Mrs. Gandhi (senior) wore them; so do Yehudi Menuhin, B. K. S. Iyengar or for that matter Chandrachur Singh. Probably the best of the berries ever produced in the alternative therapies, is catching on like never before.

Considered a major stress reliever, easer of circulatory problems and, of course, as the best worry beads, the berry (Elaeocarpus Ganitrus) was first spotted in Indonesia and is now grown in Nepal and Haridwar However, because it is expensive, clinical research of its medicinal properties has not been possible, often resulting in the berry being subjected to esoteric mumbo jumbo.

Says a researcher in Pune, who has done some path-breaking work in the field. But refuses to be named. "I have found that Rudraksha helps relieve blood pressure and lessons stress. Soak it in a glass of water overnight and the next day to relive stomach disorders. Dip in til (sesamese) oil for 21 days, and apply it on your aching joints to get relief . Of course, most people who've tried this have done so along with their regular medicine ." he adds.

But "one must approach the Rudraksha with a mixture of open mindedness, and dogmatism, rationalism as well as emotion, to get positive feedback, " he says. "That's probably why many who put it under their pillow have sworn that it cured them of their insomnia."

Ancient medical texts claim that the Rudraksha can prevent ageing and can prolong life. The beads are supposed to be anti-pyretic, antihelminthic, and antiparalysant and can help balance the vital chakras of the human body which control bile, wind and phlegm. It also said to heal those suffering from hypertension and heart ailments. Besides , as it is completely without any side effects it cannot do you any harm. That explains why the old materia medica literature allows its use for menstruating women while banning other beads and malas.