Itoozhi Illam became renowned as a center in Malabar for holistic healing, based on pure Ayurvedic treatises at the beginning of the 18th century. It all started with the eight vaidyas who made Itoozhi Illam their home, each specialized in a different branch of the ancient science of treatment, and began to treat and heal the thriving community of Malabar. Itoozhi Vaidhyas are also one of the few families who are considered authentic Netura Chikitsakas in Kerala.
Though Itoozhi Illam was an Ayrurvedic treatment centre from ancient times, the practice of Ayurveda in a Vaidhyasala form was started in 1907 by Vaidhyar Itoozhi Valiya Madhavan Namboodiri at Mayyil. He was an expert in spreading Ayurvedic concepts, establishing the ‘Itoozhi Vaidyasala’ at Calicut and Tellicherry.
