Friday 27 / February / 2026
New Delhi: Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, is steadily moving from the margins into the global wellness mainstream. At centers like Sanjeevanam in India, practitioners are blending traditional Ayurvedic principles with modern medical expertise, attracting patients seeking long-term, natural approaches to health.
Often associated with oils, massages and relaxation therapies, Ayurveda today represents far more than wellness indulgence. After centuries of remaining largely in the background, it is emerging as an organized and expanding healthcare sector.
Dr. Aishwarya Jayaram, an Ayurveda practitioner with 15 years of experience, has witnessed this transformation firsthand at Sanjeevanam, a hospital that integrates traditional Ayurvedic therapies with modern healthcare practices.
“It’s a holistic approach. We see a person as a whole,” she said. “We consider the body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda has multifaceted interventions — it is preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative.”
Ayurveda, meaning “the science of life,” is believed to be nearly 5,000 years old. Its foundation lies in maintaining balance between mind, body and spirit, relying on medicinal plants, natural therapies, diet and lifestyle changes.
According to Dr. Aishwarya, patient expectations have evolved significantly over the past decade and a half.
“Earlier, people mostly came for rejuvenation and wellness. Now they are seeking cures. Many consider Ayurveda their primary system of medicine, sometimes even above allopathic treatment,” she explained.
Institutions like Sanjeevanam reflect the changing perception of Ayurveda. Once regarded as an age-old healing tradition practiced by small centers or individual practitioners, it is now increasingly structured, research-driven and professionally managed.
The hospital operates a residential treatment facility that receives thousands of patients annually seeking solutions for chronic and lifestyle-related conditions. The presence of doctors trained in specialties such as neurology, ophthalmology and gynecology — alongside in-house pharmaceutical labs and therapeutic units — underscores the sector’s modernization.
Aryamparambil Vasavan Anoop, founder of Sanjeevanam’s Ayurvedic products division, said the commercial potential is equally significant. The global Ayurveda products market — including personal care items such as shampoos, soaps, oils and creams — is currently valued at approximately $10.5 billion, reflecting strong international demand.
As wellness tourism expands and research into traditional medicine grows, Ayurveda is evolving beyond its image as a relaxation therapy. It is positioning itself as a regulated, economically robust healthcare system with rising global relevance.
