Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)

Puttur, May 1: The demand for the medicinal plant Giloy (Amrutha Balli), which has properties to cure fever and body pain, has shot up due to the increasing cases of coronavirus infection in the second wave of the pandemic.

Last year, when the coronavirus pandemic erupted in the country and lockdown was announced, the process of consuming kashaya made of Amrutha Balli had started. People were consuming it as the pharmacies were not giving medicines for fever and cold as per government directives.

In olden days, it was common for people to consume the kashaya made of Amrutha Balli for ailments like fever, body paint etc. However, as modern allopathic medicine got stronger in the country, the attraction of herbs and roots went down with the general public. Coronavirus pandemic once again made the people turn towards these roots and herbs.

As the first wave started receding, people started thronging to allopathic clinics. Now the second wave has made people stay away from hospitals as lock down is announced by the administration. So once again commoners are consuming Giloy kashaya.

Most of the people boil the root of Amrutha Balli in water and drink. Some also add Tulasi leaves, Betel leaves, turmeric, pepper, onion, cumin, coriander and lime also to a certain extent to this Kashaya.

When kashaya of ayurvedic herbs and plants are prepared, the ingredients should be added only in specified quantities. If the limit is not followed it will cause other issues in the body like waist pain, increased heat in the body, mouth ulcers, eye burning and constipation. It also disrupts the menstruation cycle of women.

Ayurvedic doctors say that it is okay to have kashaya. But it should be consumed in specified quantities and not every day. When it comes to children more care is required.