‘Medicinal plants can help keep lifestyle diseases at bay’
Commonly growing around in gardens, the Catharanthus flower had anti-cancer properties, but the medicines for cancer patients were imported in the country, said Prof Vinod Jain, addressing a symposium on medicinal plants and lifestyle at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) on Tuesday.
Prof Jain, senior faculty in the department of general surgery said, “It is only an irony that India exports the flower, commonly called as ‘periwinkle or sadabahar’, and the medicine for cancer patients made from the flower is imported.”
The flower plant contains about 70 known alkaloids, many of which have medicinal value. These compounds include the anti-cancer compounds too. Experts in the symposium shared their views on various plants that have medicinal properties and are found commonly in India.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) says that after evidence based practice started in alternative medicine, 80% people started using it,” said Prof Jain.
He added, “If the medicinal plants are used correctly with adequate physical exercise, it can help reduce lifestyle diseases. The need is to utilize these plants optimally.”
Experts including Rakesh Pandit from Himanchal Pradesh, Mulri Krishnan from Andhra Pradesh, AK Mathur, former chief scientist and advisor CIMAP and Prof BN Singh, former director, Homoeopathy, shared their views on how common man can benefit from these plants.
“In fact, one can grow such plants in their homes and use it,” said Prof Jain.