Addressing the Global Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance through AYUSH Systems

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes stop responding to treatment, making infections harder, or sometimes impossible, to cure, and increasing the risk of spread, severe illness, disability, and death. AMR has emerged as one of the most formidable public-health threats of the 21st century, undermining decades of medical progress. In 2019, bacterial AMR was directly responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths and contributed to 4.95 million deaths globally.¹ Beyond mortality and morbidity, AMR also imposes a substantial economic burden. The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in US$1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and US$1 trillion to US$3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030.² Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants.

As pathogens rapidly develop resistance to existing drugs, the world faces a shrinking arsenal of effective antimicrobials and rising rates of treatment failure. Addressing AMR, therefore, requires not only scientific innovation but also a paradigm shift toward holistic, sustainable, and preventive healthcare practices. In this context, the AYUSH systems- Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, and Sowa-Rigpa- offer a rich, under-explored repository of solutions that can strengthen global efforts against AMR. The time-tested principles of AYUSH systems emphasize prevention, immune resilience, rational use of therapeutics, and personalized medicine, all of which help delay or reduce the emergence of drug resistance. These align closely with the “reduce infection” and “improve awareness” objectives of the Global Action Plan on AMR. The long-standing practice of personalized, multi-herb formulations and non-antibiotic modalities has the potential to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial exposure, a key driver of resistance.

Emerging evidence also suggests that several medicinal plants and herbo-mineral preparations possess antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, and may function as stand-alone or adjuvant options alongside conventional antibiotics.³ India’s policy framework now explicitly encourages the systematic evaluation of AYUSH drugs against priority pathogens, their integration into One Health initiatives, and the inclusion of AYUSH expertise in AMR research networks.⁴ By promoting health literacy, personalized diets, seasonal regimens, and safe herbal alternatives, AYUSH practitioners can help reduce self-medication, irrational prescriptions, and excessive dependence on antibiotics. Modern research, too, is validating the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties of several AYUSH interventions.Integrative protocols combining evidence-based AYUSH therapies with contemporary medicine are showing promise in reducing inappropriate antibiotic use in conditions such as recurrent respiratory infections, skin disorders, gastrointestinal illnesses, and chronic inflammatory diseases. However, realizing this potential requires methodological rigor, cross-disciplinary collaboration, quality standards, and robust clinical research. AYUSH institutions, Universities, and Industries must work together to develop validated formulations, ensure pharmacovigilance, and contribute to National and Global AMR surveillance systems.