Abstract

Palliative care addresses the complex needs of patients suffering from debilitating and life-limiting illnesses, focusing on enhancing their quality of life. While palliative care has gained traction in India, there remains a significant gap in integrating traditional healing systems like Ayurveda into mainstream palliative care. Ayurveda, with its holistic approach, has the potential to complement conventional treatments by alleviating physical symptoms as well as addressing psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs. For this article, we explored government policies, WHO reports, and related NGO findings to understand the current landscape and challenges of integrating Ayurveda into palliative care. We also used PubMed and Google Scholar to gather research, ensuring a comprehensive and evidence-based perspective. This paper explores the scope and opportunities of integrating Ayurveda into palliative care, highlighting the importance of human resource development, education, and policy reforms to support Ayurvedic practitioners in providing end-of-life care. Additionally, Ayurvedic lifestyle practices, such as Dinacharya and Achara Rasayana, offer valuable tools for improving patients' well-being. Incorporating Rasayana therapies and other Ayurvedic treatments into palliative care can enhance patient comfort and reduce the side effects of conventional treatments. However, further research and collaboration between modern and Ayurvedic medicine are crucial to validate these practices and establish their efficacy in clinical settings. Through systematic research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy reforms, Ayurveda can be vital in offering more comprehensive and culturally sensitive palliative care.

Key words: Ayurveda, Palliative Care, Scopes, Opportunity, End-of-life care