Pankaj Oudhia

Let’s hope, one day herbs will play vital role in treatment of Progeria

“No, we are not aware of this disease. We never treated it.” The Tradtional Healers of Durg region replied. I tried to get responses of the Healers of other regions but got the same answer. I interacted with thousands of Healers with no encouraging results. Fortunately I got opportunity to meet few senior Healers aware of this disease but they clearly said that it is rare disease and no one approached to us for treatment. I was trying to get the comments of Traditional Healers on Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome, commonly known as Progeria.

There is no Hindi or regional name of this disease. Hence, I decided to explain the symptoms to the Healers and show the pictures available in net. As mentioned above most of the Healers failed to identify the trouble. During tiring surveys I got two patients but they were at advanced stages and their parents were not willing to take any treatment neither traditional nor modern. The Healers aware of this disease said that may be consumption of wrong herb during pregnancy results in this disease. It is mere wild guess.

“As the Healers are not aware of this rarest trouble how they can suggest herbs for it?” One of my researcher friends asked. “You are right but based on Tradtional medicinal knowledge at least we can discuss on such troubles. Who knows that such discussions may result in some solution in coming years?” I explained. I further tried to convince him through an example.

“Every one approach to us to look beautiful, to make their color fare and you are asking for herbs or herbal combinations that makes the color darker?” The Healers showed surprise when I visited to them with question about herbs having bad effects on skin color. It was odd question for them but there were the Healers having expertise in treatment of poison. They suggested many herbs as well as herbal combinations. After long discussion I selected ten poisonous herbs that can be used internally by minimizing its toxic effects. After it I presented these herbs to the Tradtional Healers having expertise in treatment of Leucoderma. They tried it and after getting initial success started mixing these herbs. After long term experimentation they found that in primary stage judicious use of these herbs can help the patients to get normal skin in miraculous way. They thanked me and appreciated my innovative approach. It was a matter of proud for me that I have contributed for Tradtional Healing.  I want to use this approach for modern incurable diseases.

After listening this example my researcher friend got convinced and encouraged me to continue blind but fruitful search. I have documented Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about herbs having anti-ageing properties. In general, Healers suggest specific herb and herbal formulation for this but there are few Healers having expertise in this subject. They suggest three to four years long schedules having hundreds of herbs and herbal combinations. These schedules are very strict and practiced under supervision of Healers only.  In these schedules complex herbal formulations having plus 250 herbs in each formulation are used. It is very costly and requires much patience. It is practically not feasible to live under strict supervision of Healers up to three to four years. Hence, no one is interested in this Tradtional Knowledge. But it is Tradtional knowledge and for me Tradtional Knowledge in any form is valuable. I tried to document this knowledge in its original form. The Healers disclosed the details with happiness. I tried to present the scientific names of herbs while documenting this knowledge but I failed to find the names of many herbs described by the Healers. I took its pictures and wrote local names of herbs. The Healers claimed that if anyone follows these schedules even up to two and half years, he or she can make the dream of becoming forever young true.

Few months back in Health club where I play Table Tennis, one of my club friends informed about his son having this rare disease. “There is no cure and as per expert’s comments we are waiting for his death. I am trying to earn much so that if any treatment develops in meantime, I will be able to give best treatment to my son.” He said with dull voice. His son is nine year old. I decided to get details from my friend. We interacted over 5 hours and I recorded this interaction. As per the wild guess of the Healers I tried to get the information about drugs and food materials taken my patient’s mother during pregnancy. I listened this recording several time. Based on symptoms I remembered the four year schedules prepared by the Healers to stop ageing.

After much thinking I informed about it to my friend. He listened it carefully and after initial hesitation got ready to try this schedule under supervision of the Healers. We visited to the Healers but seeing the advanced stage of patient they refused to take this case. I discussed the schedules and modifications made in it through my experience. They appreciated but said that it must be started at early stage.  

Today India is eagerly waiting for film titled Paa, starring Amitabh Bachhan. Paa is a story of thirteen year old boy suffering from Progeria. Its promotion through media is in full swing. On the occasion of release of this film I am presenting this write up with hope that researchers around the world engaged in developing new therapies for this incurable disease will spare some time to think on this aspect also.                    

Efforts are on for low cost Parthenium awareness campaign 

‘Please book left side of City bus for this advertisement. How much I have to pay for it?” I asked to local advertising company. “You have to book outer cover of entire bus. They don’t accept one side for advertisement.” They replied. “No, it will be very expensive. Tell them that this advertisement is not for commercial purpose. It is just for awareness.” I tried to convince. “No sir, they have fixed rates. It will be better if you take large banners in city centre. It will cost less.” When they informed about the cost I dropped this idea and decided to search other alternatives. I am trying to continue my campaign “War Against Parthenium.” Awareness is a key in management of this exotic allergy causing invasive species.

After writing continuously on different aspects of Parthenium in farm journals, publishing International Parthenium Research News and delivering lectures at different forums still I feel that there is need to do more work in the field of awareness. There are many ideas in my mind but only limitation is management of fund. For it I am decision maker as I am running this campaign from my pocket from 20 years.

“If you are interested we can put your advertisement in buses running in rural areas.” They further suggested. It was good idea. Many years back I tried this concept in rural cinema halls. I was fortunate enough that famous Cinema Hall of Dhamtari displayed the advertisement without talking any charges. Mr. Nahata from Prashant Talkies displayed it up to many years without any break during film intervals. As result I received many phone calls as well as letters of natives living in remote areas. I furnished all details and also sent brochures. Many of them extended this campaign in their regions with much success. In urban area Parthenium is creating trouble as allergy weed but in forest areas it is becoming curse for biodiversity. Its removal from both regions is must but if you ask for priority I will prefer forest region where this exotic species is occupying new areas daily.

“How much charge you will take?” I asked. “Rs. 5000 in a month.” They replied. Now it is problematic situation. I have to decide the priority whether to invest my earnings on Parthenium awareness or in documentation of Tradtional Medicinal Knowledge. Rs. 5000 in a month is enough amount for three to four visits to forest and take thousands of pictures and document valuable knowledge. “Let me talk to my friends regarding this before making any confirmation.”  I tried to avoid them. At this moment I am preferring documentation work but still Parthenium campaign is in my mind. I have to wait for the pending payment from the publishers of my articles.

When I was working as farm consultant in Bhilai based firm engaged in commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops, the firm allotted my Maruti Van for daily movement from Raipur to Bhilai and back. Without any hesitation I used the back side of vehicle to display the Parthenium awareness message. It acts in amazing way. Local newspapers showed interest in this way of awareness and published pictures of Van.

I am aware that media can play vital role in this regard but when anyone starts specific campaign common people think that the campaigner must be getting some fund for it. May be from international organizations. This suspicion forces them to ask for share in this fund. They start expecting “something” from the campaigner. If he or she says that it is social service running so effectively from own pocket. They take it otherwise. They conclude that the campaigner don’t want to share the fund. As result they stop participating in the campaign. It is general trend worldwide and curse for the campaigners like me working from self expense.

I still receive tens of messages every month that from which agency you are getting fund for International Parthenium Research News Group website (IPRNG.org) as it is not possible to maintain such website without any fund.

This is wrong concept. It is bitter truth that in most of the cases of funded projects you will find good looking reports but in case of personal contributions you will find more ground level information. It is not wrong to say that by giving billions to our researchers without any cross check we are unnecessarily wasting the hard earnings of common people in the name of RE-search.

The search for low cost Parthenium awareness options is still on. 

© Pankaj Oudhia