ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020

Title of the Practice

Herbs for a Healthy Life

Goal It is quite evident that people have grown more prone to Allopathic medicine, which makes extensive use of chemicals. Consumption of such medicine in excess or for a longer period leads to hazardous health problems. Ayurveda, the indigenous method of treatment with medicinal herbs, on the other hand, has failed to provide an alternative, owing to poor research in the field.
But, one thing is for sure, that medicinal herbs can be used more effectively for the prevention of deadly diseases than as a cure. Taking a clue from this idea, the Department of Botany, under the guidance of Dr. Sanjay M. Dalvi, has developed a practice titled “Herbs for a Healthy Life”
It so happened a couple of years ago, that when the teachers guided students on to a Botanical study tour to nearby forest for the collection of plant samples for practicals, as ‘an effective teaching learning measure’, they found some really useful plants having medicinal value. Our region is found rich in the herbs having medicinal value. Such herbs can be used, if not as an alternative medicine, but definitely as a preventive drug. ‘Prevention is better than cure’, goes as an adage.
Objectives

1. To disseminate knowledge of the medicinal plants easily available in the vicinity to the students as well as the community by arranging awareness programmes, live camps, exhibitions, rallies, etc.
2. To educate people on the simple and easy ways to prevent diseases with the help of medicinal herbs.
3. To develop interest among the students about medicinal herbs and natural resource conservation.
4. To cultivate the spirit of research among the students for quality research

The Context
Though the people of this region are not unaware of at least some of the benefits of the herbs having medicinal properties, available in this region, they are found not very serious about utilizing them. The modern lifestyle, which has already penetrated into the remote rural areas, has changed the mindset of the rural folk for the worst.
It has turned to be the hardest task convincing people about the importance of the universal dictum “prevention is better than cure”. One of the reasons why the herbal medicine is taking a backseat is its ‘time-taking process’ in healing. People have been accustomed to “easy and quick life” and naturally they expect quick results even in health management. Our team has felt the increased dire need of educating people for a better health. And eversince, our team has been trying their level best in bringing about a change in the attitude through conducting various awareness programmes.
The Practice
The guiding force behind this activity is our founder Director Dr. D. R. Waghmare, a leading medical practitioner in the region, who stressed on the need to educate people on health issues. After due consultations with the other Members of the Management, it was decided to undertake a project, an organized activity involving students. When the idea was first announced to the Botany students, they were quite excited and ready to shoulder the responsibility.
The data of the herbs having medicinal properties has been collected from the locals having knowledge of traditional medicine, vaidus, herbal vendors, etc., by conducting interview through a well-structured questionnaire.
The second step would be attempting at the botanical identification of the plant species is done with the help of floras and taxonomic keys. And the last step is the validation of the medicinal properties of the herbs, is done with the help of research published at national and international level
A‘Herbarium’ is setup in the Botany department to preserve the plant specimens collected during the forest visits. About hundred plant specimens, consisting of some rare and endemic plants also, are preserved in the herbarium. The seeds of these medicinal plants are collected and stored under the title‘Gene Banking through Seed Bank’. Our team has collected and stored seed samples of about hundred and twenty plants, including some rare and endemic plants. New plant specimens and seed samples are added on regular basis.
Botanical study tour is arranged frequently to the forests nearby, to investigate more herbs available in the region having medicinal properties. During the academic year, 2019-20, a botanical study tour was arranged for the students of Botany on 24th September,2019 to Sitakhandi and Sahastrkund forest. Sitakhandi is a beautiful piece of forest in Bhokar Tahsil and Sahastrakund is famous for the waterfall on Painganga river in Kinwat Tahsil of Nanded District. Both the forests comprises a dominant flora of plant species like Andrographis paniculate, Dolichandrone falcata, Terminaliaalata, Terminalia arjuna, Terminali cattapa, Tectona grandis, Azadirachta indica, Dioscoria bulbifera, Pergularia daemi , etc. some rare plant species like Sterculia urens, Careya arborea, Hemedesmus indicus also are present in this forest. The tour was quite fruitful as the students could studied these plant species which form a vital part of herbal medicines.
Apart from regular guidance to students on herbs having medicinal value, the team has also conducted some awareness programmes, live camps, exhibitions, rallies, etc.The first exhibition of herbal medicinestook place some five years ago in a medical camp. This year, on the occasion of “Avishkar-2019, the Research Consortium” on 27th Dec, 2019, an exhibition of locally available herbs with medicinal properties, was held in the college campus. A team of 08 students of Botany from the college, led by Dr. Sanjay Dalvi, arranged the exhibition. The students stood with locally available medicinal plants and explained the medicinal uses and method of utilization of these plants to the visitors. The plants selected for the exhibition were easily available in the area of Purna tahsil like Aloe vera (Korphad), Adathoda vasica (Adulasa), Ocimum sanctum (Tulasi), Bryophyllum indica (Paanfuti), Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass tea), Dolichandrone falcata (Medhshingi), etc. The visitors are provided with the information of herbal medicines, procedure for consumption, availability of the herbs, etc. About ninety people visited the exhibition and discussed different ailments with the students. Everyone among the visitors was curious to know the medicinal uses of these plants. Certain easily available herbal medicines save our money and save us from side effects of allopathy. But even then in certain cases we need to consult doctors and go for alternative therapy as well. The exhibition was a great success. A wall poster entitled ‘Herbs for Healthy Life’ was prepared by Ku. Shubhangi Buddhe,third a Botany students on the occasion of Science day, 28th Feb., 2020. She described the use of locally available medicinal plants in our day to day life and tried to give a message that we should try to avoid allopathic medicines as they caused side effects. The wall poster was inaugurated at the auspicious hands of Shri Sitaramappa Eklare, Executive President of Shri SGB SPS Purna, Shri G. S. Kadam, Secretary, Shri A.B. Kadam, Joint Secretary Dr. K. Rajkumar, Principal of the College.
Evidence of Success
The student members of the team, ever since the practice came into existence, have been actively taking part in the promotional activities like participation in the Medicinal Plants Exhibitions, Science Exhibitions, Study Tours and also in the Science Day Celebrations on the campus through posters and oral presentations. As a result, three hundred and forty (340) persons have so far visited the Dept. during last five years, to obtain necessary information on herbal medicine. Most of them were suffering from the diseases like, kidney stone, Diabetes, cronical cough, skin wounds and skin diseases, common cold, Sorosis, Dysentery, etc. they were suggested to use herbal medicines like Medhashingi (Dolichandrone falcata) Panphuti (Kalanchoe pinnata), Gudmar (Gymnema sylvestry), Kade Chirayata (Andrographis paniculata), Adhulsa (Adhatoda vasica) Jakham Jodi (Tridax), Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum), Bawachi (Psoralea corylifolia), Patari (Abutilon indicum), Murudsheng (Helicteres isora) with proper dose administration.
The table given below suggests some of the ailments and the herbal medicines advised.

The team believes in talking regular follow up of the activities performed. It is found that many of the persons who tried herbal medicines are satisfied with the results. The rate of success particularly in the prevention of piles, fever, kidney stone, diabetes and cough is very high. Overall, the results are quite encouraging and the institute will continue the activity with the help of students.

Actually, the idea behind the practice is only to educate the students and the community about the medicinal properties of the plants and their use for prevention of diseases. But it is observed that the people who visited the department, wished to be supplied with these herbal medicines. Due to the paucity of funds and operational difficulties, it is simply not possible. It would require additional staff to collect the plant material from the field and to prepare crude drugs. Legally also, it is not permitted. There are people who avoid herbal medicines due to slow recovery rate as compared to allopathy. Some people even insisted that we should suggest herbal medicines for each and every disease. This is also not possible as it depends upon the availability of requisite medicinal herbs. Only certain diseases can be cured with herbal medicines and we need to consult doctors if the disease is severe and aggravates.

Name of the Principal: Dr. K. Rajkumar
Name of the person in-charge of this practice: Dr. Sanjay M. Dalvi
Name of the Institute: Shri Guru Buddhiswami Mahavidyalaya
City: Purna (Jn.)
Pin Code: 431511
Work Place: Purna
Website: www.sgbmp.in
Mobile: Principal: +91 9422187314
In-charge: +91 9921101210