Hyderabad’s “Fish Prasadam” for treatment of Asthma.

Hyderabad is popular all over India for its ‘Biryani’ and for its ‘Fish Medicine’, it is popular not only in India but all over the world. The medicine is free of cost. The Fish medicine is being called Fish Prasadam in recent years to overcome some legal issues.

Since 160 years, every year according to the Telugu Calendar on the day of Mrigashira Karthe the Bathini Goud family of Hyderabad administer fish medicine as a cure for Asthma. The formula of the medicine is a closely guarded secret of the Bathini Goud family. The medicine is first stuffed into the mouth of live Murrel fish of 2 to 2&1/2 inches length (Korra Matta or Korra Meenu fish in Telugu) as shown in the topmost photograph. Then the live fish with the medicine is slipped into the mouth of the Asthmatic patient. The patient will then have to follow a specific diet for 45 days and repeat this treatment over three consecutive years. This treatment is said to cure Asthma.

Next Tuesday, that is 8th June is Mrigashira Karthi. About 150,000 Asthmatic patients are expected from all over the world to undergo this treatment at Hyderabad this year. As in the past many years, the medicine will be administered at the Exhibition Grounds, Nampally, in the heart of the city. The Government and various Service oriented organizations make arrangements for the supply of fishes, water, food and medical facilities for the patients. 34 counters are being organized for administering the medicine. The medicine would be administered until late in the night and also on 9th June if some patients are left over.

Despite many controversies and legal cases this tradition of Fish Medicine from the Bathini family is continuing without any interruption. Faith in the medicine out of desperation or firm belief is bringing patients to Hyderabad in such huge numbers. I wish them all a speedy recovery and good health forever.