Current development and official insertion of Ayurveda in Latin American countries

Abstract

In the last 50 years, there has been a significant movement in Latin America to introduce Ayurveda in the region, which has led today to the presence of ayurvedic therapy centers and ayurvedic providers in all their countries. The growth that Ayurveda has achieved is currently manifested by its recognition as a medical system within the national health systems of Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Nicaragua.At the academic level, in Argentina the first university postgraduate courses were taught at a state university in the West. Nowadays in Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, Ayurveda courses are taught at the university level or with recognition from higher associations or from the local Ministry of Education. Considering the therapeutic resources, a considerable number of medicinal plants included in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India or in relevant documents of the Ministry of Ayush are available in the region either grown locally or cultivated at agro-industrial level. A larger number is available by prescription from professionals through pharmacies. There is a market for those plants used by Ayurveda through digital channels which must be evaluated for quality. Different initiatives of the Ministry of Ayush show its continuous and growing commitment that will help the further growth and official establishment of Ayurveda throughout the region.