The herbal healthcare industry in India is entering a new phase whereby an ancient knowledge is in collusion with the contemporary science. As the world seeks natural, safe, and cost-effective healthcare products, India is becoming a key competitor in terms of manufacturing herbal medicine products.
This transition was clearly visible at the recently held CSIR Startup Conclave, where researchers, startups, and policymakers came together to showcase how herbal formulations are being translated from laboratories into the marketplace.
CSIR’s Research in Herbal Drug Development
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is spearheading this movement through its leading laboratories:
-
National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI)
-
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)
-
Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR)
-
Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI)
Together, these institutions have developed 13 major herbal drugs that address chronic and lifestyle-related diseases. These include:
-
BGR-34 for diabetes management.
-
Paclitaxel, derived from the bark of the Arjuna tree, for blood cancer.
-
Picroliv for fatty liver and liver cell degeneration.
BGR-34: A Step Towards Diabetes Reversal
Among the innovations, BGR-34 has attracted global attention. Jointly developed by NBRI and CIMAP, this formulation uses six herbs: Daruharidra, Giloy, Vijaysar, Gudmar, Manjistha, and Methi.
While already recognized for its blood sugar regulation properties, experts are now highlighting its potential role in diabetes reversal, a growing global healthcare focus.
Dr. Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, noted:
“Formulations like BGR-34 represent the synergy of Ayurveda and modern science, and such models could become the foundation for a diabetes-free society.”
Government Push for Herbal Innovation
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the initiative reflects the “lab to people” model of innovation, encouraging startups to scale these government-developed technologies to global markets.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also underscored the need to fast-track the commercialization of herbal solutions to meet rising international demand.
India’s Growing Role in the Global Herbal Medicine Market
The global herbal medicine market is projected to grow at double-digit rates, fueled by rising consumer preference for natural remedies, particularly for lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, obesity, and liver ailments.
India, with its scientifically validated herbal formulations and rich biodiversity, is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market. Institutions like NBRI, CIMAP, and CDRI are not only developing innovative formulations but also working on improved varieties of medicinal plants, strengthening the supply chain for this industry.
Opportunities for the Pharma Sector
The rise of herbal drug research also opens new opportunities for businesses in the pharmaceutical ecosystem. For instance:
-
Entrepreneurs can explore partnerships with a monopoly medicine company in India to launch herbal products with exclusive distribution rights.
-
Companies can collaborate with a reliable pharma contract manufacturing company to scale production and meet international quality standards.
These models ensure faster commercialization while maintaining compliance with global healthcare regulations.
Conclusion
The herbal healthcare experience in India speaks of a formidable combination of Ayurveda with modern science and scientific innovation supported by the government. The country has a good institutional research, active industry participation and favorable policies, and this is on course to make it the global leader in providing solutions to natural healthcare.