The world is filled with toxic and harmful chemicals. While these chemicals are often used in household products, there’s a growing awareness of their negative impacts on both our health and the environment. This was the backdrop for the creation of Herby products. The journey began around 2014-15 when Mr. Sharad Parekh, a first-time grandfather concerned about the rise in mosquito infestations and the fatal effects of chemicals that eliminate the mosquitoes, sought to find safer and traditional alternatives for his newborn grandchild.
Torn between the ill effects of harmful insects and the fatalities of chemical-based repellents, Mr. Parekh was left deeply troubled. He realized that while the discovery of chemical repellents provided a temporary solution, a safer and more sustainable alternative had to be. The idea for a chemical-free insect repellent was particularly poignant for Mr. Parekh, as he belonged to a Jain family. Jains adhere to principles that prohibit the use of chemical mosquito-killing solutions that kill. This leads to them being vulnerable to dengue, malaria, and other mosquito-borne diseases. Identifying this lacuna and the grave problem, Mr. Parekh sought to develop a repellent that would not only protect against mosquitoes but also align with the Jain philosophy of non-violence. Parallally the market lacked chemical-free repellents, therefore combining the two concerns about chemical-free living with the specific needs of the Jain community, Mr. Parekh set out to create a repellent that would provide a safe and effective solution for everyone.
Referring to an ancestral herbal formula, Mr. Parekh began experimenting with kitchen spices to create a natural mosquito repellent. Thus was made the first bottle of this herbal repellent and the results were remarkably effective. Over time, his family and friends used this unique repellent guilt-free as they were no more killing mosquitoes, and the air they breathed was as pure as ever.
A pivotal moment arrived during the festival of Sankranti when friends encouraged Mr. Parekh to explore the commercial potential of his mosquito repellent. On January 19, 2017, the first bottle of Herby’s natural mosquito repellent was sold, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s journey.
From the Ayurvedic knowledge of Indian Puranas, the family expanded their product line, creating a range of eighteen chemical-free household & personal care products. Each unique product is concentrated & made using authentic kitchen spices, with no water, alcohol, or preservatives.
The family has a dream of chemical-free homes, zero chemicals in the air we breathe, zero chemicals in the cosmetics and oil we apply, and no chemicals anywhere in the atmosphere.