PANCHAKARMA IN RURAL HEALTH CARE: CURRENT STATUS, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/prl.ijayush.v15i07.2189Keywords:
Panchakarma, Ayurveda, Rural Health Care, AYUSH, Traditional Medicine, Public Health, Integrative MedicineAbstract
Rural healthcare systems in developing countries face significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, shortages of healthcare professionals, limited access to specialized medical services, and a growing burden of chronic diseases. Ayurveda, India's traditional system of medicine, offers a holistic approach to health promotion and disease management. Panchakarma, a specialized branch of Ayurveda, comprises five detoxification and purification procedures aimed at restoring physiological balance and promoting overall well-being. This review examines the current status of Panchakarma in rural healthcare, explores its potential benefits, identifies major challenges to implementation, and discusses future directions for its integration into primary healthcare services. Evidence suggests that Panchakarma may contribute to preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, and community-based wellness programs. However, issues related to standardization, infrastructure, workforce development, scientific validation, and policy support remain significant barriers. Strengthening research, capacity building, and integration with public health systems may enhance the role of Panchakarma in improving rural health outcomes.
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References
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Ministry of AYUSH. National AYUSH Mission Framework and Guidelines. New Delhi: Government of India; 2023.
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Rao RV. Ayurveda and Public Health: Challenges and Opportunities. Ancient Science of Life. 2015;34(4):197–198.
Patwardhan B. Bridging Ayurveda with evidence-based scientific approaches in medicine. EPMA Journal. 2014;5(1):19.
Singh RH. Exploring larger evidence-base for contemporary Ayurveda. International Journal of Ayurveda Research. 2010;1(2):65–66.
Sharma PV. Charaka Samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2018.
Lad V. Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles. Albuquerque: Ayurvedic Press; 2002.
Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagenais S. Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2004
Patwardhan B. Bridging Ayurveda with evidence-based scientific approaches in medicine. EPMA Journal. 2014;5(1):19.
Rao RV. Ayurveda and Public Health: Challenges and Opportunities. Ancient Science of Life. 2015;34(4):197–198.
World Health Organization. WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Geneva: WHO; 2019.
Patwardhan B. Bridging Ayurveda with evidence-based scientific approaches in medicine. EPMA Journal. 2014;5(1):19.
National Health Systems Resource Centre. AYUSH Integration in Health Care Delivery System. New Delhi: NHSRC; 2021.
Ministry of AYUSH. National AYUSH Mission Framework and Guidelines. New Delhi: Government of India; 2023
Singh RH. Exploring larger evidence-base for contemporary Ayurveda. International Journal of Ayurveda Research. 2010;1(2):65–66.
Rao RV. Ayurveda and Public Health: Challenges and Opportunities. Ancient Science of Life. 2015;34 (4):197–198.
Ministry of AYUSH. National AYUSH Mission Framework and Guidelines. New Delhi: Government of India; 2023
World Health Organization. WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Geneva: WHO; 2019
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Manoj Kumar Behra, Dr. Ranjip Kumar Dass
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