Ayurveda in Kerala: Tradition and Transition, AY 2020-21

Kerala is home to the indigenous health system of Ayurveda. Despite Ayurveda being invented in India, today, Kerala is the only state successfully devoted and associated with the Ayurvedic medicinal system. The state’s historical, geographical and socio-cultural factors have played a role in the growth of the Ayurvedic medicinal industry. This study strives to understand the impact of commercialisation and the health tourism industry in the evolution of Ayurveda in Kerala. Furthermore, it also examines the impact of commercialisation on traditional Ayurvedic practices in Kerala. These aspects have been explored using qualitative methods of data collection. From our findings, we concluded that Ayurveda has been commercialised and has been shaped by the processes of standardisation, licensing, and government intervention. Ayurveda remains relevant in modern India even though traditional practices have been altered to adapt to the evolving nature of the sector.