HERBAL MEDICINE

Shops on Kutchery Road and Bazaar Road, Mylapore, have more that they can be proud of, than their obvious proximity to the awesome Kapaleeswarar Temple.

These roads are probably the best places in the city to procure quality herbs!

These shops, referred to as Naatu Marundhu Kadai (shops selling folk medicine), have been in the business for the past fifty years. Business usually revolves around family ownership and is often hereditary. Chettiar Vanibams are famous in this trade.

Naatu Marundhu is sought after for its cosmetic and therapeutic value the world over. Aromatic oils are also available. Neem oil, Rose oil and Kaduka oil (the oil extracted from Terminalia Chebula) are very popular. Scientific results have effectively demonstrated the efficacy of Kaduka oil in curing leprosy. Popular among herbs used for cosmetic purpose and in the cosmetic industry are Roja(rose), Chandanam (sandal) and Kasturi manjal (turmeric). The hair and facial cleansers consist of an assortment of herbs. Vasanai Podi is a popular facial cleanser. Prasava Nadakaya Lehyam, a medicine that is a combination of twenty-two herbs, is also available. This is usually administered to mothers after child birth.

Most shopkeepers agree that these herbs could be put to multiple uses. Kadukai and Jaggery are used as a weathering coat by civil engineers. These shops supply raw material for the cosmetic and pharma industries. Herbs are usually purchased from villagers who hail from the tribal and rural areas of Salem, Vellore and neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Herbs from Maduranthakam, Villupuram and Tirunelvelli are usually preferred for their quality. Vedagiri of Murugan Stores, says that Americans and Germans are frequent visitors to his shop on Bazaar Road.

Approach: Adjacent to the Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore.

AROGYODAYAM VAIDYASALA

Patient-specific treatment. Absolutely no side effects. Sounds too good? But this is the specialty of Arogyodayam Vaidyasala. Dr K. K. Damodaran of Arogyodayam Vaidyasala says that his family has been practicing Ayurveda for seven generations. A house of genuine ayurvedic medicine and expert advice, it was founded in 1934. Treatment is given for diabetes, ulcers, blood pressure, piles, cancer, obesity and complexion improvement.

Diagnosis is by analysis of the patient's constitution and checking of pulse. So, at Arogyodayam Vaidyasala, you can mentally strike off blood tests, urine samples or ECG. They also have an Ayurvedic Nursing home called Dhanwanthari Foundation for Ayurvedic Research and Panchakarma (Panchakarma is a therapy involving massaging the body with oils of various temperatures) in Valasaravakkam.

Address: Arogyodayam Vaidyasala, # 80A/6, G.N. Chetty Road,
T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017
Phone: 828 1408
Residence: 486 7546
Email: kkdamodaran@eth.net

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