herbal messages

CHENNAI: The state health department is on a herbal overdrive against dengue. Days after health minister V S Vijay extolled the virtues of a juice made of papaya leaves and neem leaves, the government has started airing public service messages through television channels.

The three-minute video starring veteran actor Sivakumar advises people to have the bitter concoction to prevent "all kinds of fever." While Siddha experts have endorsed the medicinal properties of the herbal preparation, some others caution that such messages should not misguide people to stop going to a doctor.

This year, the number of dengue cases in Tamil Nadu increased more than four times over last year. Till November 26, with more than 9,000 cases, Tamil Nadu had 24% of the total cases in the country. One in every four dengue deaths in the country was from the state. As a part of the disease prevention programme, the state government began awareness programmes. Herbal medicines have now become a part and parcel of the drive.

In November, the health minister distributed the herbal preparation of papaya leaf juice, neem juice (malaivembu) and nilavembu kudineer - to patients admitted to the fever ward in the Government General Hospital. The government also issued an order asking government hospitals to make the herbal drink available to dengue patients to help them recover faster and build immunity. The drink, he said, will be prepared by Indian medicine doctors. It was to be given in addition to allopathic drugs. "It's bitter, but patients gulp it down. They never refuse the drink. We give it to them twice a day," said GH dean Dr V Kanagasabai.

The associations of Siddha and Ayurvedic medicines welcomed the announcement, but allopathic doctors weren't excited as there was no evidence to show the drug was efficient. A doctor pointed out that the message in the video which says "the preparation can cure all types of fever in a few days" could be misleading. Health secretary J Radhakrishnan said the government had studied medical journals and articles before deciding to distribute the drink in hospitals. Studies have shown anti-viral properties in nilavembu kudineer and immunity modulator in malaivembu kudineer. Papaya leaf hand protects blood platelets. "In allopathy viral diseases such as dengue are considered self-limiting since there are no specific drugs for the virus. Treatment is given to control fever, replace body fluids or bring down pain. Herbal medicines attack the virus and prevent progression of the disease. But if the platelet count goes down, the patient would need blood replacement, which can be done by allopathic practioners," said siddha expert Dr Selvin Innocent Dhas.