Pithoragarh: The mountains are very famous not only for their food but also for their medicinal plants and flora. The air, water and trees and plants here are all considered full of medicinal properties. Skin allergy is a problem which may seem small, but it causes a lot of trouble. If you are repeatedly troubled by itching, redness or burning sensation of the skin, then a paste of four special herbs prevalent in the mountains still remains a reliable home remedy.

The cure for allergy is hidden in these four plants
The elders of the mountains recommend a mixture of four special plants for skin related diseases. The local names of these plants are Rataptya, Khochadya, Pachpatya and Golpatya. These plants are easily found in the slopes and forests of hilly areas. Local people have an unwavering belief that using these plants really provides relief from skin diseases and people have been adopting them as home remedies for years.

Method of making paste and method of use
The method of making this natural paste is very simple and effective. First of all, fresh leaves of these four plants are plucked. After washing the leaves with clean water, they are finely ground in a mortar or pestle. When it is completely ground and becomes a thick green paste, it is applied on the affected area. Wherever there is allergy, itching or swelling, applying it daily for a few days provides relief.

What do the elderly women of the village say?
Narvada Devi, a resident of the village, says, “Since childhood, we have seen that the elders in the house used to make pastes by grinding these herbs. Whenever someone in the family had itching or skin allergy, this paste was applied first and they got relief within a few days.” Even today many people prefer this natural remedy instead of market medicines because it is completely pure.

Caution is also necessary
Even though the experience of the hill people shows this remedy to be successful, experts advise that every person’s skin is different. Therefore, before adopting any kind of home remedy, it is always better to consult an expert, local physician or doctor so that the treatment can be done safely and in the right direction.