Orange Herb is an Indian herbal wellness company that combines natural wellness products, medicinal mushroom cultivation, and innovative indoor farming solutions. With a special focus on Cordyceps militaris, the company uses controlled-environment agriculture to cultivate high-value mushrooms under carefully monitored conditions. Its diverse product portfolio includes Cordyceps supplements, Kashmiri saffron, sea buckthorn products, and other natural wellness offerings. Beyond product development, Orange Herb promotes entrepreneurship by training aspiring entrepreneurs, farmers, and agriculture enthusiasts in Cordyceps, saffron, and microgreen cultivation. By integrating nature, scientific methods, and agricultural innovation, the company aims to expand access to wellness products, encourage sustainable farming, and create new business opportunities in India’s emerging indoor agriculture sector.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Suman Sukhija, Founder of Orange Herb, discusses the company’s initiatives in indoor mushroom farming, the market potential of Cordyceps, and its applications in the broader wellness sector. She also explains how the company’s training centre and laboratory support aspiring entrepreneurs, reflects on the response to its skill-development initiatives, and outlines her vision for making Cordyceps more accessible to Indian households over the next five years. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation.
Q: Could you provide an overview of Orange Herb’s key projects and activities, particularly its indoor mushroom farming initiatives?
A: Orange Herb has been working in indoor farming for the past eight years, with a particular focus on cultivating medicinal mushrooms. One of our principal areas of expertise is Cordyceps militaris, a species associated with the Himalayan medicinal mushroom tradition. Cordyceps is popularly known in India as Keeda Jadi and is also associated with names such as Yarsa Gumba and Himalayan Gold.
We cultivate Cordyceps in a controlled indoor environment rather than relying on natural collection. This approach allows us to regulate essential growing conditions and maintain greater consistency in production. We use air-conditioning systems to control temperature and humidifiers to maintain the required humidity levels. In addition, we follow stringent hygiene protocols to minimise contamination and protect the quality of our crop.
These controlled-environment techniques enable us to manage cultivation more systematically and develop a reliable production process. Cordyceps occupies a distinctive position in India’s mushroom market because of its perceived wellness value and the high price of naturally sourced Himalayan varieties. Through indoor cultivation, Orange Herb seeks to make this specialised mushroom more accessible while creating opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture.
Q: What is the market potential of Cordyceps, and what growth prospects do you foresee in the coming years?
A: Naturally sourced Himalayan Cordyceps commands a premium price, which can reach approximately ₹50–60 lakh per kilogram, depending on the variety, quality, and prevailing market conditions. Our laboratory-cultivated Cordyceps offers a more affordable alternative, helping us reach consumers who are interested in its potential wellness applications but may find naturally sourced varieties prohibitively expensive.
At Orange Herb, we aim to make daily consumption more accessible. Based on our current pricing, a one-gram serving costs approximately ₹93. This positions the product within reach of health-conscious consumers seeking to explore mushroom-based wellness products.
We primarily reach customers through direct-to-consumer channels, including our own sales platforms and social media. We also leverage online marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart, while using YouTube and other digital channels to increase awareness. Alongside these efforts, we pursue offline marketing opportunities by engaging with fitness enthusiasts, gyms, dietitians, and Ayurvedic practitioners. We have also received enquiries from pharmaceutical companies interested in the product.
Growing consumer interest in preventive wellness and natural products presents opportunities for the Cordyceps market. However, sustained growth will depend on product quality, transparent communication, scientific validation, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust. Our objective is to expand awareness, strengthen distribution, and make cultivated Cordyceps an increasingly accessible option for the Indian market.
Q: What health conditions may benefit from Cordyceps? What scientific evidence supports its therapeutic potential, and how can consumers use it safely alongside conventional treatment?
A: Cordyceps has attracted interest because of its traditional use and the bioactive compounds it contains. At Orange Herb, we position it as a wellness supplement rather than a medicine. Consumers explore it for various purposes, including energy, stamina, physical performance, and sexual wellness.
There is also growing interest in the potential relationship between Cordyceps and inflammation, respiratory function, metabolic health, and hormonal balance. Some consumers have reported positive experiences in these areas. However, individual experiences do not establish clinical effectiveness, and the scientific evidence varies considerably across proposed applications.
Although preliminary laboratory and human studies have investigated certain Cordyceps species and their possible biological effects, the available evidence does not establish that Cordyceps can treat or cure conditions such as asthma, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), joint disorders, or diseases affecting the kidneys and liver. Further well-designed clinical trials are necessary to establish its efficacy, appropriate dosage, and long-term safety for specific health conditions.
We therefore believe that consumers should approach Cordyceps as a potential complement to a healthy lifestyle, not as a substitute for medical care. Anyone considering the supplement, particularly people with chronic conditions or those taking prescription medicines, should consult a qualified healthcare professional. They should also choose products from reputable suppliers that follow appropriate quality-control and labelling standards.
Our broader objective is to raise awareness of Cordyceps and its potential applications while encouraging responsible consumption. As the market develops, scientific research, quality assurance, and evidence-based communication will play increasingly important roles in building consumer confidence.
Q: You have also established a training centre and a laboratory. How do these initiatives help young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses, and what response have you received?
A: At Orange Herb, we want our work to generate value beyond the products we cultivate. We believe indoor farming can create employment, support self-employment, and open new avenues for aspiring entrepreneurs. Our training initiatives aim to equip participants with practical knowledge of Cordyceps, saffron, and microgreen cultivation, enabling them to explore opportunities in specialised agriculture.
The training centre and laboratory form an important part of this effort. They help participants understand cultivation practices and the role of controlled environments in producing high-value agricultural products. By developing these skills, aspiring entrepreneurs can assess the feasibility of establishing their own cultivation units or pursuing related business opportunities.
We have observed growing interest in health and wellness products, alongside increasing awareness of alternative agricultural ventures. This combination is encouraging more people to explore cultivation-based entrepreneurship. Our aim is to help them translate that interest into practical skills, informed business decisions, and sustainable income opportunities.
Ultimately, we see training as a means of building a wider ecosystem around indoor farming. By sharing our experience and encouraging knowledge transfer, we hope to support entrepreneurs who can contribute to agricultural innovation, local employment, and the growth of India’s emerging controlled-environment agriculture sector.
Q: How do you envision Orange Herb’s growth and the evolution of the healthcare and wellness industry over the next five years?
A: Over the past several years, Orange Herb has continued to develop its capabilities and improve its operations. Each year has brought opportunities to learn, refine our approach, and strengthen our initiatives. We intend to build on this progress over the next five years.
Our central ambition is to make Cordyceps accessible to households across India. We want more people to understand the product, evaluate its potential benefits responsibly, and make informed decisions about incorporating it into their wellness routines. At the same time, we aim to improve affordability and expand access through stronger distribution networks and greater consumer awareness.
We also see opportunities to advance indoor cultivation, develop entrepreneurial talent, and strengthen the connection between agricultural innovation and the wellness industry. Achieving these goals will require a sustained focus on product quality, scientific credibility, operational efficiency, and consumer education.
Our long-term vision is straightforward: to bring Cordyceps within the reach of more Indian households while creating opportunities for people who want to build businesses in indoor farming. We believe that responsible innovation, accessible products, and practical skill development can help Orange Herb contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving wellness and agricultural landscape.
