The Ayurvedic medicine industry is critically dependent upon uninterrupted supply of raw

herbs. It means that medicinal plants of right quality should be available in right quantity

for the sustained growth of Ayurvedic medicine industry. It is a fact that the expanding

Ayurvedic industry has had an impact on the raw herb supply position. Arya Vaidya Sala

has recognised the importance of the natural resource base and has taken comprehensive

steps for strengthening this unique resource base. These steps include cultivation of

threatened medicinal plants, promotion of cultivation, supply of seedlings to growers,

generation of organic manure, finding new sources of water and supporting efforts for

cultivation and trade in medicinal plants.

About 220 acres of land has been developed as medicinal plants estates. Several annual, binnial and

perennial herbal species are cultivated there for in-house consumption. In fact, Arya Vaidya Sala is

now self sufficient in certain items like Atalotakam, Karinkurinji, Nagadandi and Brahmi. There are

about a hundred other medicinal plants which are cultivated for supplementing production needs.

About 5 lakhs of seedlings are produced for distribution amongst potential cultivators. The Green

House facilities of the Centre for Medicinal Plants Research are being used for the generation of

seedlings and cuttings. A special type of Shashtika rice is cultivated for medicinal applications.

Similarly, special COD and MYD varieties of dwarf coconut trees are planted to meet the demand for

tender coconut water for medicine preparation. BSRI variety of gooseberry trees are planted for

supplementing its supply for medicine manufacture.

The Medicinal Plants Board of Government of India has recognised the efforts of Arya Vaidya Sala in

the field of herb cultivation and has extended financial support for strengthening these activities.

The special know-how and skill generated in the field of medicinal plant cultivation are transferred to

individual farmers and NGOs through a verity of extension and education programmes. With the

involvement of the expertise available with the Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, various

extension activities are conducted at Panchayat and District levels.

Another allied activity is the production of high grade organic manure from the solid herbal residue

generated in the Factory. Apart from using this manure for captive consumption, it is also being made

available at subsidised cost to the cultivators and farmers. New methods of compost production using

micro organisms are also planned.

Scarcity of water is a major problem while expanding cultivation activities. Apart from attempting to

identify new sub-soil water sources, concerted efforts are made to conserve ground water by setting

up ponds and by recycling effluent water discharged from the medicine manufacturing activity.

INITIATIVES IN THE MEDICINAL PLANT SECTOR

Strengthening the critical resource base of medicinal plant has always been considered an important

task by Arya Vaidya Sala. The efforts in this regard have been in five major directions, viz.,

maintaining of demonstration garden, cultivation in natural estates, undertaking collaborative

research, collating and publishing reference material and undertaking extension work.

An important activity has been in the area of collating and compiling information of the

character and use of medicinal plants as found in classical and modern texts. This major

work has resulted in bringing out a five volume treatise entitled “Indian Medicinal Plants-A

Compendium of 500 Species” (Orient Longman, Chennai, 1994-96).

A Demonstration garden is set up in an eight acre plot at Kottakkal. A live collection of 700

scientifically identified medicinal plants, a herbarium and a museum for selected items of correctly

identified crude drugs are maintained in this facility. This facility serves as a centre of learning and

referencing for professionals, physicians, students, farmers and others. Based on the taxonomic

studies made here, several scientific papers and a book entitled “Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant

Sources (Oxford & IBH, Delhi,1994) have been published. The garden is a favored location of visit

for informed visitors as well as laypersons.

Over 200 acres of medicinal plant estates are being maintained at Mannarghat, Kottapupram,

Thrikkakara and Kottakkal, where large scale cultivation of rare plant species is organized. These

estates also support scientific activities by providing trial cultivation and maintenance of field gene

banks.

One of the major research projects, entitled “Medicinal Plants (India) Project”, was undertaken in

collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada. Twenty

endangered medicinal plants of the Western Ghats were studied under this project with respect to

their pharmacognosy, propagation and distribution. Several scientific papers and a major compilation

entitled “Some Important medicinal Plants of the Western Ghats, India – A Profile” came out of this

project. IDRC sponsored a project on harvesting, processing and storage of Ayurvedic raw drugs with

the aim of evaluating present practices and evolving new procedures. A programme to set up a Germ

Plasm Bank of medicinal plants has recently been initiated with the support of the Department of

Biotechnology of the Government of India. The major components of this programme are a field gene

bank, an in-vitro bank, a seed bank, a digital data base, etc.

Extension work has been planned to ensure availability of genuine herbs. Seeds and seedlings from

the estates are distributed at nominal cost to farmers, Organic manure from plant residue is also made

available to them at a competitive price. Training programmes are organized for the benefit fo

farmers, NGOs, agricultural officers, etc.

Sitaram Ayurveda Pharmacy Ltd is an Ayurvedic company which manufactures medicines in Thrissur, Kerala state. It is the first Ayurvedic company in India to get Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificate for its production facility in Thrissur. The company has a multi-specialty Ayurvedic hospital, which has the facilities to practice all the eight branches (Ashtanga) of Ayurveda as described in Ashtangahridayam. Sitaram Ayurveda laboratory also observes strict in house standards to ensure highest quality in medicines. The laboratory has got recognition from Kerala and India Government Agencies. Sitaram is constructing a 100 bedded Rs10 crore invested eight storied super specialty hospital in the Thrissur, envisaged as the first of its kind Ayurveda super specialty hospital in the country

[edit] History

Sitaram Ayurveda Pharmacy is considered among the oldest Ayurvedic institutes in Kerala. Its history dates back to 1921, when the company started with the blessings of Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi princely state, Rama Varma.

[edit] speciality

sitaram ayurveda pharmacy has state of the art distillation system for manufacturing aasav and arishtas (medicated alcohols) and liquid medicines. they have their own pharmacoepia to that they created the unique medicines which are greatly compatible to ayurvedic theme of medicines.

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Ayurvedic medicines are produced by several thousand companies in India, but most of them are quite small, including numerous neighborhood pharmacies that compound ingredients to make their own remedies. It is

estimated that the total value of products from the entire Ayurvedic production in India is on the order of one billion dollars (U.S.). The industry has been dominated by less than a dozen major companies for decades, joined recently by a few others that have followed their lead, so that there are today 30 companies doing a million dollars or more per year in business to meet the growing demand for Ayurvedic medicine. The products of these companies are included within the broad category of "fast moving consumer goods" (FMCG; which mainly involves foods, beverages, toiletries, cigarettes, etc.). Most of the larger Ayurvedic medicine suppliers provide materials other than Ayurvedic internal medicines, particularly in the areas of foods and toiletries (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.), where there may be some overlap with Ayurveda, such as having traditional herbal ingredients in the composition of toiletries.

The key suppliers in Ayurveda are Dabur, Baidyanath, and Zandu, which together have about 85% of India's domestic market. These and a handful of other companies are mentioned repeatedly by various writers about the Ayurvedic business in India; a brief description is provided for them, arranged here from oldest to newest:

Dabur India Ltd. is India's largest Ayurvedic medicine supplier and the fourth largest producer of FMCG. It was established in 1884, and had grown to a business level in 2003 of about 650 million dollars per year, though only a fraction of that is involved with Ayurvedic medicine. Last year, about 15% of sales volume was pharmaceuticals, the remaining 85% were mostly non-medicine items such as foods and cosmetics. Dabur's Ayurvedic Specialities Division has over 260 medicines for treating a range of ailments and body conditions-from common cold to chronic paralysis. These materials constitute only 7% of Dabur's total revenue (thus, less than 50 million dollars). Dabur Chyawanprash (herbal honey) has a market share of 70% and chewable Hajmola Digestive Tablets has an 88% share. Other major products are Dabur Amla Hair Oil, Vatika (Shampoo), and Lal Dant Manjan (Tooth Powder).

Sri Baidyanath Ayurvedic Bhawan Ltd. (Baidyanath for short) was founded in 1917 in Calcutta, and specializes in Ayurvedic medicines,

though it has recently expanded into the FMCG sector with cosmetic and hair care products; one of its international products is Shikakai (soap pod) Shampoo. Baidyanath has a sales volume of about 350 million dollars, but most of the product sales are in the cosmetic range. The company reports having over 700 Ayurvedic products, made at 10 manufacturing centers, with 1,600 employees. Included items are herbal teas, patent medicines, massage oils, and chyawanprash.

Zandu Pharmaceutical Works was incorporated in Bombay in 1919, named after an 18th-century Ayurvedic. The company focuses primarily on Ayurvedic products (in 1930, pharmaceuticals were added, but the pharmaceutical division was separated off about 30 years later). However, today Zandu has a chemicals division and cosmetics division. Its total sales volume is about 45 million dollars. One of its current projects is to develop a dopamine drug from a plant extract, applying for new drug status in the U.S.

The Himalaya Drug Company was established in 1934 in Bangalore. It currently has a business level of about 500 million dollars and has a U.S. distribution division (Himalaya USA). It is known in the U.S. for the product Liv-52, marketed as a liver protector and therapy for liver diseases like viral hepatitis; the product was first marketed in India in 1955.

Charak Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1947, and currently has three distribution centers in India; it produces liquids, tablets, and veterinary supplies. It has gained a

large advantage with its new product Evanova, a preparation containing 33 herbs and minerals and non-hormonal active ingredients used as a menopause treatment alternative to HRT. Soya is one of the main ingredients in this product. The product also contains Ayurvedic herbs that act like selective estrogen receptor modulators as well as asparagus root (shatavari), which reduces the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.

Vicco Laboratories was established in 1958. It mainly produces topical therapies based on Ayurveda and is best known internationally for its toothpaste product, Vajradanti, which has been marketed in the U.S. for more than 25 years.

The Emami Group, founded in 1974, provides a diverse range of products, doing 110 million dollars of business annually, though only a portion is involved with Ayurvedic products, through its Himani line; the company is mainly involved with toiletries and cosmetics, but also provides Chyawanprash and other health products.

Aimil Pharmaceuticals Ltd., incorporated in 1984 and engaged in manufacturing and sale of both generic and proprietary Ayurvedic medicines, with a business level of about 20 million dollars annually. Its wide range of Ayurvedic herbal formulations, covering most therapeutic segments, was honored by the Indian government's National Award for Quality Herbal Preparations and National Award for R & D in the year 2002. It is known for its proprietary formulas for hepatitis, diabetes, menstrual disorders, digestive

disorders, and urinary diseases.

Several small companies that have grown rapidly in recent years envision themselves as primary players in the Ayurvedic market. As an example, Viswakeerthy Ayurvedic Pharmacy promotes itself as one of the largest suppliers of Ayurvedic medicines in India. It presents the following on its website:

Viswakeerthy Ayurvedic Pharmacy, was founded by Dr. K. Mohammadkutty a great friend of Nature and Ayurveda. Started in 1977, as a fledgling pharmacy, Viswakeerthy today is one of the largest manufacturers of Ayurvedic Medicines with a formidable presence all over Kerala. The dynamic leadership of Dr. K. M. Kutty, complemented by the energetic drive of his team of young enthusiastic professionals has taken Viswakeerthy Ayurvedic Pharmacy to new heights. The philosophy behind the inception was to "Serve Humanity Through Ayurveda-The Authentic Way" by propagating and practicing genuine Ayurveda and producing quality Ayurvedic medicines. Today, this philosophy has taken Viswakeerthy to new heights of Ayurvedic excellence. Realizing the importance of standardization of medicines and the modernization of production, Viswakeerthy took the significant step of updating the technology of the existing pharmacy and establishing a sophisticated private limited company, Viswakeerthy Herbals Pvt. Ltd. at Kalpakanchery, Malappuram District of Kerala.

     

  

The market for Ayurvedic internal medicines is dominated by Chyawanprash, an herbal honey comprised of about 3 dozen ingredients, with amla (emblic myrobalans) as the key ingredient. The leader in this field is Dabur, which had a 69% market share at the end of 2002; followed by Baidyanath, with nearly 11%, and Zandu and Himani (Emami Group) with

about 7.5% each. A variety of individual herbs, traditional formulations, and proprietary medicines make up the rest of the health products section involving internal remedies, while the remainder of the market is taken up by toothpastes and powders, skin creams, massage oils, shampoos, and other topical preparations. Aside from Chyawanprash, the following are among the major traditional remedies:

Formula Designation Ingredients Main Uses

TriphalaThree Myrobalans

Terminalia chebula, Terminalia Belerica, Emblica officinalis

Rejuvenative tonic, harmonizer, treatment for intestinal disorders

TrikatuThree Pungents

Piper longum, Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum

Spicy stimulant to digestion

TrikuluThree Fragrants

Ellettaria cardaomomum, Cinnamomum arundinacia, Eugenia caryophylla

Aromatic base for numerous formulations

Gokshuradi Guggulu

Triphala plus Trikatu plus Tribulus terrestris, Commiphora mukul, Cyperus rotundus

Treatment for urinary tract disorders

Sitopaladi churna Bombusa arundinacia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Elettaria cardamomum Piper longum

Alleviates cough and associated respiratory disorders

Two of the largest companies involved with providing traditional medicine products, such as the above, are Himalaya Drug Company and Universal Medicaments (in Nagpur). Universal Medicaments has a joint venture for research and manufacturing of herbal products with Cipla Ltd. and Lupin Ltd, two leading pharmaceutical companies of India. Universal is engaged in manufacturing and exports of both pharmaceutical formulations and research-based herbal medicines.

Exports of Ayurvedic medicines have reached a value of 100 million dollars a year (about 10% the value of the entire Ayurvedic industry in India). About 60% of this is crude herbs (to be manufactured into products outside India), about 30% is finished product shipped abroad for direct sales to consumers, and the remaining 10% is partially prepared products to be finished in the foreign countries (see Appendix 1 for examples of Ayurvedic distribution from India with products available worldwide).

STATUS OF AYURVEDA IN INDIAThe Indian government and non-government organizations have been collecting statistics on the Ayurvedic system in India and these data about the manpower and institutional aspects of Ayurveda have emerged:

Number of registered medical practitioners: 366,812

Number of dispensaries: 22,100 Number of hospitals: 2,189 Number of hospital beds: 33,145 Number of teaching institutions (undergraduate): 187 Number of upgraded postgraduate departments: 51 Number of specialties in postgraduate medical training: 16

Number of pharmacies manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines: 8,400

In India, 60% of registered physicians are involved in non-allopathic systems of medicine. In addition to the nearly 400,000 Ayurvedic practitioners, there are over 170,000 homeopathic physicians; India has about 500,000 medical doctors (similar to the number in the U.S., but serving nearly 4 times as many people). Reliance on Ayurvedic medicine is heavy in certain regions of India, such as Kerala in the Southwest. Many Ayurvedic practitioners in small villages are not registered. One of the famous clinics of India is described in Appendix 2 and a new clinic complex is serving visitors from abroad is mentioned in Appendix 3.

MODERN MARKET DEVELOPMENTSThe SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) was formed in 1985; its member countries are India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. These countries all have been influenced by Ayurvedic medicine. Trade in Ayurvedic medicines within the SAARC is mostly limited to raw materials that grow in one region (e.g., high mountains, northern climate) and are then exported to other regions (e.g., lowland southern areas). Because of the large number of very small factories that try to service the local communities, with products labeled with the local language, there is little opportunity for suppliers in one SAARC country to send finished products to another SAARC or even abroad.

Entrepreneurs in these countries (mainly in India) seeking to break into the market for natural products have determined, rightly, that the demand for traditional style Ayurvedic medicines both inside and outside the region is limited, despite growth trends as high as 20% annually encountered in the late 1990s. They have aimed to bolster interest by carrying out scientific research into promising herbs and formulas that are based on Ayurveda but not necessarily reflecting traditional practices. Of necessity, such research eventually focuses on finding of active ingredients, and this has led to the development of isolates from plants that are sold as "nutriceuticals" (substances not registered as drugs, but used like nutritional and dietary supplements, sold over the counter in various formulations with specific health benefits portrayed for them). For these, there is a growing worldwide demand. The main suppliers of nutriceuticals are Japan, China, and the U.S., but India stands to become a significant contributor.

As an example of development of Ayurvedic nutriceuticals, Sabinsa Corporation, a U.S. company with affiliates in India that represents the Indian tradition, though it also takes on similar projects involving herbs from other sources. The company was founded by Dr. Muhammed Majeed. He was born in Kerala, India; after graduating in Pharmacy from Kerala University, Majeed emigrated to the U.S. in 1974, where he continued his graduate studies and then worked at pharmaceutical companies for 15 years. Then, in 1988, he founded Sabinsa Corporation. Soon after, in 1991, Majeed set up a research and development group at Bangalore, India called Sami Labs Ltd. That facility now has over 500 employees.

Sabinsa produces extracts and special powders such as the following (uses are typical applications sought by product manufacturers and may not reflect traditional Ayurvedic uses):

Product Name Composition Uses

Adhatoda Vasica- (Adhatoda vasica)Standardized Extract

1.0% vasicine2.0% total alkaloids

respiratory support, cough-cold aid

Amla- (Emblica officinalis)Standardized Extract

40% tannins rejuvenating agent

Andrographis paniculataStandardized Extract

10% andro-grapholides liver support

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)Standardized Extract

1.5% withanolides1.0% alkaloids

adaptogen

Asparagus RacemosusStandardized Extract

2.5% shatavarin ii 2.5% shatavarin iv

Adaptogen

Bacopin (Bacopa monniera)Standardized Extract

20% bacosides a & b memory support

Bioperine (Piper nigrum)Standardized Extract

95% piperine nutrient bioavailability enhancer

Boswellin (Boswellia serrata)Standardized Extract

70% total organic acids20% β-boswellic acid

anti-inflammatory, arthritis support

Boswellin Forte (Boswellia serrata)Standardized Extract

75% total organic acids40% ß-boswellic acid

anti-inflammatory, arthritis support

Calcium Sennosides (Cassia angustifolia)Standardized Extract

20% total sennosides laxative action

Centellin (Centella asiatica)Standardized Extract

8% total triterpenes skin health, general tonic

Coleus ForskohliiStandardized Extract

1%, 10%, or 20%, or 95% forskolin

Traditional use:circulation support; new uses: sports nutrition, weight management

Curcumin C3 Complex® (Curcuma longa)Standardized Extract

95% curcuminoids antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

Fenusterols ® (Trigonella foenum graecum)Standardized Extract

50% steroidal saponins sports nutrition

Ginger Dry Extract (Zingiber officinale)Standardized Extract

5% gingerols digestive aid

Ginger Soft Extract (Zingiber officinale)Standardized Extract

20% gingerols digestive aid

Gugulipid® (Commiphora mukul)Standardized Extract

2.5% or 7.5% guggulsterones

healthy cholesterol

Gymnema Sylvestre (Gymnema sylvestre)Standardized Extract

25% or 75% gymnemic acids

healthy blood sugar

Hot Sip® (Combination of 4 herbs)Powdered Extract

combination of: Adhatoda vasica, Alpinia galangaGlycyrrhiza glabra, Piper longum

cough & cold aid

Inula RacemosaStandardized Extract

2% alantolactone circulation support, skin health

Licorice - (Glycyrrhiza glabra)Standardized Extract

20% glycyrrhizinic acid Expectorant

Momordicin® - (Momordica charantia)Standardized Extract

7% bitter principles0.5% charantin

blood sugar support

Mucuna Pruriens 10% & 15% l-dopa tonic, energy

Neem Leaf Extract (Melia azadirachta)Standardized Extract

3% bitter principles Antiseptic

Phyllanthus Amarus (Phyllanthus amarus)Standardized Extract

3% bitter principles liver support

Picroliv® (Picrorhiza kurroa)Standardized Extract

4% kutkin8-10% bitter principle

liver support

Piper LongumStandardized Extract

1.5% piperine respiratory support, thermogenic

Rubia Cordifolia Standardized Extract

0.1% total alkaloids skin health

Silbinol™ (Pterocarpus marsupium)Standardized Extract

5% pterostilbene0.01% (-) epicatechin min.

blood sugar support

Terminalia ArjunaStandardized Extract

0.5% arjunolic acid circulation support

Terminalia Belerica Standardized Extract

40% tannins rejuvenating agent

Terminalia Chebula Standardized Extract

40% tannins rejuvenating agent

Tinofolin ® (Tinospora cordifolia)Standardized Extract

2.5% bitter principles urinary healthsupport

Trikatu (Ayurvedic Formula)Powder

combination of Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Zingiber officinale

respiratory support, thermogenic, digestive aid

Triphala (Ayurvedic Formula)Standardized Extract

40% tannins; combination of Terminalia belerica, Terminalia chebula,Emblica officinalis

digestive aid

Tulsi Extract (Ocimum sanctum) Standardized Extract

2.0% ursolic acid blood sugarsupport, rejuvenating agent

Tylophora (Tylophora indica/asthmatica)Standardized Extract

0.1% total alkaloids respiratory support

As examples of how traditional Ayurvedic ingredients are converted to modern products, it has been found that myrrh yields guggulsterones and

frankincense yields boswellic acids that are now in high demand. For both these herbs, the original research and product development originated in India as part of an ongoing effort to investigate and make more useful the tradition of Ayurvedic medicine. Much of the guggulsterone and boswellic acid currently used in manufacturing products today comes from Sabinsa.

Guggulsterones are reputed to lower blood lipids, including cholesterol, a problem recognized currently, but not an issue of traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The standardized nutriceutical available for most manufacturing of products is 2.5% guggulsterones; preparations of 7.5% and of 10% guggulsterones are produced, but the high sterone products are soft and more difficult to use in manufacturing. The Sabinsa product is trademarked Gugulipid. Boswellic acids are reputed to have potent anti-inflammatory activity, as demonstrated in laboratory experiments; its traditional use would indicate an anti-inflammatory action. The standardized boswellic acid preparations list their content as 50-70% boswellic acids, though it has been suggested that these are actually total organic acids from frankincense, with boswellic acids as the major component. The Sabinsa product is trademarked Boswellin.

This trend towards nutriceutical development has not been adopted by all. Some are still interested in promoting the ancient tradition and sell the well-known prescriptions or make up new proprietary formulas. An example of a company that sells complex Ayurvedic compounds is Surya Herbal in New Delhi. They are the manufacturers and exporters of a wide range of Ayurvedic generic, branded specialties and other OTC herbal healthcare products. The company provides 15 formulations, which match, for the most part, the categories of natural therapeutics in demand worldwide. The products include: Memory-Loss Capsules/Syrup; Mental Stress and Fatigue Relieving Capsules; General Weakness Tonic for Men & Women; Liver Disorder Curative Tablets/Syrup; Piles & Varicose Veins Tablets; Throat & Other Minor Infections Therapy Tablets/Syrup; Menstrual Regulatory Capsules/Syrup; Cough Relief Tablets/Syrup; and Constipation Regulatory Tablets/Syrup.

Another example is Universal Medicaments Pvt. Ltd., a part of Universal Pharmaceuticals Group. The company is best recognized for its formulations Karnim (Anti-diabetic supplement), Herbokam (Anti-stress formula), Chetak (Stimulant), Tonabilin (Iron supplement), Minitone, U-Gyanetone, and Unicough Syrup. All together, the company has about 15 main proprietary products. Key elements in both these companies is a gradual move away from traditional Ayurvedic products to the new formulations ("research-based") and new dosage forms (e.g., capsules and syrups to replace, as examples, teas and ghee preparations) that suit the current demands. The direction today is to deal with broad issues, such as lowering cholesterol and lipids, lowering blood sugar (in diabetes), and improving cardiovascular health overall. Products in high demand also include menopause formulas, sexual stimulants, treatments for liver disease, and detoxifying regimens.

The biggest supplier of Ayurvedic herb products for the U.S. and other Western countries is Maharishi Ayurveda Products International, Inc., currently located in Colorado. Despite its dominance in the field, which came about because of the popularity of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in his teaching of transcendental meditation, the company still has only a limited market presence and small staff. The Maharishi had attracted a few medical doctors to his program, and they have been vocal proponents of the products, which is the reason for their continued use. There are about two dozen products in their catalog.

In America, Europe, and other countries, it has long been recognized that it is difficult to promote traditional medicine systems because of their complexity, so individual herbs become the focus of attention. The main herb of interest from India is ashwaganda. It is not promoted as much based on its role in Ayurveda, rather, it has been compared, with considerable hyperbole, to ginseng, which was for many years the biggest selling medicinal herb on the international market. So, it is called "Indian ginseng" by some (though to do so now in the U.S. is illegal) and promoted as an "adaptogen," as a sexual tonic, and as an immune enhancer, but usually without any reference to its characteristics as recognized by Ayurveda. It is included in formulations, but mostly with non-Ayurvedic ingredients. Previously, the best promoted herb from Ayurveda was Centella asiatica, one type of Brahmi. This herb became popular almost entirely on the basis of one product (which contained two other non-Ayurvedic herbs), that was heavily promoted. Confusion over the source led to substitution of a Chinese herb in most products recently. However, this Ayurvedic herb is still promoted as an energizer (in Ayurvedic medicine it is a sedative), and as a tonic for the brain (which is consistent with some Ayurvedic indications for it).

There are serious problems with traditional Ayurvedic medicine in the West. In a separate article (Status of Ayurveda in the U.S.), I have described significant barriers that exist to development of the field here, where Chinese medicine has done fairly well. Visitors to India bring back distressing stories about the status of Ayurvedic medicine education in India, which indicates that there are problems arising in the source country.

Other issues influence the potential spread of Ayurvedic medicines. With the popularization of herbal medicine in recent decades, along with the rapid growth in population, numerous species used in making traditional formulas are becoming endangered. A good example is Nardostachys (jatamansi), which is now permitted only in manufactured products and cannot be otherwise exported; it is mainly obtained in Nepal. According to one estimate, 120 economically useful plants in India are endangered, 35 of which are said to be important medicinals.

Quality control issues have come to the fore, with worries about contamination of plant products by heavy metals, pesticides, and other substances, yet few Ayurvedic factories are large enough and affluent enough to invest in the necessary testing procedures to demonstrate the quality of the finished materials. The ones mentioned above, Surya and

Universal, do have the capabilities and produce certificates of analysis for their batches of product that reveal test data on cleanliness and purity of the product.

September 2003

Note: The author would like to thank Lokesh Gupta, in Noida, India, for providing background information relevant to the development of this article. Any inadvertent errors in representation of the industry activities or its member companies are the sole responsibility of the current author.

 

APPENDIX 1. Ayurvedic DistributionThe development of international trade in Ayurvedic medicine came about at the same time that the internet became a popular means of rapid communication. Most Ayurvedic suppliers provide at least minimal contacts, and some provide extensive contacts, via the internet.

Follow this link for a sampling of 150 sites related to Ayurvedic medicine suppliers and consultants on the internet (thanks to 123India.com).

APPENDIX 2. The Story Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, an Ayurvedic Medical Center

Founded in 1902, by Vaidyaratnam P.S. Varier, the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala is today the largest and most trusted institution of its kind in India. Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala is a charitable institution offering authentic Ayurvedic medicines and treatments to patients from all over India and abroad. The Arya Vaidya Sala also manages one Ayurvedic Hospital at Kottakkal in Kerala and another at Delhi, cultivates medicinal plants, manufactures medicines, conducts research programs, publishes books and seminar reports on Ayurveda and related subjects, and runs a Kathakali Academy. Sri Varier, scion of an illustrious family of Kottakkal in the Malabar region of Kerala, was a renowned Ayurvedic scholar and academician, an able practitioner, a successful entrepreneur, and a genuine philanthropist. Sri Varier studied Ayurveda under the classical Gurukula system. He also acquired proficiency in the practice of Allopathy. In 1933, in recognition of his valuable services to humanity, Sri P. S. Varier was conferred the distinguished title of

"Vaidyaratna" by His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor General of India.

        

Left: Some of the 500 Ayurvedic formulas developed by Arya Vaidya Sala; Right: Home of S. Varier, the organization's founder.

Sri Varier, called the "savior of Ayurveda in the South" died in 1944. He had executed a will prior to his demise, which converted his proprietary concern into a charitable trust of public nature, to be run by a trust board consisting of seven members; as per the provisions of its founder's will, Arya Vaidya Sala functions as a charitable trust.

   

The major share of the earnings from its activities is exclusively spent on medical aid-on both outpatient and inpatient basis-to deserving persons. Financial support is also provided for managing an affiliated Ayurveda college; conducting research; holding seminars and training programs; producing

Dr. P. K. Warrier,Managing Trustee & Chief Physician

books and publications; cultivation of herbal gardens; and for running a classical dance academy. The remaining funds are pooled back for the development of the institution. No financial gain accrues to any individual or family. The Trust Board is headed by Dr. P. K. Warrier, a nephew of the founder. Dr. Warrier serves also as Chief Physician, ably assisted by other senior and experienced physicians. Dr. Warrier, under whose leadership Arya Vaidya Sala has grown into a large organization with 14 branch clinics, has been honored with several awards, including the prestigious Dhanvanthari Award for 2001.

APPENDIX 3. Ayurvedic Natural Health Center, Goa, IndiaProviding Ayruvedic health care services for tourists from around the world is one of the goals of the modern Ayurvedic medicine industry. Although herb products can be shipped everywhere, the services of Ayurveda-epitomized by the week-long Panch Karma regimen-are obtained by staying at a special clinic. The Ayurvedic Natural Health Care Center is a group of sites in Goa where people can visit for two weeks to experience a wide range of therapies. The Ayurvedic system is particularly focused on cleansing (detoxifying) approaches, and uses numerous methods for promoting elimination and relaxation, many of them involving application of medicated oils.

The Ayurvedic Natural Health Care Center was established just a few years ago by Dr. Gopalakrishnan Valiyaveettiv. He was born in the Kerala area where Ayurvedic medicine has a strong base. Dr. Valiyaveettiv belonged to a family specializing in Ayurveda, and he attained a vast understanding of Ayurveda from his parents. In 1990 he graduated from University, majoring in Zoology, and then went on to formally study Ayurvedic medicine. In 1996 he completed his Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery

from Vaidyaratnam P.S Varier's Ayurvedic College, in Kottakkal (see Appendix 1).

Herbal Pharmacy

A collection of Ayurvedic remedies are available at the clinic to be prescribed according to the ancient system of treating the three doshas: vata, pitta, kapha. A specialty of the clinic is use of Rasayana, which are the rejuvenative tonics Specific dietary recommendations are given to accompany the herbal preparations in making a complete program of therapy.

Shirodhara

A continuous stream of medicated warm oil (or herbal decoctions, medicated milk, or buttermilk) is poured onto the forehead for 20 to 40 minutes. This procedure often induces a mental state similar to a trance, which creates profound relaxation of the mind and body. It is deeply relaxing and revitalizes the central nervous system. Shirodhara gives the best results when taken after an Abhyanga, a whole body massage with herbal oils.

Kati Basti

A special technique aimed at providing relief for back pain using warm medicated oils or herbal decoctions when bathing the lower back for 20 to 30 minutes.