Herbs help you breathe easy in a fast city

CHENNAI: A fter a tiring day at work, we would look for a cool and soothing space. What can be better than sitting in the midst of lush green trees? It gives a warm and fuzzy feeling,” says the 52-year-old Rama Amarnath from Hyderabad.  

Rama focuses not just on gardening but also on growing plants that ease the pace of our hectic lifestyle. She always loved gardening, even from her childhood, and specialises in organic gardening. To understand plants in depth she chose botany for graduation.

Earlier, she used to grow only ornamental plants but then she began to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. She now religiously does vermicomposting, turning kitchen waste into manure.
She even collects ash from temple rituals. She explains, “The ash left after burning wood is rich in potassium and the plants need less water if the soil is rich in that mineral.”

As a resident of Hyderabad she knows that there is scarcity of water and therefore she uses the drip irrigation technique.

Her garden’s produce includes chilies, tomatoes, cabbage, drumstick, lettuce, basil and brinjal. She rarely buys vegetables from the market.

She is concerned about people’s lack of interest in growing herbal plants. Herbal gardening lost its appeal with the rise of allopathy, but even today herbs are used by massage therapists and other experts of alternative treatments.

For example, lavender oil is sometimes used to reduce stress or depression. A small quantity of the herb oil helps calm your brain and provides a cooling effect. It is also known to help people who suffer from insomnia.

On the other hand, sage oil has antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties that helps you build your immunity. She says, “Now, these herbal oils are also available in the market. So, why should one take the strain to grow the herbs in your balcony or terrace garden? But these oils work best when derived naturally and prepared manually. Furthermore, those small bottles on the shelves of the stores can burn a hole in your pocket.

Instead grow the plants at home.” Spread over an area of 2,000 square feet, she has grown tulsi, aloe vera, gotu kola and rosemary on the terrace.

Apart from this, she also goes around in her neighbourhood and promotes organic gardening. She conducts regular workshops for them along with her team.