India's shelves and shopping apps are full of Ayurvedic and herbal supplements, from century-old household names to new direct-to-consumer brands. Many "top brands" lists online are paid placements or written by the brands themselves. A better approach is to know what to check. Here are seven checks that work for any brand.
What should I check before buying an Ayurvedic supplement?
| Check | What good looks like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Licence | FSSAI licence number (nutraceuticals) or AYUSH manufacturing licence number (Ayurvedic medicines) printed on the pack | No number, or "AYUSH approved" with no licence |
| 2. Full dose label | Every ingredient with its amount per serving | "Proprietary blend" or herbs listed without amounts |
| 3. Lab reports | Reports that name the lab, report number, date and batch | Badges like "100% safe" with no report behind them |
| 4. Manufacturing | GMP-certified facility, manufacturer named on the pack | No manufacturer address |
| 5. Claims | "Supports", "helps maintain" | "Cures", "reverses", "clinically proven" without a published study |
| 6. Reviews | Verified buyer reviews, including critical ones | Only five-star reviews, no names or dates |
| 7. Contact | Phone, email and address that work | Only a contact form |
Is "AYUSH approved" a real certification?
Not in the way it is often used. Ayurvedic products are made under an AYUSH manufacturing licence issued by the state licensing authority. That licence covers the manufacturer, not a government endorsement of a product's results. Similarly, labs are NABL-accredited; products are not "NABL certified". Look for the licence number itself.
Which Ayurvedic supplement brands are well known in India?
This list is alphabetical, not a ranking. Use the seven checks above for any product you consider.
Dabur
Founded in 1884, Dabur is one of India's oldest Ayurvedic companies, known for Chyawanprash, honey and a wide range of health and personal care products.
Himalaya Wellness
Founded in 1930, Himalaya makes herbal health supplements and personal care products sold widely in India and abroad.
Patanjali Ayurved
Founded in 2006, Patanjali sells a very wide range of Ayurvedic, food and household products through its own stores and retail.
Saabhi Wellness
Saabhi Wellness makes science-backed functional wellness drinks and supplements for stress, detox, gut, sleep and daily energy, in convenient daily formats with ingredients dosed for results. Our products are made by a manufacturer with 30 years of experience in Udaipur.
How does Saabhi measure up on these checks?
- Licence: FSSAI products show their FSSAI number; Ayurvedic products are manufactured under AYUSH licence, printed on each pack and product page.
- Doses: every ingredient and its amount is listed on each product page and on our Ingredients page.
- Lab reports: published in full, with lab name, report number and batch, on our Lab Reports page. Reports for two products are still being added, and we say so.
- Claims: we describe what our products support, not what they cure.
Are Ayurvedic supplements safe with other medicines?
Explore the full Saabhi range or read about us.
