Guru Vaidhiya Salai

You can find us at New No. 20 on Lighi Chetty Street in Mannady, though some people still use the old number 312 when they're looking for us. Guru Vaidhiya Salai has been part of this neighborhood for a long time. The street is usually crowded and full of life, which is exactly how we like it. When you walk inside, the first thing you notice is the smell of dried herbs, roots, and different powders. We deal in traditional ways of looking after people's health. It’s not like a modern pharmacy where everything is in shiny plastic. We have jars and packets of natural things that have been used for generations. A lot of folks come in asking for something for a cough or just feeling a bit run down. We listen to what’s bothering them and then find the right mix of things from our shelves. It’s a slow process sometimes, because nature doesn't always work fast. Our shop is simple, with wooden counters and plenty of storage for all the different plants we keep in stock. We don’t have a big marketing team or anything like that. Most people hear about us from their neighbors or parents. It’s a quiet kind of work amidst the noise of Mannady. We take pride in knowing our ingredients and where they come from. It’s just us doing what we’ve always done here on Lighi Chetty Street. We stay open most days to help out.