How Himalaya Turned Elephant Roots and Mother's Bangles Into a 95-Year Global Wellness Empire

In 1930, while riding through the forests surrounding Dehradun, India, a young man named Muhammad Manal witnessed something that would change his life. A mahout was feeding agitated elephants the roots of a local herb—Rauwolfia serpentina. Within moments, the restless giants calmed down.

Most would have observed and moved on. Manal became obsessed. He had no formal scientific training, but he possessed boundless curiosity, deep love for nature, and firm belief in herbal healthcare. After returning home, he spent months researching the plant's properties.

To fund his research, he sold his mother's bangles and purchased a hand-operated tablet-making machine. Night after night, he punched tablets by hand, tirelessly working toward validating what villagers had known for generations: this plant possessed powerful medicinal properties.

In 1934, after extensive scientific evaluation, Manal launched Serpina—the world's first natural antihypertensive drug. That single product, born from observation and validated by science, became the foundation for what is now Himalaya Wellness Company—a 95-year-old global empire selling 500+ products in over 106 countries, generating revenues exceeding Rs 3,000 crore, and proving that ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, when backed by modern science, can conquer the world.

This is the story of how one man's vision to contemporize Ayurveda created one of India's most trusted wellness brands.

The Founder: Muhammad Manal's Vision

Muhammad Manal founded The Himalaya Drug Company in 1930 in Dehradun with a clear mission: bring Ayurveda to society in contemporary form and unravel the mystery behind the 5,000-year-old system of medicine.

This vision was radical for 1930s India. Western education's influence meant critical reasoning was becoming important. Traditional ideologies and belief systems were being challenged. People still believed in herbal goodness, but the growing demand for evidence and logic threatened to relegate Ayurveda to superstition.

Manal understood that if herbal medicine had to be taken seriously, it needed validation through empirical evidence—modern scientific research proving safety and efficacy. This was far-reaching thinking for the era.

His approach: refer to ancient Ayurvedic texts, select indigenous herbs, and subject formulations to modern pharmacological, toxicological, and safety tests to create new drugs and therapies backed by data.

1934: Serpina—The Breakthrough

After scientifically evaluating Rauwolfia serpentina, Manal confirmed the plant possessed antihypertensive properties. Working nights on his hand-cranked tableting machine, he produced what would become Serpina—revolutionizing blood pressure treatment.

The launch of Serpina in 1934 marked a key milestone: herbal medicine could meet Western standards of efficacy and safety. Doctors began prescribing it. Patients reported results. The scientific community took notice.

The 1950s: Expansion and Liv.52

In the 1950s, Himalaya relocated from Dehradun to Mumbai (then Bombay), India's commercial capital, and began expanding its product portfolio.

The company introduced Cystone for kidney stone management. Then came Septilin, a clinically tested natural immune booster. But the product that would define Himalaya's legacy launched in 1955: Liv.52.

Liv.52, a hepatoprotective supplement aiding healthy liver function, became the flagship brand. Even today, over 70 years later, Liv.52 remains the crown jewel—generating over Rs 250 crore in annual revenues and standing as the only herbal medicine in India's top 10 selling drugs. Doctors worldwide endorse it, validating the need for herbal medicine backed by science.

1975: The Bengaluru Move

In 1975, under leadership of Meraj Manal (Muhammad's son), Himalaya made a bold decision: relocate from Mumbai—India's commercial capital—to what was then a "deserted outpost" in Bangalore (now Bengaluru).

The move came with heartache. Leaving Mumbai's commercial infrastructure seemed risky. But Meraj saw long-term potential: Bengaluru's greenery, weather, and emerging status as India's science and technology hub made it ideal for a company focused on herbal research.

The decision transformed Himalaya. That Bengaluru plot became a 28-acre sprawling campus housing an EU-GMP-certified manufacturing facility, an 80,000 square feet R&D center employing 275+ research scientists (later expanded to 290+), and a lush organic garden. The campus became headquarters for Himalaya's India operations.

The R&D investment proved critical. Himalaya pioneered using modern science to rediscover and validate Ayurveda's secrets—conducting over 1,200 clinical studies and publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals, earning credibility in the global medical community.

Going Global: 1970s-1990s

In the 1970s, Himalaya began exploring markets beyond India. The company's therapeutic range gained traction in Southeast Asia and Middle East—markets where Ayurveda wasn't familiar but efficacy spoke louder than tradition.

The major breakthrough came in 1994 when the US FDA implemented the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), allowing herbal products conforming to new regulations to be sold in America as dietary supplements.

Himalaya was ready. The company had already developed a range of therapeutic products branded as the 'Care' range. In early 1996, just two years after DSHEA, Himalaya launched herbal supplements in America—becoming the first USDA certified organic line of Indian herbs ever sold in the United States.

In the initial years, Meraj Manal worked from a small space above his garage in Houston, personally proofreading all labels. That makeshift office grew into Himalaya's North American operations, eventually moving to a LEED Gold-Certified eco-friendly corporate office and warehouse facility in Sugar Land, Texas.

After America came Russia, then West Asia, followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe. In many markets, Himalaya's therapeutic range registered as herbal drugs or medicines. Doctors of modern medicine—not just in India where Himalaya reaches 400,000+ doctors, but in Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, and beyond—endorsed the safety and efficacy.

The Personal Care Revolution: 1999-2000s

Until the late 1990s, Himalaya remained primarily pharmaceutical. But the company recognized opportunities in personal care—leveraging herbal expertise to create wellness products.

In 1999, Himalaya launched personal care products under the brand name "Ayurvedic Concept," later renamed "Himalaya Herbals." The range included face washes, creams, shampoos, and skincare products—all using Ayurvedic ingredients validated by clinical testing.

The personal care division grew rapidly. Himalaya entered baby care with gentle, safe products for infants. The company launched Pure Herbs—single-herb formulas from 28 popular Ayurvedic herbs. Botanique, focusing on natural and organic personal and oral care, entered the US market.

2001: Major Restructuring

In 2001, Himalaya undertook major restructuring. The company changed its logo—adopting the Himalayan Mountain Range as its symbol, reflecting closeness to nature and vision to care for people and Earth. Product packaging was redesigned. The brand identity modernized while maintaining its herbal roots.

2015: Reinventing as a Wellness Entity

By 2015, under CEO Philipe Haydon, Himalaya planned its biggest transformation: evolve from herbal drug maker to overarching wellness entity.

The company established a wellness division manufacturing non-prescription drugs. It focused on strengthening offline distribution. The goal: become a multispecialty company using Ayurveda by 2020.

This transition faced challenges. New entrants like Patanjali Ayurved (founded by Baba Ramdev) disrupted the market with aggressive pricing and celebrity appeal. Allopathic doctors' reluctance toward non-allopathic medicines remained an area of concern.

But Himalaya emphasized organic growth, R&D investment, and clinical validation—differentiators competitors couldn't easily replicate.

The Global Infrastructure

By 2025, Himalaya operates through Himalaya Global Holdings (HGH), headquartered in the Cayman Islands—the parent company and global holding entity. HGH has regional head offices in Dubai, Singapore, and Houston.

Manufacturing facilities span Bengaluru, Tumakuru (near Bengaluru—a modern pharmaceutical plant), and other locations. A 55,000 square foot Himalaya Global Research Centre operates at Dubai Science Park.

In the Cayman Islands, Himalaya House serves as both HGH headquarters and the company's largest retail store—commemorating 25 years in the Cayman Islands.

The Product Portfolio

Today, Himalaya offers nearly 500 products across multiple segments:

Pharmaceuticals: Liv.52, Serpina, Cystone, Septilin (flagship products) Personal Care: Face washes, creams, shampoos (Himalaya Herbals) Baby Care: Gentle, safe products for infants Wellness: Dietary supplements, Pure Herbs Nutrition: Health supplements Oral Care: Botanique range Animal Health: Veterinary products Maternal Care: Products for mothers

The company remains family-owned across three generations: Muhammad Manal to Meraj Manal to the current generation—spanning 95 years.

The Legacy of Science-Backed Ayurveda

Himalaya's enduring success stems from one principle: Ayurveda, when backed by modern science, provides holistic wellness solutions.

The company has conducted over 1,200 clinical studies. Products undergo rigorous testing—from advanced agricultural research and farming practices to extraction methodologies to formulation approaches. Himalaya maintains total control over farming, harvesting, research, manufacturing, and distribution—ensuring seed-to-shelf quality.

This scientific rigor earned Himalaya credibility globally. Doctors prescribe Liv.52 alongside modern medicines. Hospitals stock Himalaya products. Regulatory authorities worldwide approve the formulations.

Environmental Commitment

Himalaya's commitment extends beyond health. In partnership with the Society for Environment and Biodiversity and Trees for the Future, the company has planted 900,000+ trees, preserving biodiversity and demonstrating that wellness companies must care for the planet.

The Philosophy: "Happiness Through Wellness"

Himalaya's tagline—"Happiness Through Wellness"—captures its mission. The company offers "head-to-heel" wellness solutions, recognizing that true health encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The brand's logo—the Himalayan Mountain Range—symbolizes nature's mysteries and the company's commitment to unlocking them through science.

The Numbers Today

• Founded: 1930 (95 years)

• Products: 500+

• Countries: 106+

• Revenue: Rs 3,000+ crore (estimated)

• R&D Scientists: 290+

• Doctors reached in India: 400,000+

• Flagship product revenue: Liv.52 at Rs 250+ crore

• Corporate status: Family-owned, three generations

• Incorporation: 1997 (as formal corporate entity)

The Enduring Vision

From selling mother's bangles to fund research to building a Rs 3,000 crore empire, from hand-cranked tablet machines to EU-GMP-certified facilities, from Dehradun forests to 106 countries—Himalaya's journey proves several truths.

First, observation sparks innovation. Watching elephants calm down led to Serpina.

Second, tradition needs validation. Ancient wisdom gains credibility through modern science.

Third, patience builds empires. Himalaya spent decades validating formulations before expanding globally.

Finally, purpose sustains legacy. Three generations maintained Muhammad Manal's vision: bring Ayurveda's healing power to the world through science.

When families worldwide use Himalaya face wash, take Liv.52 tablets, or apply baby care products, they're experiencing a 95-year legacy born from one man's curiosity about elephant-calming roots.

That's not just building a business. That's validating ancient wisdom for modern times—one scientifically proven herbal formula at a time.