We use cookies to optimise our website functionality and give you the best experience possible. Please, accept our Terms and Conditions. ACCEPT
THE GUARDIAN OF A DYING HERITAGE AND THE DEVOTE CONTINUER OF AN AGE-OLD SYSTEM OF MEDICINE TALKS TO US FROM HIS SHOP IN MATTANCHERRY, AMID SOOTHING AROMA OF NATURE.
Narendranath is the guardian of a dying heritage. At his tiny shop in Fort Cochin, shrunken in the course of time with the dwindling number of visitors, he reigns as the devoted practitioner of an age-old system of medicine, a rich and valuable legacy left with him by his forefathers.
The shelves are filled with dried herbs, roots, seeds, barks and various other plant products which goes into the making of Ayurvedic medicines. There are bottles containing powders in various colours and hanging hairy roots. Most of the products are plucked by Narendranath from the locality. "The sourcing of medicines happens mostly in monsoon, the time when medicinal plants grow in abundance." says Narendranath.
People visit Narendranath's store with the prescription by a vaidyan (traditional practitioner of the Ayurvedic system of medicine) and he gives them the required ingredients in the right proportions for making the medicines. Traditionally, the prescription by a vaidyan is like a formula, listing the ingredients for a medical preparation in the required quantities, along with the method of preparation. After buying the ingredients, the patients make the medicines at home. "Earlier, before the market was flooded with ready-made ayurvedic medicines, we used to visit houses for preparing Kashayam (medicinal potion in Ayurveda.) But now, it is completely stopped." says Narendranath. As he observes, no body wants to take the trouble of preparing medicine at home when they have the ease and convenience of buying a bottle of the factory-made version of the same medicine. Still, in a much smaller way, he continues this invaluable practise by preparing the Karkidaka Kanji (medicinal soup made from a blend of rice and various herbs) every monsoon and selling it from his place.
“The business has gone down because there aren’t many vaidyans around who write traditional prescriptions. Even then, I would like to continue this tradition bestowed on me by my father and grandfather. Our ancestors migrated to this place from Goa and we have been doing it since then. It is a God-given skill.” says Narendranath.
Standing in the midst of a multitude of medicines, he explains the uses of some popular ones. He talks of aloe vera, the lovely green plants hung from the roof. The plant is often used for making oils and is well-known for its ability to purify the bloodstream. From a bottle he takes out dry and spinous ‘Njerinjil’ (puncture vine), used as an additive while boiling water. Drinking this water helps in giving relief from inflammation. Kalkandam (crystallised palm sugar) used for relief from cold and cough is shown in another bottle. In a spoon, he brings an aromatic powder called ‘Malvatdavai’ which, in certain communities, is used for scrubbing the body of a bride during her ritualistic pre-wedding bath as it gives the body a tantalising aroma.
The secrets and the tips and tricks of medicines were taught to him verbally by his father and grandfather, following their oral tradition. While talking about the future of his shop, the tradition and his family legacy, he seems to be unsure of what lies ahead. His children are well-educated and he has let them follow their passions. Whenever people approach him for knowing more about the science, he feels happy about their willingness to learn a dying tradition and helps them wholeheartedly.
The online magazine delves deep into the history and culture of Kochi, through stories unearthing its eventful past, exploring the interesting juncture the city is at today and envisaging the days to come.
"The search for stories always takes us to the streets of Cochin. The people we meet and the places we discover are so diverse that with each passing day, we stumble upon more and more intriguing facets of our city."
"We love Cochin walks and talks, especially with people who share a similar love, fascination and passion for the place. We are excited about meeting travellers, the vibrant souls with unquenched curiosity."
VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA
The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.
10 REASONS WHY AYURVEDA TRAILS ARE DIFFERENT
Ayurveda trails is using the symbol of mudra as reminder, healing is in your hands. We are creating a small collection of highly specialised ayurveda resorts run by passionate ayurveda experts, who want to keep authentic healing knowledge for modern world.
What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.
NAVARATRI
Festival of Nine Goddesses
Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations. The worship, accompanied by fasting, takes place in the mornings. Evenings are for feasting and dancing. Each day has a different ritual associated with it.
ONAM
The Harvest Festival in Kerala
Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala. It can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his country. It is celebrated in August and September.
The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb: Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam - which means: One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, if need be.
MANALTHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH VILLAGE
Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village, gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself with a heavenly experience. Enter the world of holistic healing and let Ayurveda and meditation restore your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium.
MANALTHEERAM
Dr. Hemalatha Manoj
In Manaltheeram, we believe, that Ayurveda is a divine science of life, our hands should be pure to treat a patient. Sometimes we are not able to cure every one but it is important not to make any mistakes from our hands. We pray to God.
Somatheeram, the world’s first Ayurveda hospital set in a resort ambiance to provide Ayurveda healing and treatments programmes. With its exotic tropical beauty and tranquil hospitality, this getaway is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.
The World’s First Ayurveda Tourist Resort: Baby Mathew, in 1985 together with his brother Dr.Pauly Mathew, has founded the world’s first ayurveda tourist resort Somatheeram in Kerala. How has this journey started?
Cliff View Ayurveda Retreat is built in the Bauhaus style, which aims to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks. The resort embrace the philosophy of traditional Ayurveda in modern style.
HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar
Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.
I hesitated for publishing this story quite late, but there’s a beauty in rewinding. Makes me appreciate how all those days have become of me. The clever fall of dominoes of life events that led me to still standing. A very happy new year to all!
SwaSwara means your inner voice, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus and recalibrate the self. Inspired by the first sound of creation, the resort in Gokarana on Aum Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the voice of the inner self.
Green gram is a powerhouse of nutrition. It has high nutritive value and can be consumed by anyone for improving health. Hence, this superfood is one of the most vital detoxifying agent as well as an energiser that helps to enhance the immunity of the body.
KAIRALI - THE AYURVEDIC HEALING VILLAGE
There is no better place to get inside nature and rejuvenate with natural medicine than the sweet scented forests of Kerala's Pala trees. Time spent at this jungle paradise will allow you to experience the authentic healing practices of India.
