Himalaya Herbals — India's Trusted Herbal Brand Since 1930
Few Indian brands can claim a journey as extraordinary as Himalaya Herbals. Born from one man’s curiosity in the forests of Dehradun in 1930, the brand grew from hand-cranked herbal tablets into a global wellness giant selling close to 500 products across 106 countries. Today, Himalaya Wellness Company stands as one of India’s most trusted herbal healthcare and personal care brands — proof that science-backed Ayurveda can travel the world.
Brand Overview at a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Himalaya Herbals / Himalaya Wellness Company |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Founder | Muhammad Manal (M. Manal) |
| Founded In | Dehradun, India |
| Current Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Parent Company | Himalaya Global Holdings Ltd. (Cayman Islands) |
| Industry | Herbal Healthcare, Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals |
| Products | 500+ across Pharma, Personal Care, Baby Care, Nutrition, Animal Health |
| Global Presence | 106 countries |
| Flagship Drug | Liv.52 (launched 1955) |
| Personal Care Launch | 1999 (originally as “Ayurvedic Concepts”) |
| Ownership | Family-owned, privately held |
The Founding Story: Curiosity in the Forests of Dehradun
The story of Himalaya Herbals begins not in a laboratory, but in the forests surrounding Dehradun. In 1930, a young visionary named Muhammad Manal — who possessed no formal scientific training but an intense love for nature — observed a man feeding the roots of a local herb to agitated elephants, which visibly calmed them down.
Manal’s curiosity led him to investigate the herb, Rauwolfia serpentina, and through scientific evaluation he discovered it possessed antihypertensive properties. This single observation sparked a lifelong mission: to validate and commercialise the wisdom of Ayurveda using modern empirical research.
To fund his dream, Manal’s mother pawned her only bangles. Working night after night, Manal hand-cranked a tableting machine to produce his first herbal tablets — a founding image that captures the essence of Himalaya’s “from garage to global” journey.
From Dehradun to Bengaluru: Decades of Transformation
1930 — Himalaya Drug Company established in Dehradun by M. Manal.
1934 — Launch of Serpina — the world’s first natural antihypertensive drug, derived from Rauwolfia serpentina.
1955 — Launch of Liv.52, a liver-protective herbal supplement that became the company’s flagship product and went on to be one of India’s top 10 selling drugs. Even today, Liv.52 registers over ₹250 crore in annual revenues.
1950s — Company headquarters moved from Dehradun to Bombay (Mumbai).
1975 — Meraj Manal, Muhammad’s son, self-financed the company’s relocation to Bengaluru, selling his own flat in Mumbai to build a new manufacturing unit. This move gave Himalaya the infrastructure and GMP-certified facility it needed to produce high-quality herbal products at scale — and to eye global markets.
1996 — Himalaya entered the US market following the US FDA’s Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. Meraj Manal worked out of a small space above his garage in the US, personally proofreading all product labels to ensure compliance. Himalaya became the first USDA certified organic line of Indian herbs to be sold in America.
1999 — Himalaya launched its personal care range under the name “Ayurvedic Concepts,” later renamed Himalaya Herbals.
2001 — Major brand restructuring: new logo and updated product packaging launched.
2015 — Company rebranded from Himalaya Drug Company to Himalaya Wellness Company, reflecting its evolution from a pharmaceutical maker to a full-spectrum wellness organization.
2016 — Brand identity rechristened as “Himalaya, since 1930” to communicate its 86-year herbal legacy globally.
The Science Behind Himalaya Herbals
What sets Himalaya apart from many herbal brands is its unwavering commitment to scientific validation. M. Manal understood from the very beginning that Ayurveda needed empirical evidence to be taken seriously in a world increasingly shaped by Western medicine.
Over its 90+ year history, Himalaya has conducted over 1,200 clinical studies, many published in internationally peer-reviewed medical journals. The company employs more than 290 researchers dedicated to Ayurvedic herbs and minerals.
Its Bengaluru campus spans 28 acres, housing an EU-GMP-certified manufacturing facility and an 80,000 sq. ft. R&D centre with an organic herb garden. A newer pharmaceutical manufacturing facility has also been set up in Tumakuru, near Bengaluru.
Himalaya is also the first herbal company in India to receive a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certificate — a distinction shared by only 14 institutions in India.
Himalaya Herbals — Personal Care & Bestselling Products
When Himalaya launched its personal care range in 1999, it entered a market dominated by chemical-based FMCG giants. Its strategy was distinct: every product was built around a problem-solution approach using clinically tested Ayurvedic ingredients.
The result was a range of products that resonated deeply with Indian consumers and later with global markets:
Purifying Neem Face Wash — Himalaya’s biggest personal care success story. Launched in the early 2000s, this soap-free neem and turmeric face wash for acne-prone skin crossed ₹500 crore in revenue and is the second biggest face wash brand in India. It pioneered the problem-solution category in face care and is present in over a million Indian households.
Himalaya Protein Shampoo — One of India’s earliest herbal shampoos with wheat protein for hair strength and repair.
Himalaya Face Moisturiser — A lightweight daily cream with natural moisturising agents for all skin types.
Himalaya Lip Balm — One of India’s first herbal lip balms; became especially popular among teens and young adults.
Himalaya Baby Care Range — Gentle, herb-based products including baby wash, lotion, and powder.
Himalaya Men’s Range — Covering face wash, moisturisers, and grooming products for the growing men’s personal care segment.
The personal care segment today commands a 42% market share in Himalaya’s product portfolio for lip care and face cleansing combined — a testament to how completely the brand has transformed from a pharmaceutical company to a personal care leader.
Pharmaceuticals: The Foundation That Built Everything
While Himalaya Herbals is the face most Indians know, the company’s pharmaceutical business remains its backbone. Key products include:
Liv.52- Flagship liver-protective supplement; one of India’s top 10 selling drugs; ₹250+ crore annual revenue
Serpina- World’s first natural antihypertensive drug, derived from Rauwolfia serpentina
Cystone- Herbal formulation for kidney stone management
Septilin- Scientifically documented immunity booster endorsed by healthcare practitioners globally
These pharmaceutical products are prescribed by doctors worldwide and give Himalaya a credibility that most personal care brands simply cannot claim.
Global Reach: Ten Himalaya Products Sold Every Second
Today, ten Himalaya products are sold every second worldwide. The brand’s global presence spans 106 countries, with regional offices in Dubai, Singapore, and Houston alongside its Indian headquarters. Its US operations are based in Sugar Land, Texas — in a LEED Gold-certified eco-friendly facility.
Himalaya has also established a Himalaya Global Research Centre in a 55,000 sq. ft. facility at Dubai Science Park, reinforcing its commitment to science-led herbal innovation on the world stage.
The brand’s global tagline — “Happiness through Wellness” — encapsulates its century-long mission: bringing the power of Ayurveda to people, validated by science and trusted by families.
FAQs
Who founded Himalaya Herbals and when?
Himalaya was founded in 1930 by Muhammad Manal (M. Manal) in Dehradun, India, with a mission to validate and commercialise Ayurvedic products using modern scientific research.
Is Himalaya an Indian company?
Yes. Himalaya Wellness Company is an Indian company, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is a privately held, family-owned business under the parent entity Himalaya Global Holdings Ltd.
What is Himalaya's flagship product?
Himalaya’s flagship product is Liv.52 — a liver-protective herbal supplement launched in 1955. It registers over ₹250 crore in annual revenues and is among India’s top 10 selling drugs.
When did Himalaya launch its personal care range?
Himalaya entered the personal care segment in 1999 under the name “Ayurvedic Concepts,” which was later renamed Himalaya Herbals.
What is Himalaya's most popular personal care product?
Himalaya’s Purifying Neem Face Wash is its most popular personal care product. It crossed ₹500 crore in revenue and is the second biggest face wash brand in India.
In how many countries is Himalaya available?
Himalaya products are sold in 106 countries across India, the US, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Is Himalaya cruelty-free and herbal?
Yes. Himalaya’s formulations are based on Ayurvedic herbs and minerals, scientifically validated through over 1,200 clinical studies. The brand is known for natural, side-effect-free formulations.
What does "Himalaya Wellness Company" mean?
In 2015, the Himalaya Drug Company was rebranded as Himalaya Wellness Company to reflect its expansion from pharmaceuticals into a full-spectrum wellness and personal care organization.
Conclusion
The journey of Himalaya Herbals — from a hand-cranked tableting machine in Dehradun to a global herbal wellness brand in 106 countries — is one of India’s most inspiring business stories. Rooted in Ayurvedic science and driven by three generations of the Manal family, Himalaya has proven that ancient herbal wisdom, when backed by rigorous research, can earn the trust of both doctors and everyday consumers across the world.
From Liv.52 to Neem Face Wash, every Himalaya product carries the weight of 90+ years of herbal heritage — and the promise of Happiness through Wellness.
