Medicine or food?
Decide this first, because the two follow different laws. An Ayurvedic medicine falls under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and its rules. A herbal food or drink falls under FSSAI. The Ministry of Ayush has said one unit may make both, as long as it takes care to avoid cross-contamination. But each product still needs the right licence for what it is. This guide covers products sold as Ayurvedic medicines.
The licence your products need
The maker of an Ayurvedic medicine needs a licence to manufacture for sale. You apply in Form 24-D to the Licensing Authority your state appoints, and the licence is issued in Form 25-D. The authority first consults an expert in that system of medicine, and the rules give it three months to issue the licence. Each set of premises needs its own licence. If you have no factory, you can apply in Form 25-E for a loan licence. That lets you use the facilities of a maker who already holds a licence. If you only resell other brands, stock only licensed products with full labels.
Licensed does not mean approved
In April 2024, the Ministry of Ayush issued an advisory to manufacturers. It says the Ministry does not grant a licence or approval for any Ayush drug. A state licence is permission to make and sell that product. It is not approval by the Ministry. Any label or advert that says 'Approved by Ministry of Ayush' can lead to legal action.
Claims the Ministry has flagged
| Claim or mark | What the advisory says |
|---|---|
| 'Approved' or 'Certified by Ministry of Ayush' | The Ministry grants no such approval, and warns of legal action |
| '100% Safe' or 'Free from side effects' | Named as a claim some makers use, against the labelling and advert rules |
| 'Guaranteed Treatment' or 'Permanent cure' | Named in the same list, and adverts fall under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 |
| A green logo with '100% vegetarian' | Named in the same list of problem labels |
| Nutraceutical value | Named as a claim Ayush drugs should not make |
What the label must show
Rule 161 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules sets the label. It must list every ingredient, with botanical names, the plant part used and the quantity. It must show the name of the medicine, the net content and the maker's name and address. It also needs the manufacturing licence number, a batch number and the date of manufacture. Add the words 'Ayurvedic medicine', and 'For external use only' where that applies. Some medicines for internal use contain a substance listed in Schedule E(1). Their label must also say 'Caution: To be taken under medical supervision', in both English and Hindi. If the ingredient list is too long for the label, you may print it on a sheet inside the pack. The label must then say so.
Selling on your own website
Your product page works like an advert, so the same limits apply. Describe the product the way the label does. Name the ingredients, the dose on the pack and the maker. Leave out cures, guarantees and 'no side effects'. Show the licence number, so buyers can see who made it. On The Storemate, every product gets its own page with a description you control, so the listing can match the label word for word. For claims you are unsure about, check with a lawyer.