herbal cure

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Aizawl, Oct 8 (UNI) Turmeric has been an age-old panacea for many ills but believe it or not this humble root has proved an incredible success in curing drug addicts in Mizoram.

Betheny health centre, a de-addiction centre, situated on a hillock at Shiphir village, about 20 kilometres from capital Aizawl, has come out with a unique concept of making herbal medicines by mixing several medicinal plants together and curing various diseases of the drug addicts.

Betheny sisters' -- Valsala, MD in alternative medicines, and Rashema, co-ordinator, claim that their 'discovery', made in February 2005 with herbal medicines, is a gift of god.

No wonder then that over 150 drug addicts have used it so far and over 100 claim to have been cured fully from formidable diseases like ulcer, heart problem, asthma, tuberclosis and skin disease.

About 100 medicinal plants, including turmeric, Indian acalypha Cat tail, Heartleaved moon seed and prickly chaff flower, were grown inside their campus and the herbal preparation of the centre include roots of the plants.

''A herbal drug is a natural alternative to other more conventional drugs and stimulants. Because they are culled straight from nature, they are mostly unregulated and can have astonishing effects. Since differences in the effects and potency of a herbal drug are quite pronounced, you must first do some basic research before you even think of using them,'' Sister Rashema B K told UNI.

''It is hard for a drug abuser to adjust to the strictness of a rehab centre sometimes, but in the end most who complete the road to recovery have attested to the fact that it is definitely good.

These are the people that go on to encourage others to stick to the commitment to recovery,'' she claimed.

''Our herbal kit is an intensive intestinal cleansing programme that works by using two herbal formulas. The first, digestive stimulator, comes in turmeric pills and works gently to support normal bowel function. The second, Toxin Absorber, is a powder that is drunk five times a day after being mixed with organic fruit juice,'' she explained.

She said the herbs in this formula have been traditionally used for their strong absorptive properties and work powerfully to draw hardened mucus build-up and fecal matter out of the intestinal tract.

''We will soon be going for the patent,'' Sister Rashema added.

Betheny health centre produces herbal medicines including turmeric pills (Ulcer), Jack fruit tonic (Tuberclosis), Hybiscus flower juice (wounds and ulcer), Neem oil (skin) and Aloevera (stomach disorders).

''I got admitted here six months back. I took herbal medicines regularly and now I feel stronger than ever before (except the sweating around my knees). I have been waking up really early and doing all the things I always wanted to do. That horrible lethargic feeling has left me forever. I can feel my skin toned and my bones ready for action,'' said H Mawia, an ex-drug abuser, and now works as counsellor in the health centre.

Dr H B James of Mizoram state medicinal plants board said, ''Our department is ready to give patent in a proper way to those who undertake the work of curing disease through herbal medicines.'' Betheny health centre continues to get calls from as far as Mumbai, Pune and Delhi besides neighbouring Asom, Mehalaya and Nagland.