National campaign on medicinal plant Gurjo launched

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK: State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB) of Forest & Environment department has launchedthe national campaign on Tinosporacordifolia (Gurjo) in the State. The campaign is funded by National Medicinal Plant Board under Ministry of AYUSH.

Tinospora cordifolia is a popular medicinal plant which is used in several traditional treatments to cure various diseases.

The campaign is aimed at generating awareness on the medicinal properties of the plant and to encourage its cultivation. Under the campaign, the saplings of Gurjo will be distributed to the interested individuals.

SMPB director-cum-CEO S.K. Thatal said to SIKKIM EXPRESS, “The plant existed in the State since ages and was being used by the locals who had knowledge on its medicinal properties. But the knowledge of the plant’s uses was limited to few and through this campaign, NMPB and SMPB plans to generate mass awareness on the medicinal value and importance of the plant.”

Gurjo, grown in semi-tropical areas, is found in the lower belts of almost all the districts of the State.

Gurjo helps in curing diabetes, alleviates stress and improves memory, reduces chances of high blood pressure, helps in resisting respiratory problems like common cold, helps in reducing the sign and symptoms of dengue, malaria, swing flu and others, and improves eyesight. The plant contains anti-ageing properties; it is used to treat chronic fever and is also believed to be a valuable natural remedy for curing cancer.

Likewise, Gurjo is also helpful in developing a strong immune system and it has become imperative during this pandemic time to promote the plant widely as an ayurvedic medicine to improve immune system, said Thatal.