INTEGRATING PREVENTIVE PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA INTO MODERN PUBLIC HEALTH DOMAINS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW AND PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Ayurveda, an ancient healthcare system extensively practiced in India and Nepal, has been increasingly explored for its potential role in addressing chronic lifestyle disorders. Public health, on the other hand, focuses on organized community efforts to prevent disease and promote well-being. This review article examines the connections between the health principles of Ayurveda and public health, illustrating how these two systems complement each other in promoting health and preventing disease. A thorough literature review of major Ayurvedic texts such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, Ashtanga Sangraha, and Bhavaprakasha Nighantu; a public health textbook and a few online databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were conducted. This study identifies key areas where Ayurvedic principles align with public health practices, such as nutrition, physical activity, personal hygiene, environmental health, and reproductive health. The findings suggest that integrating Ayurvedic principles with modern public health strategies could enhance overall health outcomes. Therefore, based on this synthesis, a conceptual framework aligning Ayurvedic preventive principles with modern public health domains is proposed.