Revitalizing Traditional Medicine: A Path Forward

From herbalists in Africa to acupuncture practitioners in China and meditative yogis in India, traditional medicine systems are gaining recognition for their potential in health and wellness. With the endorsement of the World Health Organization (WHO), the time has come to allocate more resources and research toward these age-old practices, as noted by Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, the leader of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre.

Investing in Evidence-Based Approaches

Historically, many traditional practices have been overlooked due to a lack of scientific evidence. However, Dr. Kuruvilla emphasizes that with increased investment and modern technology, this is set to change. Earlier this year, countries took a significant step by agreeing to a new global traditional medicines strategy that aims to explore the contributions of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) to overall health and wellbeing through solid evidence.

This strategy outlines plans to create a comprehensive evidence base for traditional medicine, establish regulatory frameworks for treatments and practitioners, and, where feasible, incorporate these practices into conventional healthcare.

“It’s super exciting,” Kuruvilla expresses. “We might not have a complete understanding of what works at scale, but there’s a tremendous opportunity ahead.”

A Diverse Landscape of Healing Practices

Traditional medicine encompasses a wide array of systems predating biomedicine, including herbal remedies and holistic approaches like Ayurveda. Many of these time-honored practices hold immense potential, and new technologies such as artificial intelligence, genomics, and advanced imaging can help unlock this potential.

Thailand serves as a notable example of a nation actively embracing traditional medicine. Researchers in the country are already observing and documenting these age-old practices while conducting randomized trials aimed at including herbal treatments on its essential medicines list. In May, the Thai health ministry even encouraged doctors to consider traditional remedies for specific ailments like muscle pain and constipation.

Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Standards

While there are apprehensions about the WHO’s strategy possibly paving the way for unscientific practices like homeopathy, Dr. Kuruvilla clarifies that homeopathy was developed in the late 18th century, making it ineligible under the WHO’s definition of traditional medicine. Additionally, she iterates the vital importance of strong evidence to support any medical practice, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to upholding safety and efficacy standards.

“Not engaging wasn’t an option, because that would mean everything goes on without any safeguards,” Dr. Kuruvilla highlights.

WHO surveys suggest that the majority of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine services remain outside the formal health system and are primarily funded by patients. This lack of oversight raises quality concerns, though these services remain immensely popular among communities worldwide.

Bridging Traditional and Conventional Medicine

Advancements in science are enabling researchers to study traditional medicine more effectively than ever before. Dr. Kuruvilla points out that genomic technologies may enhance our understanding of medicinal plants, while state-of-the-art brain scanning techniques can reveal the neurological effects of practices like meditation.

She notes, “Meditation was often regarded as mere ‘woo-woo stuff,’ but modern neuroscience has begun to validate its benefits by illustrating tangible changes in brain function.” This newfound scientific insight is generating excitement about how traditional practices can be integrated into contemporary healthcare.

At a recent global summit in India, a new WHO technical advisory group for traditional medicine was established, marking what Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s assistant director-general, describes as a “pivotal moment” in recognizing traditional medicine’s role in global health strategies.

Dr. Kuruvilla suggests that the plan is to “build a bridge” between traditional medicine and biomedicine, emphasizing the necessity of demonstrating scientific credibility, especially regarding patient safety.

The Future of Traditional Medicine

Dr. Kuruvilla envisions traditional medicine as a “treasure trove” capable of alleviating global healthcare shortages. The wealth of practitioners, including university-trained professionals in countries like China and India, could play a significant role in advancing universal health coverage.

In an age where budget cuts are prompting countries to reevaluate healthcare delivery, traditional medicine could foster greater self-reliance, enabling nations to share their resources more effectively.

Failing to invest in this area risks depriving individuals of their preferred healthcare options and limits the potential for discovering new holistic solutions for both individual and environmental health.