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Allopathic doctors in TN want scientific validation of medicinal efficacy of Siddha poly-herbal drug, Nilavembu Kudineer to treat dengue
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Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
October 28 , 2017
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Allopathic doctors in Tamil Nadu want scientific validation of medicinal
efficacy of the much-hyped Siddha poly-herbal concoction, Nilavembu
Kudineer, which is distributed freely to all patients by the government
with the hope that it will help prevent all types of fever and can treat
dengue.
Though the herbal drug is given to all patients
suffering from fever for the last several years, modern physicians are
of the opinion that the safety and efficacy aspects of the medicine have
not been established in lab studies. According to them, data of
scientific studies of a drug as an ethical requirement is necessary when
it is distributed to patients on a large scale. Prominent media,
including national newspapers, are also supporting the stand of modern
medical professionals and urge the Siddha community to substantiate the
therapeutic underpinnings of the drug.
Those who demand for
clinical studies for Nilavembu Kudineer argue that it is necessary to
know how a drug benefits the people and what are the side effects of
that medicine once it is consumed by a patient for healing a disease.
Supporting
the scientific perspectives of the doctors, a few practitioners of
Siddha system have started urging clinical studies for this Siddha
traditional medicine, which is stated to have been in use for centuries.
But, there are differences of opinion among the siddhars in holding
scientific validation studies in order to prove the efficacy and safety
of this concoction, and adverse effects if any. Major section of the
practitioners are of opinion that Nilavembu Kudineer Kashayam does not
need to be subjected to lab studies as its efficacy is already proven
and it is not a new drug.
When there was outbreak of dengue fever
a few years ago, Nilavembu Kudineer was given to all patients who
visited the government and private hospitals to treat dengue and also to
prevent all types of influenza. This year government has decided to
freely distribute this herbal concoction to prevent outbreak of flu and
to boost the immune system. Though not publicly opposing distribution of
this medicine, modern physicians are arguing that no unbiased research
was so far carried out on this drug and no scientific data of its
efficacy is available anywhere.
Against this comment of the
allopaths, Siddha practitioners have started criticizing through social
media. However, certain practitioners subscribe the view that the drug
should be tested for efficacy and the study should be documented. Once
the data is generated, it can be highlighted as a safe and effective
herbal medicine to combat dengue. Besides, the scientific validation
will help the drug reach the global market also.
The poly-herbal
formulation contains nine herbs which possess antiviral properties. A
practitioner-cum-manufacturer has confirmed that Nilavembu Kudineer is a
combination of nine herbs. Adrographis Paniculata (Seemai Nilavembu) ,
Vetiveria zizanoides (Vettiver) Andropogon Muricatus (Vilamicchaver),
Santalum Album (sandhanam), Trichosanthes Cucumerina (Pei pudal),
Cyperus Rotundus (Korai kizahngu), Zingiber Officialis (Chukku), Piper
Longum (Milagu), and Mollugo Cerviana (Parapadkam) are the ingredients
contained in it.
According to him, since the concoction is
antipyretic, it reduces fever and brings back the normal body
temperature. The anti-inflammatory effect controls infection caused by
the pathogens. It is also analgesic, so it relieves body aches, and the
body cleansing action of the drug detoxifies the blood, liver and spleen
for pathogenic endotoxins.
Countering the current criticisms by
allopathic doctors, a Siddha expert in Chennai responded that there are
many reasons for the modern physicians to suspect the efficacy aspect of
Nilavembu Kudineer. Recently there is a sudden increase in the number
of manufacturers of this medicine in powder form, and everyone is
surprised how all these manufacturers get genuine raw materials.
Besides, there are many unbranded products in the market.
Thirdly,
different practitioners recommend different quantities for the single
dose of powder to be used. It often varies from 300 mg to 20 grams.
Further, there is multiple stand on duration of use for prevention, some
gives only once, some suggests three days and some say, one week. There
is still a need for a concrete interventional study and these
inconsistencies need to be resolved, he said.
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