Dengue

Dengue, a rejuvenating viral disease is a mosquito borne tropical disease caused by dengue virus. It is disseminated by Aedes mosquito, particularly Aedes aegypti.  Symptoms typically begin three or fourteen days after infection, which include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pain and a characteristics skin rash. If it is a severe dengue also known as dengue haemorrhagic fever resulting in bleeding, low level of blood platelets, blood plasma leakage or into dengue shock syndrome where dangerously low blood pressure occurs. Countries like India, a land of traditional medicines are focusing mainly on the herbal medicines as a trusted approach, since there are no effective treatment available for dengue if properly treated mortality can be reduced. Out of 22 plants, only 4 species were studied scientifically- Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Hippophae rhamnoides and Cissampelos pareira. This article aims on the review of recent status of dengue and curative herbal remedies.

Siddha physicians prescribe many drugs to bring around several viral infections such as swine flu, chikungunya and dengue nowadays. The polyherbal decoction Nilavembu Kudineer (NK) is a familiar one in this series. This drug is administered for all age groups and observed by nil adverse effects. Even Tamil speaking people are well known of this drug irrespective of their literacy, knowledge about medicine etc.  Many researchers rivet over this drug because of its rescuing nature from various microbial infections. Here, an attempt has been made to summarize the explored ethno pharmacological activities of the ingredients in order to strengthen the scientific facts favouring this drug. This will put a step ahead in the field of research for further studies.