Days after developing alcohol-based herbal sanitiser, scientists at the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, have prepared a herbal decongestant spray for those finding difficulties in breathing and congestion in the respiratory system due to wearing of mask for a long time. The aim is to help the netizens to fight coronavirus.
The herbal-based formulation helps in clearing the wind pipe and congestion by removing the mucus or cough leading to ease of breathing. It also reduces stress due to excessive use of mask and decongestion. This spray has been prepared as per guidelines of the Union Ayush Ministry.
“The main reasons behind this problem include the accumulation of carbon dioxide and humidity in the inner cavity of the mask. When a person breathes in, this goes back to the lungs again. Repetition of this process over a period of time causes discomfort in breathing and congestion”, said Dr. Sharad Srivastava, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NBRI, who led the team of researchers for this study.
“Herbal decongestant spray is a fine blend of four plant-based oils, but the names of these plants cannot be disclosed right now because of issues related to intellectual property. This product is developed based on the principles of Ayurveda and contains ingredients reported in traditional scriptures”, explained Dr. Srivastava. The initial results of this NBRI's herbal spray have been extremely impressive. People wearing masks for a long time are getting a lot of relief from this, say researchers.
The Institute plans to transfer the technology of this inhaler for commercial production so that it can be produced on a large scale and sent to the frontline worriers fighting against COVID-19 pandemic.
About the herbal sanitiser that contains Tulsi essential oil as herbal constituent which is strong natural antimicrobial agent and 60 percent of isopropyl alcohol for killing germs, Director NBRI, Dr SK Barik said, it has been clinically tested and found to be highly-effective against surface microbes.
He said, its impact lasts for about 25 minutes and it prevents skin from dehydrating. The product will be available in the market very soon under the brand name of ‘Clean Hand Gel’. The technology of the herbal hand sanitizer has been transferred to Lucknow based company Sadguru Biologicals Privated Limited.