Naresh Vashist
Singhania University, IndiaPresentation Title:
Non-Communicable Diseases and Use of Traditional Herbal Medicines in Rural Areas
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like, diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancers, etc., are chronic diseases, do not spread from person to person, take a long time to develop and no symptoms in the early stages, require treatment for several years or life-long. Traditional herbal medicines are used for NCDs, are indigenous or folk medicine, comprise medical aspects of traditional knowledge with very less or no side effects, comparatively. Therapeutic knowledge of Indian traditional medicine has propelled various traditional approaches which are of regional significance. Granny cure like spices, herbs, vegetables and other common items used for the treatments for diabetes and hypertension, are also included in traditional medicines. Total persons investigated=2483, normal persons = 2029 (81.72%), NCD patients = 454 (18.28%), Hypertension=237 (9.54%), Diabetic Mellitus =113 (4.55%), Other Non-Communicable Diseases 104 (4.19%), Traditional herbal Medicine users’ 107(23.57% from all NCD patients), Allopathic Medicine users’ = 140 (30.84% from all NCD patients), both Allopathic Medicine and Traditional herbal Medicine users= 207 (45.59%).Patients of non-communicable diseases adopted dualistic approach of treatment in rural areas as compare to use only allopathic treatment or traditional medicines treatment and focused mainly on medical pluralism. 45.59% of patients adopted dualistic approach as compare to 30.84% of patients who approached allopathic medicines and 23.57% of patients who approached traditional medicines. In rural areas about 80% of the patients their self-opted the use of traditional therapies for the treatment of non-communicable diseases. Medical pluralism is adopted by patients, should not be overlooked and traditional herbal medicines should be used more for NCDs in respect of their efficacy and side effects.
Biography
Dr. Naresh Vashist. [D. Litt. in Management (Pursuing in Public Health Management), Ph.D, M.Phil, MBA Hospital Management, M Sc. Zoology, B.Ed, B-Pharma [Pharmacy Practice], D-Pharma, and Working as a Pharmacy Officer in Health and Family Welfare Department, Himachal Pradesh, India.]