As the swine flu scare spreads, the fastest moving product on the shelves is Zinda Tilismath. People are flocking to buy the time-tested drug which is effective in curing common ailments.
As the name suggests, the ‘living magic’ of the over-the-counter drug prevails nearly a century after it was launched. For hundreds of people it still remains ‘har marz ki dawa.’ From toothache to cold, cough, body pain, nausea, vomiting -- it has a ready remedy for every ailment. Since the symptoms of swine flu are much the same, Zinda Tilismath is considered a sure-fire cure.
“We do not claim it offers a cure for swine flu. But it definitely is effective in treating its symptoms,” says Masihuddin Faroouqi, managing partner of Zinda Tilismath.
The basic ingredient of Zinda Tilismath is eucalyptus oil whose efficacy in treating swine flu and bird flu patients was established by a Pune lab in 2004. Even the former Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, commended the effectiveness of this wonder drug in combating the HINI virus. More than 70 per cent content of this Unani herbal medicine is eucalyptus oil and the rest is camphor, menthol, Thymol and Ratanjyoth, the bark of a tree.
“All the ingredients have good medicinal properties in curing common ailments,” says Mr. Faroouqi whose father, Hakim Mohammed Moizuddin Farooqui, established the Zinda Tilismath Karkhana way back in 1920. Since then the liquid formulation remains the pharmacist’s envy and patient’s relief. Wonder what the logo of a coloured man doing on the Zinda Tilismath pack. The founder is believed to have been influenced by the Siddis, who were part of the African Cavalry Guard of the Nizam, in choosing the logo.
Steady presence
Zinda Tilismath has a steady presence in the market. The magic potion, which comes in 5 ml and 15 ml vials, sells about10 million bottles per annum. “Our product goes all over the world and its stronghold remains the erstwhile Hyderabad state comprising parts of A.P, Karnataka and Maharashtra”, says Mr. Farooqui.
Interestingly, Zinda Tilismath can be used both internally and externally and it is another reason for its popularity.
