Now, buy ayurvedic medicines, herbal products from government

Ayurvedic medicines and herbal products that were until recently domain of businessmen will now be available with the government too. 

The state government has already earned Rs 2 lakhs from a shop it opened in Nagpur that provides these products for the past 25 days. The medicines and products are being derived from forest produce. The shop opened under the 'Van Dhan Jan Dhan' scheme provides for 

Around 45 products were sold from the shops in this scheme. Teak seed powder, Alovera powder, Bhui awala churna, Amla powder, Nutgrass powder, Touch me Not powder, Tulsi powder, Adulsa powder, Jamun Powder, Jalbrahmi powder, Herbal washing powder, Bija glass (for diabetes), Mahua oil and Mahua jam, Adivasi Achar, Kumari Assav and handicrafts from forest woods are some of the products that will be available at 'Van Dhan Jan Dhan' shops.

With the products already in demand, the government has big plans for its expansion. It is considering starting two shops at each railway station and airport premises across the state. 
A consulting firm will be hired to study forest products in each district. Specialty of a particular forest will be found out and will be displayed in every shop. The initial fund will be allocated from State Innovative Council funds for planning and operational expenses.

Forest officials stated that the idea came after the Yoga Guru, Baba Ramdev’s products making a good success in the field. “We thought that if Baba Ramdev can capture the Ayurvedic market, whose products are derived from our forests, why can we not take an initiative and use our traditional knowledge of making medicines from forest produce,” the official said.

Maharashtra Forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that Tribals have an in depth knowledge on the kinds of plants that can be used as medicines for certain diseases. “We have never seen Tribals dying of a heart attack nor seen them suffering from diabetes or blood pressure. Even if they get injured, they use leaves of some trees and they are completely cured the next day,” Mungantiwar said. Earlier the minister has advocated that flowers be used for medicinal purposes instead of making vine from them. 

“The knowledge has come down from generations but none of it is on paper. We have decided to use their traditional knowledge, and sell products made by Tribals. People will be benefit and Tribals will also get employment,” he added.