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Sometimes, in our search for the latest ‘science-based’ medicines available in the market, we unintentionally overlook the rich knowledge handed down by our ancestors—embodied in the realm of traditional medicine. Defined by scientists as a culturally and regionally specific body of knowledge, traditional medicine is a source of wisdom developed over time by local and indigenous communities to address their unique health needs.

Enter ‘battisa,’ a superfood rooted in Nepali culture. The name itself is derived from the Nepali word for the number 32. Passed down through generations, battisa is not only sought after by the Nepali diaspora but also by those residing in Nepal.

Battisa, also known as ‘sutkeri ko ausedhi’ or ‘masala’ in Nepali, is important for women’s health. This traditional herbal mixture comprises 32 different spices and herbs, offering a holistic approach to health. Widely used in Nepal, especially during pregnancy and lactation, sutkeri masala has become an indispensable superfood in Nepali households for new mothers, aiding in their post-pregnancy recovery.

Considered a must-have for new mothers, sutkeri masala is not limited to any specific gender or age group. Crafted from a blend of 32 natural ingredients, this masala is an ideal addition to the postpartum diet, contributing to the quality and quantity of breast milk, and providing essential nutrients for newborns. Additionally, it aids in strengthening muscles and bones, boosting energy levels, and improving digestion, all of which are crucial aspects for new mothers.

Despite its name, sutkeri masala extends its benefits to people of all ages and genders. This mixture harnesses the healing properties of locally available medicinal and herbal plants. Used not just as food but also as Ayurvedic medicine, the production of sutkeri ko ausadhi varies across families and regions as it’s largely influenced by local customs.

Spices and herbs, staples in culinary and medicinal practices for centuries, not only enhance the flavor of food but also offer protection against acute and chronic diseases.

Battisa, with its potential medicinal properties and nutritional value, stands out as a traditional remedy in Nepal. Let’s delve into the individual herbs that constitute battisa powder:

• Amala (Indian gooseberry): Rich in vitamin C, boosts immunity, and possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Arjuna: Supports heart health by strengthening and toning the heart muscle.
• Ashwagandha: Manages stress, and anxiety, and boosts the immune system.
• Baayubidanga: Relieves headaches and insomnia.
• Barro: A great source of vitamin D and calcium.
• Bel (Wood apple): Effective for digestive issues and inflammation.
• Bhringaraja: Known for its antioxidant properties and immunity-building abilities.
• Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris): Useful for urinary disorders and improving sexual health.
• Harro (Chebulic myrobolon): Helps with nervous irritability and indigestion.
• Dalchini (Cinnamon): Balances insulin, improves gut health, and reduces infections.
• Kaphal (Bayberry): Helps with headaches, toothache, and eye problems.
• Kausso (Mucuna pruriens): Aids in improving sleep and reducing body fat.
• Kachur (East Indian arrowroot): Manages symptoms of cough and cold.
• Gurjo (Heart-leaved moonseed): Known for its immune-boosting properties.
• Jeera (Cumin): Stimulates milk production and provides iron, beneficial for new mothers.
• Jethimadhu (Liquorice root): Used to treat respiratory problems, skin infections, and more.
• Jwaano (Ajwain or Lovage): Helps with bloating, gas problems, and urinary tract diseases.
• Kurilo (Asparagus): Rich in folate, aids in pregnancy and breast milk production.
• Koirala (Mountain ebony): Used for various health issues, including diarrhea, heartburn, and skin diseases.
• Majitho (Indian madder): Beneficial for menstrual disorders and blood disorders.
• Marich (Black pepper): Improves blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol.
• Nagkesar (Indian rose chestnut): Promotes blood flow and aids in wound healing.
• Naagarmoothe (Cyperus scariosus): Has anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Pasanbhed/Pakhanbhed (Rock foil coleus): Helps manage ulcers and relieves coughing.
• Pipala (Long pepper): Aids in digestion and milk production in lactating mothers.
• Punarnava (Spreading hog wood): Used for anemia, eye health, gout, and heart issues.
• Sataawar/Bankurilo (Wild asparagus): Supports healthy pregnancy outcomes and digestion.
• Shankhapuspee (Butterfly pea): Rich in antioxidants, reduces fatigue, and slows aging.
• Simal (Red cotton tree): Used for wound healing and stopping bleeding.
• Sutho (Dry ginger): Effective against germs, period pains, and bloating.
• Tejpat (Bay leaves): Acts as a stress buster, natural wound healer, improves digestion, and supports heart health.
• Thulo Okhati (Astilbe rivularis): Used for pre- and post-pregnancy recovery.

These herbs collectively offer a wide range of health benefits, making battisa powder a valuable traditional remedy in Nepal, especially for women’s health during pregnancy and post-pregnancy phases. Contrary to the assumption that traditional medicine is primarily relied upon by the poor and marginalized due to its accessibility, battisa enjoys popularity among all Nepali.

In light of this, it becomes crucial to foster a better understanding of the diverse knowledge and practices employed by traditional practitioners in Nepal. The preservation, promotion, and mainstreaming of traditional medicines and practices should be prioritized to avoid being perpetually caught in the rat race for market-developed superfoods.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

Seven persons died when a commuter bus plunged into the Trishuli river at Ghatbesi in Gajuri Municipality of Dhading district along the Prithvi Highway on Wednesday.

The bus (Lu 2 Kha 2121) was heading towards Kathmandu from Kapilvastu when the tragedy occurred this morning.

SP Gautam KC of the District Police Office, Dhading said that seven persons, including a woman died in the accident. The identities of the deceased are yet to be established.

At least 30 passengers were injured in the mishap. "The injured were rescued and taken to Kathmandu for further treatment ", SP Gautam informed.

Locals along with Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army personnel had rescued the passengers.

It is assumed that the death toll may rise as the bus plunged into the river.

A team of Armed Police Force and Disaster Management Training School, Kurintar, Chitwan has been carrying out a rescue operation.

Police have arrested bus driver Hariram Harijan (38) of Lumbini Sanskriti Municipality-9 of Rupandehi.

Allie Pepper, an Australian mountaineer with 23 years of climbing experience, is on a mission called ‘The Respect Above the Clouds 14 Peaks No O2.’ In the next two years, she aims to climb 14 of the world’s 8000m mountains without additional oxygen. She embarked on the challenge in July 2023 by climbing Broad Peak without supplemental oxygen and followed it with Manaslu in September of that year. Now, she has 12 more peaks to conquer. She has until the end of July 2025 to complete her goal.

Pepper, originally from the Blue Mountains in Sydney, Australia, got into rock climbing after taking an outdoor leadership course in 1999. She was a dedicated student and ended up becoming an instructor at the Australian School of Mountaineering (ASM). It was during her time at ASM that an instructor recognized her outdoor skills and suggested she go to New Zealand for a technical mountaineering course. This decision, made at the beginning of 2000, turned out to be a life-changing one. 

After completing the technical mountaineering course, she returned to Australia and spent a year doing outdoor leadership training. During that time, ASM offered her the opportunity to organize and sell an expedition to Aconcagua in South America, which is the tallest mountain in America. Despite not knowing much about it, she managed to sell 11 spots for her first high-altitude expedition. Argentina then became her home for three years. In the summers, she was in Aconcagua and during the winters, she went to Peru to guide and climb. After climbing one of the highest mountains in Peru, she felt ready to take on the Himalayas.

In 2007, Cho Oyu was Pepper’s first 8000m mountain ascent. What’s interesting is that she decided not to use additional oxygen. During the climb, her partner had frostbite on eight of his toes so he stayed at the base camp while she continued up the mountain alone. She made the journey to the top and back alone, without a GPS or access to a weather report.

Pepper, 48, says, “When I returned to base camp, no one believed I had reached the top. A Sherpa rushed over, took my camera, and checked my photos.” It was only when they saw the picture of Everest, which is only visible from the summit, that they started celebrating her success. She mentions climbing is about putting faith in her skills and team support.

When she reached the summit of an 8000m peak without using additional oxygen, she got a lot of sponsors pushing her to be the first Australian woman to scale 14 peaks. But she says that’s not her goal. “I want to explore my capabilities, undergo training, and understand who I am when I push myself to the limits.” Her decision to climb 8000m peaks without additional oxygen is driven by her desire to know her capabilities. She isn’t in it for the fame that seems to accompany it.

“I start and end my day with meditation. Every day, I set the intention for my body to recover during sleep so that I wake up feeling refreshed and my muscles aren’t sore. It’s pretty amazing how it works,” she says. She says that in her expeditions she focuses on locking in memories because climbing without oxygen can mess with short-term memory. 

Mountains are rife with risks and challenges at every turn. Pepper talks about the importance of technology, even though it’s not always 100 percent reliable. Drawing from her experience in various mountaineering activities and training, including navigation, ice climbing, rock climbing, skiing, and attending safety courses, she says, “Knowing how to navigate, grasp weather patterns, understand terrain risks, find safe routes and master survival skills are very important for any climber.”

 When she was climbing Manaslu for the first time, bad weather prevented the team from reaching the high camp and she had to use their only emergency oxygen supply to reach the summit. However, she realized later that she hadn’t reached the true summit, just 30 meters further along a precarious ridge. This feeling of incompleteness stayed with her for many years.

 In 2022, she returned to Manaslu but there was an avalanche so the team aborted its attempt. It wasn’t until September 2023 that she ended up at the village at the mountain’s base once again. She remembers pleading with the mountain to let her through since she had prepared for it so hard. In just 17 days, she had reached the summit from Samagaun village. 

Pepper believes in preparing her body before any expedition. She doesn’t just focus on physical training. She also works on her mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. To keep herself physically fit, she follows a nutritious diet and takes supplements and hormones. She trains for at least two to three hours six days a week. She says she has a ‘now or never’ mentality when it comes to turning her dreams into reality. Pepper also gives a lot of credit to her supportive team for lifting her spirits in every tough situation during her journeys. 

“Up in the mountains, your body is kind of running on empty. It’s slow and your heart’s racing so I make sure I eat properly and sleep whenever I can,” she says, emphasizing the importance of rest and taking care of yourself. Stress, she adds, comparing it to a draining workday, is something that can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. “I try my best to avoid it.”

When it comes to acclimatization in high altitudes, she emphasizes the importance of not hurrying. On rest days, she usually hikes to higher elevations and then returns to sleep. She finds that this approach helps speed up the acclimatization process.

Pepper talks about how climate change affects mountains, specifically causing glaciers to melt. Reflecting on her time climbing and guiding in Peru, she mentions, “Three seasons in a row, I visited the same mountain and every time, the glaciers were an hour’s walk farther away. The mountain route had completely changed and we all noticed it.”

She also shares her concerns about the changing weather in the Himalayas. She feels saddened by the extreme and unpredictable weather in the mountains. According to her, some seasons bring either more snow or no snow at all. “Locals have noted entire winter seasons with no snow, leading to more crevasses on the mountains that now require ladders for crossing,” she says.

Pepper aims to be a role model for people of all ages and backgrounds, showing them they are capable of achieving anything they want. She expresses that it’s never too late to dream big and encourages us to start working towards becoming the best version of ourselves. “We only discover our true potential when we step out of our comfort zone,” she says.

An Armed Police Force DSP was found hanging in Morang on Monday.

DSP Upendra Basyal, who is also the in-charge of the Dhanpalthan Rural Municipality-3-based Border Out Post (BOP) in Sorabhag, was found dead this afternoon, SP Suman Kumar Timilsina, spokesperson at the Koshi Province Police Office, Biratnagar, said.

According to him, Basyal was found hanging from a rope tied to his neck.

Police suspected that Basyal might have committed suicide.

SP Timilsina said that they are looking into the case.