The Interview World

Holistic Himalaya seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with modern science to champion holistic well-being and sustainability. By focusing on the gut-brain axis, the organization drives transformative health improvements for humans, animals, and the environment. Its approach includes organic remedies, sustainable agriculture, and conservation initiatives. Partnering with more than 3,000 women from the Trans-Himalayan region, Holistic Himalaya delivers personalized health solutions. These encompass chrono-biomedicine, holistic therapies, and sustainable animal husbandry practices. Committed to combating pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, the organization fosters harmony among all forms of life.

In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Dr. Mohammad Riyaz, CEO and Scientific Director of Holistic Himalaya, sheds light on the company’s mission to advance holistic healing. He discusses the key medicinal herbs used in their extracts, the ailments these remedies address, and the meticulous processes for herb sourcing. Dr. Riyaz also elaborates on the commercialization of these products and their broader impact. Here are the most compelling insights from his conversation.

Q: What types of general remedies has Holistic Himalaya developed, and how do they align with the principles of holistic healing?

A: The journey of establishing Holistic Himalaya began with a pivotal realization rooted in my work as a microbiologist and researcher. Over the years, I collaborated with several government organizations, including the Ministry of AYUSH and the Department of Health Research. During this time, I studied approximately 55,000 patients suffering from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), reproductive tract infections (RTIs), and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Alarmingly, around 90% of these patients were women, most of them from rural areas. This insight sparked my determination to address these critical health issues at their roots.

We started by visiting villages, engaging directly with patients to understand their challenges. This grassroots approach led to the creation of Holistic Himalaya, a farmer-producer company where women hold the majority of the shares. Of the 442 shareholders, only two are men—myself and a director. Beyond shareholders, over 2,500 women actively participate in collecting Trans-Himalayan herbs, forming the backbone of our enterprise.

My academic research at Punjab University and practical experience with the Department of Health Research shaped my approach to disease treatment. As a microbiologist, I have an in-depth understanding of the body’s physiology and the pathways for healing. Later, I joined RCFC-NR-I, NMPB under the Ministry of AYUSH, where I expanded my expertise by developing products derived from indigenous medicinal plants.

We embraced a foundational Ayurvedic principle that states every disease can be treated with resources available within a ten-kilometer radius of the patient. Guided by this wisdom, we conducted extensive surveys across Himachal Pradesh, identifying 650 unique herbs. Of these, 60 are commercially viable, and we focused on 20 rare, highly potent herbs for product development. These herbs became the base for our herbal extracts, which serve as versatile foundations for medicines, food products, and cosmetics.

At Holistic Himalaya, we blend ancient Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific methods, creating innovative solutions that empower rural communities, enhance well-being, and promote sustainable living.

Q: Could you highlight some of the key herbs used by Holistic Himalaya and explain their role in treating specific diseases?    

A: Some of the key herbs we use include Angelica glauca (Himalayan Angelica), Bergenia ligulata, Swertia chirayita, Rheum australe, Trillium govanianum, Butterbur, and Purple Clover. A detailed list is available on our website. To make our solutions accessible, we offer a free sample option online. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a specific condition and share some basic details about yourself, we’ll provide a free product sample. We carefully selected these products to ensure they are pre-biotic, pro-biotic, and post-biotic. As a microbiologist, my primary focus is on treating the gut-brain axis, a critical relationship influencing overall health.

The gut, often referred to as our “second brain,” plays a parallel role in immunity. An upset gut can cause headaches, while anger or emotional distress can suppress appetite—a direct reflection of the gut-brain connection. To maintain gut health, it’s essential to incorporate pre-biotics, pro-biotics, and post-biotics into one’s routine.

Our health framework addresses four key dimensions: physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. For physical health, we focus on gut care through herbal solutions. For mental health, we offer aromatherapy oils, high-impact placebo therapies, hydropathy, mud baths, and acupressure treatments. Social health is another critical pillar. As a women-centric enterprise operating in rural areas, we actively address social challenges like drug addiction among youth, which is often linked to UTIs and STIs.

Let me explain further. Many individuals, especially in rural India, lack awareness about how infections spread or how to discuss sensitive health issues with their partners. Cultural taboos, such as avoiding sunlight exposure for undergarments, lead to fungal infections that persist until menopause. These infections cause discomfort and strain in relationships. Poor communication between partners exacerbates these issues, often leading to conflict. This disharmony impacts children, who may seek affection elsewhere, sometimes falling into unhealthy peer influences or drug addiction. This cycle underscores the importance of addressing social health.

On the spiritual health front, we integrate alternative healing practices with modern science. While we leverage advanced technology from allopathy, our recipes and remedies draw from ancient knowledge. Our herbs and formulations are thoroughly researched and processed using modern methods. The efficacy of our products is backed by scientific literature, and we’ve published several papers, including contributions to Oxford publications. Our mission is clear: blend timeless wisdom with cutting-edge innovation to foster holistic healing.

Q: Could you provide insights into the types of illnesses that are being treated using these herbal extracts?

A: The herbs we use contain antioxidants, making them potent anti-aging agents. They also offer a complete spectrum of pre-biotic, pro-biotic, and post-biotic benefits. Focusing on specific herbs, we extract the tincture from a single plant, ensuring purity and efficacy.

For instance, Rheum australe purifies the blood, while Jatamansi effectively relieves stress. Passion fruit supports kidney health, purple clover promotes menstrual well-being, and butterbur alleviates allergies and migraines. These formulations adhere to stringent safety standards and are registered with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as food-grade products. Both FSSAI and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have approved a list of 460 herbs recognized as safe for daily consumption.

Additionally, we incorporate aromatherapy oils to enhance well-being. For example, mint oil supports gut health, while eucalyptus oil improves respiratory function. Together, these natural solutions offer a comprehensive approach to health and wellness.

Q: Where do you source these rare herbs?

A: We hail from Chamba, a picturesque district in Himachal Pradesh. Nestled between the Pir Panjal and Dhaula Dhar mountain ranges, Chamba sits on the border of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. This region is a rare biodiversity hotspot, brimming with unique natural treasures.

Our herbs are sourced directly from this pristine environment. A significant part of this process involves local women, who venture into the mountains to gather these herbs. For them, this work is not just a task; it’s a vital means of livelihood, deeply intertwined with their connection to the land.

Q: Do you plan to commercialize these products? Are there any pharmaceutical companies currently sourcing these herbs from you?

A: Pharmaceutical companies source our products, but our true mission is to expand this micro-model. Ayurveda, as I mentioned earlier, teaches that the healing properties for any disease lie within a 10-kilometer radius. Each region is home to distinct medicinal plants, offering unique benefits.

In the AYUSH sector, there are over 3,500 medicinal plants across India. Every area has its own specific herbs, each capable of treating various ailments. Our company is dedicated to educating people on how to transform these herbs into value-added products. By extracting the base compounds from any herb, you can create versatile products that serve as food, cosmetics, and medicines.

Holistic Himalaya Shaping the Future of Holistic Healing by Leveraging the Potent of Himalayan Herbs
Holistic Himalaya Shaping the Future of Holistic Healing by Leveraging the Potent of Himalayan Herbs

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