After Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha, the government has now recognised a fourth form of traditional medicine that can be practiced legally in the country. Sowa-Rigpa, a traditional form of medicine practiced in the Himalayan region was given Cabinet approval on Thursday.

The Cabinet approved The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2009 for recognition of the traditional form of medicine after amending the Indian Medicine Central Council Act.

Sowa-Rigpa, commonly known as ‘Amchi’, is one of the oldest surviving systems of medicine in the world. Some theorists even say this was the form of medicine practised by the Buddha himself. Sowa Rigpa is based on the teachings of the Buddha, which were compiled into a text called Gyud-Zhi by a Tibetan scholar in the 8th century.

The theory and practices of Sowa-Rigpa are similar to Ayurveda, and also include a few principles of traditional Chinese medicine, the government release said.