Indian and Italian cultures have a long tradition of reciprocal contact beginning in Roman times. Archeological findings bear witness to these relations and, along with the great Italian medical tradition, suggest that the discovery of Ayurveda in Italy can be more properly described as a rediscovery. However, as in other western countries, dissemination of Ayurveda has not been homogeneous especially concerning quality and institutional recognition. The complexity of Ayurveda notwithstanding, superficial information, often driven by commercial interests, and by simplistic new age influences, has made serious Ayurveda education difficult. It is not understood as a genuine medical system, e.g., confusion of Abhyanga therapy with simple massage techniques. This has led to the spread of erroneous medical and scientific information concerning Ayurveda’s therapeutic potential, and to short and superficial education programs, contributing further to its distorted image.