Is ‘Solo’ from Ladakh PM Modi’s Modern-Day Sanjeevani?

Sanjeevani is the mythical herb that renewed Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman’s life in the epic Ramayana.

The leafy parts of the plant were used as vegetable by locals.

(Photo: iStockphoto)

In his first speech after the centre’s decision to scrap the special status given to Jammu & Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned a Ladakhi herb called ‘Solo’, which could benefit people with its medicinal properties, and could in fact be the modern-day ‘Sanjeevani’.

“A plant, locally known as Solo, is a life-saver for people living in high altitudes. Its vast medicinal properties should be sold worldwide. Many such plants could be found all over the region. We will identify and market them for the direct benefit people and families.”

PM Narendra Modi

Is This Himalayan Herb the New Sanjeevani?

Sanjeevani is the mythical herb that renewed Lord Ram’s and his brother Lakshman’s lives in the epic Ramayana. Calling ‘Solo’ the modern-day Sanjeevani could only be fair if its medicinal properties are proven and explored.

Researchers at Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), which is based in Leh, have been studying the herb, medically called Rhodiola rosea, and have expressed hope that it could mean an end to the search for Sanjeevani.

The leafy parts of the plant were used as vegetable by locals.

Speaking to IANS, R.B. Srivastava, Director, DIHAR, said,

“Rhodiola is a wonder plant that has immunomodulatory [enhancing immune], adaptogenic [adapting to difficult climatic condition] and radio-protecting abilities due to presence of secondary metabolites and phytoactive compounds unique to the plant.”

He added that the herb could mitigate effects of gamma radiation used in bombs in biochemical warfare.

“While its adaptogenic qualities can help the soldiers in adjusting to the low pressure, low oxygen environment, the plant has also been found to have anti-depressant and appetiser properties.”

R.B. Srivastava