Traditional medicinal knowledge about Anjeer (Ficus carica) in Chhattisgarh, India.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about Anjeer (Ficus carica) in Chhattisgarh, India.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Although Anjeer is not native to Chhattisgarh but the rich traditional knowledge about this herb, the healers of Chhattisgarh Plains have, motivated me to write a separate article on this herb. Through the interactions with the healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, I have collected many valuable information on traditional medicinal uses of Anjeer. I am giving the details in present article.
In general, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Doomar, another Ficus species, Ficus glomerata as promising substitute to Anjeer. Doomar is known as 'Desi (Indigenous) Anjeer' among them. Doomar is native to Chhattisgarh and the natives and traditional healers have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about this herb. For the availability of Anjeer, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are dependent on the local herb shops and gherb vendors. The healers use all parts of Anjeer as medicine but its nutritious fruits are used most commonly. The reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India are full of information regarding medicinal properties and uses of Anjeer. According to Ayurveda, Anjeer fruit is cooling and useful in treatment of head and blood related diseases, leprosy and epistaxis. According to Unani system of medicine, Anjeer root is tonic and useful in leucoderma and ring worm. Its fruits are antipyretic, purgative, alexiteric, aphrodisiac, lithotriptic and useful in treatment of inflammation, weakness, paralysis, thirst, liver and spleen diseases. Its milky juice is expectorant and diuretic. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains suggest the patients having the problem of constipation to eat Anjeer fruits in plenty. They suggest the patients to eat two Anjeer fruits (dry) at night before going to sleep. According to the healers, this use root out the problem of constipation within few days. The healers use the decoction of Anjeer fruits in treatment of Tonsilitis. The patients are advised to gargle with this decoction. For preparation of decoction, dry fruits of Anjeer are boiled in water. When half quantity (of initial quantity) of water remains, boiling is stopped and decoction is used fresh. This decoction is among the few popular herbal remedies that are used in treatment of Tonsilities successfully. During winter season, the healers keep the fruits under open sky at night. Next morning the fruits having dew drops are given to the patients having poor vitality. According to the healers, this use reduces extra harmful heat in body. I am not aware that whether there explanation is scientific or not but the healers have full confidence in this use. Like the fruits of Doomar, the healers of Chhattisgarh Plains suggest the patients having painful boils to apply the aqueous paste of fruit on boils in order to suppress it. The aqueous paste is prepared from freshly collected fruits. As Anjeer is costly fruit in Chhattisgarh its use is limited to the rich natives. The poor natives cannot imagine to consume this fruit regularly.
Although the Agricultural experts of Chhattisgarh consider the climate of the state suitable for commercial cultivation of Anjeer but the Anjeer trees planted in home gardens are not in good condition. Its poor growth indicates that its climate is not much suitable for its commercial cultivation. Like the healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, the healers of other parts are also aware of this fruit but I have yet not observed or heard about its traditional medicinal uses.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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