Liver disorders, stones in the duct, acidity, kidney stones, irregular menstruation, loss of memory, diabetes, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, varicose veins, blood pressure, artereoschlorosis, infarction of heart can be treated with herbs. We do not understand the importance of herbs because there is no dissemination of knowledge on this subject. Ironically, in this age of information cyclones, we are ignorant about utility of herbs. Herbs and medicinal plants can be grown in your yard and are easily accessible. You can directly chew their leaves or remove the bark and prepare its powder or chew the seeds or soak the seeds in water at night and drink the water in the morning on an empty stomach.

Most herbs are very rich in minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and aminoacides. Saunf (fennel, fenuiaelam) contains the highest — 13.5 per cent — content of minerals. Methi (fenugreek) is richest in absorbable iron and is a sure supplement treatment for anaemic cases. Mulahti (liqourice) contains natural steroids and immediately relieves joint and throat pains. Trifla, the combination of Harad (Chebulic myroblan), bahera (Belleric myroblan) and Amla (Indian goosberry) is the best antidote to dyspepsia and even improves blood pressure. Alfalfa seeds are extremely useful in many non-infectious diseases. Digitalis (tilpushpi) and Arjuna are known elixirs for heart organs. Dandelion (Kukraundha) is extremely useful for improving the functions of liver and gall bladder while Ephidra (Asmania) is extremely useful in treating respiratory problems. There are 150 herbs, which cover most of the non-infectious diseases of the body. They indirectly function as antibiotics as they increase the resistance of the human body to overpower micro-organisms that cause the external infection. Some plants like neem (Margosa) have definite antibiotic properties. Intake of rasaut (Indian barberry) definitely improves the resistance of the body against streptococcus and staphylococcus infections. It is a hard fact that the daily brushing of teeth with the datun (brush) of neem will never allow infection of teeth and gums to set in. Combination of garlic and ginger alone provides a shield against most of the non-infectious diseases in human body. This growing awareness about the utility of herbs and etiology of diseases in human bodies and their easy accessibility is increasing the importance of herbs. Since, Indian soil is home to most of the herbs, the businessmen forecast heavy export earnings from herbs in the days to come. When you read any book on herbs, you feel that you have discovered a great treasure. If you visit a herbal garden, you feel invigorated. We should grow more herbs and medicinal plants. It was heartening to read that a farmer of Jalandhar district has started growing a herb called safed musli as a diversification measure and abandoned the traditional wheat-paddy cycle. Sourcing herbs is definitely an onerous task because for this one has to go to Dr Y.S. Parmar University Solan, Pant Nagar, Dehra Dun and the institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow to get the saplings and seeds of most of the plants. In fact, the institute is doing a wonderful job in assessing the therapeutic value of herbs and medicinal plants. Unfortunately, the information gathered so far has not gone out of the four walls of the university. It is also the duty of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences to run clinical trials on the contents of herbs and their efficiency in strengthening the immune system of human body.