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@article{181523,
        author = {Mr. Utkarsh Mandage and Dr. Sarita Beldar and Mr. Ganesh Deore and Ms. Smita Kothmire and Mr. Sanket Gabhale.},
        title = {Green Drops of Life: Development and Evaluation of an Iron-Rich Herbal Syrup for Pregnant Women},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {1},
        pages = {4854-4863},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=181523},
        abstract = {Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional disorders among pregnant women, contributing to increased risks of maternal morbidity, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Although synthetic iron supplements are widely used, their side effects often lead to poor patient compliance. This study aims to develop and evaluate a natural, iron-rich herbal syrup that can serve as a safer, more tolerable, and effective alternative during pregnancy.
The formulation includes five herbal ingredients with proven hematinic properties: Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava), Moringa oleifera (Drumstick leaves), Emblica officinalis (Amla), Mandur Bhasma (Iron oxide ash), and Phoenix dactylifera. These were selected based on traditional Ayurvedic texts and supported by contemporary research studies. The syrup was formulated through aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extraction methods and standardized for key parameters such as pH, viscosity, taste, stability, and iron concentration (measured via atomic absorption spectroscopy).
Preliminary in vivo studies on induced anemic Wistar rat models demonstrated a significant increase in hemoglobin levels over a 21-day period. Compared to synthetic iron syrups, the herbal formulation showed improved tolerance and no signs of gastrointestinal irritation. These results suggest that the herbal syrup is not only efficacious but also safe for long-term consumption during pregnancy.
This study bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and modern pharmaceutical needs, proposing a cost-effective and sustainable solution to combat anemia in pregnant women, especially in resource-limited settings. Future clinical trials are recommended for human validation and formulation optimization.},
        keywords = {Iron-deficiency anemia, Herbal syrup, Pregnant women, Hematinic herbs, Moringa, Amla, Punarnava, Mandur Bhasma, Dates, Natural iron supplement, Maternal health},
        month = {June},
        }