Hyderabad, June 8 (IANS) Thousands of asthma patients from across Andhra Pradesh and other states Saturday lined up for fish 'prasadam' (medicine), believed to cure the disease.

The Bathini Goud family started distributing the medicine to people at the sprawling Exhibition Grounds here at 32 counters.

The Goud family started distributing the medicine after a ritual at noon, the time of 'Mirgasira Karthi', which heralds the onset of monsoon. The distribution will continue till Sunday noon.

The "medicine" is a "secret" yellow herbal paste to be swallowed with a live 'murrel' fingerling.

Vegetarian patients are given the paste with jaggery. However, the Goud family says the medicine is effective only if swallowed with the fish. It is believed that if taken for three consecutive years, it cures asthma.

Sheer belief attracts thousands to the event, despite the controversies surrounding it.

"I have come here for the second time. It has given some relief and I hope it will cure the problem," said Ramakrishna Reddy, a patient from Kurnool town of Andhra Pradesh.

Rationalists and some rights groups had challenged the family's claims, terming the practice unscientific and superstition. After the substance was tested in laboratories, the high court had observed that while its efficacy was not proved, it is not harmful either.

Fisheries department officials said they had made arrangements to supply 50,000 fingerlings for the annual event.

Clearing the hurdles for the event, the Andhra Pradesh High Court Friday suspended the orders of Lokayukta regarding the arrangements.

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Asthmatics queue up for fish medicine in Andhra