Traditional medicine is often the first line of treatment for millions of people around the world.
Ayurveda, or traditional Indian medicine (TIM), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are recognised as two of the oldest comprehensive medical systems.
Both are seeing greater global acceptance, especially as their practitioners undertake more research and adopt a science-based approach to strengthen the evidence base for their practices.
Despite their distinct origins and theoretical frameworks, they share similarities in their philosophies and practices. Their common goal is to promote holistic health and well-being, with a focus on the individual rather than the disease.
The history of the two systems
Ayurveda’s roots are intertwined with Hindu mythology, its creation attributed to divine intervention. It is believed that Brahma, the god of creation, imparted knowledge to sages, who then passed it down orally for generations before it was documented in the ancient Indian religious texts known as Vedas around 5,000 years ago.