Nilavembu Kudineer: A Siddha Drink That Boosts Immunity

The herbal conconction is used for the treatment of viral fevers, and has gained popularity especially after the State-wide chikunguniya outbreak in 2006
Nilavembu Kudineer: A Siddha Drink That Boosts Immunity

CHENNAI: After the deluge in Chennai, the State Government has been distributing Nilavembu Kudineer — a herbal drink that boosts immunity — at all government hospitals and primary health centres. This is being done to control the outbreak of dengue.

A report on the protective effect of Nilavembu Kudineer against common viral fevers including dengue was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research on 1 April 2015. Siddha doctors have been getting many queries regarding this drink recently, says B Thamizhkkani, Government Siddha Physician and Secretary, Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Officers’ Association.

Siddha medicines have used for decades, but they received public attention only afer the chikungunya outbreak in Tamil Nadu in 2006. Nilavembu Kudineer has now become popular for the treatment of fevers, especially viral.

“The Tamil Nadu Government recently conducted the special monsoon Nilavembu Kudineer campaign for five days across the state,” says the doctor. “More than 10 lakh people have been given this herbal drink at the special monsoon Nilavembu Kudineer camps in Chennai alone.”

But there have been some myths and rumours about Nilavembu Kudineer, which the good doctor clarified...

Does this herbal concoction contain any harmful ingredients?

Nilavembu Kudineer is a polyherbal decoction and contains the following herbs: Nilavembu, Vettiver, Vilamichai ver, Chukku, Milagu, Korai Kizhangu, Santhanam, Parpadaagam and Pei pudul.

How do you prepare Nilavembu Kudineer?

Take 200ml of water, add a teaspoon of Nilavembu powder and boil it till it reduces to 50ml. Filter it and drink the liquid within three hours. This is the quantity for an adult to consume.

  •  For people more than 12-years-old: 50ml
  •  For children between the ages of 5 and 12 years: 20 to 30 ml.
  •  For children less than five-years-old: 10ml The drink is not advisable for infants.

As a precautionary measure, drink Nilavembu Kudineer once a day for five days. If you have fever, drink it thrice a day for three to seven days. Consult a doctor if fever persists for more than three days. Though it is a herbal medicine, drinking it often without consulting a Siddha doctor is not advisable.

Can we drink Nilavembu Kudineer if we’re taking allopathic medicines?

Use allopathic medicines for fever or other ailments along with this drink. Consult a doctor and take other medicines for non-viral fevers. Drink it with papaya juice and adathodai manapagu to treat dengue.

Is it a cure for all types of fever?

No...it helps you prevent viral fevers and Dengue only. Patients with peptic ulcers, diarrhoea, and bowel disorders must not drink Nilavembu Kudineer as it may worsen their condition.

Is this drink available in the market?

No company provides this medicine in liquid form because its shelf-life in liquid form is only three hours. It is available only in powdered form.

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