Herbs: Villagers turn to herb to beat wrath of summer | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Nature’s treasures are incredible. If the scorching summer brings pain, then there are herbs in nature’s store, which can bring cheer. There are such herbs in nature which can help man beat the sweltering heat.
With people even in the interiors of the state facing the wrath of the sizzling summer, a natural herb colloquially called “maisena” or “mustaka” is found to be helping people beat the heat in several villages in many western Odisha districts.
While it can counter dehydration as it has cooling properties according to Ayurveda researchers, it can treat dizziness and parched throat.
“It is not very difficult to get mustaka. Near creeks and nullahs on the village outskirts, it is abundantly available. We dig up the roots of the herb and make tiny pieces and preserve it. From its long roots, we make pastes also,” said Shankar Mallick, a villager in Balangir.
Mustaka roots are in great demand in rural hamlets. Early morning, villagers are found making a recee near the forests to look for the root of the herbs. Interestingly, the herbs are found near running rivers only. It grows naturally on sand-cast soil as well. Mainly river banks, small and big nullahs are the fertile grounds for these plants to grow.
“The roots of the mustaka plants that grow naturally in swampy areas and streams are consumed with lukewarm water in an empty stomach. There are four other herbs also that can be mixed with it. Mustaka has potassium and anti-inflammatory properties that can provide protection to people especially in condition such as heat exhaustion and heat cramps,” said Dr KK Rath, research officer at Central Ayurveda Research Institute.
While some people collect the roots of the plant and sell it in the nearest market, others keep it preserved to use it as medicine. Apart from healing skin diseases caused by sunburn, it is useful to keep the stomach cool. “It is rare species, whose roots are used in medicines to cure dysentery, sunstroke and all other usual summer ailments,” added Rath.
With people even in the interiors of the state facing the wrath of the sizzling summer, a natural herb colloquially called “maisena” or “mustaka” is found to be helping people beat the heat in several villages in many western Odisha districts.
While it can counter dehydration as it has cooling properties according to Ayurveda researchers, it can treat dizziness and parched throat.
“It is not very difficult to get mustaka. Near creeks and nullahs on the village outskirts, it is abundantly available. We dig up the roots of the herb and make tiny pieces and preserve it. From its long roots, we make pastes also,” said Shankar Mallick, a villager in Balangir.
Mustaka roots are in great demand in rural hamlets. Early morning, villagers are found making a recee near the forests to look for the root of the herbs. Interestingly, the herbs are found near running rivers only. It grows naturally on sand-cast soil as well. Mainly river banks, small and big nullahs are the fertile grounds for these plants to grow.
“The roots of the mustaka plants that grow naturally in swampy areas and streams are consumed with lukewarm water in an empty stomach. There are four other herbs also that can be mixed with it. Mustaka has potassium and anti-inflammatory properties that can provide protection to people especially in condition such as heat exhaustion and heat cramps,” said Dr KK Rath, research officer at Central Ayurveda Research Institute.
While some people collect the roots of the plant and sell it in the nearest market, others keep it preserved to use it as medicine. Apart from healing skin diseases caused by sunburn, it is useful to keep the stomach cool. “It is rare species, whose roots are used in medicines to cure dysentery, sunstroke and all other usual summer ailments,” added Rath.
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