Introduction
Ayurveda is by far the most relevant traditional medical system (TMS) in South Asia and has a strong level of social penetration in its countries of origin. Over recent decades, it has also gained increasing popularity in Western countries, particularly in the management of chronic conditions such as knee osteoarthritis (OA).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ayurvedic therapies can represent effective treatment options for certain diseases, including chronic and degenerative conditions.1
Global positioning of Ayurveda in knee OA
- In Western healthcare systems, Ayurveda is predominantly used within the framework of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) and wellness approaches.2
- It is commonly applied as an adjunct in chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including knee OA
- Ayurveda continues to maintain strong traditional use in South Asia for long-term and chronic disease management.
- Its application is particularly relevant in conditions requiring multimodal and sustained therapeutic strategies.
Evidence base and research landscape
- The global research base for Ayurveda under evidence-based medicine (EbM) remains relatively weak
- Despite multiple initiatives to improve its scientific visibility, especially in South Asian countries, the number of high-quality international publications remains limited.
- Compared to other CIM and whole systems of medicine (WMS), Ayurveda has fewer robust clinical studies
- Other systems with comparatively stronger research output include:
- Yoga
- Acupuncture
- Mind-body medicine (MBM)
- Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).3
Clinical relevance in musculoskeletal disorders
- Musculoskeletal disorders and pain syndromes represent the primary clinical domain of Ayurvedic practice
- Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is among the most frequently addressed conditions in this system
- Other commonly treated conditions include:
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Back pain
- Fibromyalgia
Clinical evidence in knee osteoarthritis
- A landmark larger confirmatory randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated Ayurveda in patients with knee OA
- The findings suggested that traditional Ayurvedic therapy may be superior to conventional standard therapy when potential confounding factors were considered
- Clinical benefits were sustained over a 12-month long-term follow-up period
- This trial represents an important structured evaluation of Ayurveda in knee OA within a controlled research setting
- The results highlight the relevance of studying complex integrative interventions using rigorous clinical methodologies
Conclusion
Ayurveda demonstrates both traditional relevance and emerging clinical evidence in knee osteoarthritis. Although its global research base remains limited compared to other integrative systems, available trial data suggests potential sustained benefits and comparative effectiveness over conventional standard therapy in knee OA. Further well-designed studies are needed to better define its role in evidence-based musculoskeletal care.4
References:
1. World Health Organization. WHO benchmarks for the practice of Ayurveda. World Health Organization; 2022. Accessed June 16, 2026. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240042674
2. eßler CS. Habilitationsschrift—Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation—Traditionelle indische Medizin und ihr Bezug zu den fünf Säulen der Naturheilkunde. https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/bitstream/handle/fub188/27783/Habilitation_Kessler_Bibversion.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
3. Valedictory Address at 6(th) World Ayurveda Congress by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014;5(4):201-204. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4296430/
4. Kessler CS, Jeitler M, Dhiman KS, et al. Ayurveda in Knee Osteoarthritis-Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Med. 2022;11(11):3047. Published 2022 May 28. doi:10.3390/jcm11113047. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9181350/#B9-jcm-11-03047