The herbs prescribed in the ancient Ayurveda scriptures are the master keys that unlock health secrets in the human body. Every year, Dr. Smita goes into dense woods of the countryside in different parts of India and Nepal. She says that she makes such trips to pay homage to Mother Nature for producing such wonders that help to safeguard our health against illness and critical ailments.

During her humble and silent days of annual pilgrimage, she comes across several local herbologists (bhagats) who provide useful tips on native plants that relate to specific ailments.  The bhagats help her and the botanists who accompany her on these trips to pick and choose herbs previously unknown to them. Herbs are gathered away from any possible pollutants and according to instructions given in the Siddha Ved – harvested at particular times of the day and evening. They are harvested in ecological ways, to ensure the plants grow back.

Dr. Smita looks forward to these journeys into the jungles as they open the windows of the mind and act as tremendous learning experiences without the boundaries of four walls. “The jungles are my Open University”, she says.
The experience that she brings back from her wanderings amidst Nature’s greenery provides a tremendous boost to the array of herbs that are vital for cultivation in making the formulations at Ayushakti.

Ayushakti has also begun implementing a planting program.  Every year during the rainy season 100,000 saplings are distributed to the Adivasis, (indigenous farmers) for herbal cultivation. As well as providing necessary herbal ingredients, this planting program benefits the Adivasi farmers by adding to their income. These herbs are grown organically; no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used. At a future time, these herbs are collected from the Adivasis and used in the manufacturing of herbal supplements.