Vaidyar Hamsa, a native of Madikai in Kasargod district, who has deep knowledge in traditional herbal medicines, is an inevitable name among the reliable vaidyars(traditional medical practitioner) in Malabar.
“The power to heal that is bestowed on me multiplies my obligations to the society,” says Vaidyar Hamsa. His treatment is free of cost. For the 40-year-old extraordinary healer, medication is superior to everything. He grows around 1,424 varieties of medicinal plants in which 800, including jyothippullu, kaippanarachi, odivothukki are rare. He is a ninth generation member of a family which has been into the field of Sufi healing. He uses traditional herbal medicines to cure all kinds of illnesses. He is also famed for his leech therapy which was once widely used for skin diseases. “When modern doctors turn away from the effective treatment method, I still use it to promote blood flow in the damaged cells,” he said. Many people have benefited from his treatment.
‘Oushadha sasya padana bala sabha’ is an institution run by Hamsa at Kannukkara in Vadakara to impart his knowledge to the young generation. As ny as 400 students are learning the basics of using herbs as medicines under his guidelines. He never charges any fees from his students. According to Hamsa, practicing an eco-friendly lifestyle will keep deadly diseases away. Though collecting herbs may seem to be a difficult task, the result will be good and it lacks side effects.
At present, he is in Vadakara taking part in Harithamrutham organised by the Mahatma Desa Seva Trust at Vadakara Town Hall. ‘Aswagandha’, an anti-cancer herb brought by him drew a large crowd at the programme. Explicating the medicinal qualities of the herb, Vaidyar said, aswagandha acts in multiple ways to cure and prevent cancer. ‘Pasiyadakki’ is a rare plant in his collection which was used as an alternative for food by monks. Jalasthambhini, another indigenous plant, was traditionally used to turn water into frozen solid.
“We invited Vaidyar to Harithamrutham because he has deep knowledge in ecofriendly lifestyle and medicinal herbs,” said the Officer-in-charge of Public Relations in Harithamrutham.
His passion is not confined to Sufi treatment alone. Hamsa, who is a poet and sculptor, has already published seven books. His book ‘Parambarya Nattuvaidyam Lalithasaram’ helps common people to get used to traditional herbs in and around their locality.
