Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia poses a burden on the limited health care delivery system in India. Current pharmacological anti anemic agents cause undesirable side effect such as nausea, vomiting and dark stool. Herbal extract as a nutritional support therapy offer the potential for alternative treatment strategies. In this context, the goal of this study was to provide plant extract formulation for anemia treatment in adolescent girls in India. The herbal extract was prepared by slicing 500 mg of fresh amla or embelica officinals into small pieces and blended well and mixed with quarter litre of boiled and cold water and drain with sieve. Two medium sized pumpkin leaves or Cucurbita pepo leaves was blended well with 50 ml of water and the juice was drain out. Jaggery syrup was prepared by melting 1000 g jaggery in 250 ml of water. The herbal extract was prepared by adding amla juice (500 mL) and pumpkin leaves extract (50 mL) to the jaggery syrup. It was administered to the adolescent girls 30 mL per day prior to lunch for duration of 60 days with the help of an ounce glass. There was significant difference observed in the post test level of haemoglobin and physical work capacity between the control and experimental group after receiving the herbal extract. But it was found that only mild difference was observed in intelligence between the control and experimental group after receiving the herbal extract for sixty days. Combining the three extracts enhanced the level of haemoglobin which further improved the physical work capacity and intelligence. The formulation demonstrates more potential in combinational herbal medicines therapy in anemia management.

Key words:  Herbal extract, jaggery, pumpkin leaves, amla.