Kerala has been a great reservoir of Indian heritage. When other parts of the country were ravaged by continuous attacks by marauders from outside, Kerala had comparatively a history devoid of any large-scale bloodshed and arson, and could preserve its heritage to a great extent. Thus with traditions of Art, Literature, Architecture etc, indigenous systems of heath care, based on Vedic knowledge and ancient tribal wisdom came into practice in the state. The pre-historic trade links with outside world also helped in enriching this knowledge and in bringing in other methods of healing techniques prevalent in distant lands ranging from China to the middle east Greece.

Moreover, family medicines or grandma's treatment system, followed through ages by common people, is still prevalent all over Kerala. These medicines are combination of locally available herbs prepared by boiling or pulverization. Every family in the olden days used simple medical preparation for common ailments of children like cold, fever, headache, toothache, etc. Some well-know families had their own tradition of family medicines, even for serious diseases and never had to visit physicians for healthcare problems. There were also some persons or families in every village, who had specialized, in the traditional folk medicines.

 Some socially backward groups like Mannan, Velan, Kaniyan and Ezhavas were village physicians and commanded great respect. The most popular rustic physicians of traditional Kerala like Mannan and Velan came from the lowest strata of the society, and associate their treatment with 'divine healing'.

The ancient text of "Sahasrayogam," codifies many of the traditional medicines of Kerala. Many of the medicines prescribed in the Sahasrayogam like "Kasthuryadi," "Gorochauadi," "Kompanchadi" and "Dhanwantaram" is alien to Sanskrit Ayurvedic texts.

There are a number of indigenous preparations, which stand detached from the traditional Ayurvedic prescriptions. "Ilanneer kuzhampu," for eye diseases, prepared using the water of tender coconut is a traditional preparation unique to Kerala. Many parts of coconut tree, which are abundant in Kerala, from root to leaf, were utilized for various traditional preparations. Root of coconut tree and palm tree is an inseparable ingredient in the treatment of tuberculosis. Oil prepared from coconut shell is used in Kalari treatment for joint pain and swelling. "Karuthagulika" and "Marmagulika" are also Keralites in tradition. Dhara, "Navarakkizhi" and "Talam"(Cooling pack) for head couldn't be seen anywhere else: Dharappatti (a shallow wooden tub) for conducting oil Dhara etc are special to Kerala.

Today, the health standards of Kerala and other parameters of social development are at par with even some developed countries of the west. This has prompted the U.N to project the state as a role model for development for third world nations. The indicators that determine the health standards such as life expectancy, infant mortality, birth rate etc have all given Kerala this unique position in spite of having low economic growth compared to other Indian states. 

Even small villages and towns in Kerala have govt. owned dispensaries and hospitals providing health care in disciplines like Allopathy, Ayurveda, and Homoeo. Medical College hospitals, multi-Speciality and Super-Specialist hospitals also function in district centres and big towns. This phenomenon can be directly linked to the high rate of literacy in Kerala, which stands at 90.92% (Male-94.20%, female-87.86%, according to 2001 census.) and general heath awareness of the people.