Ayurveda, Homeopathy and other complementary treatments in the child and adolescent mental health: A critical review of emerging paradigms

Abstract

The prevalence of child and adolescent mental health disorders, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders, is increasing globally, necessitating diverse treatment approaches. While conventional psychiatric interventions such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy remain the standard of care, their limitations—including side effects, treatment resistance, and accessibility challenges—have led to a growing interest in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Ayurveda, homeopathy, and other CAM interventions are widely used, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where up to 97% of the population relies on traditional medicine. Despite their popularity, scientific validation of these treatments remains limited, with inconsistent evidence regarding their efficacy, safety, and feasibility for integration into mainstream psychiatric care. This review examines the role of CAM in child and adolescent psychiatry, highlighting potential benefits and limitations based on a comprehensive literature search across major databases, expert discussions from an academic seminar, and survey responses from clinicians. Findings suggest that Ayurvedic practices such as “Sattvavajaya” (a cognitive-behavioral therapy analog), homeopathic remedies, and mind-body interventions like yoga and mindfulness show promise for managing psychiatric conditions. However, regulatory challenges, quality control concerns, and insufficient clinical validation hinder their integration into evidence-based mental healthcare. Further rigorous research, standardized treatment protocols, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to determine the role of CAM in pediatric psychiatry. Medical education must also incorporate CAM-related training to equip clinicians with the knowledge necessary to guide patients and caregivers effectively.