Drink made of Tulsi leaf hits market next month

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Sonia H Moni
A local company will launch the country's first natural drink made of Tulsi leaf next month after the beverage has proved to have combated high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney ailments, cough and respiratory problems.
Monowara Begum, a village woman in northern Gaibandha district, developed the herbal drink called Tulsi Pati two years back and has now struck a deal with Dhaka-based firm Rigs Herbs to market it across the country.
The total natural drink contains 98 per cent powdered Tulsi leaf, two per cent Stavia, a sweetener Thai leaf, ginger and organic preservatives, its marketing company Rigs Herbs said.
"It is a wonder drink, which works against a lot of diseases. It can be taken like tea. We are confident Tulsi Pati will be a huge success in the country. Chain-shops in Dhaka are very much interested to take our product," said SK Humayun Kadir, deputy managing director of Rigs Group.
Kadir said his company has got clearance from the country's standard testing institute to market the beverage nationwide. "We'll launch the drink commercially by the end of May in 20-gram and 40-gram packets," he said.
The drink was commercially unveiled at the Dhaka International Trade Fair early this year and it got "huge response from the local and foreign buyers," he said, adding a Kolkata buyer alone ordered 20,000 small packets.
An expert who has helped develop Tulsi Pati said the drink has proved effective against a number of diseases.
"It is caffeine-free that helps lower cholesterol, high blood pressure and control diabetic," Dr KM Formuzul Hoque, a former director of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
"It also keeps liver and kidney healthy and well, controls cough and improves respiratory health. It helps digest food quickly and combats gastrointestinal problems. Its rich antioxidant promotes builds the body's immune system and reduces stress," he said.