Alternative Medicine



India is a destination for medical tourists who wish to get the best possible medical treatment at lesser cost than in the West. Apart from allopathic and surgical treatments available in the many super specialty hospitals in India, the country is also home to many alternative medicine practices. One of the advantages of medical treatment in India is that the medical treatments available in India range from the most modern to the ancient, tried and tested therapies like Ayurveda. So you have a wide range of treatments to choose from.

The major schools of alternative medicine in India are Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy, Homeopathy and Yoga and Meditation. Ayurveda traces its roots to 5,000 years back, and is now fast catching up as the medical treatment of choice with urban people who have not found satisfaction with allopathic treatments.

The Unani system of medicine traces its roots to ancient Greece, and was possibly brought to India through the doctors and physicians in Alexander's court. Later, it was passed on to the Islamic physicians of the country, the "Hakims". Unani medicine offers treatment for malaria, hepatitis, gastro intestinal disorders and infertility, among other diseases.

Naturopathy refers to the treatment of various mental and physical disorders using natural methods, like magnet therapy, mud therapy, osteopathy etc. Naturopathy stresses healthy dietary and living habits.

Homeopathy is another alternative medicine system in India that developed in the West. Homeopathy is based on the principle of "similars", or that some agent similar to the cause can alleviate symptoms arising from the cause.

Yoga and meditation developed in India thousands of years ago. One of the most widely practiced of alternative medicine in India, Yoga has gained popularity in the West due to the extremely effective therapies its offers to problems ranging from weight gain to cardiac disorders.