Traditional Medicine in South-East Asia

Traditional medicine is a cornerstone of healthcare in the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEARO), encompassing a range of codified systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Sowa Rigpa, as well as non-codified practices passed down through generations. These systems coexist and remain central to healthcare, particularly in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Thailand. The AYUSH system (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) in India plays a pivotal role in this region’s healthcare landscape. Supported by a dedicated ministry, AYUSH integrates traditional systems with national healthcare services, offering preventive, curative, and wellness-focused care. Ayurveda, for example, emphasizes balance among the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—using herbal medicines, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle practices. Similarly, Siddha combines herbs, minerals, and therapies, while Unani focuses on balancing bodily humors through diet and treatment.

In Bhutan, the Sowa Rigpa system has been successfully integrated into national healthcare, running alongside conventional services. Bhutan’s Institute of Traditional Medicine Services ensures that patients have access to both traditional and conventional treatments in public hospitals and clinics. This model of integration is a leading example in the region of how traditional systems can coexist with conventional healthcare, expanding access to culturally relevant care. Traditional Thai Medicine also thrives in Thailand, combining herbalism, massage, and spiritual practices to address both physical and mental well-being, with herbs like ginger (Zingiber officinale) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) used widely for their medicinal properties.

Despite the prominence of these codified systems, challenges remain in fully integrating traditional medicine into national healthcare policies across SEARO. Collaborative knowledge inquiry between traditional healers and conventional healthcare providers is essential for creating sustainable and inclusive healthcare systems. The region’s rich biodiversity, which provides the foundation for many traditional remedies, underscores the need for conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of these practices. By fostering mutual respect between codified and non-codified systems and conventional medicine, South-East Asia can further strengthen its healthcare systems and move toward universal health coverage that reflects the region’s cultural and ecological diversity.