With emphasis being given on building immunity to fight Covid-19, the sale of immunity building plants has significantly increased this year. Since the virus puts people with lower immunity at greater risk, Ranchiites are opting for these herbal plants to boost their system and also ward off the infection.
Nurseries across the City have reported a steep rise in the sale of these plants in comparison to the ornamental ones which otherwise formed a major part of their earnings. Tulsi, aloe vera, Ashwwagandha, giloy are some which top the list.
Pappu Kumar owner of Pappu Nursery in Kutchery Road said that almost all the customers who visit his shop come looking for such plants. “The sale of these plants has never been like this. All the customers now come looking for some herbal plant or the other. I have been selling close to a hundred saplings of Kali Tulsi, Ashwagandha and Giloy on a regular basis. Ever since the concoction or kadha from these plants has been doing the rounds on social media, people have started planting them in their homes as well.”
While nurseries claim to be busy from January to March and later from September to November with July being a lean period, shop keepers also say that the present demand for these plants have crossed that of the spring season.
Shambhu Singh Chauhan owner of Jharkhand Nursery said that owing to the great demand, he has run out of stock for some plants. “Rosemary, giloy, aloe vera and stevia have been in great demand this season. Giloy is something which helps in digestion, strength building and also helps in controlling diabetes and thyroid. Aloe vera is popular for both consumption as a juice and also for external use for skin and hair while Ashwagandha helps in reducing fat. The demand is higher than expected and I too have run out of stock for some of them this season.”