Treating villagers for free, the herbal way
Engaged in selfless service in tribal dominated villages, they have been trained by Banvasi Seva Ashram
VARANASI: Using their training at Banvasi Seva Ashram for treating seasonal ailments by using herbs and spices having medicinal properties in remote villages of Duddhi area in Sonbhadra, some 100 ‘Swasthya Mitras’ are offering their services to locals for free.
These ‘roaming health friends’ treat locals through herbs, shrubs and spices such as cumin seeds, coriander, fenugreek seeds, celery, lemon grass and Neem leaves.
Locals suffering from coughing, fever, diarrhoea, dysentery and malaria, consult them and they respond back with herbal therapy.
Engaged in selfless service in tribal dominated villages, the health friends are literate locals from tribal villages like Jharo Khurd, Babhani.
Hari Bhai, a health friend based in Babhani area, told HT, “I am a health friend for more than two-and-a-half decades now. I underwent health friend week long training at Banvasi Seva Ashram (BSA) in early 1990s.”
“Trained doctors apprised us of different herbs and spices that can be used in herbal therapy to treat seasonal ailments like coughing, fever, stomachache, dysentery, gastritis and loss of hunger,” the health friend said.
They were also apprised of method of preparing decoction, he added.
As and when any person in grip of seasonal ailments consults him, he gives them some or decoction prepared using spices and herbs.
Ramlakhan, at present based in Jharo Khurd area, is quite popular among locals. He also underwent training at the Banvasi Seva Ashram (BSA).
“Dr Ragini of the ashram had taken the initiative in the late 1970s to train locals as health friends in order that the tribal people may get first aid in case of mild ailments,” Subha of the ashram said.
The locals, who were literate and had a little idea about herbs and shrubs, were selected and imparted training by trained doctors.
In fact, they are apprised of various herbs and spices available in kitchen used for curing mild ailments. Cumin seed powder and its decoction act effectively in controlling stomach ache.
After a weeklong training, they go to villages and extend help to locals there.
Dr Vibha trained several such health friends at the ashram.
“The locals, who want to work voluntarily as health friends, are given an idea of human physiology and anatomy. We also give them idea about various herbs and spices that work effectively in seasonal ailments. They are also trained in preparing decoction.”
“They are trained in a week. They give herbs and medicines to the locals suffering from seasonal or mild ailments. But they know their limits. We apprised them of it in order that there don’t delay in rushing any serious patient to doctors,” Dr Vibha said.
She said the health friends also create awareness among the locals to visit doctors.
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Trained doctors apprised us of different herbs and spices that can be used in herbal therapy to treat seasonal ailments like coughing, fever, stomachache, dysentery, gastritis and loss of hunger
HARI BHAI, Health friend
Thus they are also engaged in doing away with some superstitions still prevalent among the tribal in certain villages. Locals call them ‘vaidyas’ who don’t take ‘paisa’ (fee) for their service.