North India Statesman
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New Delhi, September 10 (HS). Anemia in adolescent girls can be controlled with 'Siddha' medicines. Recently a study has been published in the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, in which the study conducted under PHI-Public Health Initiative has found that the medicines used in 'Siddha' medicine have been successful in reducing anemia in adolescent girls.
The study was conducted by researchers from the country's premier Siddha institute, the National Institute of Siddha, Ministry of AYUSH, Chennai; Xavier Research Foundation, Tamil Nadu; and Velumalu Siddha Medical and Hospital, Tamil Nadu. The researchers found that Siddha medicines can improve hemoglobin levels as well as PCV-packed cell volume, MCV-mean corpuscular volume and MCH-mean corpuscular hemoglobin in adolescent girls.
The study monitored the health of 2,648 girls, of whom 2,300 completed the standard 45-day treatment program. Before starting treatment, the researchers dewormed the participants and followed the treatment for 45 days.
The researchers evaluated shortness of breath, tiredness, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite and pale skin in the girls before and after the study. During this period, the girls were also tested for hemoglobin levels and biochemical tests. In addition, a randomly selected sub-group of 283 girls was formed in the study and their hemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), MCV-mean corpuscular volume and MCH–mean corpuscular hemoglobin red blood cells (RBC), platelets, total WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils levels were tested in the laboratory. The researchers found that ABMN treatment significantly reduced clinical features of anemia in adolescent girls, such as fatigue, hair loss, headache, loss of interest and menstrual irregularities, and improved hemoglobin, PCV, MCV, and MCH levels in all anemic adolescent girls.
Speaking about the impact and significance of the study results, Dr. R. Meenakumari, Director, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, Ministry of AYUSH and key participant of the study said that Siddha medicine plays a significant role in the public health initiatives of the Ministry of AYUSH. The awareness created among adolescent girls, dietary advice, preventive care and treatment through Siddha medicines have provided therapeutic benefits to anaemic patients. Hence, Siddha medicines for anaemia can contribute to public health by providing cost-effective and accessible treatment in various dimensions.
