| The future of alternative medicine is bright. In a | | | | However, for Unani, Siddha and Tibetan medicine, |
| developing country like India, alternative therapeutic | | | | arts and humanities students can also apply. |
| systems have a definite role to play in alleviating | | | | Additionally, for pursuing a course in Ayurveda, you |
| sickness - both chronic and acute. The | | | | need to be well versed in Sanskrit/ Hindi, while for |
| cost-effectiveness, efficacy, low toxicity, ease of | | | | Unani, some knowledge of Arabic/ Urdu is a must. |
| administration and relative safety (few adverse | | | | Similarly for studying the Siddha system, you need |
| effects) renders them invaluable as viable alternatives | | | | knowledge of Tamil. |
| to conventional medicine. | | | | What you'll make |
| In fact, WHO has assessed the total world market | | | | Alternative systems of medicine are beginning to |
| for alternative medicine at a whopping Rs. 51,210 | | | | offer decent career opportunities - in research as well |
| crore. The market for herbal remedies alone is | | | | as in practise. But like any other profession, success |
| pegged at $5 trillion with an annual growth of 11 per | | | | depends on a multitude of factors and the job |
| cent. | | | | scenario when you graduate. |
| Home to over 15,000 medicinal plants and one of the | | | | While private practice is a popular choice for those |
| 12 leading bio-diverse countries of the world, India is | | | | specialising in these systems, homeopathic and |
| sitting on a veritable green mine. Awakening to this | | | | Ayurvedic practitioners, for instance, can also seek |
| tremendous potential, the government has | | | | employment under the Central Government Health |
| announced a separate national policy for the Indian | | | | Scheme and in state government and municipal |
| Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy | | | | hospitals and dispensaries all over the country. |
| (ISM&H) to boost and promote indigenous | | | | Starting salaries are in the range of Rs 8,000 plus |
| medicine. Plans are also afoot to modernise the | | | | perks. |
| hospitals specialising in Indian Systems of Medicine | | | | If you are hesitant to start off on your own, |
| (ISM). | | | | working with an established practitioner or clinic for a |
| However, the lack of formulation and standardisation | | | | while would help you gain the necessary confidence. |
| is a major problem that plagues this fledgling industry. | | | | Combining two or more of these complimentary |
| There are as many as 4,000 recorded Ayurvedic | | | | systems can also add to your repertoire. But be |
| formulations, combining different herbs and metals. | | | | prepared to face competition from other systems of |
| These need to be identified and analysed and put | | | | medicine, particularly allopathic. |
| through a series of tests before they can be | | | | Drug and pharmaceutical companies and research |
| released in the market. Extensive R&D is under | | | | institutions also hire consultants and research |
| way in this field currently. | | | | scientists to work in their respective fields. With |
| What it takes | | | | several recognised institutions offering full-fledged |
| Like other forms of medicine, the minimum | | | | courses of study, there is considerable opportunity in |
| qualification for most courses in traditional medicine is | | | | the teaching and academic sector as well. |
| 10+2 with PCB (Physics, Chemistry & Biology). | | | | |