Tulsi (Indian Basil), which is used as a traditional cure for cough, cold etc, is being used by scientists to treat dangerous radiations and there are some positive results also shown by some initial level tests conducted by scientists.

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) scientists have developed herbal medicine from Tulsi for people who are comparatively more exposed to radiations. Second phase trials are going on for the medicine.

But as per scientists, the medicine will require some more trials before commercial production. Results of trials on animals were also encouraging. Scientists say that Tulsi has anti-oxidant properties and can be very effective in treating these problems.

Chief controller, Selvamurthy, spoke at 99th meeting of Indian Science Congress. Apart from Tulsi, podophyllum hexandrum and sea-buckthorn are other medicines also that can be used for exposure to radiation.