The field of medical science is reaching unprecedented advancements- vaccines for cancer, artificial pancreas, and electronic aspirin, to name a few. It seems like the spectrum of medicine is reaching whole new heights. But amid these scientific modern advancements, many opt for herbal medicine, more specifically known as Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedics originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. It is based on the belief that overall health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Its main goal is to promote good health, but treatments may be geared toward specific health problems. Its concepts about health and disease promote the use of herbal compounds, special diets, and other unique health practices

Hamdard group is a well-known and reputed Ayurvedic group present in Bangladesh. It was first established in 1906 by Late Hakeem Abdul Majeed at Delhi. The word "Hamdard" belongs to the Persian language, which is the combination of "Ham", meaning friend, and "Dard", meaning pain. So Hamdard literally means friend in pain or who shares the pain of others. It started as a health service, but later diversified into an educational and a socio-cultural movement.

In Bangladesh, Hamdard was established in 1953. The main focus of Hamdard Bangladesh is to bring medicine to people for common diseases and body complications, based on nature. It aims to provide people with the gift of nature and relieve them from too much use of synthetic medicine.

Mohammad Sajjad Hossain, Zonal Manager of Hamdard, Dhaka, gives an idea of how they ensure number one quality for their products. To maintain the highest standards of production Hamdard Bangladesh has set up laboratories with modern scientific equipment, that are run by qualified experts. Hamdard has established Holistic Quality Management System to check every step of production and marketing, right from the procurement of raw materials, finished goods quality assurance and post delivery customer service.

Upon talking to the staff at Hamdard's Panthapath office, we got an overview of which of their products have the highest demands in the market and the uses of these products: Hamdard Amritarista: Hamdard Amritarista is prepared with Moon Creeper (Tinosporacordifolia), Black Nightshade (Solarium indicum) and other valuable natural medicinal ingredients. It is effective against acute and chronic fever, excessive thirst and also effective in the treatment of the enlargement of liver and spleen. It helps to relieve burning sensation during urination, urinary tract infection and oliguria.

Hamdard Chyabanprash: Hamdard Chyabanprash is an ideal tonic, containing valuable natural ingredients, fortified with honey, prepared with the ancient wisdom and modern research and technology, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Hamdard Chyabanprash keeps you physically fit and mentally alert. It strengthens respiratory system, fortifies immunity and prevents infectious diseases.

Hamdard Ashokarista: Hamdard Ashokarista is an Ayurvedic 'uterine tonic', which is very effective in the treatment of all menstrual problems naturally. The main ingredient of Ashokarista is the bark of Asoka tree (Saracaindica). Ashokarishta helps to relieve menorrhagia, dysmenorrhoea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and leucorrhoea. It also relieves oedema, indigestion and anorexia.

Trifala Churna: Trifala Churna is the combination of Emblic Myrobalan (Phyllanthus emblica), Chebulic Myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) and Belleric Myrobalan (Terminalia bellerica). It is highly effective in indigestion, diabetes, constipation and anorexia. It is a tonic for all vital organs of the body.

Hamdard Rohitakarista: Rohitakarista is prepared with Rohitak (Aphanamixispolystachya), Zinger (Zingiberofficinale), Clove (Piper longum) and other valuable natural ingredients. It helps to promote bile flow and improves digestion. It is also effective in ascites.

Capsule Kobi: Kobi is a capsule, prepared with standardised extract of Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) leaf. Ginkgo biloba is a monotypic dioecious plant, which is the only living representative of the genus Ginkgo. It is the oldest plant species in the planet that can be traced back more than 250 million years. It is effective in the treatment of cerebro-vascular insufficiency related disorders, including cognitive dysfunction, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, memory deficit, disturbance in concentration, tinnitus, vertigo, and also effective in peripheral arterial occlusive disease such as intermittent claudication, Raynaud's disease, acrocyanosis, and post-phlebitis syndrome.

Capsule Palmet: Palmet is a unique herbal preparation from standardised extract of Saw Palmetto fruit, which is very effective in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate).

Because of its roots in nature and the use of only things found in it, Ayurvedics have almost zero chances of having any side-effects, something modern synthetic medicines cannot boast of, meaning its benefits to the body far outweighs any doubts regarding its effectiveness.

Photo: Collected