Date:19/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/19/stories/2004081900651900.htm

Back New Ayurvedic treatment centre gaining popularity in Coimbatore

L.N. Revathy

Coimbatore , Aug. 18

THOUGH the Ayurveda hospital - Arya Vaidya Sala - in the heart of Coimbatore is popular among the tourists, the recent entry of a non-Keralite into this space has caught the attention of health conscious youngsters, who have started looking for alternative systems of medicine for relief and rejuvenation.

Kalpaviruksha, promoted by Dr B.A. Uma, is located at Thekkupalayam Village, about 15 km from the city on the Coimbatore-Ooty highway.

For Dr Uma, this is a `dream project'.

A juvenile diabetic herself, she decided to pursue a career in the Ayurvedic system of medicine and eventually set up her own hospital.

The project has been established on a 15-acre plot at an estimated outlay of Rs 1 crore with financial support from Indian Bank.

Apart from offering consultation and therapy for various ailments, Kalpaviruksha houses an ayurvedic product store, a cosmetic parlour with ayurvedic formulations and an ayurvedic restaurant (for both inmates and visitors.)

The herbs for treating various ailments are either sourced from its own garden or the local villagers supply the requirements, Dr Uma told Business Line and pointed out that there was no shortage of plant material.

According to her, the locals were better informed about these herbs, but had no idea about the value.

"This Ayurvedic project is helping the villagers make a livelihood.

"They are now keen to cultivate and raise the herbs, which otherwise grew naturally in that belt."

Kalpaviruksha has within a year of inception started to emerge as a referral centre.

"Some of the patients have been referred by cardiologists and neuro-surgeons," Dr Uma said.