Mon Feb 17 05:09:12 UTC 2025: ## Odisha Tribal Healer’s Traditional Remedies Under Scrutiny by Ayurvedic Council

**Bhubaneswar, Odisha – February 17, 2025** – The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) is investigating the traditional healing methods of Hari Pangi, a tribal healer from Odisha’s Koraput district. Pangi, who has practiced for five generations, claims to successfully treat chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and cancer using indigenous plants and remedies.

His methods have drawn significant attention, with 100-125 patients visiting his four-room clinic every Sunday. Impressed by this high demand and anecdotal evidence of success, CCRAS has signed a non-disclosure agreement with Pangi to study his techniques. A year-long study involving an Ayurvedic expert working alongside Pangi will assess the efficacy of his treatments.

The CCRAS director general, Professor Rabinarayan Acharya, stated that the council is particularly interested in Pangi’s treatments for chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and cancer. Following the study, CCRAS plans further research and potentially patenting of any novel findings, with Pangi sharing in any profits. This initiative aligns with CCRAS’s broader mandate to validate and scientifically evaluate traditional tribal healing practices.

The collaboration also included a workshop at Pangi’s research centre, focusing on preserving medicinal plants through seed banks to combat climate change and train other tribal healers. Pangi himself has already preserved over 400 seed varieties of medicinal plants.

Experts emphasize the importance of a national policy for the conservation of medicinal plants. Science communicator Laxminarayan Boxi highlighted the need for a structured approach to protect these resources for future generations, mirroring existing policies for other genetic resources. This collaboration marks a significant step towards integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific research, potentially leading to new treatments and the recognition of valuable indigenous practices.

Read More