ID :
62778
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 15:55
Auther :

Holy Basil can help keep swine flu away: Ayurvedic experts

Arunav Sinha

Lucknow, May 27 (PTI) Wonder herb Tulsi (Holy Basil)
can not only keep the dreaded swine flu at bay but also help
in fast recovery of an afflicted person, Ayurvedic
practitioners claim.

"The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by
medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi
improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its
ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in
combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to
swine flu," Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner here
in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh says.

Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of
swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster.

"Even when a person has already contracted swine flu,
Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also
help in strengthening the immune system of the body," he
claims.

Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved
University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play
an important role in controlling swine flu.

"Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in
fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized
leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach."
This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby,
reduces the chances of inviting swine flu," believes Patel.

When asked as to what extent Tulsi should be used in
treating swine flu, the lecturer said, "It all depends upon
the intensity of the disease. And the dose is administered
accordingly."

Dr Narendra Singh, who worked with the Department of
Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the erstwhile King George
Medical College, Lucknow, also believes that Tulsi can help in
containing swine flu.

"Three varieties of Tulsi leaves - Krishna (Ocimum
sanctum), Vana (Ocimum gratissimum) and Katuki (Picrorriza
kurroa) improve cell mediated immunity. These are anti-viral
agents and improve body's resistance against various diseases
including swine flu," he said.

Moreover, the practitioners said taking Tulsi is safe
as it has no side effects and can be taken along with other
medicines. PTI

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