In a promising development for natural healthcare, Dr. Temin Payum, an associate professor of Botany at Jawaharlal Nehru College in Arunachal Pradesh‘s Pasighat, has formulated a unique herbal tea.

 Dr. Payum’s creation utilizes the rhizome and leaves of black turmeric (Curcuma caesia), a commonly found but underutilized seasonal plant. This tea is designed to address various ailments, including cough, cold, asthma, fever, digestive issues, and potentially even cancer.

 “Our surroundings hold a treasure trove of neglected herbs with immense healing potential,” Dr. Payum remarked. He explained that black turmeric tea is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, recognized for their anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties.

 Dr. Payum sees this tea as a valuable tool for promoting health and well-being, while also offering economic opportunities for the state through livelihood and revenue generation.

 Extensive research underpins the development of this tea. Dr. Payum has conducted a series of biochemical experiments to confirm the tea’s nutritional and medicinal properties.

 He highlights its advantages, including a pleasant aroma, attractive greenish-yellow color, light flavor with a hint of bitterness and saltiness, and the absence of caffeine.

 In the pilot production stage, Dr. Payum is actively raising awareness about the tea’s efficacy. He has gathered feedback from experts and is gauging consumer response in Pasighat and Itanagar. Initial offerings include 50-gram packets containing processed black turmeric and other ingredients, available at an affordable price in the local market.

 Dr. Payum’s dedication extends beyond teaching. For two decades, he has actively pursued biochemical research. His interests encompass herbal medicines, ethnobotany, developing herbal hygiene products, exploring plants with antioxidant properties, phytochemistry, and “channeling bioresources for human benefit,” as he stated.

 Dr. Payum’s research has garnered recognition through publications in national and international journals.

 He also holds the position of associate editor for two international publications: Archives of Agriculture & Environmental Science and the Journal of Pharmacology & Phytochemistry.  Furthermore, his contributions to research and social work have been acknowledged through several national awards.