The story
Kerala has a living tradition of Ayurvedic physicians (vaidyas) and medicine-making families. In the twentieth century institutions such as Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, and family firms in Thrissur turned home-made medicines into factory production. The state-owned Oushadhi at Kuttanellur, Thrissur grew into a large public-sector maker. An Ayurveda cluster at the KINFRA park in Koratty provides common production and testing facilities to member firms.
In numbers
Oushadhi, the Kerala government-owned company at Kuttanellur, Thrissur, produces around 450 Ayurvedic formulations and 25 patent and proprietary medicines.
Oushadhi — largest producer of Ayurvedic medicinesAn Economic and Political Weekly analysis (2009) found Kerala's Ayurvedic industry growing at a much higher rate than overall manufacturing.
Commercialising traditional medicine: Ayurvedic manufacturing in Kerala — India Environment Portal (EPW) · 2009
Ways in for a newcomer
- Contract manufacturing of Ayurvedic oils and formulations
- Medicinal-plant cultivation and raw-herb supply
- Ayurveda wellness centres and retreats
- Herbal cosmetics and personal-care brands
Problems the cluster faces
- Shortage and adulteration of raw herbs
- GMP and licensing compliance costs
- Quality-testing and export registration hurdles
- Competition from large national brands
Businesses to start here
Ayurvedic Classical Formulations Unit (Arishta, Churna, Avaleha) →Ayurvedic Medicated Oil (Taila) Making →Ayurvedic Churna Making →Ayurvedic Tablet Making →Ayurvedic Wellness Retreat Centre →Medicinal Plant Cultivation (Kalmegh, Bhringraj and Others) →Herbal Extraction Unit →