Medical wars

There is no cure for swine flu as yet, but there are several precautionary measures. We check what the differing sciences of allopathy and traditional medicine have to offer...

There is no cure for swine flu as yet, but there are several precautionary measures. We check what the differing sciences of allopathy and traditional medicine have to offer...

Alternative medicine may be popular the world over, but in India, we are still slaves of allopathy.

Alternative medicine isu00a0 in fact considered inferior to allopathy, especially when it comes to containing the spread of our latest epidemic. Doctors and public tell MiD DAY what they think about the effectiveness of either.

Allopathy on traditional medicine

Healing power: Will the medicines available now give us any relief?

Doctors can't seem to decide what to think of these indigenous medicines.

Dr R Karunanidhi of CSI Hospital is undecided about these so-called preventive cures. He says, unlike allopathic medicines, there's no real evidence that these medicines can prevent swine flu.

He thinks that they can "boost overall immunity of a person and thus might contain the spread of infection, but there's no guarantee it will work".

He leaves it to choice and adds that the simpler way is to "keep the place around you clean and wash your hands regularly, which can be as good a preventive measure as any."

Dr Jayaram Reddy who runs a clinic on Residency Road adds, "Strict guidelines have been given by the Health Department and by the WHO. These are simple guidelines and must be followed to the dot. All these messages that people get are not true. It's just something people are doing to make money. They should be ignored."

Traditional medicine on allopathy

On the other hand, Dr Jampa Yonten, chief medical officer at the Tibetan Healing Center says he has a cure for the flu and other such related contagious diseases.

A pill called Rinsoong that is wrapped in a black cloth can help with any such viral epidemic. "The Rinsoong should be worn around the neck and sniffed every time before you go to sleep and when you wake up. It comprises seven herbs that are found in the Himalayas and has been compounded in Dharmashala."

Au00a0 homeopathy doctor who wanted to remain anonymous said that he prescribes Influenzinum, a liquid homeopathic medicine as prevention for swine flu. This liquid has to be dispensed over a sugar globule and then given to the patient. He also divulged the name of another medicine, R88 that is currently out of stock in Bangalore.

"These medicines combat flu viruses, and are not only for swine flu. There is no statistical proof for their effectiveness over this flu and that is why I prefer staying anonymous," he said.

Another homeopath agreed and said, "More timeu00a0 is required to ascertain the effects of the medicine andu00a0u00a0 the effect would depend on the health conditions and immunity of the patient."

Concerned parents

Sheela Naik, a parent says she received a message about a certain homeopathy medicine that can prevent or in the least delay the onset of the flu. "It doesn't look like you can avoid getting it, but at least now I feel safer about it and I will ensure that everyone at home takes the medicine. Something is better than nothing, no?" she said.

Home 'remedies' doing the rounds
>>Use Nilgiri Oil aka Eucalyptus Oil on your hand-kerchiefs and keep inhaling it regularly. It will prevent swine flu or alternatively eat 20-25 Tulsi leaves twice a day.
>>Lemon or an Amla (Indian Gooseberry) soaked in hot water should be consumed daily. This increases digestion
and also acts as an antiseptic. It also keeps the swine flu virus away!
>>Heat mustard oil and massage your feet with it before going to bed. This will generate heat in the body to fight any symptoms of cold and infection and keep your body from possible infection.
>>Boil 50ml of milk with 4 smashed pods of garlic along with a pinch of turmeric and black pepper. Take this concoction thrice as a preventive measure against swine flu