Alna’s journey began with hardship, resilience, and an inner strength shaped by loss. Losing her mother at a very young age meant her childhood was spent under the nurturing care of her grandmother. Even simple things like growing her hair were difficult for her—frequent fever, cold, and constant teasing for having boy-cut hair made those years emotionally challenging. Yet, during her eighth-grade vacation, she decided she wanted long hair and insisted her mother prepare a traditional herbal oil. Within two months, her hair grew beautifully, surprising her classmates, many of whom even tugged at her hair because they couldn’t believe the transformation.
When she later moved to her father’s home for higher studies, Alna lost the comfort of her mother’s oil preparations and the traditional care she was used to. She tried making the oil herself but could never recreate her mother’s touch. A close friend, Lakshmi, mentioned that her grandfather was a traditional healer. Out of curiosity and hope, Alna met him and asked for a powerful hair-growth remedy. He smiled gently and taught her a special, ancient formula—one that required discipline, rare ingredients, and deep commitment. Alna followed the process faithfully, and soon her hair flourished again. Relatives and friends started requesting her oil, unknowingly planting the first seeds of what would one day become a thriving business.
As Alna spent more time with the healer, she learned about herbs, roots, and the ancient science behind traditional medicines. The healer recognized something unique in her—a natural ability that he believed came from her bloodline. Later, her father confirmed that Alna’s great-grandmother had been a traditional healer. Hearing this, the healer gently reminded her, “Ayurveda is not a hobby. It is a commitment. A deeksha.” This wisdom stayed with Alna forever.
Though Alna had many changing interests as a child and couldn’t stick on to one, after studying Ayurveda it was the only passion she never abandoned. During her higher secondary years, when her aunt requested hair oil for hostel students, Alna decided to give her product a name. After discussing with the healer, who mentioned the formula had eight powerful ingredients, she named it Ashtavēni, symbolising the eight petals of a lotus. That moment marked the true beginning of her entrepreneurial journey. As she created more products like hair packs, body wash powders, and herbal cleansers, her confidence and customer base grew steadily.
A turning point came when a customer told her that people trust her hair oils because of her own hair—but for skincare products, she needed to improve her own skin to inspire confidence. Alna had always struggled with severe acne, something she had accepted as permanent. But taking that advice to heart, she used her own Kumkumadi oil consistently. In just three months, her skin transformed dramatically, giving her renewed confidence and strengthening her belief in her formulations.
However, life tested her again in 2019. During her sister’s wedding, Alna underwent a chemical hair treatment against the advice of her healer and friends. The result was devastating—her hair began falling out rapidly. Watching her hair break and disappear shattered her emotionally. When she called the healer crying, he told her, “This may be a turning point in your life. Maybe it is time for a new formula to be born through you.” Motivated by his words, Alna worked tirelessly to create what would become her signature product: Golden Rich Hair Growth Oil, made with three types of milk and 21 specially selected herbs including red aloe and wild henna. Within one month, her hair grew back healthier than before. She recorded the preparation process for YouTube, and the video went on to receive over 68,000 views and brought her over 40 customer calls—34 of whom became her first YouTube customers.
Although traditional healing does not come with formal certificates, Alna completed two certified courses in Herbal Cosmetics to strengthen her knowledge and credibility. In 2021, when her sister had a baby, Alna created gentle baby products such as Baby Kajal, Baby Body Butter, and Baby Soaps, which soon became part of her brand’s dedicated baby care line. Though her healer grandfather and her mother are no longer with her, she believes their blessings guide her through every step.
Today, Ashtanga Traditional Cosmetics stands as a well-recognized herbal brand, supported by certifications such as TFM, KCIFT, Udyam, FSSAI, and local self-employment licenses. With more than 50+ products, Ashtanga now offers baby care, skin care, hair care, and food herbal products. Over 15 reselling brands source their products wholesale from Alna, and she serves customers across Kerala, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and many other states.
“Even on my pregnancy due date, I made sure to courier the customer’s product. When my water broke, I still completed the shipment before going to the hospital, because I wasn’t sure how long I’d be away after delivery. Fulfilling my commitments has always been my priority” Alna recollected an unforgettable memory from her past which shows her passion and dedication towards her business.
What makes Ashtanga unique is Alna’s complete dedication to purity, discipline, and tradition. Every product is handcrafted by her with prayer, emotional connection, and ancestral wisdom. Unlike chemical-based market products that provide temporary benefits and long-term damage, Ashtanga’s herbal formulations continue to offer results even after discontinuation, with zero side effects.
Alna’s life is a powerful reminder that pain can shape purpose. What began as a young girl’s struggle with her own hair and skin has grown into a respected herbal brand rooted in authenticity. Today, Alna stands as the heart and soul of Ashtanga Traditional Cosmetics, proving that when passion is combined with purity and perseverance, it becomes a legacy.
“After marriage, my greatest strength and happiness has been the support of my mother-in-law, my husband Rony, and my daughter. Their presence beside me, stronger than ever, gives me the energy to keep moving forward. Every step I take—and every new product of Ashtanga—is powered by the strength he gives me” Adds Alna.
