Ayurveda is experiencing a significant expansion on the global stage, with legal recognition as a traditional system of medicine in 24 countries.

This formal acknowledgement highlights Ayurveda’s growing role in international healthcare, and collaborative forums, such as the SCO Expert Working Group on Traditional Medicine, BIMSTEC Taskforce on Traditional Medicine, and BRICS High-Level Forum on Traditional Medicine, further, strengthen its presence.

These platforms foster knowledge exchange and policy alignment, paving the way for Ayurveda's integration into healthcare systems worldwide.

Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine that originated in ancient India. It focuses on achieving balance in the body, mind and spirit to promote holistic well-being.

The term Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words: “ayu”, meaning life, and “veda”, meaning knowledge. Thus, the term Ayurveda denotes the ‘Knowledge of Life’.

Ayurveda was established as a fully grown medical system from the period of Samhita i.e. around 1000 BC. The Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita were written systematically with eight specialities during this period. The essential details of Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita were compiled and further updated in the treatises Astanga Sahgraha and Astanga Hrdaya authored by Vrddha Vagbhata and Vagbhata during 6-7 Century AD. Thus, the main three treatises called Brhattrayi i.e. Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita and Astanga Sangraha formed the basis for subsequent scholars to write texts.

Around 200 BC, medical students from different parts of the world used to come to the ancient University of Takshashila to learn Ayurveda. From 200 to 700 AD, the University of Nalanda also attracted foreign medical students mainly from Japan, China etc. The Egyptians learnt about Ayurveda long before the invasion of Alexander in 400 BC through their sea trade with India. Greeks and Romans came to know about it after their invasion. In the early part of the first millennium, Ayurveda spread to the East through Buddhism and greatly influenced the Tibetan and Chinese systems of medicine and herbology.

Around 800 AD, Nagarjuna conducted extensive studies on the medicinal applications of various metals. Many exotic and indigenous drugs for new uses are found place in Ayurvedic literature. After the 16th Century, there have been inclusions of diagnosis and treatment of new diseases based on modern medical science.

In 1827, the first Ayurveda course was started in India at the Government Sanskrit College in Calcutta. By the beginning of the 20th Century, many Ayurveda colleges were established in India under the patronage of provincial Rulers. Ayurveda gained more ground beginning in the 1970s, as a gradual recognition of the value of Ayurveda revived. Lots of academic work was done during the 20th century and many books were written and seminars and symposia were held.

Presently, Ayurveda has well-regulated undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate education in India. A commendable network of practitioners and manufacturers exists. Infrastructure development in private and public sectors has improved the outreach to the community in a commendable way.

Ayurveda products are now exported to over 100 countries, showcasing international demand and confidence in Ayurvedic practices and products.

The integration of morbidity codes for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in the ICD-11 TM Module 2 by the World Health Organization marks another milestone, enabling more precise documentation and recognition of Ayurvedic health interventions.

WHO has also established benchmarks for Ayurveda practice and training, setting a global standard for the quality and effectiveness of Ayurvedic care. At the forefront of these efforts is the Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar of Gujarat, a dedicated institution advancing research, education, and practice in Ayurveda and traditional medicine.