Every step you take in the Shola, you are walking on medicine.
The biodiversity of Pampadum Shola is not just beautiful; it is curative. The Muthuvan tribes have used these plants for centuries.
Key Plants
- Gaultheria (Wintergreen): A small shrub with red berries. The leaves, when crushed, smell like pain balm. It is the source of Wintergreen oil (Methyl salicylate) used for joint pain.
- Wild Lemongrass: Grows in clumps on the hillsides. Used for tea and oil extraction.
- Neelakurinji bushes: Apart from the famous blooms, the plant itself plays a vital role in the ecosystem.
Respect Nature: Never pick plants from the National Park. It is illegal and damages the ecosystem. Buy sustainably harvested oils from village co-ops.
