millions of children crippled by polio may be able to walk without crutches. A herbal medication developed by a resident from Haripur Dak - a remote village in Purnea district of Bihar - holds promise for the polio-affected. Pancham K Das has successfully tested the herbal medicine on several patients, many of whom were able to walk without support even though they were suffering from muscle wasting, flaccidity and areflexia.

These results have been endorsed by a team of scientists deputed by the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi. It examined 39 patients whose muscle functions improved after undergoing the herbal treatment. Further tests will be conducted by the team to evaluate the treatment in a planned manner and also to ensure that the herbal ingredients were identifiable and safe.