Scientific evaluation of Ayurvedic drugs — the use of N-of-1 clinical trials

Abstract

Despite its ancient roots and prominence in India as an accepted alternative to modern medicine, Ayurveda’s growth has been hampered by an inability to carry out clinical studies of its effectiveness and safety using modern scientific methods ― while preserving the core of Ayurveda, which is personalised medicine. In this comment, we propose that the N-of-1 trial be used as a practical method to evaluate Ayurvedic treatments, which is simultaneously consistent with the canons of modern medicine and of Ayurveda. We emphasise the importance of doing this as a practical alternative that will benefit patients. We need not wait to resolve the epistemic inconsistency between Ayurveda and modern medicine to take steps in this direction.