Alternative Medicine Law in India: What’s Allowed, What’s Banned

When it comes to alternative medicine law, the legal framework governing non-conventional healing practices in India, including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and herbal remedies. Also known as traditional medicine regulation, it shapes everything from herbal shops in Kerala to clinics in Delhi that claim to cure chronic illness without pills or surgery. Unlike in many Western countries, India doesn’t just tolerate these practices—it officially recognizes them. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) runs national programs, funds research, and even certifies practitioners. But that doesn’t mean everything goes. There are strict rules on what can be sold, advertised, and claimed to cure.

Take Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine rooted in Vedic texts, using herbs, diet, and detox methods to restore balance in the body. Also known as Indian herbal medicine, it’s one of the most widely practiced forms of alternative care in the country. But if a shop sells an Ayurvedic syrup claiming it can cure cancer, that’s illegal. The same goes for Unani tonics promising instant weight loss or Homoeopathic pills labeled as alternatives to vaccines. India’s Drug and Cosmetics Act, enforced by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), bans products that make false therapeutic claims. In 2022 alone, over 1,200 Ayurvedic and herbal products were pulled from shelves for containing heavy metals like lead or mercury, or for mixing in undisclosed allopathic drugs.

Then there’s the issue of banned medicines India, products prohibited from sale due to safety risks, false advertising, or unapproved ingredients. Also known as restricted health products, these include certain herbal laxatives, weight-loss capsules, and even some traditional ointments. The government keeps a public list of banned substances—things like phenylbutazone in veterinary drugs, or kava kava in supplements—because they’ve been linked to liver damage or heart problems. Even if something is part of an old family remedy, if it’s on that list, selling it is a crime.

What’s allowed? Practitioners with government-recognized degrees can legally treat patients. Herbal products without drug claims—like turmeric paste for skin or ashwagandha capsules for stress—are fine as long as they’re labeled as dietary supplements. But if a label says "cures diabetes" or "reverses arthritis," it crosses the line. The law isn’t against tradition—it’s against exploitation. Many Indians rely on these systems because they’re affordable and culturally familiar. But when unregulated sellers take advantage, it puts lives at risk.

So if you’re thinking of trying an Ayurvedic remedy, checking a local herbalist, or buying a "natural" cure online, know this: the law doesn’t ban tradition—it bans fraud. What you’ll find below are real articles that dig into exactly what’s legal, what’s dangerous, and how to tell the difference. From banned herbal supplements to the hidden rules behind home remedies, these posts give you the facts you need to stay safe—and informed.