Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kerala Ayurveda Ltd to undertake research and development in areas like geriatric care, cancer, anaemia, metabolic diseases, including diabetes and epidemic prevention, etc., under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Research will also focus on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda, both in North and South India, to determine the optimal combination for efficacy in line with authentic ayurvedic texts. The MoU was signed by Dr K P Upadhaya, registrar, BHU and Ramesh Vangal, chairman Kerala Ayurveda in the presence of Prof D P Singh, vice chancellor, BHU.

In addition, the venture will aim to established standardization of classical ayurvedic drugs for purity, safety and efficacy. Large scale and sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants at their habitat will be a key area of interest. BHU and Kerala Ayurveda will exchange best practices between the Northern Indian and Kerala traditions, in particular 'Panchakarma” therapies. The research will aim to validate the fundamental principles of Ayurveda and its therapeutic techniques through modern medical science.

Prof D P Singh, vice chancellor, BHU, said, “This is a momentous occasion in a year where BHU is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of its founder Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya. I appreciate BHUs faculty of Ayurveda in taking this initiative to have a PPP, which will be the first of its kind.”

Kerala Ayurveda operates a chain of 30 treatment centres and clinics and 3 Ayurveda Hospitals located across India, and a wellness resort in Bangalore, 'AyurvedaGram' which won the Frost and Sullivan Award for the Best Wellness Provider of the year 2010.

Kerala Ayurveda has embarked on an exciting journey over the last 2 years to validate Ayurveda through a rigorous, scientific process based on US FDA norms. The research chain has dug deep into the ancient ayurvedic texts, purity of ingredients, herbal chemistry and validation of claims through science.