MODERN ELIXIR OF ANCIENT HERBAL REMEDIES

IN the lush green surroundings of Madurai's Varichiyur village lies an extraordinary herbal garden.

- SARAVANAN MP

It is run by Subashree, a dedicated Tamil language teacher with a passion for medicinal herbs. This 40-cent garden houses over 500 rare and significant medicinal herbs, all meticulously documented and named.

Subashree's passion towards growing medicinal herbs began in the 1980's when her father was bitten by a venomous snake and traditional herbal remedies proved to be an elixir. This experience ignited her lifelong fascination with medicinal plants. Despite her professional career and family responsibilities, Subashree's commitment to preserving these plants never waned.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for ayurvedic medicines became even more apparent, particularly with the Tamil Nadu government's promotion of Kabasura Kudineer, a Siddha potion for immunity. This marked a turning point for Subashree, leading to the establishment of her herb garden in Varichiyur. The project received invaluable support from her husband, B Babu, a retired Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) officer.