‘Fish Prasadam’ Cures Ashthma? Thousands Flock to Hyderabad for This Magical Cure
The paste is stuffed into a live three centimetre-long murrel fish that is then slipped through the throat of the patient, who swallows it alive.
An annual ritual started by Hyderabd-based Battini Goud family has been dispensing the ‘fish prasadam’ for 173 years. It is believed to be a cure for many breathing disorders. This year the program began at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally in the city. The Bathini Goud family distributes the prasadam free of cost to the public and asks people to come for three consecutive years to get cured. Members of Bathini Goud family started administering the ‘wonder drug’ at 9 am on June 8 to mark the onset of the monsoon.
What is ‘Fish Prasadam’?
The fish is consumed with a yellow herbal paste and the ingredients of the paste is a family secret. They claim that the secret formula for the herbal medicine was given to their ancestor in 1845 by a saint after taking an oath from him that it would be administered free of cost. The paste is stuffed into a live three centimetre-long murrel fish that is then slipped through the throat of the patient, who swallows it alive. The medicine is offered as ‘prasadam’ as a cure for asthma and other breathing disorders. For vegetarians, the medicine is administered with jaggery.
Superstition or Medicine?
While the annual event attracts lakhs of people from all parts of India, rationalist groups in the past have questioned the efficacy of the so-called medicine. However, the family insists that their medicine is effective. “This is scientific. People have taken our samples to labs in Japan, Germany and got them tested,” as reported by India Times. The explanation provided by the Gouds about how the medicine works seems amusing than plausible. Apparently, the live fish travels through the throat wagging its tail and fins, clearing all the congestion. Thus, providing cure to asthma.
However, the doctors have rubbished the theory. As reported by Times of India, Hyderabad-based pulmonologist Dr. Ajit Vigg says, “The ‘fish prasadam’ is completely unscientific and a blind belief, there is no reason why it should be given. A lot of cases have been reported till now where the condition of patients suffering from acute asthma has deteriorated after taking this medicine. Moreover, eating live fish can also cause digestion problems.”
The fish medicine has comparatively lost its popularity in recent years after some groups termed it as a fraud. They also approached the court, claiming the herbal paste contained heavy metals which could cause serious health problems. Despite no scientific proof of its medicinal qualities, every passing year the number of patients coming to Hyderabad is only increasing.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 12, 2018 12:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).