Like yoga, Ayurveda should spread globally: Shripad Naik

Through a collaboration with science, research can be done on Ayurvedic medicine and scientific validation of its benefits can be established, Naik said.

"Yoga has become a global phenomena. I want Ayurveda to spread in the same manner," he said.

The Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi recently signed an agreement with the All India Institute of Ayurveda to integrate the ancient science with modern technology.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed between the two institutes, the faculties of IIT-Delhi and AIIA will work together to find ways to integrate Ayurveda with technology.

He said people need to know the benefits of Ayurveda and how these traditional practices are generally safe.

Naik pointed out how Ayurveda can play an important role in treating diseases related to drastic changes in lifestyle, dietetic habits, increased industrialisation, and pollution.

Non-communicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are the world's biggest killers, causing lakhs of deaths each year. The minister said that there was a need to address this issue seriously.

"Ayurveda holds a number of formulations that can be useful in such cases and can play a crucial role in restricting complications and improving the quality of life," he said.