The
useful medicinal properties of Kasini leaves, which is discovered
and introduced by Dr. Akbar Kausar, have been lauded by Ministers
in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The Ministers were responding
to some queries made by the members of the Assembly on 14.5.99.
Mr. I. Ganesan (P.M.K): Kasini leaves have been described as a divine
herb. Will the Government take initiative to propogate its medicinal
properties and to encourage its increased cultivation?
Hon. Minister Agriculture Veerapandi S. Arumugam: For the time being,
there is no such proposal.
Mr. I. Ganesan (P.M.K): I would like to know whether Kasini leaves,
which has been described a great divine herb, is being cultivated
at least in the herbal gardens?
Hon. Veerapandi S. Arumugam: In Tamil Nadu the Herb and Spice Board
is working under the aid of the Central Government and its aim is
to introduce and propogate the important herbs and spices.
As regards to Kasini, at present the Agricultural Research Centre
at Yercaud, Agricultural college at Thillikulam and the Agricultural
Univeristy at Coimbatore, are cultivating 120 kinds of herbs like
Kasini, sarkkaraikolli, Aswagandhi, Avuri, Nithya kalyani and Marunthu
kathiri.
Dr. S. Govindasamy, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, University
of Madras has submitted a report on his research with the aid of
the Central Government regarding the effects of Kasini in curing
the kidney ailments. Similarly the Ultra College of Pharmacy, affiliated
to the M.G.R. Medical University has made researches and found that
Kasini contains insulin which controls Diabetes, tannin which purifies
blood and alkaloids which controls Arthiritis. In Tamil Nadu the
part played by Dr. Akbar Kausar in introducing the medicinal properties
of Kasini is laudable. He makes powder, capsules and sharbath from
Kasini.
This explanation may prompt the agriculturists to start profitable
Kasini cultivation. According some opinion it is said to yield Rs
5 lakhs profit from one acre cultivation of Kasini, though I am
not sure of it. The members of our Assembly can propagate this in
their respective constituencies and encourage the farmers to start
Kasini cultivation.
Dr. E.S.S. Raman: (D.M.K): The Kasini which has recently become
famous has been considered a money earning herb. Infact, it is something
which calls for both research and controversy. The minister has
told us about the availability of many herbs in Yercaud. There are
a lot of herbs that can be commercially exported. Especially I would
like to point out that in our southern districts like Tuticorin
Avuri worth crores of rupees have been exported. I would like to
know whether the cultivation of these herbs would be separated from
the agricultural department and a separate department would be instituted
to make herbs viable for commercial export.
Hon. Speaker: You are a doctor. Instead of telling your opinion
about this Kasini you are digressing to something else. The relevant
question is about Kasini.
Dr. E.S.S. Raman: The opinions like kasini would cure Diabetes,
Kasini would cure
various diseases, it is a cure for all diseases, are wrong. It is
with this intention I
said that it is an issue of controversy. Such medicinal properties
can be ascertained only after much research studies. I would like
to record here that such things should not be given to the people
through this august assembly.
Hon. Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam: I cannot accept the member's
opinion, Because the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines,
New Delhi has made several researches on Kasini and has given opinions
about its useful medicinal properties. Similarly researches have
been conducted in the University of Madras and have found out the
medicinal qualities of Kasini. In the same way it has got recognition
in the M.G.R Medical University. Similarly the Unani Medicine section
of Arignar Anna Govt Hospital for Indian medicines has prepared
sharbath etc from Kasini seeds and roots which are being prescribed
to cure various diseases. So all these were based on researches
which have proved that use of Kasini is good for health. This is
what Dr. Akbar Kausar has developed in a better manner in the form
of powder, and sharbath.
Hon. speaker: The Family and Health Welfare Minister has certified
this.
Hon. Minister Arcot. N. Veerasamy: The allopathy doctors do not
accept the medicines given by the Siddha and Unani. But in Siddha,
Unani and other Indian systems of medicines, Kasini has been widely
used.
The researches conducted by the universities have also shown that
Kasini has certain medicinal properties and it can be used to cure
certain diseases. So Raman should not create a wrong impression
that Kasini has no effect at all.
At this juncture Durai Murugan Hon’ble Minister for Public
Works explained his experience as to how he was cured of his Jaundice
in a day by the herbal treatment.
(Courtsey : Kathiravan Daily dated 15-5-99)
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