In a landmark move that could reshape global health policy, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a comprehensive programme to evaluate the therapeutic potential of traditional medicines. The initiative, unveiled at a high‑level assembly in Geneva, aims to bridge the gap between centuries‑old healing practices and modern evidence‑based medicine. By commissioning systematic reviews, field studies, and clinical trials, WHO hopes to identify safe, effective remedies that could complement mainstream healthcare, especially in low‑resource settings. This article unpacks the rationale, scope, scientific challenges, and policy pathways of the WHO’s ambitious agenda, while highlighting the hurdles that lie ahead.
Rationale behind the WHO initiative
The organization’s decision stems from three converging trends: rising public demand for natural therapies, mounting pressure to diversify treatment options, and growing recognition that many communities still rely on traditional modalities for primary care. WHO’s own data indicate that over 80% of people in some low‑income regions depend on indigenous remedies for everyday ailments. By scrutinising these practices, WHO seeks to:
- Validate efficacy and safety through rigorous research.
- Protect intellectual property and biodiversity linked to medicinal plants.
- Inform regulatory frameworks that prevent unsafe or fraudulent products.
Further details are available on the WHO traditional‑medicine portal.
Mapping the diversity of traditional practices
Traditional medicine is not monolithic; it encompasses a mosaic of systems ranging from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda to African herbalism and Indigenous North American healing. A recent WHO mapping exercise catalogued more than 200 distinct pharmaco‑cultural traditions worldwide. The table below summarises the most widely practiced systems and the estimated number of active practitioners as of December 2025.
| Region | Traditional system | Estimated practitioners |
|---|---|---|
| East Asia | Traditional Chinese Medicine | 1.3 million |
| South Asia | Ayurveda | 950 000 |
| Africa | Traditional African Healing | 2.1 million |
| Latin America | Amazonian Herbal Medicine | 420 000 |
| North America | Indigenous Plant Therapies | 180 000 |
Scientific scrutiny and evidence gaps
While anecdotal success stories abound, the scientific community has long struggled with methodological hurdles. Many traditional formulations involve complex mixtures, making isolation of active compounds challenging. Moreover, historical documentation is often oral, lacking the standardised dosage information required for clinical trials. WHO plans to fund multi‑centre studies that will:
- Apply modern pharmacological assays to identify bioactive constituents.
- Conduct randomized controlled trials in collaboration with local health ministries.
- Develop open‑access databases that catalogue safety profiles.
Early pilot projects in Kenya and Vietnam have already yielded promising data on antimalarial herbs and anti‑inflammatory botanicals.
Pathways to integration and policy
Should the evidence base expand, WHO intends to draft guidelines that enable the responsible incorporation of validated traditional remedies into national formularies. This could involve:
- Standardising quality‑control protocols for herbal products.
- Training healthcare workers in culturally competent prescribing.
- Creating insurance reimbursement models for approved therapies.
Such policies aim to enhance access to affordable care while safeguarding patients from unproven or harmful treatments.
Challenges and future outlook
The road ahead is fraught with obstacles. Intellectual‑property disputes, variable regulatory environments, and the risk of commercial exploitation threaten to undermine community trust. Additionally, the sheer scale of research required demands sustained funding and political will. Nonetheless, experts argue that a transparent, evidence‑driven approach could unlock a “treasure trove” of low‑cost, effective medicines, especially for diseases where conventional drug pipelines are drying up.
Conclusion
By launching a systematic, science‑first inquiry into traditional medicines, WHO is positioning itself at the crossroads of heritage and innovation. The initiative promises to illuminate which age‑old remedies can safely augment modern healthcare, while also establishing safeguards against misuse. If successful, the programme could reshape drug discovery, expand therapeutic options for underserved populations, and reinforce the credibility of traditional healers worldwide. The coming years will reveal whether this ambitious endeavour can truly convert centuries of practice into a robust, evidence‑based pillar of global health.
Image by: Nataliya Vaitkevich
https://www.pexels.com/@n-voitkevich
