Bridging Tradition and Sustainability: Harnessing Vrikshayurveda Principles in Organic Medicinal Plant Cultivation

Introduction: India holds one of the richest repositories of medicinal plant diversity in the world, with around 7,500 species (44% of its flora) used for therapeutic purposes. The escalating demand has led to unsustainable wild collection practices and poses a serious threat to long-term availability. The cultivation of these plants remains limited due to challenges such as inadequate research, weak infrastructure and policy gaps. There is a pressing need for a sustainable, ecologically responsible model of medicinal plant cultivation. Methods: This paper explores the ancient principles of Vrikshayurveda, an Indian system of plant science, and evaluates its compatibility with modern organic agricultural practices. A qualitative analysis is conducted through literature review and discussions with experts and farmers. Results: The comparative analysis reveals a significant biochemical congruence between Vrikshayurveda formulations (e.g., Kunapajala) and modern organic inputs (e.g., Fish Amino Acid), validated by shared mechanisms of protein hydrolysis and microbial bio-priming. Stakeholder interactions identified economic viability and the 'soil transition period' as key barriers to implementation Conclusion: The integration of Vrikshayurveda and organic methods presents a viable pathway to sustainable medicinal plant cultivation in India. This paper addresses existing challenges, proposes solutions to support scalability, and provides insights into field-level realities and practical aspects of the current organic farming landscape, helping bridge the gap between theory and on-ground implementation. Key words :Vrikshayurveda, sustainable agriculture, medicinal plant cultivation.