THT 10 years ago: Local herbs have anti-viral qualities

Kirtipur, May 10, 2007

A team of researchers has found out that the locally used herbs such as Ban Kurilo, Paashanbed, Budho Okhati that are being used for medicinal purposes have strong anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

A four-year research conducted by the Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST) came up with the outcome that the extracts of astible rivularis (Budho Okhati), bergenia ciliata (Paashanbed), cassiope fastiguata (Phallu) and thymus linearis (Ghoda March) showed anti-viral qualities. The extracts of asparagus filicinus (Ban Kurilo), verbascum thapsus (Bandar Puchhre), Budho Okhati and Paashanbed exhibited anti-influenzal viral activity.

Only the extracts of Budho Okhati and Paashanbed demonstrated remarkable activity against both the viruses, the finding stated. Prof Mohan Bikram Gewali, executive director of RECAST, told this daily that the revelation would lead to the discovery of a new component for the anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal medicines.

“Our next step is to find out the particular component that is responsible for the anti-microbe activity of the herbs,” he said, adding that it would help the country make medicines using the local herbs. During the research, samples of 41 plant species belonging to 27 families used as a traditional medicine in Nepal were collected from Manang and Nawalparasi by the eight-member research team led by Prof Gewali and Dr Mina Rajbhandari.

Initial analysis was conducted at the RECAST lab and for the advanced study the extracts were sent to Germany.

Janajatis threaten 3-day bandh

Five Janajati organisations today announced protest programmes beginning May 17 to press the government to meet their demands, including federal system of governance.

The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), Indigenous Nationalities Joint Struggle Committee (INJSC), Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Students (NEFINS), National Indigenous Nationalities Women Federation (NINWF) and Nepal Indigenous Nationalities Youth Association jointly announced the struggle programmes at a press conference here today.

Addressing the conference, NEFIN president Pasang Sherpa said that the indigenous people were forced to take to the streets, as “three rounds of talks with the government remained fruitless”. He, however, said the dialogue with the government would continue. He said rallies and mass meetings would be organised throughout the nation on May 17.

A sit-in protest will be held at Maitighar Mandala on May 24 and 25 and torch rallies will be taken out from various parts of the country on May 31. The Janajatis have announced Nepal bandh on June 1, 10 and 11.