Chennai: What started as a simple home remedy in a kitchen to help railway workers has now blossomed into a multi-crore Ayurvedic empire. Today, Medimix is a household name across India, but its origins are rooted in a doctor’s compassion and his deep knowledge of traditional medicine.
In the 1960s, Dr. V.P. Sidhan was serving as a doctor in the Indian Railways. During his tenure, he noticed a recurring pattern—railway workers frequently visited him complaining of various skin ailments. Recognizing that these issues were directly caused by their harsh, daily working environments, Dr. Sidhan realized that the cure needed to be part of their daily routine.
Drawing upon his family’s rich heritage in Ayurveda, he began experimenting with herbal oil blends. In 1969, Dr. Sidhan successfully combined 18 powerful herbs in a coconut oil base to create an Ayurvedic soap in his own home. Initially prescribed as a medicinal remedy for the workers, the soap showed remarkable results in healing their skin problems.
As the workers shared their positive experiences, the demand for the green, handmade soap quickly grew beyond the railway community. Realizing the potential of his creation, Dr. Sidhan officially launched the soap under the brand name ‘Medimix’ in 1969 with a modest seed capital of just Rs 500.
In the early days, Medimix was classified as a ‘prescription-only’ product available strictly at pharmacies. However, fueled by word-of-mouth and later boosted by radio and billboard advertising in the 1970s, the soap transitioned into a mainstream consumer product. Despite its growing popularity and the eventual shift to factory production, the company remarkably maintained its handmade process to preserve its Ayurvedic authenticity.
Over five decades later, the brand has expanded significantly. Managed by the Cholayil family and the AVA Group, Medimix has grown its portfolio to include over 30 products, ranging from face washes and body washes to shampoos and hygiene products. From a humble beginning with a Rs 500 investment, Medimix has transformed into a global brand, generating over Rs 400 crore in revenue and securing its place as one of India’s most trusted personal care products.