In India, the use of herbal medicines is known as?

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In India, the use of herbal medicines is traditionally associated with Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of health and medicine whose name comes from Sanskrit: ayur means “life” and veda means “knowledge” or “science.” Its written traditions are linked to classical texts such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, compiled more than 2,000 years ago.

Ayurvedic practice can include plant-based preparations, dietary rules, massage, yoga, meditation, and other therapies. Herbal ingredients commonly associated with Ayurveda include turmeric, neem, ashwagandha, tulsi, and ginger. However, Ayurveda is broader than herbal medicine alone, and India also has other traditional systems, including Siddha and Unani medicine.

A common mix-up is treating Ayurveda as simply a synonym for every herbal remedy. More precisely, it is a complete traditional medical system in which herbs are one important part.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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