Kathmandu, May 20: If a large number of herbs to be found in Nepal are properly preserved and brought into use, the nation can derive substantial benefit on the health side and also economically.

For this to happen, what needs to be done is that the government should mould the Singha Darbar Baidyakhana, a Government entity into a strong and reliable alternative in public health.

Singha Darbar Baidyakhana which functions under the Development Committee Act has been striving its best to foster Ayurvedic treatment methodology in the country and inculcate among the people the habit of using a wide variety of Ayurved products.

The Baidyakhana is currently producing over 100 varieties of Ayurvedic medicines. These medicines prepared with natural herbs and without any chemicals have been able to grab a significant portion of the Nepalese market.

The inputs for producing such medicines have been generally classified into the three categories of botanical inputs, sea-shells and animal inputs and minerals.

Botanical inputs cover an array of products such as Harro, Barro, Amala, Asuro, Kutaki, Tejpat, Pipala, Tulsi, Satabari, Chutro, Sutho, Hadchu, Mrigaraj and Rasanjan, while the second category consists of conch shells, coral, cow milk and deer horn.

Copper, gold, iron, sulphur and mercury are among the minerals used for producing herbal medicines.

Out of the total input, about 75 per cent is purchased within the country from farmers or from herb processing centres. Those not easily available here are purchased through tender calls. Some herbs are bought from neighbouring India.

The undertaking uses its own production methodology. Herbs are used as inputs only after checking and refining them through experienced hands.

It produced Ayurvedic drugs equivalent to Rs. 11.5 million and generated a total of Rs. 10.5 million from saled last fiscal year. It made a profit of Rs. 3,869,000 in aggregate during that period.

Diseases such as jaundice, arthritis, uric acid and diabetes can be cured through this methodology, Dr. Shyam Mani Adhikari of the undertaking claims. Over 60 per cent of the population of the country believes in Ayurved medicine.

Nepal is a country of villages and anyone who develops ailments such as colds or coughs first prefers to use of easily available herbal drugs rather than rush to buy allopathic medicine.

The number of herbs that can be found in different parts of the country could not be used properly due to lack of preservation and scientific research and development.

Yarchaguba, a rare herb found in Karnali zone fetches Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 per kilogram in the European market. But it is sold here at a much cheaper rate of Rs. 3,000 to 4,000 per kilogram.

The herb which is considered an aphrodisiac exists six months of the year as a plant and the remaining six as an insect.

Export of valuable herbs like Yarchagumba, Panchaule, Jatamasi and Satabari has been restricted. But they find their way out of the country somehow or the other. It has been found that Yarchaguma is even despatched abroad in powder form.

The vast array of herbs found within the country is like a gold mine. But they drain out of the country in return for a paltry sum. They are then brought back here in the form of tablets or capsules on which we spend thousands of millions. This is unfortunate for us, says managing director of the herbal undertaking Dr. Chandra Raj Sapkota.

We have to go by the slogan “health for all” announced by the world health organisation and for this allopathic medicine is not enough. Moreover, Nepal has a number of rare herbs not to be found elsewhere in the world. These can become a source of wealth if used in a scientific manner.

The government is positive about Ayurvedic treatment methodology. “The government is assisting us to the maximum extent through its limited means and resources”, says Sapkota.

The Baidyakhana, which was established by King Pratap Malla has done well in bringing Ayurved to the people.

Silajit, Chandra Nighantu, Chyawanprash, Abipatikar, Panchasakar, Tulsi tea and Aswagandha are among its products which have earned a name among Nepalese consumers.