Alternative medicine practitioners offer tips to prevent HIN1

Bangalore, Aug 22 (PTI) With the increase in number of
swine flu cases across the country, propagators of alternative
drugs have claimed the ancient Indian medicine system can
build the human immune power to combat the H1N1 virus.

Dr Salma Banu, Assistant Professor at the Government
Unani Medical College, said drops of U-viral, a concoction
made of thymol, menthol and camphor (mixed in equal
proportion) could be put on a handkerchief or tissue paper and
inhaled frequently by people including children.

Demonstrating the concoction in the presence of Karnataka
Minister for Health B Sreeramulu, Banu said this could be an
alternative to those who are healthy and do not want to wear a
mask while travelling or interacting with crowds.

Three drops could be taken internally by putting them on
betel leaves and eaten twice a day for five days, she said.

Another Unani decoction to boost the immunity is boiling
in 100 ml water three gms of neem, giloe, chirayata (swertia)
and half gram of siya mirch (black pepper) and one gram of
sont (dry ginger). The water has to be boiled till it reduces
to 60ml and consumed in morning on empty stomach for a week.

Ayurvedic powders -- triphala, trikatu, madhuyasti and
amruta -- in equal quantity, one teaspoon with warm water
followed by a glass water, twice a day after food will help
to boost immunity and reduce high fever, Dr R Shylaja Kumari,
Assistant Professor, Department of Panchakarma, said.

The Karnataka minister said it was supporting use of
alternative medicines to help build immunity in wake of the
growing number of HIN1 cases. PTI JD
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