The Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Europe project, hosted on the portal of the Institute of Ayurveda, Ayur Ashram, aims to coordinate global efforts to realize the full potential of TCIM in contributing to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Qualified professionals, traditional practices, and natural products in TCIM represent a valuable and underutilized resource for healthcare systems and services worldwide.

Global Strategy & Guidance

The TCIM framework is guided by strategic directives and resolutions from the World Health Organization (WHO) and AYUSH (Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy – Government of India). This approach emphasizes:
• Promoting the effective, safe, and equitable use of TCIM
• Supporting affordable, acceptable, and people-centered care
• Integrating TCIM throughout the life course and continuum of care, including self-care
• Ensuring regulation, research, and integration of TCIM products, practices, and practitioners into national health systems.

Understanding TCIM

Traditional medicine has a rich, long-standing history. It includes knowledge, skills, and practices developed over generations within various cultures—whether based on empirical evidence or spiritual belief—used for maintaining health and treating physical and mental illness. The terms “complementary medicine” and “alternative medicine” refer to a wide range of practices that are not part of a country’s traditional or mainstream (conventional) healthcare system. In some nations, these are interchangeably used with traditional and conventional medicine, depending on integration levels.

Challenges and Needs in the Europe

There is an urgent need for professional and legal harmonization of herbal products within the European Union, to:

• Facilitate free movement of traditional herbal medicinal products across Member States
• Ensure public health protection through consistent documentation and evaluation of quality, efficacy, and safety.

Herbal medicines include:

• Raw herbs and herbal materials
• Herbal preparations and finished products
• All containing plant parts or derivatives as active ingredients.

Our Mission on the TCIM Europe Portal

As part of the TCIM Europe initiative, You are a valuable asset in shaping a healthier future. Together, we:

Traditional Systems of Medicine: An Overview

Ayurvedic Medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains a fundamental part of India’s traditional healthcare. Treatment in Ayurveda combines the use of natural products (primarily derived from plants, but may also include animal, metal, and mineral sources), along with diet, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments. Yoga system is a holistic practice that connects the body, breath, and mind. It integrates physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation to enhance overall well-being. Originally developed as a spiritual practice thousands of years ago, today Yoga is widely practiced around the world—especially in the West—as a method for exercise, stress reduction, and mental clarity. Naturopathic Medicine aims to educate individuals to take responsibility for their own health and that of their families. Its goal is to: Minimize symptoms of illness; Support the body’s natural healing ability; Restore and maintain balance to prevent future disease; Naturopathy emphasizes prevention and holistic care through natural therapies, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments. Unani Medicine, also known as Arabian or Islamic Medicine, Unani or Yunani is based on principles of harmony and balance within the physical, mental, and spiritual realms. Its philosophical roots trace back to the doctrines of Hippocrates and Galen, making it a unique synthesis of Greek medical philosophy and Eastern healing traditions. Siddha Medicine originating in southern India, the Siddha system is one of the oldest forms of traditional medicine in the country. It takes a scientific and holistic approach to deliver: Preventive, Promotive, Curative, Rejuvenating, and Rehabilitative healthcare. The system uses natural remedies, spiritual practices, and diet to maintain the balance of the body and mind. Homeopathy system is based on the principle that the body can heal itself. It uses extremely small doses of natural substances, such as plants and minerals, to stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms. Developed in Germany in the late 1700s, homeopathy is still widely practiced today as a gentle and individualized system of care. Sowa-Rigpa is a traditional Tibetan Medical system that applies a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approach. It includes: Venesection, Moxibustion, Compression therapy, Medicinal bathing, Massage, Pharmacology, based on complex formulations of multi-ingredient herbal and mineral medicines. Sowa-Rigpa integrates medical science with Buddhist philosophy, offering a holistic path to health and spiritual balance.

Register Your Work for Free – Open and Public

We invite practitioners, organizations, and businesses involved in TCIM to register their work free of charge in our public registry. Objectives of Registration:

• To highlight TCIM as a vital resource for preventive healthcare across Europe.
• To promote high standards and professionalism in TCIM practices.

Upon registration, you will receive the Ayur Safe Certificate at the International Conference on Traditional Medicine and Medicinal Plants. The certificate is awarded during the symposium, or if you are unable to attend, it will be mailed to your address in January of each year (new registrations only).

About the Ayur Safe Certificate

The Ayur Safe Certificate is available not only to individual practitioners but also to business entities such as sole proprietors, limited companies, thermal centers, resorts, spa-hotels, and other organizations interested in TCIM. It provides verified evidence of qualification to practice TCIM professionally. Why is it important?

• It ensures participation in Ayurvedic conferences, lectures, and educational programs, supported by AYUSH energies and renowned Ayurvedic associations from India and Europe.
• It guarantees that the TCIM services offered in Europe are meaningful, high quality, and consistent with global TCIM scientific standards.
• It promotes consumer confidence by upholding the highest safety and quality standards.
• The Ayur Safe Certificate is potentially the basis for Insurance companies to cooperate with the TCIM service provider in Europe.

Our team of experienced professionals brings deep industry knowledge and expertise to the certification process, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices.

Our Commitment to Safety and Sustainability

Inspired by the principles of the Ayur Safe Certificate, our program prioritizes human health and ecological sustainability. We analyze potential pollution sources and assess impacts on soil, air, water, and all aspects of the Ayur-Life ecosystem. Achieving the Ayur Safe Certificate marks companies and organizations as true change-makers, committed to delivering naturopathy and TCIM services that are safe, sustainable, and ecosystem-friendly. Trust is paramount, and this certification guarantees your dedication to a safer and healthier future for all.

Join the Movement

Begin your certification journey today and become part of a growing network of leaders paving the way for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world through TCIM.

• Each registered member is responsible for the accuracy of their information and the protection of personal data.
• New individuals, organizations, and associations working in TCIM will be added to the register every weekend throughout the year.

Register Your Work for Free – Open and Public