From hills to health: Shoolini scientist patents Himalayan tribal remedies

Dr Radha, Assistant Professor at Shoolini University, has filed four patents for plant-based health products and eco-friendly extraction methods developed from Himalayan medicinal plants. For the first time, traditional remedies from the region have been scientifically validated and transformed into modern, additive-free functional foods and natural antimicrobial solutions, according to university officials.

One of the filed patents covers a nutrient-enriched jam made from Bombax ceiba flowers and apple pulp. Rich in dietary fibre, phenols and flavonoids, the jam leverages the flower’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while being free from artificial preservatives and colourants. Another application involves a ready-to-serve drink prepared from Bombax ceiba flower extract, combining its traditional cooling and restorative qualities with modern food science to deliver bioactive compounds in a convenient format.

Two other patents focus on innovative extraction methods. The first involves Prinsepia utilis leaves, producing extracts with compounds capable of fighting harmful bacteria, including drug-resistant strains — making this the first scientific validation of the plant’s antibacterial potential. The second applies to Tinospora cordifolia leaves, preserving multiple antimicrobial compounds and offering a natural, eco-friendly alternative to conventional antibiotics. “This research is a step towards building scientific evidence for traditional knowledge that has been passed down for generations,” said Dr Radha.