When Indian authorities approved Corona vaccine 1 which can be launched in the country, they had approve 2 vaccines, first vaccine was from Oxford Astra Zaneca manufactured in India by Serum Institute of India known as Covidshield, and second was Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. There was enough controversy regarding which is the better vaccine and Serum Institute made an allegations against Bharat Biotech that how govt has given them the permission as their 3rd stage trials, which was denied by Bharat Biotech. Govt intervene in this controversy and their spoke person gave the statement that both the vaccines are approved after due diligence and both are safe.
So when the actual vaccination process started initially there were many resistance for Covaxine, and many healthcare Doctors and Nurses refused to take Covaxine and preferred Covidshield. But when India started exporting Covaxine to many countries, slowly the resistance started evaporating against Covaxine. Now yesterday 8 doctors from Mumbai region rejected their allocated Covidshild and instead took shots of Covaxine. Now the situation is the Hospital (a govt one) where this happened made a statement that it will allow voluntary walk in for Covaxine, but vice versa will not be permitted.
There is one more news item which says that ‘Covaxine the indigenously developed vaccine against Covid 19 can protect infections from latest UK variant of Covid, the research is showing this. The National Institute of Virology, Indian Council medical Research(ICMR) and Bharat Biotech has conducted the study about this. It has concluded that this vaccine had generated enough antibody capability in recipients who have been give two doses to neutralise the new variant.
So let us keep our fingers crossed and hope that Covaxine does the job for new variant also.
2 My other topic of today is related to health.
NEEM is a fantastic plant, an herb that is wholly medicinal, its properties and uses is known for last 5000 years. Almost all parts of this plant like its roots, leaves, bark, flowers, seeds and fruits, are used for treating various body disorders. A few of the diseases like skin issues(chicken pox included) eye disorders, ear ailments, stomach issues, respiratory issues, liver, heart and blood issues, respiratory issues, teeth and gum issues etc.
In Ayurveda, Neem has a special part of many preparations and treatment, and it is said to have almost 130 compounds, that are extremely useful for human body. It is used for anti bacterial and antiviral medicines and also used as immune stimulant. Neem leaves are a good way of keeping away mosquitoes, and many uses its twigs to brush the teeth. Neem can tolerate high level of pollution and it even can recover after its foliage is dropped almost fully.
Neem paste has been used to heal wounds and clear dandruff from hair for ages in our country. Taking a bath with water boiled with Neem leaves is good remedy for skin infections. This water can rejuvenate the tired eyes, after washing the eyes with same. Neem paste can be used for pimples, and nowadays many face creams, face pack and face washes have incorporated it into their formula. Neem quoted urea, which govt has implemented is used in agriculture as the Neem coated urea as in inhibitor, and releases urea in the ground, thus aiding plant growth, resulting in better yields, it is also used as insecticide.
Neem juice regularly consumed is good for maintaining health. Juice is usually extracted from its leaves, fruits and flower. Consumption of Neem juice is beneficial in many diseases. It helps in controlling blood pressure, improve metaboilism, and solve any gastrointestinal issues, help in in better liner functions, and also improve the immunity against many other disease. One may consult a certified Ayurvedic doctor before starting the same, if required.
If you have access to fresh Neem leaves, you can blend in a mixer along with water, after washing thoroughly and strain, . Another idea is to blend it along with some fruits to hide its bitterness, and have the juice. However it is very bitter, you will have to get used to it. There are many organic product available in the market with Neem as an ingredient . You may blend with honey or cardamom powder along with boiled Neem tea to make its consumption easier.
Awaiting for your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
28th January 2021
v
R. N. Mungale.
Covaxine is definitely better.
Very good information about Neem.