Allopathy Isn’t Everything! Should Ayurveda and Homeopathy Also Get Equal Recognition?
Abhishek dehariya | Apr 22, 2025, 13:00 IST
( Image credit : Freepik )
India’s traditional medical systems — Ayurveda and Homeopathy — have been healing millions for decades. Yet, they are still labeled as “alternative medicine.” But when patients are getting cured and practitioners are qualified, isn’t it time to question: Should these systems not be given the status of specialized medicine? This article explores the facts, experiences, and logic behind this crucial debate.
Dr. Amitendu Girbonia, a Medical Officer under the National Child Health Program in Bhopal, states:
“In a diverse country like India, healthcare can't be confined to just one system. Ayurveda and Homeopathy need to be taken seriously as mainstream healthcare methods.”
This thought sparks a question — if India’s own healing systems are effective and trusted, why are they still treated as secondary? When thousands of doctors and millions of patients rely on them, isn’t it time to recognize Ayurveda and Homeopathy as expert medical systems?
Allopathy (modern medicine) is fast and widely accepted. But that doesn’t mean it is the only effective form of treatment. Ayurveda and Homeopathy focus not just on treating symptoms but also on eliminating the root cause and restoring the body’s natural balance.
Ayurveda – An ancient Indian science focusing on the balance of body, mind, and spirit.
Homeopathy – Works on the principle of “like cures like,” enhancing the body’s own healing power.
Over 100 million Indians use Ayurvedic or Homeopathic remedies every year.
India has more than 7 lakh BAMS and BHMS practitioners.
Nearly 30% of primary healthcare in rural areas is provided through these systems.
Can we still call this “alternative” medicine?
When COVID-19 hit and allopathy had no definite cure, people turned to age-old practices — kadha, giloy, ashwagandha, and homeopathic drops.
The AYUSH Ministry even released national health advisories promoting these. Millions adopted them — and reported positive outcomes. If that’s not proof, what is?
MBBS (Allopathy) – 5.5 years | Internship: Yes | Status: Specialist
BAMS (Ayurveda) – 5.5 years | Internship: Yes | Status: Alternative
BHMS (Homeopathy) – 5.5 years | Internship: Yes | Status: Alternative
Equal study time, equal medical rigor — but unequal recognition. Isn’t this silent discrimination? 
In 2014, the government launched the AYUSH Ministry to promote Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
Progress so far:
100+ AYUSH medical colleges
Research institutions established
Ayurveda hospitals offering OPD services
Still, major gaps remain:
Limited research funding
Weak integration with modern tech
Lack of equal representation in national health policies
The modern medical community often demands clinical trials before accepting any system. But what about centuries of evidence and millions of success stories?
Isn’t public trust, recovery data, and lived experience a form of evidence too? 
China has integrated traditional Chinese medicine into mainstream healthcare.
Germany covers homeopathy under health insurance.
USA includes integrative medicine in top medical schools.
While the world embraces traditional healing, why is India lagging behind its own ancient science?
Across the country, common people say:
“Allopathy suppresses symptoms, Ayurveda goes deeper.”
“Homeopathy may be slow, but it heals from the core.”
“During COVID, we survived on kadha, not pills.”
So why shouldn’t policy-makers listen to these voices?
Ayurveda and Homeopathy are not just India’s heritage, but also its healthcare future. With lakhs of trained professionals, millions of believers, and real recovery stories — they deserve equal footing.
It’s high time the Indian healthcare policy becomes inclusive, progressive, and rooted in its own soil.
Equal education deserves equal respect. Equal outcomes deserve equal recognition.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
“In a diverse country like India, healthcare can't be confined to just one system. Ayurveda and Homeopathy need to be taken seriously as mainstream healthcare methods.”
This thought sparks a question — if India’s own healing systems are effective and trusted, why are they still treated as secondary? When thousands of doctors and millions of patients rely on them, isn’t it time to recognize Ayurveda and Homeopathy as expert medical systems?
1. Medicine is More Than Just Allopathy
Medicine is More Than Just Allopathy
( Image credit : Freepik )
Ayurveda – An ancient Indian science focusing on the balance of body, mind, and spirit.
Homeopathy – Works on the principle of “like cures like,” enhancing the body’s own healing power.
2. What Do the Numbers Say?
What Do the Numbers Say?
( Image credit : Freepik )
India has more than 7 lakh BAMS and BHMS practitioners.
Nearly 30% of primary healthcare in rural areas is provided through these systems.
Can we still call this “alternative” medicine?
3. The COVID Experience — When Tradition Became Support
The COVID Experience
( Image credit : Freepik )
The AYUSH Ministry even released national health advisories promoting these. Millions adopted them — and reported positive outcomes. If that’s not proof, what is?
4. Why Not a Specialist Status? The Unequal Recognition
The Unequal Recognition
( Image credit : Freepik )
BAMS (Ayurveda) – 5.5 years | Internship: Yes | Status: Alternative
BHMS (Homeopathy) – 5.5 years | Internship: Yes | Status: Alternative
Equal study time, equal medical rigor — but unequal recognition. Isn’t this silent discrimination?
5. AYUSH Ministry’s Role — Good Start, Not Enough
Good Start, Not Enough
( Image credit : Freepik )
Progress so far:
100+ AYUSH medical colleges
Research institutions established
Ayurveda hospitals offering OPD services
Still, major gaps remain:
Limited research funding
Weak integration with modern tech
Lack of equal representation in national health policies
6. The Wall of Medical Lobby & Scientific Bias
Medical Lobby
( Image credit : Freepik )
Isn’t public trust, recovery data, and lived experience a form of evidence too?
7. Global Respect vs. Indian Neglect
Global Respect vs. Indian Neglect
( Image credit : Freepik )
Germany covers homeopathy under health insurance.
USA includes integrative medicine in top medical schools.
While the world embraces traditional healing, why is India lagging behind its own ancient science?
8. Voices from the Ground — Healing Beyond Labels
Voices from the Ground — Healing Beyond Labels
( Image credit : Freepik )
“Allopathy suppresses symptoms, Ayurveda goes deeper.”
“Homeopathy may be slow, but it heals from the core.”
“During COVID, we survived on kadha, not pills.”
So why shouldn’t policy-makers listen to these voices?
Ayurveda and Homeopathy are not just India’s heritage, but also its healthcare future. With lakhs of trained professionals, millions of believers, and real recovery stories — they deserve equal footing.
It’s high time the Indian healthcare policy becomes inclusive, progressive, and rooted in its own soil.
Equal education deserves equal respect. Equal outcomes deserve equal recognition.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!