Psychiatric Advancements in AYUSH: A Comprehensive Review of Traditional Wisdom and Contemporary Evidence
Abstract
Background: Mental health disorders represent one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century, affecting more than one billion individuals globally. Despite remarkable pharmacological advances, conventional psychiatric care continues to face significant limitations including adverse drug effects, treatment resistance, and limited accessibility in low- and middle-income countries. AYUSH systems — encompassing Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy — offer time-tested, holistic frameworks for understanding and managing psychiatric conditions that are gaining renewed scientific scrutiny.
Objective: To systematically review the conceptual frameworks, therapeutic modalities, and emerging clinical evidence supporting the role of AYUSH disciplines in the management of common psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and cognitive decline.
Methods: A comprehensive narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and DHARA (Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles) databases from inception to March 2026. Peer-reviewed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and classical textual references were included. Search terms included "AYUSH psychiatry", "Ayurveda mental health", "Medhya Rasayana", "Yoga anxiety", "Unani neuropsychiatric", and "Siddha mental disorders."
Results: Evidence supports the efficacy of several AYUSH interventions: Withania…
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