The sun is blazing but the heat doesn’t bother me, as a soft breeze washes my face. It must be from the neem trees. I breathe in the pollution-free air peppered with an earthy aroma of vetiver and tulasi. I feel instantly good. “This is aromatherapy. There is tulasi, vilvam, neem… what more do you need to purify air?” asks Dr. M. Ramanathan, principal of PSG College of Pharmacy, as he walks me through the newly-opened herbal garden at the PSG Hospital campus in Peelamedu. It is maintained by PSG College of Pharmacy and the Department of Pharmocognosy.
Spread over half an acre, the garden has over 60 varieties of herbal plants. Along with common ones like karpooravalli, nochi, mudakathan keerai, aaduthoda, you will also find brahmi, noni, lemongrass and vetiver. “As technology and modern medicines evolve, we have forgotten the plants that contributed to our health. The prime component of morphine, the pain killer, comes from khus khus seeds. A lot of medicines, including the ones available to treat heart attacks, have vital ingredients derived from plants. A visit to the garden will help people see some of these plants that contribute to medical breakthroughs,” says Ramanathan.
The team spent over a year to prepare the soil and nurture the plants. “Do you know Arasa maram is the highest oxygen emitter?” asks Ramanathan, pointing to the tree. Accompanied by him and Dr. M. Khader Bhatcha, head of Pharmacognosy, I walk past a profusion of purple leaves of Krishna tulasi and stop to take note of a unique plant called Shatavari. The plant’s tuber is called thaneer vitta kilangu, as it is high in prolactin and improves breast milk secretion in lactating moms.
There is a vetiver corner dedicated to the wonder herb. Professor Bhatcha can’t stop talking about it. It has over 34 medicinal properties! “The oil helps cure respiratory ailments. Vetiver works as mosquito and insect repellent. Just grow them in a small bag in your house and you will know for yourself,” he says.
There are many unique plants. I crush a few leaves of lemongrass and breathe in the aroma. It is therapeutic. “Lemongrass oil has high commercial value . Pharmacy students can use the plants here to research on topics like lemongrass oil or vetiver oil,” says Batcha.
While the general public can enjoy an outing with Nature , for students it serves as an outlet for research and entrepreneurship. As you walk, you can spot birds and butterflies too. Many green butterflies are often spotted in the garden, an indication of abundant oxygen in the air.
Along with varieties of lemon plants (seedless, babloos, ganapathy, narthangai), aloe vera, jamun, and thoothuvalai, there is also an insulin plant ( that helps control diabetes), nilavembu that was widely used in the treatment of dengue, and the noni plant (Indian mulberry). “Recent researches in the U.S. have proved that noni juice has curative properties,” says Khader Batcha, as he takes me to a corner which has many mud pots. “These are filled with noni juice. To separate the seeds from the flesh, we crush the fruit using a cotton cloth. Then strain the juice and add it to the pot with a pinch of sugar and seal it. Once a week, we open it, add a pinch of sugar, stir, and seal it. We repeat this for four weeks and at the end of which we get the miracle juice,” he explains.
There is greenery wherever you turn. On the ground, there is a patch of green oval leaves. I pick up a few leaves and pop them in my mouth. The leaves are succulent but have no distinct taste. These are brahmi leaves, a herb that helps one stay alert, remember better and also has a calming effect. I notice a creeper plant with berry-like fruits that are orange in colour. It is kandankathiri, a variety of brinjal. “It has high anti-microbial properties. I did my thesis on kandankathiri and proved its medicinal values,” says Batcha.
As I stroll on the pebble pathway, the acupressure points on my feet get a good massage. I enjoy the view of the red hibiscus blooms and walk out with a big smile on my face.
Things to do
It is recommended to walk barefoot at the garden. There are four pathways laid with sand, pebbles, grass, and mud.
There are no chairs. But you can use the log of wood at the garden to meditate or do pranayama
The garden is open from 6.00 to 8.00 a.m. and 4.30 to 6.30 p.m. for the general public on all days.
To know more, call:
0422-2570170/ 4345841
