E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Diabetes

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 4 APRIL
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Global Scenario of AYUSH and Insight into Ayurved Concept in Diabetes

Nagar S1*, Sharma DC2, Parihar M3
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.4.30

1* Shakuntala Nagar, Lecturer, Department of Kriya Sharir, Govt Ayurveda College, Kota, Rajasthan and PhD Scholar, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

2 Dinesh Chandra Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Kriya Sharir, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

3 Madhu Parihar, Lecturer, Department of Agada Tantra Evam Vidhi Vaidyaka, Govt Ayurveda College, Kota, Rajasthan, India.

1987 the ‘Alma–Ata’ declaration by WHO stated the evaluation and promotion of traditional medicines. A department called Department of “Indian System of Medicine” was created in March 2003 with a focus for development of traditional system of medicine. Today the globalization process of Ayurved has reached many nations due to the efforts of AYUSH ministry, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic situations. The global Ayurvedic market is estimated to be worth $14.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.2% from 2024 to 2030. Ayurved described Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as Madhumeha. This ancient evidence-based system of medicine enumerated various herbs and formulations for its management, which needs scientific validations. Prameha which is described as the ‘Pre-Diabetic’. These two traditional systems, Ayurved and Unani, emphasize that the first and foremost principle of prevention as well as the treatment of any Diabetes.

Keywords: AYUSH, Ayurved, Globalization, WHO, Prameha

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Shakuntala Nagar, Lecturer, Department of Kriya Sharir, Govt Ayurveda College, Kota, Rajasthan and PhD Scholar, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Email: 		Nagar S, Sharma DC, Parihar M, Global Scenario of AYUSH and Insight into Ayurved Concept in Diabetes. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(4):202-207.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4243/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-03-09 2025-03-24 2025-04-04 2025-04-14 2025-04-24
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None Nil Not required 12.36

© 2025 by Nagar S, Sharma DC, Parihar M and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Shakuntala N et al. Insight into Ayurved Concept in Diabetes

Introduction

In 1978 the Alma Ata declaration by WHO stated the evaluation and promotion of traditional medicines. A department called department of "Indian system of medicine" was created in March 1995 and renamed as AYUSH in November 2003 with a focus for development of traditional system of medicine AYUSH includes six indigenous traditional systems of medicine practiced mainly in India with increasing awareness about fitness, health and changing life style. The demand for AYUSH system especially Ayurved & Yoga has increased internationally.

Today the globalization process of Ayurved has reached many nations, due to the efforts of AYUSH ministry, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic situation.

About 80% of the world's population is estimated to use traditional system of medicine.

According to current scenario of AYUSH in India, though there is a good improvement in framing and developing new infrastructural projects and budget allocation but not as much as required to be grown when compared to other technological sectors.

AYUSH which includes Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy. There has been a progressive growth in the traditional Indian system of medicine sector since the formation of the separate Ayush ministry in 2014.

Growth of Ayush Industry

Current scenario: According to the WHO, 80% of the population only 27.1% are clinical ones.

The AYUSH manufacturing industry has been growing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 17% every year since 2014. This growth is due to rising consumer awareness of the harmful effects of chemical treatments and products and the shift towards holistic wellness and traditional medicine. The AYUSH industry in India has a rich history and a promising future; offering a plethora of opportunities for entrepreneurs with growing global interest in traditional and alternative medicine, sector is poised for substantial growth.

The global scenario of Ayush in India is promising with sector poised to have a transformative impact on global healthcare & Indian economy.

Ayush products exported to over 150 countries. Ayurved is recognized as a system of traditional medicine in more than 30 countries.

The herbal medicine sector grew at a rate of 7.4% per annum during 2014-20.

The ministry of Ayush has established an Ayush export promotion council and development a central sector scheme for promotion of international co-operation in Ayush.

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) brought Ayush systems into the mainstream health care.

The global foot print of Ayush is expanding and the sector is expected to contribute significating to the Indian economy.

Global Aspects of Ayush

Market Size:The global Ayush market was valued at $10 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow by 50% in the coming years. The Ayurved market alone was estimated to be $ 4.5 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $ 14.9 billion by 2026.

Global Recognition:WHO (World Health Organization) has been supporting the development of traditional and complementary system globally. India was recently chosen to be the WHO global centre for traditional medicine.

International Promotion: The ministry of Ayush has developed a central sector scheme for promotion of international co-operation in Ayush. The scheme includes -

  • Supporting Indian Ayush manufacturers and service providers to boost exports.
  • Establishing Ayush Academic chairs in foreign countries.
  • Holding training workshop and symposiums to promote awareness and interest in Ayush.
  • Setting up an Ayush export promotion council.

International Trade: Major net importers of MAPs and extracts include the USA, Japan, Hongkong and Germany. International trade in herbal medicines is subject to both tariff and non-tariff measures (NTMS).

International Yoga Day:

The UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) declared June 21 as international Yoga Day in 2014.


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The resolution endorsed that Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. The global Ayurvedic market is estimated to be worth $14.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.2% from 2024 to 2030.

Some factors that are driving the growth of the Ayurvedic market include:

Increasing awareness: People are becoming more aware of the benefits of Ayurvedic remedies and the drawbacks of allopathic medications.

Natural remedies: People are seeking more natural remedies for mild illness, especially these approaching retirements’ age and youth.

Personal care products: Ayurvedic medicines are being used in personal care products like lotions, oils and shampoos.

Clinical studies: The number of clinical studies demonstrating health benefits is increasing.

Ayurved Aspect in Diabetes

Ayurved is an ancient science which needs translation and integration with the present biomedical system.

Ayurved as being beneficial and even curative to a number of chronic illnesses including but not limited to arthritis, low back pain, hypertension, sciatica, migraine, neuropathy, parkinsonism, thyroid imbalance, liver disease, dysmenorrhoea, polycystic ovarian syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and many others.

Ayurved is an ancient medicine practice that is emerging in the United States as a complementary and alternative treatment for chronic illness. Type 2 Diabetes is chronic illness for individuals that has long term implications.

India stands second in the world in numbers of diabetic patients in the world. The International Diabetic Federation (IFD) estimates the total number of diabetic persons to be around 40.9 million by the year end 2025.

Every year it is estimated that 3.2 million people in world die due to diabetes or its related complication.

Type 2 diabetes involves a lack of sensitivity to insulin and the subsequent inability of the body to regulate blood glucose level.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and primarily results from unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes are widely known and include being overweight or obese (BMI- body mass index of 25 or higher) family history of diabetes, lack of physical activity, poor diet, including excessive calorie consumption, low fibre intake, high consumption of saturated transfats, high glycaemic load, high glycaemic index, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.

Overtime, high blood glucose has major complications including damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidney, eyes, peripheral nerves, digestive system, wound healing ability and sexual response and leads to complication during pregnancy.

Small reduction in haemoglobin A1c (HBA1c) of less than 1% has been shown to have clear association with improved patient outcomes regardless of treatment with western pharmaceuticals or alternative & complementary medicine.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease whose description is mentioned not only in historical text but is detailed in Ayurvedic texts.

Ayurved described diabetes mellitus (DM) as Madhumeha. This ancient evidence-based system of medicine enumerated various herbs and formulations for its management, which needs scientific validation.

The Ayurvedic biological concepts about DM have its close relations with present systems biological approach. Metabolic changes causing tissue damage connected with genetic and immunological irregularities leading to insulin resistance coincide with ancient knowledge.

Diabetes Mellitus is commonly referred to as Madhumeha in Ayurved. Diabetes is one of the most important non- communicable endocrine disorders of metabolic origin.

Madhumeha or Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder intricate with genetic variations. Early lipid material excretions (Meda Dushti) were detected.

Ayurved enumerates served factors like

1) Changes in demographic structure
2) Sedentary life style (Ekasthanasana) like averted sleep pattern


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3) Changed food habit
4) And change in environment (including air, water, habit, occupation, etc.) are described as Janapadabidhamsana (epidemic) in Charak Samhita.

Holistic approach of Ayurved in Diabetes management

Ayurved as robust tool for diabetes management through holistic approach. It was found that present diagnostic paradigm towards disease needs rethinking to retrospect "pro-diseases" concept & supplement preventive thereby on lines of Ayurved biological, combinational herbal & herbomineral thereby in view of "poly pharmacology" may be smart option in complex metabolic disorder like diabetes. Clinical should be first step in research to incorporate concepts of Prakriti (Pharmacogenomics & Ayurgenomics) in therapy. These clinical observations should guide development of disease models (in vitro, in vivo or in silica) keeping relevant systems biological in consideration. No doubt it is multifarious task to initiate.

However, it was found that this "bedside to bench" approach of research in Ayurved can change scenario of present therapy & management in diabetes. In Ayurved personalized diet and medicine is selected on basis of Trisutra (three primary reasons), viz Hetu (cause), Linga (features) and Ausadha (therapeutics). The principals of treatment in Madhumeha patients may be classified as 1. Sthula Pramehi (obese) and 2. Krisha Pramehi (lean). Both cause and treatment of type 2 diabetes are related to diet and lifestyle. The ancient medicinal practice of Ayurved which is rooted in diet and lifestyle is a promising traditional approach to treatment of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes should be treated with exercise, diet and lifestyle modification. All of Ayurvedic treatments forms herbal therapy is most commonly studied. Some of studied herbs that prove beneficial for lowering of glucose levels include Coccinia indica (kundru), holy basil (Tulsi), fenugreek (Methi), Gymnema sylvestre (Gurmar), Ayush-82, Cinnamomum tamala (Tejpatta), Eugenia jambolana (Javaplum) and Momordica charantia (bitter guard/ Karela).


Indian medicinal plants with anti-diabetic and related beneficial properties:

Plant NameAyurvedic/common name/herbal formulationAnti diabetic and other beneficial effects in traditional medicine
Annona squamosaSugar appleHypoglycaemic and anti-hyperglycaemic activities of ethanolic leaf-extract, Increased plasma insulin level
Artemisia pallensDavanaHypoglycaemic, increases peripheral glucose utilization or inhibits glucose reabsorption
Areca catechuSupariHypoglycaemic
Beta vulgarisChukkanderIncreases glucose tolerance in OGTT
Boerhavia diffusaPunarnavaIncrease in hexokinase activity,decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose bis-phosphatase activity, increase plasma insulin level, antioxidant
Bombax ceibaSemulHypoglycaemic
Butea monospermaPalasaAntihyperglycemic
Camellia sinensisTeaAnti-hyperglycaemic activity, antioxidant
Capparis deciduaKarir or PinjuHypoglycaemic, antioxidant, hypolipidaemic
Caesalpinia bonducellaSagarghota, Fever nutHypoglycaemic, insulin secretagogue, hypolipidemic
Coccinia indicaBimb or KanturiHypoglycemic
Emblica officinalisAmla, Dhatriphala, a constituent of herbal formulation, “Triphala”Decreases lipid peroxidation, antioxidant, hypoglycemic
Eugenia unifloraPitangaHypoglycemic, inhibits lipase activity
Enicostema littoraleKrimihritaIncrease hexokinase activity, Decrease glucose 6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6 bisphosphatase activity. Dose dependent hypoglycemic activity
Ficus bengalenesisBurHypoglycemic, antioxidant
Gymnema sylvestreGudmar or MerasingiAnti-hyperglycemic effect, hypolipidemic
Hemidesmus indicusAnantamulAnti snake venom activity, anti-inflammatory
Hibiscus rosa-sinesisGudhal or JassonInitiates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells
Ipomoea batatasSakkargandReduces insulin resistance

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Plant NameAyurvedic/common name/herbal formulationAnti diabetic and other beneficial effects in traditional medicine
Momordica cymbalariaKadavanchiHypoglycemic, hypolipidemic
Murraya koenigiiCurry pattaHypoglycemic, increases glycogenesis and decreases gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis
Musa sapientumBananaAntihyperglycemic, antioxidant
Phaseolus vulgarisHulga, white kidney beanHypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, inhibit alpha amylase activity, antioxidant. Altered level of insulin receptor and GLUT-4 mRNA in skeletal muscle
Punica granatumAnarAntioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic effect
Salacia reticulataVairiinhibitotory activity against sucrase, α-glucosidase inhibitor
Scoparia dulcisSweet broomweedInsulin-secretagogue activity, antihyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant
Swertia chirayitaChirataStimulates insulin release from islets
Syzygium alternifoliumShahajireHypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic
Terminalia belericaBehada, a constituent of “Triphala”Antibacterial, hypoglycemic
Terminalia chebulaHirdaAntibacterial, hypoglycemic
Tinospora crispaAnti-hyperglycemic, stimulates insulin release from islets
Vinca roseaSadabaharAnti-hyperglycemic
Withania somniferaAshvagandha, winter cherryHypoglycemic, diuretic and hypocholesterolemic

Conclusion

AYUSH includes six indigenous traditional systems of medicine practiced mainly in India with increasing awareness about fitness, health and changing life style. The demand for AYUSH system especially Ayurved & Yoga has increased internationally.

Today the globalization process of Ayurved has reached many nations, due to the efforts of AYUSH ministry, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic situation. About 80% of the world's population is estimated to use traditional system of medicine. The global foot print of Ayush is expanding and the sector is expected to contribute significating to the Indian economy.

Ayurved is an ancient medicine practice that is emerging in the United States as a complementary and alternative treatment for chronic illness. Type 2 Diabetes is chronic illness for individuals that has long term implications. Ayurved described diabetes mellitus (DM) as Madhumeha.

This ancient evidence-based system of medicine enumerated various herbs and formulations for its management. All of the Ayurvedic treatments forms herbal therapy is the most commonly studied. Some of the studied herbs that prove beneficial for the lowering of glucose levels include Coccinia indica (Kundru), holy basil (Tulsi), fenugreek (Methi), Gymnema sylvestre (Gurmar), Ayush-82, Cinnamomum tamala (Tejpatta), Eugenia jambolana (Javaplum) and Momordica charantia (bitter guard / Karela).

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