How many times have you stumbled upon a trend and have wanted to scream, “That’s not new! We’ve been doing it for years!”  

Today, wellness, sustainability, and slow living are all the rage and we did it first. The most recent one I saw was our beautiful and elegant dupatta renamed to “Scandinavian Scarf”. Apart from obviously Yoga there are plenty more where that came from!

Mindfulness and Meditation Practices

While mindfulness has become a buzzword in modern mental health circles, its origins are deeply embedded in Indian spiritual traditions. Techniques like Vipassana meditation; which focuses on insight and awareness, have been taught for thousands of years. Like the practice of Dhyana (deep meditation) that is fundamental to yogic disciplines and Buddhist teachings, these methods were developed to help practitioners cultivate inner peace, reduce suffering, and develop clarity, long before mindfulness apps appeared on smartphones.

Plant-Based Diets

The surge of veganism and plant-based diets in the West echoes an age-old Indian tradition. India’s diverse religious and cultural landscape, especially Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, has long advocated ahimsa—the principle of non-violence—encouraging vegetarianism. Many Indian households still prefer plant-based meals, rich in dals, grains, and vegetables

Turmeric Latte < Haldi Doodh

We all know this one! Haldi doodh— our comforting drink made from turmeric and warm milk. You could add some black pepper, and ghee or honey. With anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties, haldi doodh is a fantastic home remedy to fight colds, coughs, and infections. It’s much more than an aesthetic fad.

Champi and Head massages

The word “shampoo” itself is derived from the Hindi word “champi,” which means a head massage. Champi has been an essential part of Indian hair care rituals for centuries, involving the application of herbal oils like coconut, amla, and bhringraj, followed by a relaxing scalp massage. These massages are believed to improve blood circulation, strengthen hair roots, and relieve stress. This practice laid the foundation for modern hair care treatments and spa therapies around the world. Now you have gadgets and different kinds of combs to get this done and all our mums needed were their hands!

Bohemian Fashion

Yeah, bandana comes from the word bandhani. The global boho or bohemian fashion style is characterised by flowy fabrics, bright colours, intricate embroidery, and ethnic prints. These elements owe much to Indian textiles such as Bandhani tie-dye, Khadi handspun fabric, and Rajasthani mirror work. During the 1960s and 70s, Western hippies traveling the “Hippie Trail” to India popularised these styles abroad. Today’s boho fashion still heavily borrows from Indian aesthetics

Piercings

In Western fashion, nose and ear piercings are often worn as style statements. However, in India, these adornments have existed long before “fashion”. The nath (nose ring), for example, is more than a decorative piece; it’s traditionally worn by married women and you can read all about the significance of ear piercings here. 

Sustainable Living

As Western countries pivot towards sustainable living, Indian households have quietly practiced many eco-friendly habits for generations. Reusing glass jars, repurposing old clothes into cleaning rags, cooking with locally sourced ingredients, and composting kitchen waste are common in Indian homes. The ethos of minimalism and reduce-reuse-recycle was embedded in daily life long before they became environmental buzzwords, proving that sustainability is deeply ingrained in Indian culture.

Spiritual Retreats < Ashrams

Spiritual retreats offering meditation, yoga, and detoxification are wildly popular in the West, but India has been a spiritual haven for millennia. Ashrams—simple hermitages or spiritual communities—have been places for seekers to practice austerity, learn from gurus, and find inner peace. These retreats focus on mind-body healing, community living, and reconnecting with nature, serving as the blueprint for contemporary wellness getaways worldwide.

Natural Skincare and Beauty DIYs

Natural beauty care is a booming trend today, but Indian women have long relied on simple, effective remedies made from kitchen ingredients. Ubtans (turmeric and gram flour scrubs) brighten skin naturally, multani mitti (Fuller’s earth) detoxifies pores, rosewater hydrates and soothes, while henna is used for both hair conditioning and temporary tattoos. Rooted in Ayurveda, these DIY treatments are chemical-free, sustainable, and time-tested for radiant skin and hair.

Herbal Teas and Infusions

The herbal tea craze in the West, featuring blends like chamomile and peppermint, echoes India’s long-standing tradition of kadha—herbal decoctions brewed with tulsi, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, and other spices. These teas are consumed daily for their immune-boosting, digestive, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Indian herbal infusions have been integral to maintaining health through natural remedies, often tailored to the season or ailment.

Tattoos

While tattoos are fashionable worldwide today, tribal tattoos or Godna have existed in India for centuries, especially among indigenous communities in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. These tattoos carry deep cultural and spiritual meaning, signifying rites of passage, protection from evil, or social belonging. The artistic styles and symbolism are unique to different tribes, showcasing India’s rich diversity in body art traditions.

Fermented Foods for Gut Health

Fermented foods like kimchi and kombucha have taken the health world by storm, but India’s cuisine has included probiotic-rich dishes for thousands of years. Staples like idli, dosa, poita bhaat, dhokla, and pickles use natural fermentation, which improves digestion and gut flora. This culinary tradition underlines the Indian understanding of food as medicine long before probiotics became a scientific buzzword.

From wellness and sustainability to fashion and diet, many popular Western trends are actually rooted in Indian culture, philosophy, and daily life. As global conversations increasingly focus on cultural authenticity and credit, it’s time to honour and celebrate our rich heritage. 

Feature Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash