India's home for
authentic Ayurveda

Ayurveda is over 5,000 years old - one of the world's oldest surviving healing systems, predating modern medicine by millennia.

The word Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit: Ayus (life) + Veda (knowledge). It literally means 'the knowledge of life'.

Turmeric (Haridra) has been used in Ayurveda for over 4,000 years. Modern science has since identified curcumin as its active anti-inflammatory compound.

Triphala - a blend of three fruits - has been in continuous Ayurvedic use for over 1,000 years and is still one of the most widely prescribed formulations today.

Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala was founded in 1902 and still manufactures medicines following classical Ayurvedic formulations without modification.

Ashwagandha gets its name from Sanskrit: 'ashva' (horse) + 'gandha' (smell). It was named for the strength it was believed to impart - like a horse.

Panchakarma, Ayurveda's detoxification system, comprises five cleansing therapies that have been performed for over 2,000 years.

The Charaka Samhita describes over 340 plant-based medicines. Many of these are still in use today in classical formulations.

Arishtam and Asavam are naturally fermented Ayurvedic preparations - essentially herbal wines. Fermentation increases bioavailability and shelf life.

Kerala preserves classical Ayurveda more than any other Indian state. The Ashtavaidya families of Kerala have maintained unbroken lineages of practice for over 500 years.