Despite tougher health regulatory measures by the European countries to stone-wall the import of ayurveda medicine, the Indian medicines have gained popularity and acceptance over the years with some NRIs venturing out to manufacture them on European mainland by setting up a number of ayurveda units.

Brij Mohan Gupta and his wife Rajni, one of the pioneers of ayurveda medicines in United Kingdom started their company `Multilinks' from a scratch in 1996, and in less then two years, their diabetes control `Charantia karela capsules' have become a runway success, finding space in leading medical superstores such as Moss and Lloyds.

"We started with a little loan from bank and today, in just under two years, we are maintaining a client base in 13 countries across all continents.Multilinks turnover is approaching half million sterling mark, no mean feat with only a flagship product of charantia capsules," Brij Mohan said.

"We had to work hard to convince the health regulators here, who are very strict. We set up state-of-the-art plants using fresh vegetables and spices to make these products," Gupta said, adding in a space of two years, the capsules had found inclusion in British Diabetic Association's guidance leaflets.

"The reasons our capsules found acceptance was because they are 100 per cent natural. We use no added chemicals. No colourings, no additives and no added oil. Even the shell of the capsules are made from pure vegetables rather than gelatin or meat based sources," Multilinks managing director claimed. Gupta's success has driven him on and he has gone on to launch a number of other ayurveda products including garlic capsules, ginger capsules and live tonic for liver preventive diseases.

"We now plan to introduce a range of healthy Asian snack foods and set upayurvedic medical centres in cities across United Kingdom," he said.

Roger Stanton, 39, a Britisher said he had begun showing early signs of high blood glucose levels in 1995 and "two years later I almost became insulin dependent. My national health scheme doctors could not subscribe any allopathic medicine for sugar control till somebody pointed out to me the karela capsules. Today my blood sugar is under control."

The Asian population here, because of their rich diet, have a tendency to fall victim to diabetes in older age.

Asha Rani, a third generation Indian here who was diagnosed with non-insulin dependent 11 years ago says, "I turned to our ancient cure of taking karela juice, which was bitter. Till I came across karela capsules at my cash-n carry superstore. Now my doctor has reduced my medication in half."

The ayurveda association celebrated its 20th anniversary here at a function in Ealing Town Hall attended by envoys from India, Bangladesh, Mauritius, members of parliament andNRI's.

Speaking on the occasion, the president of the Ayurveda Association of UK, S Godagame said the ancient Indian medicine art was increasingly becoming popular here.

"The interest is so much that earlier this year we ventured to open the first ever ayurvedic medical college here with a batch of 44 students. Most of them British and practising general practioners of the national health scheme," he said.