When Will Ayurveda Get Its Due?
Back in the mid-1990s, I found myself sitting in the heart of India’s capital—New Delhi—representing The Himalaya Drug Company, one of the oldest and most trusted names in Ayurvedic medicine. I was serving as the Manager then, at a time when a thunderbolt had just hit the alternative medicine industry in India—the Supreme Court’s judgment that drew a rigid line between different medical systems. The message was clear: stick to what you’re trained in. If you’re trained in allopathy, don’t touch Ayurveda. If you’re an Ayurvedic doctor, don’t prescribe allopathy. The era of “mixopathy”, as it was often referred to, was over.
It might have sounded logical from a legal standpoint, but the real-world consequences? Far more complex—and frankly, damaging—for both doctors and patients. And for someone like me, who had spent a lifetime promoting Ayurveda with confidence in its efficacy, the judgment stung deeply.
The Judgment That Changed Everything
In May 1996, the Apex Court ruled that medical practitioners should not practice any system of medicine they weren’t formally trained in. That meant if a doctor was an allopath, they had to refrain from prescribing Ayurvedic remedies—even if they had personally seen years of success with them. The ruling sent shockwaves through the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, especially companies like Himalaya that had built long-standing relationships with allopathic doctors who regularly prescribed their trusted Ayurvedic products.
Overnight, doctors were warned. Journals like MIMS and other professional medical bulletins started featuring prominent notices: “Prescribing Ayurvedic medicines while being an allopath may invite prosecution under the Supreme Court ruling.”
Can you imagine the fear? Years of trust, belief in the products, and shared goals in patient wellness—swept away by a single ruling.
The Impact on Sales and Sentiment
As someone overseeing Delhi operations for Himalaya, I saw the domino effect firsthand. Major hospitals and government institutions—NDMC, Railways, and even bulk-buying state agencies—stopped purchasing Ayurvedic medicines. The very institutions that had shown tremendous faith in our products began citing the court ruling as their reason for discontinuing purchases.
Our CEO flew down from Bangalore to personally meet with ministers. I, along with my Sales Manager Mr. S.K. Naik, ran from one department to another, seeking clarity, pleading the case of Ayurveda. We weren’t just trying to save sales—we were trying to save Ayurveda’s legitimacy in modern India.
A Historic Meeting with the Union Health Minister
Eventually, efforts paid off—somewhat. A high-level meeting was arranged at the Red Cross Building near Parliament Street, in the AYUSH Conference Hall. Representing Himalaya alongside other Ayurvedic giants like Dabur, Baidyanath, Zandu, and Charak, we were granted a meeting with then Health Minister Mr. Shatrughan Sinha.
The minister, known for his sharp mind and Bollywood charisma, listened patiently. We expressed concerns over how the Supreme Court ruling was hurting not only companies like ours but also the medical community and patients who had benefited from Ayurvedic interventions. We emphasized the scientific validation of many products and presented data showing safety, efficacy, and results.
But as the meeting concluded, we were met with the usual bureaucratic response: “We’ll look into it.”
Apathy and Stagnation: The Lost Decade
What followed was more silence. A few months down the line, there was no concrete outcome. Our CEO came again. More meetings were held. More presentations were shown to Health Ministry officials. But it all felt like an exercise in futility.
Between 1996 and 2014, very little changed. The Ayurveda industry kept surviving—but no longer thriving. The number of allopathic doctors prescribing Ayurvedic products drastically declined. In turn, companies like Himalaya faced massive sales hits in their pharmaceutical division. The writing was on the wall.
And yet, amidst all this, Himalaya did something incredibly smart—they diversified. While their pharma line took a hit, they expanded successfully into consumer wellness, personal care, multivitamins, and even veterinary segments. It helped them not only survive but eventually flourish in other markets.
But still, the question lingered—what about Ayurveda in the pharma space?
The Turnaround in 2014: A Glimmer of Hope
It wasn’t until 2014, under the Narendra Modi government, that we saw a major shift. Ayurveda finally received a dedicated ministry—Ministry of AYUSH—separated from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This was a historic recognition of India’s ancient system of medicine.
That same year, the government established the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi—a modern, research-focused institution aimed at integrating Ayurveda with evidence-based scientific protocols. There were now funds, infrastructure, and national attention.
However, the shadow of the Supreme Court judgment still lingers. Despite the government’s best intentions, the mixed-pathy debate continues to restrict the true integration of Ayurveda with modern medicine.
Why the World Still Looks West—And Why That Needs to Change
Today, three decades later, I ask a fundamental question:
Why hasn’t Ayurveda, with all its time-tested wisdom, been given the same global credibility and policy support as allopathy?
We have seen traditional Chinese medicine gaining worldwide recognition. Even homeopathy, with questionable evidence, is legally accepted in many Western countries. But Ayurveda, despite being India’s treasure trove of wellness and prevention, continues to be stuck in regulatory limbo.
There’s no denying the influence of Western pharmaceutical lobbies, nor the deep-rooted skepticism within India’s own medical fraternity toward anything “alternative.” Most new doctors are being trained with zero exposure to Ayurveda, leading to a new generation that dismisses it as ineffective or outdated.
This mindset must change.
The Way Forward: What Needs to Be Done?
If we’re serious about giving Ayurveda its due, here’s what needs urgent attention:
1. Policy Revisions Based on Modern Research
The Supreme Court’s ruling made sense at the time, considering safety. But today, many Ayurvedic formulations have undergone rigorous research, with results published in peer-reviewed journals. These should be re-evaluated using modern digital tools and AI-based evidence validation.
2. Rewriting Medical Curriculums
Let’s not create doctors who are either Ayurvedic or Allopathic. Let’s create integrative practitioners, trained in both systems, equipped to make the best call for the patient.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns
The government needs to launch nationwide media campaigns, similar to those for COVID vaccines or TB awareness, educating the masses about the science and safety behind Ayurveda.
4. Global Standardization
We need more institutions like the All India Institute of Ayurveda across India and collaborations with international research centers to build global confidence in Indian Ayurveda.
In Conclusion: A Call to Action
As someone who has given more than half my life promoting Ayurvedic brands with sincerity and faith, it pains me to see this ongoing hesitation. The Supreme Court judgment, meant to protect patients, ended up shackling an entire system that had the potential to work alongside allopathy, not against it.
So, here’s my burning question to the authorities, policymakers, and health ministers of today:
“When will Ayurveda be given the same level of respect, integration, and policy backing as allopathy in India’s healthcare system?”
If not now, when? If not us, who?
We owe it to our heritage, to the millions of patients who have found relief through Ayurveda, and to the future generation of doctors and healthcare professionals.
Let’s stop looking at Ayurveda through the lens of limitation and start seeing it as a limitless opportunity—for India and for the world.
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