New Delhi (PTI): With the rise in the health problems under the category of lifestyle diseases, the alternate systems of medicines like ayurveda, homeopathy have witnessed impressive growth over the years with time-tested methodologies and marketing techniques.

India's expertise in traditional treatments such as homeopathy, naturopathy, ayurveda and unani are becoming increasingly popular as these have no side effects, according to industry chambers.

"The demand for Ayurvedic medicines has increased in the last five years to more than Rs 3,000 crore, as they have started marketing their products in a better manner and also conducted scientific trials to prove the permanent cure of some diseases" says Anoop Misra, Department of Diabetes and Metabolism, Fortis Group of Hospitals.

However, he adds, there is no alternative to allopathy as far as the emergency and cardiac medicines are concerned.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than one billion people use herbal medicines and in India more than 65 per cent people living in the rural areas use Ayurveda and medical plants to meet their primary health care needs.

India has over 75 lakh qualified doctors, who according to Assocham, charge 'reasonable professional fees'.

There are over 400,000 registered homeopaths in the country currently, with approximately 13,000 more being added every year.

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