HEALTH

Hing — an effective anti-flatulent

Commonly used in majority of Indian homes, hing (Sanskrit-Hingu, English-Asafoetida and Botanical — Ferula narthrex) is also an important ayurvedic medicine. It is a five to eight feet tall plant and grows in the Baltistan range of Kashmir, Afganistan and also in parts of Iran. Hing is a gum-like resin, which is obtained after giving an incision on the lower stem and root of the plant.

Hing is described as bitter and pungent in taste and light, sharp and hot in effect. It pacifies vata and kapha but aggravates pitta. The gum resin contains an essential oil, which is responsible for its intense odour. Besides this, it also has ferualic acid and some saline matters.

Ayurvedic texts categorise hing as deepaniya and sanjna-sthapaka (appetiser and restorer of consciousness). It is digestive, carminative, laxative and killer of intestinal worms. Hing is also known as a powerful antispasmodic and a stimulant to the nervous and respiratory system. Due to its multi-facet effects on the body, hing is used in a variety of ailments, ranging from simple gas trouble and abdominal distension to colicky pains and also from cough and bronchitis to the serious nervous disorders like hysteria and fits. It is also a known medicine for gynaecological problems like scanty and painful menses.

Hing has an important place in our homes. As a spice, it is an essential ingredient in preparations like pickles, soups, vegetables and pulses. But as raw hing is nauseaus and unsafe, therefore before its medicinal and routine use, it should be fried in desi ghee. Taking a pinchful of powders of hing, ajwain and vidang with warm water two three times a day abates flatulent dyspepsia. Hing is a known home remedy for dysmenorrhoea (painful menses). It gives relief from abdominal and pelvic spasms, if taken in a small quantity of 250 mg once or twice a day with hot water. Hing is invariably used in a number of external applications also.

The famous Hingashtak Churna, if taken two gm before meals helps in digesting heavy and fried food. In chronic amoebiasis or irritable bowel syndrome, it not only helps to improve digestion and binds the stool, but also acts as an anti-spasmodic agent if mixed with shankh bhasma. Another classic medicine in which hing is an important ingredient is known as Rajaprivartini Vati. It is a drug of choice in case of painful and scanty menstruation.

Nowadays, it is difficult to obtain unadulterated hing, as wheat floor and powder of gum of keekar tree is mixed into it. Spurious and adulterated hing sinks and settles if put in a glass of water whereas pure hing slowly but completely dissolves into the water, turning it into a milky liquid. Hing should be used with caution in case of hyperacidity, hemorrhagic disorders and also in severe hypertension.

Falling female birth rate alarming: UNICEF expert
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 19
Dr K. Suresh, Project Health Officer, UNICEF, who was in the city to inaugurate Reproductive Child and Health (RCH) projects, stated that in Punjab, the ratio between males and females was highly in balanced. In fact, the situation has become quite alarming as for every thousand males there are only 760 females. The situation is really bad in Faridkot, Bathinda and Amritsar where the ratio is 750 females to 1,000 males. He said, “In the next 20 years, the ratio will plunge further down and if no corrective steps are taken, then probably there will be two males for one female. One can well imagine the impact of such a situation. It will create sociological imbalance and havoc in the society.

“We need torch bearers including media, who can highlight the problem of female foetocide, and sex determination tests. Unluckily, women are also a party to this as they are helpless for they have no social standing in the society,” he added.

Dr Suresh further said that UNICEF have funds of $80 millions to spend per year on the projects related to education, the welfare of mother and child, child rights and gender issues throughout the country. In Punjab, only one NGO, Guru Angad Dev Society, had been working under RCH project of UNICEF for the past three years, though this project was brought to India in 1997. Mr Suresh said in no uncertain terms that they are partners in this venture with NGOs. The NGOs were told to pick up the topic of their choice and show results, as after a year, the progress of the projects and the benefits offered to the people would be assessed. Failing to find satisfactory results, the UNICEF would withdraw its support.

Mr Suresh said, “I am approached by a number of NGOs, who wish to start community health projects. I always ask them if they are willing to start projects relating to female infanticide and sex determination tests and I never get a positive feedback which is very disheartening. The need of the hour is to educate women, to empower them, to motivate them so that they can fight for their rights . Even the law enforcing agencies should be very tough in implementing laws against sex determination tests and anti-dowry laws should be seriously taken, if we want the ratio of female population to go up in Punjab.”

NSS rally against drug abuse
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 19
As many as 250 volunteers of NSS from various colleges of Punjab Agricultural University staged a rally to create awareness against the ill effects of drug abuse, use of intoxicants, social evils and AIDS at PAU campus here today.

Led by their programme officers, Dr H.S. Jassal, Dr R. Kalra and Er S.S. Sooch, the volunteers, carrying banners and placards with messages written on these, passed through the hostels, residential blocks of PAU, Kichlu Nagar, Haibowal Khurd and different blocks of Rishi Nagar.

Dr K.S. Verma, the programme coordinator of NSS, PAU, while flagging off the rally, stressed upon the dire need of awakening the society against the dangers of various social evils and drastic fall in moral values of life. He urged upon the volunteers and programme officers to rise to the occasion and play their role as potential reformers in the need of the hour.

The rally was a part of the nationwide programme of NSS organisations under the theme, “Youth for Healthy Society” keeping in view the ever growing menace of drug abuse at an alarming rate among the youth.