Medicinal garden on the roof of Thakurgaon Hospital

Abdul Awal, Thakurgaon: A garden of rare species of medicinal plants has been developed on the roof of Thakurgaon 250-bed General Hospital to promote herbal gardening and popularize naturopathy. The hospital authorities said that the garden has been developed as an exhibition to promote environmental balance and cure diseases with natural medicines obtained from plants. However, for the modernization of this natural treatment system, research is needed as well as quality control of herbal products. On the other hand, experts say that the side effects of allopathic medicines are increasing the number of people who are relying on herbal medicines as alternatives. Going to the surface, it can be seen that the rows of trees growing in the roof tubs are spread in the greenery next to the two-storey building of the old building of the hospital. There is a herb garden signboard. At first glance, anyone's eyes will be stuck in the garden for a while. There are about 40 species of herbs in this garden. Among these are about half a hundred medicinal trees including extinct and rare species Anantamul, Nayantara, Ghritakanchan, Aparajita, Harjora, Bishalikarani. Some who came to see the garden said that there are some rare trees in this garden. Which is not often seen now, is gradually disappearing. The garden will provide peace of mind to the patients visiting the hospital. But on a larger scale it would have been a sight to behold. Meanwhile, the dependence on herbal medicine has increased among the patients who come to the hospital. Vejsh garden director and the only Ayurvedic medical officer of the hospital Dr. Gurupad Saha said that this initiative was taken to implement the instructions given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to garden on the roof of the hospital. Homeopathy, Unani, Ayurvedic medicine, the oldest medical treatments, are still important to the marginalized population. Apart from this, plants have various uses in Ayurvedic system. That is why this garden has been built. Side effects are not a problem with these ancient treatments. So many people are turning to Ayurvedic treatment day by day. He said that an average of 50 to 60 patients come for Ayurvedic treatment in the outpatient department of the hospital every day. Talking to some naturalists and eminent academicians, it is known that herbs have extraordinary medicinal properties. Which acts as a cure for our environment and diseases. The hospital authorities are inoculating various medicinal plants with utmost care. This initiative is undoubtedly commendable. However, they are of the opinion that more and more herbal gardens should be developed to popularize the natural treatment system.