John Wesley, the Herbal medicine specialist of Shillong

Shillong, May 19 : Since time immemorial herbal treatment of various ailments has been an integral part of life in India, particularly in the rural areas. But a Meghalya-based medical practitioner is popularizing it in the northeast India.

John Wesley Kharduid is a popular name in the northeastern India due to his herbal treatments of patients suffering from various ailments.

Dr. John Wesley Kharduid, tin herbal medicine, said: "I treat patients with arthritis, handicapped children, patients who are paralysed or had a stroke. I prescribe only herbal medicine."

He says that he has visited many countries and is presently working to promote the importance of herbal treatment, as he maintains that it is the most ancient form of treatment without having any side effects.

Recently, a badly burnt child approached him. The facilities available in the local hospital were not adequate to take care of him. It is in this situation of hopelessness that patients approach John Wesley Kharduid.

John is a native of Thangning, about 18 kilometers from Shillong in Meghalaya. He started his career, as herbal practitioner in 1982.

Though John didn't have his formal education beyond standard eight in school, it didn't prevent him from carryon on practicing and gained wide popularity. He claims that he learnt the significance of herbal medicines from his late uncle and grandmother.

Today, John claims to have treated all kinds of cases.

Over 70 per cent of his patients have been successfully cured. Most of them come from outside the State. Some patients are from Germany who are undergoing cancer treatment.

John plans to construct a 30-bed hospital for herbal treatment at his farm in Thangning. He wants to include a teaching institution at his hospital for interested students from across the world to take up a course in herbal medicine.

Joyly, one paralysed patient, said: "In other hospitals, I did not get any relief at all but now I am getting a little relief."

Christel Ghosh, a German patient, said: "We mentioned about cancer and she told me this doctor could cure the boy with cancer."

He has for permission to the ministry of DONER last year. He is very hopeful that his skill will be recognized world over.

John, who has been awarded many prizes and certificates including the most talented medicinal practitioner award.

He says: "Many letters reach me from Scotland, the U.S, China and also from other parts of India. They want me to come there for herbal practice."

John hopes that his achievements will prompt the Central and the State government to promote herbal medicine in other parts of the country too. By D. Henpilen

ANI