Laryngitis

-by Sheela Rani Chunkath

It sometimes happens that your voice goes. You are unable to speak and the sound comes out like a squeak. Some unsympathetic friends may also remark "Oh, good! now you will keep quiet for some time". This condition, a kind of laryngitis, responds well to Ayurvedic medication. There is a kashayam called Vyaghradi kashayam. It basically consists of Martynia diandra (vyaghra not to be confused with Viagra), dried ginger (sunthi), Tinospora cordifolia (amrita in Sanskrit) and Piper longum (pippali in Sanskrit).

Vyaghra, recent studies show has antinociceptive properties meaning that it acts as a kind of pain-killer With just four ingredients this kashayam is quite an effective medicine. This kashayam has a pain-killer in Vyaghra, immunomodulators in amrita and pippali and an antioxidant in sunthi. Sunthi also helps arrest coughing.

I have planted Tinospora cordifolia just outside my house. It really is a survivor. Sometimes the city corporation officials clear it, sometimes overenthusiastic gardeners think it is a weed and pull it out. But it survives even if there are a few twigs attached to a tree, or a small branch remains lying on the ground, it will root and grow again. Said to be a wonder herb, it grows totally uncared for and unrecognised. I have questioned many villagers and village kids if they know what it is but more often than not most don't know anything about it.

The thick stem of the plant can be simply boiled and drunk like a tonic. So many old people in the villages are badly in need of a pick me up and this would serve them very well. Tinospora cordifolia is an antioxidant and immunomodulator. It also has antiallergenic properties and is protective of the liver. Many recent studies stand testimony to the wonderful properties of Tinospora cordifolia. It is not for nothing that this plant is called amrita in Sanskrit, meaning ambrosia.

My creeper had grown quite a bit and had spread all over a nearby silk-cotton tree. It had thick stems and I used to use it often. Unfortunately the silk-cotton tree had to be cut because it had developed a fungal infection and was in danger of falling down. So down came the tree and this huge creeper of Tinospora cordifolia. We cut up the thick stems and sent it to my vaidyar who was quite happy to get ‘certified’ Guduchi stems. She prepares many medicines in the clinic and was happy to receive the Guduchi stems. Now how many of us or our children even know about this plant? I am doing my bit to spread the knowledge of this plant. Recently, a photographer friend of mine wanted a fast growing plant that could form a natural screen for his studio window. I presented him a few twigs of Tinospora cordifolia and it has now taken root and will soon form a nice green screen. The twig I planted outside my house is also growing well.

Back to laryngitis. 15 ml of the Vyagradhi kashayam is taken with an equal quantity of water. This was quite effective for me and my voice came back in 24 hours. I took it with Taleesadi and Sudharshanam (referred to in my earlier articles). In addition, I sucked on some palm candy and Glycorrhiza glabra (adimaduram). Palm candy is available in Khadi stores. It is ideal for sore throats and children love it. I hope palm candy does not become a rarity in the years to come. It has a lovely flavour and can be used with milk in which a little turmeric powder has also been mixed. It is one of those soothing grandma’s concoctions for sore throats and coughs.

--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and is currently Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/