India’s Traditional Medicine Trade (2015–2024): Trends, Regulatory Landscape, and Policy Directions for Sustainable Growth

Year : 2026 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 01 | Page : 13 18
    By

    Osama Riyaz Ahmed,

  • Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed,

  1. MedDRA Coder, Department of Pharmacovigilance, Cognizant Technology, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz (Pathology), Mohammadia Tibbia College & Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

India is a major global supplier of traditional medicine products – including Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, homeopathic, and other herbal and plant-based formulations – yet exports continue to face challenges arising from regulatory divergence, heterogeneous quality-control requirements across markets, and raw-material supply constraints linked to biodiversity pressure and fragmented value chains. This paper systematically analyzes India’s import-export patterns for traditional medicine between 2015 and 2024, maps the regulatory landscape (DGFT, Drugs, and Cosmetics Act, Ministry of AYUSH), and evaluates institutional mechanisms, such as the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), for intellectual property protection and prevention of biopiracy. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines quantitative trade analysis (DGCI&S/Pharmexcil export statistics and HS-code level data) with policy-document review (DGFT ITC-HS notifications, Ministry of AYUSH reports, WHO traditional medicine strategy documents) and insights from semi-structured interviews with manufacturers, exporters, regulators, and testing laboratories. Key outcomes include identification of: (1) export markets and product categories driving recent trade growth; (2) regulatory, certification, and laboratory-testing bottlenecks related to heavy-metal limits, GMP/NABL and pharmacopoeial requirements; (3) the contribution of TKDL and allied digital initiatives in safeguarding indigenous knowledge; and (4) evidence-based policy directions for strengthening value chains, standardization, sustainability, and export promotion. The study observes modest but sustained growth in AYUSH and herbal exports in FY 2023–24 (about US$651.2 million) and highlights the need for harmonized global standards, expanded laboratory and cultivation infrastructure, and targeted export incentives to shift from raw-material exports toward higher-value formulations, nutraceuticals, and wellness products. The paper concludes with actionable, stakeholder-oriented recommendations for regulators, industry, and researchers to enhance India’s competitiveness while ensuring safety, quality, and environmental sustainability in the global trade of traditional medicines.

Keywords: AYUSH trade, herbal exports, pharmaco-economics, TKDL, traditional medicine policy, Unani medicine

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy ]

How to cite this article:
Osama Riyaz Ahmed, Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed. India’s Traditional Medicine Trade (2015–2024): Trends, Regulatory Landscape, and Policy Directions for Sustainable Growth. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2026; 13(01):13-18.
How to cite this URL:
Osama Riyaz Ahmed, Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed. India’s Traditional Medicine Trade (2015–2024): Trends, Regulatory Landscape, and Policy Directions for Sustainable Growth. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2026; 13(01):13-18. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjoush/article=2026/view=238822


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 01
Received 02/01/2026
Accepted 01/02/2026
Published 02/02/2026
Publication Time 31 Days
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