Sambalpur University develops herbal teas with goodness of herbs from Gandhamardan hill

In a good news for diabetic, kidney, heart and arthritis patients, Sambalpur University has developed a variety of herbal teas made up of using herbs collected from the Gandhamardan hills, a treasure trove of medicinal plants, that can help elevate the health condition of people suffering from lifestyle diseases.

According to sources, the department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics of the premier education institute has developed 30 varieties of herbal teas packed with high medicinal value and mulling to launch them in the local markets by joining hands with a start up soon.

After successful testing of the tea varieties on mouse, the beverage has now got FSSAI, GMO and ISO clearance and soon be available in the markets, sources informed.

“We have developed 30 medicated tea varieties by blending green tea with herbs collected from Gandhamardan hills. These tea varieties will help people suffering from lifestyle diseases like diabetic, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiac, cholesterol, liver and kidney detoxification,” said Professor Pradip Kumar Nayak, head of the Biotechnology and Bioinformatics department.

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While necessary equipment for processing and packaging of tea have been installed at the Food Science department, at present 27 varieties of herbal tea can be produced at the varsity. After procuring tea from Darjeeling and Assam, it is blended with the herbs collected from the Gandhamardan hills located at Paikamal in Bargarh district.

“After collaborating with Sambalpur University, we have set up the production unit. MoU has been signed and we have received FSSAI, ISO and GMP licenses,” said Dibya Ranjan Sahoo, director of Orchid Herbals Pvt Ltd.