To increase the usage of Ayurveda in the West, the first two-day 'International Congress of Ayurveda' will be held in Milan on March 21 and 22, Dr V A Venugopal, overseas marketing consultant of SNA Oushadhasala Pvt Ltd in Thrissur said.

The Congress is being jointly organised by Ayurvedic Point, Italy, The Provincial Association of Surgeons and Dentists, Milan, permanent consensus committee of non-conventional medicines, Italy and Asthavaidyan Thaikat Mooss, SNA Oushadhasala Dr Venugopal said.

He said the main objective of the Congress would be to focus attention on Ayurveda's 'unbreakable relationship' with nature and establishing a bridge between Western and Vedic scientific thinking "to find a common ground to expand knowledge."

The Chairman and Director of Ayurvedic Point, Dr Antonio Morandi said the Congress would help give a true picture of Ayurveda and the vital role it could play in healthcare and prevention of diseases.

Dr Venugopal said there has also been an increase in the number of foreigners opting for Ayurveda and rejuvenation treatment (sukh chikitsa) in Kerala for the past 10 years. "About 5,000 persons from abroad arrive annually in different institutions in the state," he said.

He said about 500 people had availed treatment in SNA Oushadhasla itself.

Export of ayurvedic medicines has gone up from Kerala over the last few years. The export of ayurveda medicines from Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala and SNA bagged about Rs 1.75 crore in 2007 and Rs 2.5 crore in 2008, Dr Venugopal said.