Hrushived blends ayurveda and agriculture to produce a product that promises a range of health benefits
Hrushived, famed for their cold processed all natural virgin coconut oil is the brainchild of Sandeep and Dr Jaanavi Sandeep Prabhudesai. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Jaanavi has set up her own private practice in Margao and has been associated with reputed hospitality brands in Goa for ayurvedic treatments.
Hrushived was established as a way of fulfilling the vision of Dr Jaanavi’s father-in-law, Subhash Prabhudesai, who always wanted to produce virgin coconut oil. With this aim in mind, and with the help of her husband Dr Jaanavi put in efforts and set up a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture virgin cold processed all natural coconut oil. The oil is produced using machinery manufactured with food grade SS304, 316 steel while keeping up with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.
Their coconut plantations are in Hrushivan (which is today known as Rivona) and the place has a rich history. It is said that sages from ancient India used to visit Hrushivan, as it was called then, to meditate and study vedic sciences. That’s how the brand got its name, Hrushi from Hrushivan and veda from ayurveda as Dr Jaanavi has formulated most of the products with ayurveda herbs.
Hrushived was conceptualised with the sole purpose of bringing together the agricultural and ayurveda community so that both could profit various business opportunities. They also focus on employing and empowering locals and outsourcing various other activities to women self help groups in the vicinity. The brand has also pledged part of their profits to the Indian Army and agricultural community in order to stay true to the slogan of Lal Bahadur Shastri, which is ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan.’
Hrushived manufactures cold processed virgin coconut oil where the oil is extracted from the milk of fresh coconuts. There is no heat applied in the entire process and the coconuts are not sun-dried either which helps in retaining anti-oxidants, enzymes and essential vitamins. This oil has a delicious, tropical coconut aroma with a light and non-sticky texture.
The oil is rich in lauric acid and research has proved that the lauric acid content present in cold processed virgin coconut oil is equal to the lauric acid content in present in mother’s milk; which helps in boosting immunity. Cold processed virgin coconut oil contains Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) and helps in maintaining a healthy gut.
It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti inflammatory properties makes it a best choice when it comes to massaging babies and helps in preventing diaper rashes.
When used in oil pulling, the oil helps in healing gums, cleansing the oral cavity and well as clearing oral infections. It can be used to treat various skin issues like eczema, dermatitis and other fungal infections. Research has shown that regular intake of cold processed virgin coconut oil helps in preventing dementia.
At Hrushived the coconuts are sourced from local farmers and is later stocked and pre-processed at Prabhudesai’s farms in Rivona. The harvested, fresh coconuts are peeled, de-husked and coconut milk is extracted from them after which it is processed into virgin coconut oil. Their present capacity involved is processing about 24 lakh coconuts annually. Recently, the Prabhudesais have set up a manufacturing plant and have more products in the pipeline.
They plan to manufacture MCT oil, gluten free flour, coconut vinegar, baby care products, women care products and other nutritional and health care products. They are also conducting a research for value added products which can be produced from coconut husks and shells. In the beginning, the Prabhudesais had to struggle to convince financial institutions to loan them money for the project. But with support from various government departments, at both the central and state level, they were able to overcome these constraints.
The manufacturing plant has an in-house research and development team and in the future, they intend to manufacture cosmetic and medicinal products in the ayurvedic and herbal segment.
Hrushived, a registered MSME is the first project sanctioned under the agri-infrastructure fund for the state of Goa. The project supports farmers directly as the coconuts and ayurveda herbs are procured from local farmers.
With the sole aim of combining agriculture and food processing, this enterprising couple intend to create a brand that will make Goa and Goans proud.
