Ayurvastra is a branch of Ayurveda, the ancient 5,000-year-old Indian system of Vedic healthcare, which is still preserved in Kerala, India. The Sanskrit word 'Ayur' means life and Vastra means dress. Ayurvastra, as a branch of Ayurveda, begins with 100% organic cotton that has been hand-loomed – no machine processing, no chemical additives to prepare the cotton fibres for spinning and weaving, no chemical finishes. The organic cotton yarn/fabric is then coated with a mixture of natural gums which acts as a medium for absorbing the herb preparation and fixes to the yarn for a longer period. This yarn or fabric is then dyed in a carefully controlled mixture of herbal dyes in herbs like mimosa pudica, cumin seeds, champa flower, shoe flower, turmeric and neem, to name a few. The dyes for Ayurvastra fabrics typically contain between 40 and 60 specifically blended and carefully prepared medicinal herbs, plants, flowers, roots and barks. Every step in the preparation of Ayurvastra fabrics and clothing – the temperatures of the dyes, the duration and number of the dye soaks, the blend of herbs, and even the equipment used – is carefully controlled. You can rest assured that all Ayurvastra products at WK Best of India are made right in the homeland of Ayurveda: Kerala.