Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Narharpur region.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Narharpur region.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Through the recent interaction with the traditional healers of Narharpur region, I have collected many valuable information on traditional uses of common herbs. Many of these information's are still not reported in reference literatures. I am giving the details in present article.
The traditional healers informed about many traditional uses of small spines found in Doomar leaves. The small spines are collected and used for different purposes. In treatment of Scrofula, the traditional healers recommend the use of small spines in combination with sweet curd (Dahi). Sugar is also added for taste. The use is continued till complete cure. The healers recommend the use of small spines in combination with Gud (Jaggery) in treatment of stomatitis. In order to reduce the intensity of chicken pox, the healers prepare an aqueous solution by mixing small spines with cow milk and give it internally to the patients. The healers are aware of antipyretic properties of this combination. Doomar is a common tree of medicinal importance. Its scientific name is Ficus glomerata. I have mentioned in previous articles, that the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about Doomar. The traditional healers of Narharpur region use the latex (Doodh) of Doomar in treatment of Chronic Cough. The latex is applied on Talu (Pala) in side the mouth. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. The healers use the roots of common medicinal tree Hingot (Balanites aegyptica) in treatment of breast related troubles specially the inflammation of Mammae. The roots are rubbed in stone with the help of lukewarm water paste is prepared. The paste is applied externally on painful parts. They use the leaves of Hingot for the same purpose. In treatment of Sujak (Gonorrhoea) the healers of this region use the leaves of Khamhar. The leaves are dipped in bowl filled with water over night. Next morning, the juice is extracted by crushing the leaves. The juice is given internally daily morning, empty stomach as treatment. The use is continued till complete cure. The healers use the juice of young and soft branches of Khamhar in combination of cow milk as aphrodisiac. Khamhar is also a common tree in this part of Chhattisgarh. It is well known timber yielding tree. Its scientific name is Gmelina arborea. The healers informed that during the visits to natural forest when they get injuries due to Medhak vish (poisonous frogs) , they use the combination of Sirsa seeds and Thura latex in treatment. The combination of herb parts in form of paste is applied in affected parts. Both Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck) and Thura (Euphorbia nerifolia) are common herbs found in surroundings. This was new information for me. I have not written much on this aspect in my previous articles. The healers informed me in detail about different types of frogs and its medicinal uses. I will write a separate article on this aspect in future. The healers informed another use of Sirsa roots According to them, its roots can be used in treatment of Sciatica. The healers of Narharpur region use it both internally as well as externally. Internally, the aqueous extract of bark is given whereas externally the aqueous paste of bark (inner bark is preferred ) is applied in painful parts. The scientific name of Bakain is Melia azadirach.
The ethnobotanical surveys have taught me that it is not possible to collect all the information through one survey. And one life is very small to document all the information, through the regular visits and surveys. I am trying my best to write regularly without rest.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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