Top Destinations For Herbal Tourism - India
- victoria ward
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 13
Do you have a passion for herbal medicine? Perhaps you are a professional herbalist or student or just herb curious. Medicinal plants hold a fascination for many, either as a branch of horticulture, wellness experience or ethnobotanical discovery.
Combining travel with a passion for herbs can be a very rewarding experience, many countries and cultures retain strong links with their herbal heritage, allowing you explore ancient practices and traditions still thriving today.
Every continent has a rich and diverse botany, pursuing herbal experiences will take you into beautiful habitats, trekking, foraging and exploring natural habitats.
Travelling to enjoy herbal medicine can have great benefits for the hosts too, herbal tourism is slow, sustainable travel that preserves cultural heritage and protects ecology. Contributing to economies of rural areas and supporting schemes that protect rural workers and land are just some of the many benefits of herbal tourism.
India- A Destination Embracing Wellness Tourism
The Indian goverment's support of traditional health systems makes India one of the top destinations for herbal and wellness tourism. Ayush is the ministry for Ayureda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, they fund research and promote medical and wellness tourism for foreign visitors valuing their herbal heritage, positioning themselves at the very forefront of the global wellness market.
An Ayush e-visa is available for those seeking medical or wellness treatments in India, this enables individuals wanting to travel for health and wellness to have prolonged stays at accredited hospitals or clinics throughout India, check out how to apply for a one here.
What Makes India Perfect for Medical/Wellness Tourism-
Most doctors and surgeons have trained in US or Europe
Doctors and nurses are fluent in English
Medical and diagnostic equipment quality
Indian nurses trained to high standards
Affordable treatment
Integrated practices
'Heal In India' initiative
Discover Ayurvedic Medicine in India
What Is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient healing system which incorporates medicinal plants into a holistic health practice alongside massage, nutrition, meditation and yoga. This guide to healthy living is still at the forefront of healthcare in the Indian subcontinent and the reason why many wellness tourists visit India and Sri Lanka every year.
Ayurveda is a sanskrit word which translates to the 'science of life'. it offers holistic guidance on all aspects of life and how to live a balanced life in harmony with nature and other people. Read more about Ayurveda here.
Ayurvedic Retreats
There are many wonderful retreats you can join across India to experience Ayurveda in it's origin country for an authentic experience guided by expert doctors and therapists. Many travellers choose to begin the year with a detoxification or panchakarma programme. Kerala situated along the south-western coast of India is where most wellness-seekers will head for treatments as it is not only known as 'God's own country' but also as the heart of Ayurveda.
VIrginia Compton is a highly experienced Ayurvedic therapist and yoga teacher offering authentic Ayurvedic retreats in India and the UK. I recently interviewed Virginia to learn more about her experiences travelling and working across India. Her next India-based retreats are in 2027, check them out -
If you are not quite ready for India in all it's fullness, please have a look at Virginia's next UK retreat-
Ayurvedic Gardens
There are many beautiful botanical gardens throughout India that feature medicinal herbs and exotic plants, these create serene natural spaces in which to escape the hustle and bustle. The botanical gardens of India showcase biodiversity and are commited to research, education and conservation.
Abraham's Spice Garden, Kerala
As featured in Monty Don's 'Around The World In 80 Gardens', this garden was established in 1952 and produces organically grown spices. It is to be found along the road to Thekkady, Kerala. Once at the beautiful garden, a knowledgable guide will take you on a tour explaining the uses and properties of the spices and ayurvedic herbs grown here.
Ayush Accredited Ayurvedic Retreats
This retreat in Kerala is set in a whopping 65 acres, surrounded by lush greenery and coconut palms. Kairali offers wellness programmes and treatments alongside yoga and meditation. This well-established venue was the 2025 winner of The Best Luxury Yoga Retreat.
Follow nomadicherbalist.com for further entries to my India Herbal Directory, I am hoping to visit India next month. Plese get in touch if you are based in India and have a place of interest to be added to the directory.
Comments