Lalita Devi, wife of Pintu Pouddar, lives with her three children in Samastipur district, Bihar. Here, S M Sehgal Foundation is implementing a CSR-supported development project for empowering adolescent girls and women on nutrition and well-being.
Lalita Devi’s husband suffered from a severe cough for a long time, which the family was treating through allopathic medicines prescribed by a doctor. They had spent INR 5,000 on the treatment so far. Pintu used to get relief from his cough only while the medicine was being consumed, after which the cough returned. The family was very concerned for Pintu’s health, as well as the recurring expenditure on the treatment.
In July 2021, Lalita Devi attended the project’s wellness session on medicinal plants, in which the usefulness of lemon grass was mentioned for the treatment of cough. Subsequently, she purchased lemon grass from a nursery and grew it in her yard, using the cultivation details taught, which were to water the plant every five to ten days and take the precaution that the water flowed and was not stagnant. When the plant grew and multiplied, she started giving her husband lemon grass tea every day.
This has brought total relief to Pintu from his persistent cough. Now the family has developed the habit of often taking lemon grass tea, and are spreading awareness to other people in their community about home‑based health remedies.
Author: Mati Murmu
(Mati is project associate, Samastipur, Local Participation and Sustainability)
Contact us 
Sign up for