Lack of patronage and low funding for research and development for ayurvedic formulations by state and central governments has brought down the importance of ayurvedic stream of medicine in India, says Professor Dr S. Sarangapani, principal, ayurvedic medical college in Hyderabad.

According Saranganpani, Professor in Department of Salyatantra of ayurvedic medical college in Hyderabad, the age old ayurvedic medical system is being neglected in India since long, while on the other hand the western world is increasingly taking it up on priority.  “It is high time for leaders and policy makers to take early initiatives to propel this age old ayurvedic stream of medicine in the country. State and Central governments should increase funding for research and development in Ayurveda and encourage more entrepreneurs and industry players to develop advanced and innovative ayurvedic medical products and formulations,” said Dr Sarangapani.

Celebrating the world Ayurvedic Day at Shilpakala Vedika at Madhapur in Hyderabad, the university college of Ayurveda at Yerragadda distributed 20,000 herbs to people free of cost. While distributing the herbs, Dr Saranganpani advocated that every citizen should grow at least one ayurvedic herb in their homes. He said there is a lack of awareness among people about ayurvedic medicine.  Western countries are copying this system of medicine and renaming it as herbal medicine, because of this the word Ayurveda is not becoming popular. “In India since ages Rishis and Vedic scholars have practised Ayurveda. Kings and Rulers have patronised this stream of medicine for ages. But our modern governments have sidelined this system,” said the principal.

The ayurvedic professor advocated that the government should fund research in ayurvedic formulations. ayurvedic formulations usually consist of ingredients of herbal, mineral, metal and animal origin. Recently there have been some scientific publications questioning the safety of ayurvedic metallic/herbo mineral products. Following this, several developed countries have prohibited the use of not only herbo-mineral products but also some of the herbal products reported to be contaminated with heavy metals. In view of this, the government should take initiatives to wade of these misconceptions and help ayurvedic medicine to spread across the world.