ALAPPUZHA: Prominent drinkers in Kerala are developing a likeness for arishtam (Ayurvedic concoction) as liquor/toddy shops remain shuttered in the wake of Corona outbreak and subsequent lockdown.

The extra demand for arishtam has resulted in the shortage of arishtam in several Ayurveda clinics. Meanwhile, doctors say that taking arishtam in the place of alcohol will do more harm than good.

As the demand for arishtam increased, clinics started demanding doctor’s prescription. Some drinkers also feigned illness and started approaching shops.

Ayurveda clinics have permission to store up to 100 litres of arishtam.

In between, there are some complaints of Excise department officials’ rude behavior towards doctors who had stored arishtam.

Meanwhile, at several places, manufacture of spurious arishtam has started in the face of arishtam shortage. This has, in fact, started giving head-aches to Excise department.