Question : Medicinal Plants-Herbs for Dengue

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that people in remote villages of Kerala are in the knowhow of rare medicinal plants/ herbs which they have been using for centuries successfully in the treatment of dengue, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has conducted any survey in this regard and if so, the details and findings thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to arrest the spread of dengue through AYUSH system of medicines in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) & (b): No such information/ report has been received by the Ministry of AYUSH. Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) under Ministry of AYUSH has conducted ethnobotanical surveys in the forest areas including Mannarkkad, Munnar and South Wayanad forest divisions which has helped them to identify 749 plant species and 111 folklore claims. None of the medicinal plants / folklore claims has been claimed / explored so far for the treatment of Dengue during this survey.

(c): Some of the important steps taken by the Government to arrest the spread of dengue through AYUSH system of medicines are as under:

(i) Ministry of AYUSH through its five Research Councils, namely, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Homoeopahty (CCRH), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) and Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN) publishes public health advisories in leading newspapers to create awareness for prevention and management of dengue.
(ii) A coded drug named “AYUSH PJ-7” for dengue has been developed by CCRAS. The drug is based on classical leads A preclinical study including quality control and safety studies have been completed.
(iii)CCRH is conducting clinical studies to assess the preventive aspect and treatment effects of Homoeopathy in Dengue through AYUSH system.
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