CONCOCTING HERBALISM FINESSE WITH ERUDITE WRITING
Sudhir Ahluwalia
Sudhir Ahluwalia has worked in the Indian Forest Service, as business consulting head in Tata Consultancy Services and as business advisor to various consulting and technology companies. His business consulting experience spans across North America, Europe and Asia. He is also an author and columnist. Writing mostly on herbs and natural products, his latest book is “Asian Herbs”. In a candid chat with Chirdeep Malhotra, he discusses about his writing journey, his latest book, his favourite book genres, and also shares details of some herbs for the benefit of our esteemed readers.
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Please tell us more about Sudhir Ahluwalia as a person.
I joined the Indian Forest Service in 1976 wherein I spent 23 years. I took voluntary retirement in 2000 and spent the next fifteen years in the technology industry. Ten of these were as head of various business consulting groups in Tata Consultancy Services. Post TCS, I spent four years as business advisor to multiple consulting and technology companies.
From having been in the Indian Forest service to having served as the head of Business Consulting in TCS, you have forayed into writing books on herbs and natural products. Can you tell us more about your writing journey?
My earliest forays into writing go back to early 1970s when I began writing short stories. Some of these were published in Caravan and Mirror. My first book – Indian Forestry Scene was published in 1991. This was after having spent over a decade and a half in the Indian Forest Service. Since 2014 I have focused exclusively on writing. The first year was spent writing articles on technology and working as a freelance media person. I went back to my roots and started writing on herbs and natural products since 2015. My first title in this stint was Holy Herbs: Modern Connections to Ancient Plants. In addition to books, I write for the US natural products industry journal – www.naturalproductsinsider.com.
Can you give a brief overview of your book “Asian Herbs”?
The popularity of organic and herbal food, herbal beauty care, and medicinal products is rising. There is a view prevailing that herbal solutions have little to no side effects. Select herbs and trees from India and China are subjected to critical analysis in this new title. A review of the history, botany, ecology, trade, medicinal, and other uses of each of these herbs and trees is presented in this book.
How is this book different from your earlier book "Holy Herbs: Modern Connections to ancient plants"?
Asian Herbs is a continuation of Holy Herbs. Both titles look at the history, culture and uses of plants in ancient and modern times. The focus in Asian Herbs is on herbs, trees and plants from India and China. Holy Herbs is exclusively focused on plants mentioned in the Bible.
Can you detail here some facts about one or two herbs that you've described in the book "Asian Herbs" for the benefit of our esteemed readers?
Let me pick up a herb each from India and China. Holy basil – tulsi is an Indian herb while ginger is a herb common in cuisine of both China and India.
Holy Basil or tulsi is an aromatic plant revered in India for thousands of years. It is regarded as the incarnation of Vishnu. The plant is described by some as the “The Mother Medicine of Nature”. There are multiple references to the plant in the Skanda Purana and the Rig Veda.
Every part of the plant is fragrant—the leaves, seeds, and flowers. There are three varieties of the plant. Two of these are named after Krishna and Rama—Krishna Tulsi and Rama Tulsi. The former has purple-tinged leaves and the latter is mostly green. A third variety—Van Tulsi (“van” in Sanskrit means “forest”)—grows in the wild. All three varieties have similar aromatic and medicinal properties.
Tulsi is traditionally viewed as a plant that brings tranquillity to the mind, assisting in meditation and concentration. It is regarded as a life-saving herb and is often referred to as “the elixir of life.” Holy basil is an ingredient in Ayurvedic cardio-tonics, and cough, cold, and digestion aid medication.
In the US, holy basil is permitted in dietary supplements. The extracts of the plant are used in skin-conditioning, emollient, and hair-conditioning products.
Scientific studies have just begun to probe some of the traditionally understood wonders of the plant. Tulsi oil diluted with carrier oils like olive or almond can be applied topically to the face or the body to ameliorate internal and external skin disorders. The oil has been proven to possess antibiotic, disinfectant, and antibacterial properties and is, for these reasons, used in small quantities in skin-conditioners, shampoos, and skin lotions.
Ginger is integral to Chinese cuisine and popular in Indian food too. It has been used since the earliest of times. The cuneiform scrolls from King Ashurbanipal of Assyria period (668-633 BC) make a mention of ginger as an aromatic plant.
Ancient Romans were known to use spices including ginger to flavour their wines, healing oils, and food. India and China are the largest producers of ginger in the world producing 703,000 and 425,000 metric tons of ginger respectively (Food and Agricultural Organization, 2012 data).
In India, a tea decoction with ginger, pepper, sugar, and milk is a common home remedy for relief from cold. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginger is prescribed for relief from arthritis-induced pain, discomfort from cramps, bloating during menstruation, and liver ailments. Ginger tea is used to improve circulation and to flush out toxins and poisons from the body.
An oil is distilled from the rhizome of ginger through steam distilling it. Mixed with citrus and other fruity flavours, ginger is used in perfumery. However, ginger and its oil may increase risk in people susceptible of bleeding disorders. Ginger is said to lower blood sugar.
In the book, you have also written about some future developments which will involve usage of herbs. Can you tell us more about it?
Over sixty percent of currently used anti-cancer agents are derived from natural sources such as plants, marine organisms and microorganisms. (Newman, D.J et al, 2002). Vinca – the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus or Vinca rosea) is one of the earliest sources of vinca alkaloids – vinblastine and vincristine. These molecules are used in chemotherapy.
In Europe, USA and China in particular, a lot of research dollars and scientific talent is being invested in finding solutions to difficult medical problems.Most of this research is directed on herbs.
According to the Natural Products Branch which is the part of the Developmental Therapeutic Program of NCI (US National Cancer Institute), agencies across the world are collecting thousands of samples of plants and other natural product sources like marine organisms to research and identify new molecules. It is estimated that only one percent of the approximately 500000 plant species worldwide have been thus far investigated. (Palombo, E.A et al, 2006).
What your favourite books? Can you share with our readers about the genres that you like and your favourite authors?
I like the translations of ancient Indian works being published by Murty Classical Library of India in collaboration with Harvard University Press. I particularly like Bharavi’s Arjuna and the Hunter and Therigatha- Poems of the First Buddhist Women. In contemporary literature, I enjoyed Alan S Blinder- After the Music stopped - description of the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis.
What are your other interests apart from writing?
I enjoy going back and exploring the interior forest areas of Western Ghats and the terai ecosystems in India where I had spent my time in the Indian Forest Service. These help me connect with nature.
Are there any new literary projects that you’re currently working on?
The draft of a title - Natural Solutions for cancer is ready and post a couple of edits will be ready for release early next year. The first of the series on culinary herbs in Hindi is available on amazon and translation of the next title in the series will be starting soon. I am currently working on a book on Nutrition and organic food.
There are many new writers there who are aspiring to get their work published. What would you say to them?
Online publishing solutions have made it much easier for writers to write and publish their work on subjects of their area of interest. I would encourage people to explore, write and publish either through a traditional publisher or self-publish. There is an audience for writing of quality and authenticity. In the digital world, the world is the audience.
Can you share with our readers a motivational quote that keeps you going?
Thirst for knowledge keeps me going. “The more time you spend at the feet of Sarasvati, the more fulfilling life becomes.”