HEALTH

HERBS & HEALTH
By Dr.R.Vatsyayan

Isabgul: home remedy for constipation

Famous for correcting constipation, isabgul (ashwagol, Plantago ovata ) is a commonly used medicine in Indian homes. Its soft hairy plant with a very weak stem is annually cultivated in Gujarat, parts of Haryana and also in Sind and Baluchistan. It has small long leaves with flowers in cylindrical spikes and smooth and shining yellowish brown boat-shaped seeds. These seeds of isabgul constitute the drug.

The medicinal properties of isabgul are primarily due to the large amount of mucilage and albuminous matter present in it. The seeds are sweet and have astringent action in the bowels. They are soothing agent for mucous membranes and are very useful in constipation. The large amount of mucilage in the seeds binds and increases the mass of stool and smoothens its passing out. The action is mainly mechanical, rather than physiological.

Seeds of isabgul should be soaked in water before use, so that they get disintegrated in the stomach, else they can cause mechanical obstruction of the intestines. Nowadays, isabgul husk is more used than the whole seeds. The husk has the same properties as the seeds, rather it has the advantage that there is no risk of intestinal obstruction. The husk, therefore, is taken without any pre-soaking and is more easy to use.

Isabgul husk is very beneficial in acute and chronic dysentery of amoebic and bacillary origin and diarrhoea due to the irritating conditions of the gastrointestinal track. The large amount of mucilage which is present in the husk is not acted on by digestive enzymes and, therefore, passes through the small and large intestines unchanged. During its passage through the gut it coats the inflamed and ulcerated mucosa. Toxins, fluids and gases present in intestine are further absorbed by the gel and thus their assimilation in the system is prevented.

In irritable bowel syndrome when patient is always pre-occupied with the thought of incomplete evacuation, taking two teaspoon full of isabgul husk every morning mixed with a little curd is of great help. Though isabgul has no action on bacteria, but if taken regularly, it certainly cheers up the patients of specific and non-specific colitis, piles, habitual constipation besides many other diseases of the colon.

In Unani medicines, crushed isabgul seeds made into a poultice with vinegar and sesame oil are applied to the rheumatic and gouty swellings. Application of its gel also helps in dry eczema. Recent studies have found that isabgul also has cholesterol reducing properties. To manage constipation and for regular use, one or two tea spoonful of isabgul husk can be taken at bed time with milk or water. It should not be mixed with any other medicine, which may impair its soothing and mucilaginous properties.

Isabgul should be given with caution in patients of rheumatoid arthritis who are going through the flare up phase of the disease as due to its cold effect it may aggravate the pains and stiffness of the joints.

Doctors threaten agitation
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 28 — The PCMS Association, Punjab, has threatened to launch a statewide agitation again Social Security Minister Gobind Singh Kanjla for his alleged misbehaviour with four women doctors at a special old-age pension camp at Nidampur village in Sangrur village.

The general secretary of the association, Dr D. C. Sharma, stated in a press release issued here today that Mr Kanjla and his supporters had used derogatory language and threatened the PCMS leaders at the Civil Hospital, Sangrur.

The association urged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to take action against the minister.

SPORT

Varun, Rakhi win
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 28 — Varun Vashist of Dental College, Faridkot, and Rakhi of Governement Medical College, Chandigarh, won the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively, in Nozzit 2000, the North Zone Inter-College Table Tennis Tournament held at Dumra Auditorium, Dayanand Medical College here today.

In an hour-long battle, Varun Vashist beat Prabhjot Singh of Jammu 22-20, 21-19, 11-21, 17-21, 21-13 to grab the men’s singles title. In the women’s singles, Rakhi defeated Anupam of Jammu in straight games 21-10, 21-10.

In the women’s doubles, Rakhi and Maninder of Chandigarh beat Anupam and Navreen of Jammu 21-0, 21-19. In the mixed doubles, Prabhjot and Anupam of Jammu beat Geetinder and Rakhi of Chandigarh 21-16, 15-21, 21-15.

In the women’s team championship, Government Medical College Chandigarh, beat Aacharya Shri Chandra Medical College and Hospital Jammu.

For Fatehjeet sky is the limit

For Fatehjeet Grewal, sky is the limit. A budding youngster of Guru Nanak Public School, Ludhiana, Fatehjeet has achieved the superb honour of being the sole representative from Punjab to have participated in the Second Child of Asia International Sports and Games held in Yakusak, Russia.

Sports was his weakness from the very initial stages of his life. Observing his brother, Navjit, involved all time in the play of basketball, Fateh's inner urge to excel in the game became all more strong. In 1998, under the able guidance of coach Devinder Singh he joined the school basketball team and soon outshone all. Observing an outstanding sportsman in him, Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal, General Secretary, Punjab Basketball Association, further taught Fateh the tactics of strong play.

That very year, he participated in the state-level basketball championship held at Bathinda. Although the team bagged the second position but the exposure of Fateh as a observing player came to the fore. In 1999, he once again played the inter-state basketball championship at Bathinda. With numerous places to play and uncountable awards to win, there was then no looking back for him. In June this year, he played from the side of Punjab in the National Hot Weather Tournament organised at Kapurthala and won laurels. At Sudhar, he made a great show at the Youth State Games. He also captained the Punjab team which grabbed the fourth place in the Under-17 Basketball Inter-State Championship. His brilliant performance in youth state matches paved the way for better opportunities. He was selected in the national team to represent his state in the Second Child of Asia International Sports and Games performed in Russia.

The Indian team was ranked ninth in the competition out of the 12 teams. But experience was an altogether different one for Fatehjeet. He says: "We Indians practice outdoors but in foreign lands the tournament is played on the wooden indoor courts on which we face difficulty in assembling ourselves." He also said that foreigners had stout bodies, whereas Indians lack proper fitness. "I learnt a lot about the techniques used by the foreign players," says Fatehjeet. Having gained a novel experience, Fateh is now prepared to approach the game in a new way. The tactics of the game having been more strongly mastered by him.He participated a few days back in the Junior State Camp (under-17) at Badal and bagged first position for the team.

If latest modern techniques of the game are placed at his disposal, Fateh can work wonders. Now he is busy preparing for the Youth National Camp being organised in September. This extraordinary gem of Mr Mohinder Pal Singh Grewal of Hawaas village has the sole aim to excel in his favourite game. He is to prove the real meaning of his name Fatehjeet.
— Loveleen Bains