In a world dominated by high-tech medical gadgets, the ancient wisdom of India's traditional healers is finding new life through cutting-edge technology.
Explore the FusionFor thousands of years, traditional medical practitioners in India have relied on simple yet profound techniques to assess health and diagnose diseases. Through careful observation of the pulse, the eyes, the tongue, and even the wrist, Ayurvedic and Siddha physicians could discern imbalances in the body's fundamental energies.
Today, this ancient diagnostic wisdom is undergoing a remarkable transformation, merging with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms to create innovative health monitoring systems that bridge traditional knowledge and modern science 1 5 .
Over 80% of people across both low and high-income countries express interest in using traditional medicine for their health concerns 1 .
The World Health Organization recognizes this trend, establishing the Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, India, in 2022 to advance research, evidence, and integration of these ancient healing practices 4 .
WHO established the Global Traditional Medicine Centre in 2022
Artificial intelligence enhances traditional diagnostic methods
Understanding the three doshas and their digital transformation
Composed of air and space elements, controls movement, breathing, and nerve impulses
Made of fire and water, governs metabolism, digestion, and energy production
Consisting of earth and water, regulates structure, stability, and lubrication
Recent technological advances have made it possible to capture and analyze subtle pulse variations objectively. Researchers have developed IoT-based health monitoring systems that use piezoelectric sensors placed on the wrist to detect pulse waveforms 5 .
These sensors convert the mechanical force of the arterial pulse into electrical signals that can be processed and analyzed.
The real innovation lies in how these systems process the captured data. Through sophisticated signal analysis, researchers can identify unique waveform characteristics that correspond to each dosha state.
Mean dosha values across different age groups show significant variations 5
While Ayurveda focuses on pulse reading, India's Siddha medicine system—developed by ancient Dravidians in South India—employs a different but equally fascinating diagnostic method: Manikadainool, or wrist circummetric analysis 2 8 .
Traditional Siddha practitioners use a silk or twine thread to measure specific parameters of the wrist, using these measurements to diagnose various health conditions 8 . The wrist's size, shape, and other physical characteristics provide clues to the patient's state of health.
Modern researchers have developed an automated IoT device that replicates this ancient technique using IR sensors, color sensors, and actuators to measure the wrist's circummetric signs 8 .
Silk or twine thread used to measure wrist parameters for diagnosis
IR sensors, color sensors, and actuators automate the measurement process
Embedded system validates results and displays outputs on mobile devices
Scientific validation of ancient diagnostic methods through modern research
A crucial experiment in this field was conducted by researchers developing an IoT-based Ayurvedic healthcare monitoring system 5 .
The study revealed distinct pulse patterns across different age groups, with the 41-50 age bracket showing the most significant dosha variations. This finding aligns with Ayurvedic principles that suggest midlife represents a period of significant physiological transition.
In a separate study focused on Siddha medicine, researchers tested the accuracy and efficiency of their automated Manikadainool device 8 .
The developed device successfully captured the wrist parameters needed for Manikadainool diagnosis with high accuracy and efficiency. Results demonstrated that modern sensors could replicate the diagnostic capabilities of traditional thread-based measurements.
| System | Diagnostic Method | Parameters Assessed | Modern Technology Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayurveda | Nadi Pariksha (Pulse) | Vata, Pitta, Kapha imbalances | Piezoelectric sensors, signal processing algorithms |
| Siddha | Manikadainool (Wrist) | Circummetric signs | IR sensors, color sensors, actuators |
| Both | Visual inspection | Tongue, eyes, skin | Digital imaging, pattern recognition |
Bridging ancient wisdom and contemporary science
Convert mechanical pulse pressure to electrical signals for Nadi Pariksha
Enable real-time data transmission and cloud storage for continuous monitoring
Algorithms filter noise and extract relevant waveform features
Measure physical dimensions without contact for Siddha diagnosis
Display results and provide health feedback to end-users
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library protects ancient medical knowledge
The growing significance of traditional medicine health monitoring is reflected in its increasing global recognition. In a landmark development, the World Health Organization included traditional medicine conditions in its 2025 update to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) .
This update introduces a pioneering module dedicated to traditional medicine, specifically acknowledging Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems. It allows healthcare providers to use dual coding for both traditional and conventional medicine diagnoses, enabling comprehensive data collection on the use and effectiveness of traditional medicine practices worldwide .
The Indian Ministry of AYUSH has launched numerous digital initiatives to support this integration, including the AYUSH Hospital Management Information System, e-Aushadhi for drug licensing, and the SiddAR mobile application 6 .
Projected growth in adoption of integrated traditional medicine technologies
The journey of India's traditional health monitoring systems from ancient texts to IoT devices represents more than technological advancement—it signifies a growing recognition that diverse forms of medical knowledge can coexist and complement each other.
As WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted, traditional medicine offers "deep-rooted knowledge and resources in communities" that can strengthen health systems worldwide 1 .
The development of digital health monitoring based on Ayurvedic and Siddha principles demonstrates how ancient diagnostic methods can be systematically validated using modern scientific approaches. This integration creates exciting possibilities for more personalized, preventive, and holistic healthcare that respects cultural heritage while embracing technological progress.
Ancient wisdom and modern science working together for the health of people and the planet.