Govt releases booklet on medicinal plants abounding Goa forest

Panaji: The cure for various diseases like tuberculosis, leprosy and others besides rheumatic problems lies in medicinal plants found across forests in Goa, a booklet published by the state forest department here claimed.

The booklet 'Some Important Medicinal Plants of Goa' was released today by State Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar here.

The decoction of 'Shatavari' (asparagus racemosus) roots can used for nervous and rheumatic complaints, besides as an anti-dysenteric, anti-spasmodic, in cough, tuberculosis, hypertension, diarrhoea, swellings, tumours, bronchitis, as a refrigerant and aphrodisiac, reads the booklet.

Shatavari is also used for treating epilepsy, night blindness, diseases of blood, eye and throat and to increase milk secretion in lactating mothers.

The tree is found in moist pockets of open forests. Similarly, the booklet has listed several other medical plants like Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) which is used to restore loss of memory, Kadunim (Azardirachata indica) for treating skin diseases, Bayo (Cassia fistula) for fever and abdominal pain and others which are found in abundance in state forests.