Institute of Ayurveda]]''' - Set up in 1976 at [[Jaipur]], by the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Ministry of Health & Family Welfare]] an refurbished extension of the Government Ayurvedic College, Jaipur which was established by the [[Government of Rajasthan]] in 1946. Offers research as well academic facilities; affiliated with [[Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University]].
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| *'''All India Institute of Ayurveda''' - Established in 2009 at Delhi; offers research as well academic facilities. Brainchild of [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]. Runs a secondary institute ''Rashtriya Ayurved Vidyapeeth''.
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| *'''National Institute of Naturopathy''' -
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| *'''Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga''' - Promotes Yoga philosophy and facilitates training and advanced research, as well. The institute was started in 1970, in the form a hospital, by the now defunct Central Council for Research in Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy, under the Vishwayatan Yogashram. The hospital was later converted into an institute, by name, Central Research Institute for Yoga (CRIY) in 1976, to provide free training to people and to organize research on yoga. In 1988, the institute was renamed to its current name.
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| *'''North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy''' - Established in 2016 at Mawdiangdiang, [[Shillong]]. Offers a four and a half-year degree course in [[Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery]] and [[Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery]].
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| *'''North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine''' - The NEIFM, Pasighat is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. It is located at Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh.
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| The ministry also monitors two semi-autonomous regulatory bodies:-
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| * '''Central Council of Indian Medicine''' - One of the ''Professional councils'' under [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] (UGC) to regulate higher education in [[Ayurveda]], [[Siddha]], [[Unani]] and [[Traditional Tibetan medicine|Sowa-Rigpa]]. It suggests the professional benchmarks and practices for medical professionals in these systems, as well.
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| *'''Central Council of Homeopathy''' - One of the ''Professional councils'' under [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] (UGC) to regulate higher education in Homeopathy. Maintains central registers of homeopaths.
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| == Economics ==
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| As of March 2015, there were nearly eight lakh AYUSH practitioners, over 90 per cent of whom practiced homeopathy or ayurveda.<ref name=":1" /> A 2018 study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimated the market share of AYUSH medicines at around US$3 billion and that India exported AYUSH products of a net worth US$401.68 million in the fiscal year 2016–17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ayush-ministry-aims-to-triple-market-share-of-its-medicines-services/articleshow/66476035.cms|title=AYUSH ministry aims to triple market share of its medicines, services - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref>
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| The Department of Pharmaceuticals had allocated a budget of ₹ 144 crore to the ministry for 2018-2020 for manufacture of alternative medicines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/TzXWNjTFU2jIEWLJ1CHVtM/Govt-allocates-Rs-144-crore-to-AYUSH-ministry-for-alternativ.html|title=Govt allocates ₹144 crore to AYUSH ministry for alternative medicines|last=Sharma|first=Neetu Chandra|date=2018-10-20|website=Mint|language=en|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> The average expenditure for drugs on AYUSH and scientific medicine ("allopathy") has been found to not vary widely.<ref name=":10" />
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| == List of Ministers ==
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| {| class="wikitable" style="width: 700px"
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| ! width="90px" |S. No.
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| ! width="200px" |Name
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| ! width="100px" |Portrait
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| ! colspan="2" width="100px" |Tenure
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| ! colspan=2|Political Party
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| !Prime Minister
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| |-
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| |1
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| |[[Shripad Naik]] <br> ''(MoS, Independent Charge)''
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| |[[File:Shripad Yasso Naik - Kolkata 2014-10-12 7755.JPG|100px]]
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| |09 November 2014
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| |07 July 2021
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| |rowspan=2|[[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<br><small>([[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]])</small>
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| |width="4px" bgcolor="{{Bharatiya Janata Party/meta/color}}" rowspan=2|
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| | rowspan="2" |[[Narendra Modi]]
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| |-
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| |2
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| |[[Sarbananda Sonowal]]
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| |[[File:Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal.jpg|100px]]
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| |07 July 2021
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| |Incumbent
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| |}
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|
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| == List of Ministers of State ==
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| {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible style=" ;"sortable mw-collapsible"
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| |+Ministers of State For AYUSH
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|
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| ! [[Minister of state]]
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| ! Portrait
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| ! colspan=2| Political party
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| ! colspan="2" | Term
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| ! Days
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| |-align=center
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| |[[Mahendra Munjapara]]
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| |[[File:Mahendrabhai Munjapara.jpg|100px]]
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| |[[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
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| |bgcolor=#FF9933|
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| |7 July 2021
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| |Incumbent
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| |{{Age in days|2021|07|07}} days
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| |}
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| == Criticism ==
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|
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| === Pseudoscience ===
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| There is no credible efficacy or scientific basis of any of these forms of treatment.<ref name="AYUSHPseudo">Sources that criticize the entirety of AYUSH as a pseudo-scientific venture:
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| *{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sunday-anchor/medicine-wars-homeopathy-allopathy-ayurveda-unani-in-india/article10792873.ece|title=Questions over science swirl, but AYUSH stands firm|last=Shrinivasan|first=Rukmini|date=2015-04-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-22|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}
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| *{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/policy-and-issues/ayush-ministry-rails-against-global-study-on-homeopathy/article8561466.ece|title=AYUSH Ministry rails against global study on homeopathy|last=Krishnan|first=Vidya|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-05-24|language=en}}
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| *{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/National/2018-01-08/Bridge-course-for-AYUSH--the-seed-of-destruction/350752/amp|title=Bridge course for AYUSH – the seed of destruction|date=2018-01-08|website=The Hans India|language=en|access-date=2018-09-17}}
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| *{{Cite web|url=https://undark.org/article/indian-scientists-confront-pseudoscience/|title=The Threat of Pseudoscience in India|website=Undark|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-31|date=10 December 2018}}
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| *{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/india/1492838/how-scientists-are-fighting-fake-news-and-superstition-in-india/|title=Indian academia is fighting a toxic mix of nationalism and pseudoscience|last1=Kumar|first1=Ruchi|website=Quartz India|language=en|access-date=2019-01-31}}
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| *{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwFKDwAAQBAJ|page=293|title=Pseudoscience: The Conspiracy Against Science|last1=Kaufman|first1=Allison B.|last2=Kaufman|first2=James C.|date=2018-01-12|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=9780262037426|language=en}}</ref>
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|
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| A strong consensus prevails among the scientific community that homeopathy is a pseudo-scientific,<ref name="Tuomela2">{{cite book|title=Rational Changes in Science: Essays on Scientific Reasoning|author=Tuomela, R|publisher=Springer|year=1987|isbn=978-94-010-8181-8|veditors=Pitt JC, Marcello P|series=Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science|volume=98|pages=83–101|chapter=Chapter 4: Science, Protoscience, and Pseudoscience|doi=10.1007/978-94-009-3779-6_4|author-link=Raimo Tuomela}}</ref><ref name="Smith20122">{{cite journal|author=Smith K|year=2012|title=Homeopathy is Unscientific and Unethical|journal=Bioethics|volume=26|issue=9|pages=508–12|doi=10.1111/j.1467-8519.2011.01956.x|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1035885}}</ref><ref name="Baran20142">{{cite book|title=Chapter 2: Science, Pseudoscience, and Not Science: How Do They Differ?|vauthors=Baran GR, Kiana MF, Samuel SP|journal=Healthcare and Biomedical Technology in the 21st Century|publisher=Springer|year=2014|isbn=978-1-4614-8540-7|pages=19–57|chapter=Science, Pseudoscience, and Not Science: How Do They Differ?|doi=10.1007/978-1-4614-8541-4_2|quote=within the traditional medical community it is considered to be quackery}}</ref><ref name="Ladyman2">{{cite book|title=Philosophy of Pseudoscience: Reconsidering the Demarcation Problem|author=Ladyman J|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-226-05196-3|veditors=Pigliucci M, Boudry M|pages=48–49|chapter=Chapter 3: Towards a Demarcation of Science from Pseudoscience|quote=Yet homeopathy is a paradigmatic example of pseudoscience. It is neither simply bad science nor science fraud, but rather profoundly departs from scientific method and theories while being described as scientific by some of its adherents (often sincerely).}}</ref> unethical<ref name="unethical">{{cite journal|last1=Shaw|first1=DM|year=2010|title=Homeopathy is where the harm is: Five unethical effects of funding unscientific 'remedies'|journal=Journal of Medical Ethics|volume=36|issue=3|pages=130–31|doi=10.1136/jme.2009.034959|pmid=20211989|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/jul/21/pharmacists.homeophathy|title=Pharmacists urged to 'tell the truth' about homeopathic remedies|author=Sample I|date=21 July 2008|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London}}</ref> and implausible line of treatment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/pharmacologicalandbiologicaltreatment/homeopathy|title=Homeopathy|publisher=American Cancer Society|access-date=12 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="inquiry_cfm">UK Parliamentary Committee Science and Technology Committee - [http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/inquiries/homeopathy-/ "Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy"]</ref><ref name="GrimesFACT">{{cite journal|last1=Grimes|first1=D.R.|year=2012|title=Proposed mechanisms for homeopathy are physically impossible|journal=Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies|volume=17|issue=3|pages=149–55|doi=10.1111/j.2042-7166.2012.01162.x}}</ref><ref name="EASAC2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.easac.eu/fileadmin/PDF_s/reports_statements/EASAC_Homepathy_statement_web_final.pdf|title=Homeopathic products and practices: assessing the evidence and ensuring consistency in regulating medical claims in the EU|date=September 2017|work=European Academies' Science Advisory Council|page=1|access-date=1 October 2017|quote=... we agree with previous extensive evaluations concluding that there are no known diseases for which there is robust, reproducible evidence that homeopathy is effective beyond the placebo effect.}}</ref> Ayurveda is deemed to be [[pseudoscientific]]<ref name="psych2013">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LiJKseis6OYC&pg=PA20|title=Chapter 1: Psychomythology|vauthors=Semple D, Smyth R|work=Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-19-969388-7|edition=3rd|page=20}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwFKDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA293|title=Pseudoscience: The Conspiracy Against Science|last1=Kaufman|first1=Allison B.|last2=Kaufman|first2=James C.|date=2018-01-12|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=9780262037426|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/13-10-09/|title=13-10-09|date=2013-10-09|website=Skeptic|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> but is occasionally considered a [[protoscience]], or trans-science system instead.<ref name="Quack-2011">{{cite book|title=Disenchanting India: Organized Rationalism and Criticism of Religion in India|last=Quack|first=Johannes|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2011|isbn=9780199812608|pages=3, 213}}</ref><ref name="Paranjape2009">{{cite book|title=Science, Spirituality and the Modernization of India|last=Manohar|first=P. Ram|publisher=Anthem Press|year=2009|isbn=9781843317760|editor-last=Paranjape|editor-first=Makarand R.|pages=172–3|chapter=The blending of science and spirituality in the Ayurvedic healing tradition|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ey1v6JEmvakC&pg=FA172}}</ref> Naturopathy is considered to be a form of pseudo-scientific [[quackery]],<ref name="NaturoUnaniPesudo">Sources documenting the same:
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| *{{cite journal|last=Atwood|first=Kimball C., IV|year=2003|title=Naturopathy: A critical appraisal|url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465994|journal=Medscape General Medicine|volume=5|issue=4|page=39|pmid=14745386}}{{registration required}}
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| *{{cite journal|last=Atwood IV|first=Kimball. C.|date=26 March 2004|title=Naturopathy, pseudoscience, and medicine: Myths and fallacies vs truth|journal=Medscape General Medicine|volume=6|issue=1|page=33|pmc=1140750|pmid=15208545}}
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| *{{cite web|url=http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/naturopathy.html|title=A close look at naturopathy|last=Barrett|first=Stephen|date=26 November 2013|work=[[QuackWatch]]|access-date=2015-03-21}}
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| *{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/claire-harvey-dont-duck-the-law-by-sending-kids-to-quacks/story-fni0cwl5-1227438195104|title=Don't duck the law by sending kids to quacks|last1=Harvey|first1=Claire|date=11 July 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2 September 2015}}
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| *{{cite news|url=http://health.spectator.co.uk/how-does-naturopathy-work-a-bit-like-a-flying-vacuum-cleaner-to-mars/|title=How does naturopathy work? A bit like a flying vacuum-cleaner to Mars|last1=Chivers|first1=Tom|date=10 November 2014|work=Spectator|access-date=2 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905094710/https://health.spectator.co.uk/how-does-naturopathy-work-a-bit-like-a-flying-vacuum-cleaner-to-mars/|archive-date=5 September 2017|url-status=dead}}
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| *{{cite book|title=American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies|date=2009|publisher=American Cancer Society|editor1-last=Russell|editor1-first=Jill|edition=Second|location=Atlanta|pages=116–119|editor2-last=Rovere|editor2-first=Amy}}</ref> ineffective and possibly harmful,<ref name="SkepDic_natural">{{cite web|url=http://skepdic.com/natural.html|title=Natural|last=Carroll|first=Robert|date=26 November 2012|work=The Skeptic's Dictionary|access-date=2013-09-08}}</ref><ref name="NCAHF_herb">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncahf.org/pp/herbal.html|title=NCAHF Position Paper on Over the Counter Herbal Remedies (1995)|year=1995|publisher=National Council Against Health Fraud|access-date=2009-04-17}}</ref> with a plethora of [[Medical ethics|ethical concerns]] about the very practice.<ref name="atwood2003">{{cite journal|last=Atwood|first=Kimball C., IV|year=2003|title=Naturopathy: A critical appraisal|url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465994|journal=Medscape General Medicine|volume=5|issue=4|page=39|pmid=14745386}}{{registration required}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Gorski|first1=David H.|date=18 September 2014|title=Integrative oncology: really the best of both worlds?|journal=Nature Reviews Cancer|volume=14|issue=10|pages=692–700|doi=10.1038/nrc3822|pmid=25230880|s2cid=33539406|ref=Gorski Nature}}</ref><ref name="tot">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nWnR1JI7G6gC&pg=PT197|title=Naturopathy|vauthors=Singh S, Ernst E|work=Trick or Treatment?: Alternative Medicine on Trial|publisher=Transworld|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4090-8180-7|pages=197–|quote=many naturopaths are against mainstream medicine and advise their patients accordingly – for instance many are not in favour of vaccination.}}</ref> Much of the research on postural yoga has taken the form of preliminary studies or clinical trials of low methodological quality;<ref name="Krisanaprakornkit2010">{{cite journal|last1=Krisanaprakornkit|first1=T.|last2=Ngamjarus|first2=C.|last3=Witoonchart|first3=C.|last4=Piyavhatkul|first4=N.|year=2010|title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)|journal=[[Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews]]|issue=6|pages=CD006507|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2|pmid=20556767|pmc=6823216}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ospina|first1=M. B.|last2=Bond|first2=K.|last3=Karkhaneh|first3=M.|display-authors=etal|year=2008|title=Clinical trials of meditation practices in health care: characteristics and quality|journal=Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine|volume=14|issue=10|pages=199–213|doi=10.1089/acm.2008.0307|pmid=19123875|s2cid=43745958|url=https://semanticscholar.org/paper/50410f7dadaadfd9c34e7d0138a627032154ef4e}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Uebelacker|first1=L. A.|last2=Epstein-Lubow|first2=G.|last3=Gaudiano|first3=B. A.|last4=Tremont|first4=G.|last5=Battle|first5=C. L.|last6=Miller|first6=I. W.|year=2010|title=Hatha yoga for depression: critical review of the evidence for efficacy, plausible mechanisms of action, and directions for future research|journal=Journal of Psychiatric Practice|volume=16|issue=1|pages=22–33|doi=10.1097/01.pra.0000367775.88388.96|pmid=20098228|s2cid=205423922}}</ref> there is no conclusive therapeutic effect except in back pain.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Wieland|first1=L. Susan|last2=Skoetz|first2=Nicole|last3=Pilkington|first3=Karen|last4=Vempati|first4=Ramaprabhu|last5=D'Adamo|first5=Christopher R|last6=Berman|first6=Brian M|date=2017-01-12|title=Yoga treatment for chronic non‐specific low back pain|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2017|issue=1|pages=CD010671|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD010671.pub2|issn=1469-493X|pmc=5294833|pmid=28076926}}</ref> Unani lacks [[biological plausibility]] and is considered to be pseudo-scientific quackery, as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/naturopathy-textbook/|title=Naturopathy Textbook|website=sciencebasedmedicine.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/naturopathy-embraces-the-four-humors/|title=Naturopathy Embraces the Four Humors|website=sciencebasedmedicine.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref>
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| ==== Research ====
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| The quality of the research done by the ministry has been heavily criticized.{{by whom|date=January 2020}} Clinical trials of homeopathic drugs, conducted by their research wings were rejected in totality by the [[The Lancet|Lancet]] and [[National Health and Medical Research Council]], Australia. There has been an acute dearth of RCTs on Ayurveda<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sunday-anchor/medicine-wars-homeopathy-allopathy-ayurveda-unani-in-india/article10792873.ece|title=Questions over science swirl, but AYUSH stands firm|last=Shrinivasan|first=Rukmini|date=2015-04-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-22|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and multiple systemic reviews have highlighted several methodological problems with the studies and trials conducted by AYUSH and its associates in relation to developing an Ayurvedic drug for diabetes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Misra|first1=Anoop|last2=Gulati|first2=Seema|last3=Luthra|first3=Atul|year=2016|title=Alternative medicines for diabetes in India: Maximum hype, minimum science|url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(15)00515-X/fulltext|journal=The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology|volume=4|issue=4|pages=302–303|doi=10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00515-X|pmid=27016323|doi-access=free}}</ref> A tendency to publish in dubious predatory journals and [[Replication crisis|non-reproducibility]] by independent studies has also been noted.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/big-claims-little-evidence/article22847938.ece|title=Big claims, little evidence|last=Pulla|first=Priyanka|date=2018-02-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-16|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> India is also yet to conduct a systematic review of any of the systems of medicine under the purview of AYUSH.<ref name=":1" />
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| ==== Drugs ====
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| The ministry (in conjunction with other national laboratories) has been subject to heavy criticism for developing, advocating and commercializing multiple sham-drugs ([[BGR-34]], IME9, Dalzbone, Ayush-64 et al.) and treatment-regimes for a variety of diseases including dengue,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/homoeopathy-pills-to-check-spread-of-dengue/article24920323.ece|title=Homoeopathy pills to check spread of dengue|date=2018-09-11|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-22|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theprint.in/governance/india-could-have-the-solution-to-cure-dengue-by-next-year-an-ayurvedic-pill/50136/|title=India could have the solution to cure dengue by next year: an ayurvedic pill|last=Chandna|first=Himani|date=16 April 2018|work=The Print.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/health/ayurvedic-dengue-cure-indian-scientists-create-first-of-its-kind-drug-to-treat-the-disease/story-7JE1Qj4u0ptwbTLg6gOh9K.html|title=Ayurvedic dengue cure: Indian scientists create first of its kind drug to treat the disease|date=2018-04-17|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> chikungunya, swine flu,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/swine-flu-prevention-homeo-pills-effective-say-officials/article6828096.ece|title=Swine flu prevention: homeo pills effective, say officials|author=Staff Reporter|date=2015-01-28|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> asthma, autism,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/do-the-ayush-promoted-alternative-treatments-for-autism-stand-up-to-scientific-scrutiny/|title=Do the AYUSH based treatments for autism stand up to scientific scrutiny?|last=Shaikh|first=Dr Sumaiya|date=2018-05-15|website=Alt News|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> diabetes, malaria,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/the-inefficacy-of-ayush-64-the-anti-malarial-ayurvedic-drug-developed-by-ministry-of-ayush/|title=The inefficacy of AYUSH-64, the anti-malarial Ayurvedic drug developed by Ministry of AYUSH|last=Mittal|first=Shivani|date=2019-01-29|website=Alt News|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> AIDS,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/a-homeopathic-experiment-gives-hope-for-treatment-of-aids-115040200877_1.html|title=A homeopathic experiment gives hope for treatment of AIDS|last=Reporter|first=B. S.|date=2015-04-05|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> cancer,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ministry of Ayush Develops drugs for Dengue, Cancer|work=United News of India|url=http://www.uniindia.com/ministry-of-ayush-develops-drugs-for-dengue-cancer/parliament/news/954245.html}}</ref> [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-22|title=Why the push for AYUSH is harmful: Narendra Nayak interview|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-push-ayush-harmful-narendra-nayak-interview-149330|access-date=2021-05-23|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Thapar|first=Karan|date=2021-04-30|title=COVID in India: 35 Questions for K. VijayRaghavan, V.K. Paul and Balram Bhargava|url=https://science.thewire.in/the-sciences/covid-in-india-35-questions-for-k-vijayraghavan-balram-bhargava-and-v-k-paul/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=The Wire Science|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=PullaOct. 15|first1=Priyanka|last2=2020|last3=Am|first3=6:55|date=2020-10-15|title='A fraud on the nation': critics blast Indian government's promotion of traditional medicine for COVID-19|url=https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/10/fraud-nation-critics-blast-indian-government-s-promotion-traditional-medicine-covid-19|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Science {{!}} AAAS|language=en}}</ref> et cetera despite a complete absence of rigorous pharmacological studies and/or meaningful clinical trials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/pulse/850680/theres-no-scientific-evidence-but-ayush-ministry-is-recommending-alternative-medicines-for-dengue|title=There's no scientific evidence, but AYUSH ministry is recommending alternative medicines for dengue|last=Vora|first=Priyanka|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/what-ayush-and-controversy-703993.html|title=What is AYUSH and the controversy around it?|date=2018-11-20|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=112347&sid=1|title=Doctors, health activists rap Ayush ministry's bid to promote alternative medical systems in anti-dengue battle|website=www.pharmabiz.com|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ruBwDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA110|title=Traditional Knowledge in Modern India: Preservation, Promotion, Ethical Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanisms|last=Sengupta|first=Nirmal|date=2018|publisher=Springer|isbn=9788132239222|language=en|access-date=2019-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226133939/https://books.google.com/books?id=ruBwDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA110|archive-date=2018-12-26|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spicyip.com/2016/08/innovation-and-regulation-of-ayurvedic-medicine-csirs-bgr-34-nimensulide-in-ayurvedic-medicine-and-other-such-stories.html|title=Innovation and Regulation of Ayurvedic medicine: CSIR's BGR-34, nimensulide in Ayurvedic medicine and other such stories|last=Reddy|first=Prashant|website=SpicyIP|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226133649/https://spicyip.com/2016/08/innovation-and-regulation-of-ayurvedic-medicine-csirs-bgr-34-nimensulide-in-ayurvedic-medicine-and-other-such-stories.html|archive-date=2018-12-26|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|last1=Patwardhan|first1=Bhushan|year=2016|title=Ayurvedic drugs in case: Claims, evidence, regulations and ethics|journal=Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine|volume=7|issue=3|pages=135–137|doi=10.1016/j.jaim.2016.08.005|pmid=27640330|pmc=5052386}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/bgr-34-ime-9-drugs-safe-effective-diabetes/|title=Are AYUSH supported BGR-34 and IME-9 drugs safe and effective for diabetes?|last=Shaikh|first=Dr Sumaiya|date=2017-08-13|website=Alt News|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222515/https://www.altnews.in/bgr-34-ime-9-drugs-safe-effective-diabetes/|archive-date=2018-12-15|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/101684/ayush-homeopathy-diabetes-advertising/|title=After BGR-34, Ministry of AYUSH Pushes #Homeopathy4Diabetes|last=Mukunth|first=Vasudevan|website=thewire.in|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-05-24}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/08/09/7-scientific-pieces-of-propaganda-against-homeopathy-that-the_a_23071517/|title=7 Scientific Pieces Of 'Propaganda Against Homeopathy' That The Government Might Need To Consider|date=2017-08-09|website=HuffPost India|language=en|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nirmukta.com/2008/09/04/chikungunya-is-there-any-alternative/|title=Chikungunya: Is there an alternative?|last=Kakkilaya|first=Srinivas|date=2008-09-04|website=Nirmukta|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref>{{Citation overkill|date=July 2019}}
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| A 2018 review article noted the existing regulations to be in-adequate for ensuring the safety, quality, efficacy and standardized rational use of these forms of treatment. Monitoring of adverse effects from the usage of these drugs and contraindication trials were absent, too.<ref name="De Gruyter Online – academic publishing 2018" />
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| ==== Miscellaneous ====
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| [[The Washington Post]] noted the efforts behind the revival of Ayurveda as a part of the ruling party's rhetoric of restoring India's past glory to achieve prosperity in the future.<ref name=":14" /> It also noted of the Ayurveda-industry being largely non-standardized and that its critics associated the aggressive integration of Ayurveda into healthcare services with the Hindu nationalist ideology of the ruling party.<ref name=":14" /> There have been allegations coming out of [[Freedom of information|right-to-information]] requests that it is the AYUSH ministries official policy to not hire Muslims as trainers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-03-12|title=Ayush minister rejects RTI response of no-Muslim hire policy|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/we-don-t-recruit-muslims-modi-government-s-ayush-ministry/story-n31ky0RXYRcXk7s7eRYSVK.html|access-date=2020-06-20|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
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| Some researchers have argued that the provision of AYUSH services is an example of "forced pluralism" which often leads to disbursal of incompetent healthcare services by unqualified practitioners.<ref name="De Gruyter Online – academic publishing 2018" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sheehan|first1=Helen E.|year=2009|title=Medical pluralism in India: patient choice or no other options? {{!}} Indian Journal of Medical Ethics|url=https://semanticscholar.org/paper/88cbe5a83998fe902baed43e67f13ee5482bf104|journal=[[Indian Journal of Medical Ethics]]|language=en|volume=6|issue=3|pages=138–41|doi=10.20529/ijme.2009.045|pmid=19653589|s2cid=6339140}}</ref> Ayushman Bharat has been noted to increase privatization of state healthcare facilities and compel rural populace into preferentially choosing alternative medicine, raising concerns about ethics.<ref name=":15" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspective/all-not-well-modi-flagship-health-scheme|title=All is not well with Modi's flagship health scheme|last=Singh|first=Jyotsna|date=1 March 2019|website=[[The Caravan]]|language=en|url-status=dead|access-date=2019-12-07|archive-date=7 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207155558/https://caravanmagazine.in/perspective/all-not-well-modi-flagship-health-scheme}}</ref> The proposal of integrating AYUSH with western medicine has been widely criticized<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/dangerous-ayush-practitioners-prescribe-modern-medicine/|title=Why is it dangerous for AYUSH practitioners to prescribe modern medicine?|last=Shaikh|first=Dr Sumaiya|date=2018-01-13|website=Alt News|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> and the [[Indian Medical Association]] remains strongly opposed to it.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ayush-doctors-support-nmc-bill-hold-rally-75976|title=Ayush doctors support NMC bill, hold rally|date=2018-02-06|website=www.thenewsminute.com|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/bridge-course-for-ayush-practitioners-draws-ire/articleshow/62329736.cms|title=Bridge course for Ayush practitioners draws ire - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref><ref name=":14" />
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| The ministry had attracted widespread criticism after publishing a pamphlet titled ''Mother and Child Care through Yoga and Naturopathy'' which asked pregnant women to abstain from eating meat and eggs, shun desire and lust, hang beautiful photos in the bedroom and to nurture spiritual and 'pure' thoughts among other advices.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40341898|title=Reality Check: Should pregnant women shun meat and lust?|last=Pandey|first=Geeta|date=2017-06-21|access-date=2019-01-22|language=en-GB}}</ref> In the aftermath of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the ministry recommended ''[[Arsenicum album|Arsenicum album 30]]'' as a preventive drug; the claim was without any scientific basis or evidence, and was widely criticised.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/no-homeopathic-drug-arsenicum-album-30-cannot-prevent-coronavirus-infection-as-claimed-by-ayush-ministry/|title=No, homeopathic drug 'Arsenicum album 30' cannot prevent Coronavirus infection, as claimed by AYUSH ministry|last=Shaikh|first=Dr Sumaiya|date=2020-01-31|website=Alt News|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/coronavirus-highly-irresponsible-on-the-part-of-ayush-ministry-to-prescribe-unani-medicines/article30692601.ece|title=Coronavirus {{!}} Highly irresponsible on the part of AYUSH Ministry to prescribe Unani medicines|last=Prasad|first=R.|date=2020-01-30|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-02-05|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-to-read-the-ayush-ministry-advisory-on-coronavirus-infection-6241438/|title=Explained: How to read the AYUSH ministry advisory on coronavirus infection|date=2020-01-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref>
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| === Response ===
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| The ministry had rejected the claims of inefficacy.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
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| It had rejected the [[NHMRC]]'s study on homeopathy; despite its critical acclaim as the most rigorous and reliable investigation into homeopathy ever<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/policy-and-issues/ayush-ministry-rails-against-global-study-on-homeopathy/article8561466.ece|title=AYUSH Ministry rails against global study on homeopathy|last=Krishnan|first=Vidya|date=2016-05-05|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edzardernst.com/2017/05/homeopathy-the-nhmrc-report-revisited/|title=HOMEOPATHY: the NHMRC report revisited|date=2017-05-28|website=Edzard Ernst|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> and in 2017, set up a committee at the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) to counter claimed western propaganda against homeopathy; the committee was ill-received.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/846578/centre-sets-up-committee-to-deal-with-false-propaganda-against-homeopathy|title=Centre sets up committee to deal with false propaganda against homoeopathy|author=Scroll Staff|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inscientioveritas.org/homeopathy-immune-criticism-not-public-interest/|title=Making pseudoscience of homeopathy immune from criticism does not serve public weal|date=2017-08-10|website=In Scientio, Veritas|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref>
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| == Reception ==
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| A NSSO survey in 2014 found that only 6.9% of the population favored AYUSH (3.5% ISM and 3.0% homeopathy) over conventional mainstream medicine and that the urban population was slightly more conducive to seeking AYUSH forms of treatment than their rural counterparts; another survey in 2016 reiterated the same findings, approximately.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/90-of-Indians-prefer-allopathy-over-AYUSH/articleshow/47981441.cms|title=90% of Indians prefer allopathy over AYUSH - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref><ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/health-and-fitness/people-want-modern-medicine-not-miracle-cures/story-TqBXj2AZAnk8Nbj41z5V5I.html|title=People want modern medicine, not miracle cures|date=2016-05-22|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}}</ref> A 2014 study did not report any significant difference between the usage of AYUSH services by rural and urban populace, after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic variables.<ref name=":10" /> Low-income households exhibited the highest tendency for AYUSH followed by high-income households and on an overall, AYUSH lines of treatment were majorly used to treat chronic diseases.<ref name=":10" /> The treatments were more used among females in rural India but no gender-differential was observed in the urban populations.<ref name=":10" /> Chhattisgarh (15.4%), Kerala (13.7%), and West Bengal (11.6%) displayed the highest AYUSH utilization levels.<ref name=":10" />
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| A 2018 review article noted that the states exhibited differential preference for particular AYUSH systems. Ayurveda and Siddha respectively show greater popularities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Unani was well received in Hyderabad region and among Muslims whilst Homeopathy was highly popular in Bengal and Odisha. It further noted that the preference among the general population for usage of AYUSH revolved around a perceived "distrust or frustration with modern medicine, cost effectiveness, accessibility, non-availability of other options and less side effects of AYUSH medicines".<ref name="De Gruyter Online – academic publishing 2018" />
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| == References ==
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| {{Reflist}}
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| ==External links==
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| * [http://ayush.gov.in/ Ministry of Ayush, Official website]
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| * [http://www.mohfw.nic.in/ Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, official website]
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| {{Union ministries of India}}
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| [[Category:Government ministries of India|A]]
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| [[Category:Ministry of AYUSH| ]]
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| [[Category:2014 establishments in Delhi]]
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