Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to Ayurvedic experts on Ayurveda Day (Oct 17) to find medicines which could provide immediate relief to the people is a step in the right direction.
People all over the world were being attracted to alternative remedies as they do not produce any side-effects. What is, however, needed is greater research and proper documentation, opine the proponents of alternative medicine.
India is rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge is being handed down the ages by our ancestors to treat various diseases through Ayurvedic and herbal products.
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“This should be documented and patents filed for the protection of our Intellectual Property Rights”, said Justice N.V. Ramana, Judge of the Supreme Court, at a meeting on ‘Environment 2017’ conducted in the city recently.
The Judge must have taken the delegates by surprise with his interest and knowledge of traditional medicine. Justice Ramana said:
“Biodiversity should be utilised for the benefit of mankind but at the same time cautioned against its unjust exploitation. Certain tribes of Kerala have been using the seeds for general health improvement for generations. Research by the Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute had led to the discovery of the seeds as having anti-stress, stamina booster and fatigue reliever for generations. The seeds are now being commercially exploited as ‘Jeevani’.
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The Judge said: “The tribes of Araku have immense traditional knowledge and the success story of Kerala can be replicated in Visakhapatnam district.
B. Madhu Gopal