The silent pandemic: Invasive alien species as an existential threat to global Ayurveda

The global resurgence of Ayurveda, accelerated by the post-COVID-19 focus on preventive and holistic health, faces a critical and often overlooked challenge: the rapid degradation of its medicinal plant base. While unsustainable harvesting is a recognised issue, this article argues that the spread of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) constitutes a parallel and insidious pandemic, systematically destroying primary medicinal plant habitats. By examining the impact of IAS across forest, aquatic, and farmland biomes, we demonstrate how these invaders are causing the local extinction of key medicinal species even before they can be harvested. This article concludes with an urgent call for policymakers, conservation bodies, and the global Ayurvedic industry to adopt integrated, policy-driven conservation strategies to safeguard the biological foundation of Ayurveda, ensuring its sustainability and efficacy for future generations.