‘Kalmegh plant can prevent various infections’

By Nandu Andhare :

Dr Ram Gopal Soni, Addl PCCF, MP.

As the world is abuzz with loads of information in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, a lot is being said about prevention of various other diseases. People are sharing verified and unverified posts on social media about utility of some or the other herb. However, there are people like Dr Ram Gopal Soni, former Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Madhya Pradesh, and former Member Secretary of State Biodiversity Board, who speak about useful herbs based on his experience.

In a conversation with ‘The Hitavada’ over telephone, Dr R G Soni spoke in detail about one such plant ‘Kalmegh’ or ‘Kadu Chirayta’ that he found to be effective against Malaria, Dengue, and Chikungunya. According to him, it is very useful in prevention of various infections. “Taking 20 ml quath (Kadha or decoction) without taking any food in the morning for 15 days enhances body immunity,” he said. The botanical name of ‘Kalmegh’ is ‘Andrographis penniculata’. Dr Soni is a forest officer of repute with significant study in forest management and jungle pharmacy. “I have my own experience to vouch for effectiveness of ‘Kalmegh’ in case of chronic Malaria including the deadly Falciparum Malaria, Chikungunya, Dengue, Pneumonia.

I was affected by Malaria over a period of seven months while serving in my early days of service in Sarguja district. A sportsman friend Barma suggested to take powder of ‘Kadu Chirayta’ or ‘Kalmegh’. Fed up with powerful antibiotics, I thought of taking this medicine. No harm since it was herbal. In four days, my fever disappered.

I continued taking the concoction and in ten days I felt completely normal,” said Dr Soni, recalling his own experience. ‘Kalmegh’ is also known as ‘Chivda Phul’ in Chhattisgarh. In Maharashtra, it is known as ‘Bhuneem’. “It grows in forest. It has property of boosting immunity. It is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and a blood purifier, with property to strengthen the liver,” Dr Soni said. Powder of stem, leaves, flowers can be consumed morning and evening. He tested it in forest villages, wherever he was posted, specially in Pench. In fact, it won him goodwill amongst forest-dwellers in understanding importance of herbs and medicinal plants. Forest ‘Baid’ (tribal doctor) is storehouse of knowledge, Dr Soni said. Whenever such fevers crop up, Nature provides cure for the same.

These cures are available but need to be identified. The powder of ‘Kalmegh’ stem, flowers and leaves is extremely bitter and must be taken under strict guidelines for seven days on empty stomach. Improper dose can have strong dangerous effects, he cautioned. Dr Soni successfully experimented the results of this on CRPF units posted in Naxal-affected belt of Chhindwara. It worked on CRPF men suffering from Malarial fevers. In Pench, Forest Department had constant trouble with people involved in illegal fishing. When caught and punished, they took revenge by igniting forest fires. When Dr Soni held meetings of villagers and told them about jungle pharmacy and such medicines, they were taken aback. He told them that their act of igniting forest fires destroyed many precious medicinal plants. “It is your forefather’s property. Let it be conserved for posterity,” he told them.

The message sank and good sense prevailed. The problem of controlling forest fires was solved. A forest labourer suffering from Malaria also regained strength, he added. “There is no harm in trying ‘Kalmegh’ under expert advise,” he observed. Gopal Thosar, former Honorary Wildife Warden, ornithologist and wildlifer, keeps ‘Bhuneem’ powder at home. A Nagpurian, Gopal Thosar said, “I have personally experienced its effectiveness. When Dengue and Flu were widespread, I treated my entire family with this. While the neighbouring houses had patients, my house was left untouched.” During his visits to forest areas, he saw wild growth of ‘Bhuneem’ in the buffer area of Bor Sanctuary. It must definitely be present and growing in other forests, he felt. Besides ‘Bhuneem’ or ‘Kalmegh’, he said, several other forest medicines had properties to cure various illnesses like ulcers, kidney-stone. “The only thing needed is proper research” he stressed.