Does Baba Ramdev's solution to beat dengue with ayurvedic products really work?

Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : September 18, 2015 12:50 PM IST

As Delhi grapples with dengue, Yoga teacher Ramdev claimed that ayurvedic products can increase the platelet count in patients suffering from the vector-borne fever faster than allopathic medicines. He advocated the use of medicinal herbs such as giloy and aloe vera to counter the virus, which has affected over 2,000 people in the national capital. He was speaking at a press conference on treatment of dengue through Ayurveda, where products from his firm 'Patanjali Ayurved' were presented.

Having juice made of giloy leaves, aloe vera, papaya leaves and pomegranate not only increases platelet count but also increases overall immunity of the body...having goat or cow milk slightly help as well, but in case of their non- availability, one need not worry, he said.

He might not be entirely wrong. According to another doctor from Sri Lanka, the juice of young papaya leaves can be used to treat dengue. His findings have been published in the Sri Lankan Journal of Family Physicians in 2008. Dr Sanath Hettige says that papaya leaves are packed with the enzymes like chymopapin and papain that normalise one s platelet count, help the blood clot normally and repair the damage to the liver done by dengue. Read how to make this juice here.

Also Read

On suggestions that he was trying to market his products at a time when people are in a state of panic over cases of dengue, Baba Ramdev said, Did I for once take the name of any product? I was merely endorsing natural remedies. Also read - home remedies to control platelet loss during dengue.

On the lack of any third party endorsement for his products, Ramdev said it was not needed as he had first hand evidence . Also read - Baba Ramdev's advice to cure swine flu.

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