R S Guleria discovers rare herb `Argemone Mexicana` with anti-AIDS activity in Himachal Pradesh
Released on = January 23, 2007, 5:17 am
Press Release Author = InfoMailers.com
Industry = Healthcare
Press Release Summary = R S Guleria discovers rare herb 'Argemone Mexicana' with anti-AIDS activity in Himachal Pradesh
Press Release Body = Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India, Tuesday, January 23 , 2007 (InfoMailers.com):: Sh R S Guleria, President, Aromatic Plant Growers Association of India (APGAI) & Herbs Antique Research Botanical (HARB) Society, has discovered the rare herb 'Swarnkshiri' or 'Argemone Mexicana' in Himachal Pradesh. This rare herb is known to possess anti-HIV activity and is being eagerly studied by the scientific community to achieve a viable anti-AIDS medicine. Before Sh Guleria's discovery, the plant was thought to have died out in India. HARB Society is planting over 1000 'Argemone Mexicana' in Himachal Pradesh and plans large scale cultivation of the herb for the benefit of mankind.
'Argemone Mexicana' is basically found in America. In India it is found in Kashmir and is known as 'Hirvi' or 'Euphorbia Thamsoniana'. This plant is two to four feet high, has sharp thorns and secretes yellow milk-like substance when punctured. Its flowers are yellow in colour and appear between December and March. The fruit is long and rounded and has black seeds. The fruits dry in summer season and give birth to new plants in winters. Its Seed Oil is beneficial for skin diseases. The herb is drunk in a lime juice solution for malaria. Application of its roots is beneficial for scorpion bite. Its solution with milk or ghee is applied to eyelids for eye-diseases. Its juice along with milk is given to leprosy patients. This solution is known to provide strength.
Mr Guleria has a long list of achievements. He has identified over 300 rare herbs already, got them tested in laboratory, got the scientific documentation done and has involved more than 2000 farmer families in Himachal Pradesh, through his NGO, HARB Society, to cultivate these rare herbs, which will be used for medicinal purposes.
Dharamshala based NGO, HARB Society is an organization dedicated to promoting Ayurveda, the welfare of farmers & Himachal Pradesh, Sh Guleria's home state. The society has already completed preparations for launch of numerous medicines from over 300 Herbs & Medicinal Plants. These include Ayurvedic medicines for diseases like Diabetes, Asthma, Stone, Joint Pains, Heart Ailments, Eye Diseases, Mental Disorders, Digestive problems and Kidney Diseases.
Mr Vir Bhadra Singh, CM, Himachal Pradesh recently presented the prestigious 'Himachal Kesri' award to him and conferred upon him the 'Himachal Herbal King' title. Earlier, Sh Guleria was honoured with the 'Pride of Ayurveda' Award by Ayurveda Vishva Parishad, established by Independent India's first President late Sh Rajendra Prasad in 1957. Speaking on the occasion, Sh Guleria said, "It is great pleasure to me to realize that my humble efforts in discovering long lost herbs to further research and development in Ayurveda are beginning to bear fruit. The honours & recognition bestowed upon me are a testimony to my endeavor of bringing Ayurveda to its former glory and helping farmers & youths find prosperity in Himachal Pradesh. Such honours motivate me to continue my work and strive to scale further milestones on the path to our goals. We, at HARB Society, hope that very soon we will be able to bring the benefits of Himalayan Herbs and Medicinal Plants, the natural treasure of our motherland, to the common man in the form of Ayurvedic Medicines that are affordable and readily available."
It is worth to note, too, that more than 20000 Himachal youth have found employment in their home state thanks to the untiring efforts of Sh Guleria for 3 years. Sh Guleria is confident that the figure could go beyond 1 lakh if the state government were to declare Himachal a 'Herbal State'. Sh Guleria is shouldering the campaign of utilizing Himachal Pardesh's barren lands for cultivation of Herbs & Medicinal Plants. Over 2000 farmer families are currently associated with campaign by HARB Society and scientists from varied fields are also supporting his cause.
For more information, please contact::
HERBS ANTIQUE RESEARCH BOTANICAL SOCIETY
H.O. 'Apna Ghar', Village Metti, P.O. Gharoh, Teh. Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra (H.P.) INDIA -176215