Latest news with #Unani
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Delhiwale: This way to Kucha Nahar Khan
Jun 28, 2025 05:18 AM IST Even as the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is enjoying his big fat wedding in Venice, his company is actively seeking 'illiterate to graduate boys' for 'packing and scanning' in Purani Dilli's Kucha Nahar Khan street. The poster is plastered on a peeling wall, beside a flyer offering tuition classes in 'computer, Punjabi, abacus, divinity course.' The street is punctuated with a couple of old doorways. One is in fading blue—a shade so fragile that it might wash away in the first monsoon shower. (HT Photo) This afternoon, the pre-monsoon air in Kucha Nahar Khan is unbearably hot+humid. Nevertheless, the cook at Yaseen Bawarchi is sombrely braving the heat in his street-facing kitchen crammed with pots and ladles. While the adjacent stall's poker-faced Yusuf Chai Wale is preparing one more round of chai. Close by, electric appliance repairer Yaseen is trying to revive a battered toaster. His tiny establishment is filled with dozens of household utilities in varying states of deterioration. The busy Yaseen condescends to utter only a single short sentence, but in it he discloses everything he knows about the historical figure who gave his name to the Kucha—'Nahar Khan was accha aadmi.' (Kucha, of course, refers to a lane whose dwellers share the same occupation.) The street ahead is punctuated with a couple of old doorways. One is in fading blue—a shade so fragile that it might wash away in the first monsoon shower. This door is ajar, revealing three more doorways within, coated in the same dreamy blue. A limp dog hobbling along the lane confidently enters the beautiful portal and promptly disappears from view. The other doorway is crowned with a marble plaque bearing the name of the residence (Hasan Manzil), and the year of its built (1956). The black paint on the plaque's Urdu inscription has partly faded. The lane in fact is eclectically kaleidoscopic. Every turn of the gaze reveals an altogether new character. Look this side: that's a workshop manufacturing juice machines. Look the opposite side: that's the bookstore Kitab-Bu-Shifa specialising in books on the Unani school of medicine. And over there: a balcony decked with potted flowers, too close to a tangle of overhanging power cables. The street ends beside an anonymous man's grave, a landmark revered by the street dwellers as a sacred mazar. That's why Kucha Nahar Khan is also called Gali Mazar Wali.
India Today
a day ago
- Health
- India Today
These 7 Indian superfoods can help ease inflammation : Find out how
Everyone wants to get rid of their inflammation these days. It's one of the biggest health concerns we're dealing with. But inflammation isn't your enemy—it's your body's natural defence mechanism, trying to protect and system was meant to activate briefly in response to infection or injury. But thanks to chronic stress, poor diets, and sedentary routines, it stays switched on longer than it should. How we eat, rest, and move needs to Today spoke to Khushboo Jain Tibrewala—Nutritionist and Diabetes & Inflammation Specialist—who suggests that one of the easiest ways to support the body's healing process is by returning to the roots of traditional Indian foods. Here are 7 powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients that are probably already in your kitchenKALONJI (BLACK SEED)Rich in thymoquinone, kalonji has been used in Ayurvedic and Unani traditions for centuries. It helps reduce inflammation, improves immunity, and balances blood sugar levels. It also supports gut health and reduces insulin resistance. How to use: Add to rotis, sprinkle on khichdi, or temper in contains garcinol, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It helps combat acidity, heat rashes, and sluggish digestion, especially during hot weather. advertisement How to use: Add to dals and gravies for a tangy twist, or enjoy it as a cooling sol GRAM (KULTHI DAL)Packed with fibre and polyphenols, horse gram is great for detoxifying the body and lowering chronic inflammation. Traditionally used for treating kidney stones, joint pain, and aiding weight loss. How to use: Cook as dal, sprout, and toss into salads, or grind for protein-rich LEAVES (SUVA BHAJI)This fragrant green is a digestive hero. It reduces bloating, calms digestive tract inflammation, and supports hormone regulation, especially useful for PMS and weak appetite. How to use: Add to parathas, stir into dals, or saut with jeera and everyday fruit is a powerhouse of vitamin C, fibre, and carotenoids, which reduce oxidative stress and shield the gut lining. It also supports glowing skin and blood sugar control. How to use: Eat raw, blend into spicy chutneys, or toss into fruit SEEDSLoaded with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), hemp seeds are great for brain function, skin clarity, and hormonal balance. How to use: Sprinkle on porridge, khichdi, or blend into nutty (MORINGA PODS)Moringa pods are packed with quercetin and chlorogenic acid—two natural compounds that help lower inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and improve digestion. How to use: Add to sambhar, boil for soups, or use dried moringa leaves in rotis and is your body's cry for help, not a flaw. The solution doesn't lie in shortcuts or trendy fads but in the timeless wisdom of local, whole foods. These kitchen staples, when used consistently, can help your body reset and thrive—gently, naturally, and effectively.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana battles rising kidney failures, deaths amid surge in quack clinics
In emergency departments of government hospitals across Telangana, doctors are witnessing a troubling rise in kidney failure cases among patients who first sought care at informal clinics. 'When we probe their medical history, many recall being prescribed a cocktail of medicines by a so-called rural doctor. Upon verification, we often find that the clinic was operated by an unqualified practitioner or a quack,' doctors said. The proliferation of unqualified medical practitioners, or quacks, is not confined to rural Telangana. It is now a deep-rooted, state-wide public health crisis affecting both urban and rural populations, according to senior health officials and professional medical bodies. Despite recent efforts to clamp down on illegal medical practice, the challenge remains systemic and urgent. Crackdown in motion, but problem deep-rooted Nearly a year into a statewide crackdown on unauthorised medical practice, Srinivas Gundagani, vice chairman of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC), shared that the Council has so far filed over 450 FIRs across the state, with around 140 cases currently in court. 'What we are seeing is not just illegal practice but life-threatening mismanagement by unqualified individuals. During one of our raids in Sangareddy district, we found a 10th-fail woman performing abortions. In another case, a woman with no medical background was managing an emergency room, prescribing IV antibiotics, and giving medication to pregnant women,' he added. TGMC categorises quacks into three broad groups: Completely unqualified individuals, some barely educated, who run clinics and treat everything from fevers to hypertension, even performing abortions and minor surgeries. AYUSH practitioners (BAMS, BHMS, Unani) illegally practise allopathy — managing ICUs, performing deliveries, administering IV drugs, and prescribing steroids, often without oversight from any MBBS-qualified doctors. Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who have not cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) but practice under the guise of being doctors by borrowing the credentials or prescription pads of others Antibiotic misuse, kidney failure, and deaths Medical experts are raising alarm bells about the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and steroids by these untrained practitioners, a practice that is fuelling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which could pose a bigger global health threat than COVID-19 by 2050. 'These people do not understand diagnosis or proper dosage. The misuse is causing irreversible damage, kidney failure, cataracts, and even deaths,' Dr. Srinivas said, citing the case of a gym trainer in Hyderabad who was misdiagnosed by a quack and later died from a cardiac episode after being sent home without even an ECG. Another disturbing case involved a botched piles surgery by a quack that had to be corrected by a qualified surgeon at ESI Hospital in Hyderabad Weak enforcement and legal loopholes Though TGMC has been proactive in identifying violators and filing FIRs, it lacks enforcement authority. 'Once we file an FIR, we forward it to the District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs) to take further action. Some respond, but most do not' Dr. Srinivas said. He pointed out that DMHOs are empowered under the Telangana Medical Practitioners Act to seal clinics and prosecute offenders but often fail to act, allowing quack-run facilities to reopen within days. A 2021 dossier by the National Health Systems Resource Centre highlights significant gaps in Telangana's public healthcare infrastructure. Rural areas face a 12.4% shortfall in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and a 53.04% shortfall in Community Health Centres (CHCs). The situation is even more severe in urban regions, where PHC shortfall stands at 27.41%. Tribal areas are the worst affected, with a 44.12% shortfall in CHCs and a 46.38% shortfall in PHCs, leaving these already vulnerable communities critically underserved. Dr Srinivas dismissed the argument that quacks are necessary in rural areas due to a shortage of doctors. 'Telangana produces nearly 10,000 MBBS graduates annually. What we lack is not doctors, it's infrastructure, regulation, and political will,' he said. IMA Telangana raises red flag Echoing TGMC's concerns, Dwarakanath Reddy, president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana chapter, described the situation as 'a slow-burning epidemic'. He criticised past government efforts to informally legitimise quacks in rural areas through pseudo-certification, calling them illegal and dangerous. 'No certification can be given to an unqualified person, that's the law. What we are seeing is a result of casual employment in hospitals, where support staff gain minimal experience and then open unauthorised clinics,' he said. Dr. Reddy warned of the severe public health consequences of what he termed the 'shotgun approach' of prescribing, a method in which quacks give broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids for every complaint, leading to temporary relief but long-term harm. 'This is one of the biggest contributors to AMR,' he said. He urged the government to create enabling conditions for MBBS graduates to serve in rural areas. 'If you want young doctors to set up practice in remote districts, you need to provide subsidies, housing, and supportive systems, not allow untrained individuals to fill the gap.' Quackery is not a professional rivalry issue, it is a life-and-death matter Both TGMC and IMA leaders stressed that the anti-quackery drive is not about professional rivalry, but about preventable deaths and long-term health consequences due to misdiagnosis and irrational drug use. 'This is about saving lives. We have seen patients lose kidneys, go blind from steroid overuse, or die after botched procedures in unhygienic settings. Quackery is a threat to life, not just legality,' Dr. Srinivas said.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘It feels healthy, but…': Here's what happens when you eat soaked Ajwa dates with cold milk on an empty stomach
With wellness routines gaining popularity, one age-old combination is making its way back into morning rituals: soaked Ajwa dates in cold milk, consumed first thing on an empty stomach. Known for their rich nutrient profile and deep cultural significance, Ajwa dates are not only delicious but are also believed to offer a wide range of health benefits when paired with milk. The practice of soaking dates overnight before combining them with cold milk is said to enhance absorption and make it easier on the stomach, especially in the morning when the body is just waking up. Dr Anjana Kalia, Ayurvedic doctor and nutritionist at Diet Clinix, tells 'Ajwa dates are rich in nutrients like iron, potassium, magnesium and calcium. They are also a rich source of fibre. When consumed on an empty stomach especially after soaking overnight with milk it helps give a boost of energy.' She adds, 'People with iron deficiency (who are not diabetic) can benefit from consuming this on an empty stomach, as it may help boost iron levels. Additionally, since it is a good source of antioxidants, it supports the cleansing of vital organs and promotes heart health.' Deepika Sharma, Delhi-based personal trainer and functional nutritionist, mentions, 'Soaked dates are softer and more digestible. Plus, they've got soluble fiber that can keep things moving. Cold milk can feel soothing, unless, of course, your stomach disagrees.' 'Soaked Ajwa dates in cold milk offer a nutrient-rich start to the day,' states Dr Kalia, adding that dates are high in natural sugars, fibre, potassium, and antioxidants, while milk provides protein and calcium. This combination may support digestion, boost energy, and enhance immunity. 'While direct research on this specific mix is limited, individual studies support the digestive and antioxidant benefits of dates and the nutritional value of milk. Together, they can promote gut health, stabilise blood sugar, and provide sustained energy when consumed on an empty stomach,' she stresses. 'Science hasn't caught up entirely,' concurs Sharma. She adds, 'Systems like Ayurveda and Unani have long valued Ajwa dates, for general vitality.' However, more research is needed to understand the benefits in depth. Dr Kalia asserts that diabetics should avoid consuming excessive amounts of Ajwa dates, 'as they can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.' She adds that it is essential for individuals with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar closely while including Ajwa dates in their diet. 'Additionally, those who are lactose intolerant should avoid consuming Ajwa dates with milk, as it may lead to digestive discomfort. Instead, they can soak 2–3 Ajwa dates in water overnight and consume both the dates and the water in the morning.' It feels healthy, Sharma states, but this mix is calorie-dense. 'Without portion control or balance elsewhere in your diet, it could quietly contribute to weight gain over time.' Furthermore, she informs that if you're dealing with kidney issues, IBS, or following a low-potassium diet, dates might not be the best idea. 'Cold milk can also aggravate digestion in some folks, especially first thing in the morning,' she concludes. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
New Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Two Bhopal doctors anxiously await return of children stranded in war-hit Iran
BHOPAL: Two senior Unani medicine doctors in Bhopal are waiting with bated breath for the safe return of their children, both medical students, who are stranded in war-ravaged Iran. Dr Ehsan Azmi, a medical officer at Bhopal's Government HSZH Unani Medical College, is anxious for the safe return of his daughter Areej Ehsan, a second-year (fourth semester) MBBS student. Equally concerned is Dr Shahid Khan, a medical officer at Unani Shifakhana-Bhopal, whose son Mohd Haris Khan is in the eighth semester (fourth year) of the same course. Both Areej and Mohd Haris are pursuing their MBBS at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. 'Before Monday, my daughter said it seemed they were surviving in the jaws of death and destruction. But from Monday, the Indian Embassy in Tehran started working on a war footing to rescue the Indian students via the Indian Medical Students Association in the Iranian capital. We were particularly concerned about the safety of children, as there are reports that some of the nuclear scientists who were killed in the barrage of Israeli strikes, were actually from the Shahid Beheshti University only,' Dr Azmi told TNIE on Friday. Originally from Azamgarh district in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Dr Azmi added, 'We had a slight sigh of relief when we came to know about the students, including my daughter, having been shifted by the Indian Embassy from war-ravaged Tehran to Qom city (around 160 km from Tehran) on June 15."
