Kizharnelli - supportive remedy for viral diseases

Kizharnelli (scientifically known as Phyllanthus niruri), a plant seen throughout India as well as cultivated and wastelands is a herbal medicine with anti-viral effect. It is used for support in treatment of Hepatitis, Jaundice, Gonorrhea, frequent Menstruation and Diabetes. It has also been used on the skin for sores, swelling, and itchiness. The plant is bitter in taste, astringent, sweet, cooling, diuretic, deobstruant, stomachic, febrifuge and antiseptic.

Entire plant is having its medicinal value and the herb acts primarily on the lever. This action in the liver confirms its historical use as a remedy for jaundice. A decoction of the plant is administered in jaundice; or half ounce rubbed up in a cup of milk is given morning and evening; or the root of the dried small bitter leaves in powder, are used in teaspoonful doses.

The plant falling under the category Euphorbiacae, is a branching annual glabrous herb 30-60cm high with slender, spreading leaf-bearing branchlets. The flowers are in yellowish, greenish or whitish in colour. The plant has been traditionally used to promote liver functions.

Hey….. I am Afraid of You…!

Meenu, a 19-year old student, decides not to attend her University classes on the first day because she thinks, perhaps, the professor may ask her to go around the room and introduce herself. She imagines – waiting to introduce herself to room full of strangers, who might be staring at her. Anxiety would be high; voice may even quiver. At last she decides, better skip the first day of the class.

A 32- year – old lady, mother of two kids hates to stand at a crowded bus station. She always feels that everyone is watching her. Her self-consciousness and anxiety rises and struggles to overcome the feeling.

A 29 –year – old professional, hates to go to work because a meeting is scheduled in the next day. Thus the thought of speaking in front of co-workers raises his anxiety. He can’t sleep because of the anticipatory that builds up. Finally the meeting is over smoothly. But, then he analyses and ruminates what he spoke; has he made of himself; how stupid he acted in their presence. He starts thinking about next weeks’ meeting with his Boss. Till that day he thinks, ruminates, and worries about it, over exaggerates it in his mind again and again and again.

What you think is happening to people described above? They are those unfortunate people with social Anxiety Disorder. It is one of the largest Psychological problems in the world today. Social anxiety is thought to affect 1 in 10 at some time at their in their lives. According to World Psychiatric Association, roughly 40% of Social Anxieties begin before the age of 10 and 95% start before 20 years.

Infact people with Social Anxiety Disorder are misdiagnosed almost 90% of the time, says Dr. T S Arun Kumar, Clinical Psychologist in Trivandrum Mental Health Centre. People with Social Anxiety are often labeled as ‘Schizophrenic’, ‘Manic-depressive’, ‘Clinically depressed’, ‘Panic disordered’ and ‘Personality disordered’.

He says, such people would think, they are only ones in the world who have these terrible symptoms and always keep quiet about them. Their symptoms apply to most social events and functions in almost every area of life. Making the situation more difficult is the social anxiety does not come and go like other physical and psychological problems.

Dr.Arun recommends, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as the best treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder. CBT is the modality that has been shown to work effectively. He suggests, to overcome social anxiety, participation in therapeutic group is essential. And such a group is working in Trivandrum also.

Without therapeutic interventions, Social Anxiety can be a torturous problem. Proper treatment can provide a better life for all individuals who are in the crippling fears of social phobia.