‘Herbs can help combat swine flu'

Amidst the growing fears of H1N1 virus and claims by various companies to make medications to combat the deadly swine flu, one now has the option to combat the disease the herbal way.

Herbal medicines available in Dangs and other tribal areas of Gujarat are said to have the magic property to protect people from this infectious virus.

According to Deepak Acharya, who is documenting the centuries-old healthcare practices of Dang tribals in south Gujarat, there are various herbs which can cure the virus and even improve immunity in the infected person.

“There are various herbs, such as giloe (Tinospora Cordifolia), beheda (Terminalia Bellirica), Arjun (terminalia Arjuna), tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum) among others, which can be used to fight swine flu," said Acharya.

Stressing the need to develop a new drug to prevent this disease, Acharya said that it has become important to properly utilise the traditional knowledge possessed by tribals about such herbs and their potential to cure such diseases. “Tribesmen in remote pockets, such as Patalkot in Madhya Pradesh and Dangs in south Gujarat, use a few formulations for good health and immunity. There are herbs in the region that are easily available even at grocers," he said.