India Takes a Lead in the World by Digitizing Traditional Medicine Using an AI-Based Library.
India has unveiled the world's first digital library for traditional medicine powered by AI, conserving ancient systems of knowledge such as Ayurveda and Unani. Supported by the WHO, the move protects heritage, stops biopiracy, and combines traditional healing with modern medicine.
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
What happens when you eat Saunf Mishri after meals?
It's a common sight in Indian homes and restaurants: a small bowl filled with colourful saunf (fennel seeds) and tiny cubes of mishri (rock sugar), often served at the end of a meal. While most people eat this mix to freshen their breath, there's more to it than just taste. This simple combination is packed with powerful health benefits that can improve digestion, soothe the stomach, and even reduce cravings for saunf and mishri have been used in Ayurveda and as traditional remedies for centuries. They are not only safe to consume after meals but also support your overall digestive what happens when you chew on this sweet and refreshing mix after eating.1. Improves digestion and soothes the stomach Saunf helps in releasing digestive juices, which supports better digestion. Mishri has cooling properties and helps calm acidity or bloating.2. Freshens breathe naturallyFennel seeds have natural oils that refresh your mouth instantly. Mishri also helps clean the mouth and keeps bad breath away.3. Controls sweet cravingsEating mishri after meals healthily satisfies your sweet tooth. It may help reduce your urge for sugary desserts or snacks.4. Relieves gas and aciditySaunf is known to reduce gas formation and bloating. It soothes the stomach lining, making you feel lighter after meals.5. Boosts nutrient absorptionA healthy gut absorbs more nutrients from food. Saunf supports gut health, helping your body use vitamins and minerals saunf and mishri after meals is more than just a tasty tradition. This small but powerful mix supports digestion, freshens your breath, and keeps your stomach calm. With natural ingredients and centuries of use in Indian households, it's a healthy and easy way to care for your gut next time you finish a meal, reach for a pinch of saunf and mishri your body will thank you.- Ends
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
WHO sounds alarm on risk of chikungunya epidemic
The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 that a major chikungunya virus epidemic risks sweeping around the globe, calling for urgent action to prevent it. The WHO said it was picking up exactly the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago and wanted to prevent a repeat. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain, which is often debilitating. In some cases it can be deadly. "Chikungunya is not a disease that is widely known, but it has been detected and transmitted in 119 countries globally, putting 5.6 billion people at risk," said the WHO's Diana Rojas Alvarez. She recalled how from 2004 to 2005, a major chikungunya epidemic swept across the Indian Ocean, hitting small island territories before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people. 'Today, WHO is seeing the same pattern emerge: since the beginning of 2025, Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius have all reported major chikungunya outbreaks. One-third of the population of Reunion is estimated to have been infected already,' she told a press briefing in Geneva. Raising the alarm The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus disease, making it difficult to diagnose, according to the WHO. Rojas Alvarez said that like 20 years ago, the virus was now spreading to other places in the region, such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya. "Epidemic transmission is also occurring in south Asia," she added. In Europe, imported cases have also been reported, linked with the outbreak in the Indian Ocean islands. Local transmission has been reported in France, and suspected cases detected in Italy. "Because these patterns of transmission were seen in the outbreak from 2004 onwards, WHO is calling for urgent action to prevent history from repeating itself," said Rojas Alvarez. She noted that the case fatality rate was less than one percent, "but when you start counting millions of cases, that one percent can be thousands" of deaths. "We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early, detect and strengthen all the capacities to avoid going through very large outbreaks." Tiger mosquitos Rojas Alvarez explained that in regions where populations have little or no immunity, the virus can quickly cause significant epidemics, affecting up to three-quarters of the population. Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing farther north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change. They bite primarily during daylight hours, with peak activity often in the early morning and late afternoon. The WHO urged people to protect themselves through measures like using mosquito repellent and not leaving water to stagnate in containers such as buckets, where mosquitoes can breed.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Chikungunya virus alert: How a mosquito bite this monsoon can trigger severe arthritis-like pain that can last up to 5 years
A serious health warning is now being issued worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded an early alarm about the growing risk of a global chikungunya epidemic, a viral disease many have barely heard of, yet one that has already infected millions in the past and is now gaining pace once again. According to WHO's Diana Rojas Alvarez, the early warning signs today are similar to those that preceded the explosive 2004-2005 chikungunya outbreak, which spread rapidly from small island nations to large populations across the globe. This time, the virus is making a strong comeback in Indian Ocean islands, parts of Africa, South Asia, and even parts of Europe. Here's all we need to know about what this warning truly means, what happens during chikungunya infection, who needs to be more cautious, and what steps can truly help reduce the risk. Understanding Chikungunya: Not just another fever Chikungunya is generally mistaken for dengue or Zika due to its overlapping symptoms, but it comes with its own set of severe challenges. Caused by the chikungunya virus, this disease spreads through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes known to transmit dengue and Zika. What sets chikungunya apart is the intensity of joint pain it causes. The word itself comes from a Makonde language and means 'to become contorted,' referring to the stooped posture of patients due to unbearable joint stiffness. In most cases, the illness lasts 7–10 days, but in some, joint pain can linger for months or even years, mimicking arthritis. Symptoms: What really happens when infected? WHO confirms that chikungunya symptoms generally appear 4 to 8 days after being bitten. These include: Sudden high fever Debilitating joint pain (especially in the hands and feet) Muscle pain Fatigue Rash Swelling of joints In rare cases, eye, heart, or neurological complications What remains hidden is the long-term burden this disease can place on individuals, especially older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Joint pain that persists for months isn't just uncomfortable, it's disabling. Who is most at risk, and why it matters now more than ever As per WHO's latest assessment, 5.6 billion people across 119 countries are now at risk. This includes not only tropical regions but also parts of Europe and Asia, where the so-called tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is expanding due to climate change. The risk is especially high among: Elderly individuals, who are more prone to long-term joint complications Newborns, if infected during childbirth People with weakened immune systems Individuals in densely populated urban areas, where mosquito breeding thrives Recent data from La Réunion suggests nearly one-third of its population has already been infected in 2025 alone. With local transmission now occurring in France and Italy, the virus is no longer a distant tropical concern. How the virus spreads: Not through contact, but mosquitoes There are a few myths floating around, so let's clear the air. Chikungunya is not spread from person to person like the common cold. It spreads exclusively through the bite of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes bite during the day, especially during early morning and late afternoon. Once infected, a person can act as a source of the virus for mosquitoes for about a week, and if bitten during this time, the mosquito can then pass the virus to others. That's how outbreaks spiral so quickly. Prevention: What actually works (and what doesn't) In the absence of a vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, prevention is the only powerful shield. WHO urges strong individual and community-level efforts. Here are key protective strategies: Eliminate stagnant water: Even a small amount in flower pots, buckets, or AC trays can become a mosquito nursery. Use mosquito repellents (containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus) Wear full-sleeved clothing, especially during peak mosquito hours Install mosquito screens on doors and windows Community fogging: In high-risk areas, authorities may use insecticide fogging to curb mosquito populations. However, mere fogging isn't enough if water containers continue to lie around unnoticed. Community awareness and cleanliness are the real game changers. Chikungunya today: A climate crisis in disguise? There's growing evidence linking the resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases to climate change. Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall are expanding the breeding grounds and survival time for Aedes mosquitoes. A 2024 report warns that rising global temperatures have pushed the tiger mosquito further north, reaching areas in southern Europe previously untouched. This is not just a public health issue anymore, it's a climate-linked crisis. Public health experts are urging countries to strengthen disease surveillance, invest in early detection systems, and prepare healthcare infrastructure for large-scale outbreaks. (Inputs from agencies) (This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. For personal health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare provider.)
