Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India. : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Northern Chhattisgarh.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India. : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Northern Chhattisgarh.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Through the recent interactions with the traditional healers of Northern Chhattisgarh I have collected some valuable information on traditional uses of common herbs. I am giving the details in this article.
The traditional healers informed me about many common herbs used in treatment of Bavasir (Piles). Karonda (Carissa carandus) is under cultivation in this part of Chhattisgarh. The healers extract the juice from matured fruits of Karonda and boil it in low flame. When the juice became thicker by adding Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum), the healers prepare small globules. These globules are given internally in treatment of Bavasir. The healers add more herbs in it to make the combination more promising. The globules can be stored upto one month. The healers avoid the use of old, stored globules. I got opportunity to interact with the patients taking this treatment. According to them, these globules give immense relief initially but its long term use do not show much responses. The healers are aware of this action. This is the reason they change the herbal combination within month. They consider the Karonda based formulation useful specially in case of bleeding piles. To cease the bleeding , it is very promising. The healers informed about the ingredients of herbal combination given after Karonda based combination. In this combination, Neem fruit stone, Bakain (Melia azadirach) seed pulp, Dhikuar (Aloe gel) and Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum) are added in equal proportions. All ingredients are mixed with the help of whole herb juice of Makoi (Solanum indicum). The globules are prepared and stored for future use. The healers informed me that the use of both combinations cures the patients completely. The healers also add more herbs in the combination to make it strong. The healers are aware of use of Raksi leaves in treatment. Raksi (Abutilon indicum)is a common herb found in Chhattisgarh as wasteland and crop weed. It is used in simple case. The leaves are used in combination with Kali Mirch. At initial stages, the healers also use the leaves of Mooli (Radish) in treatment. The leaves are dried in shade and after drying, converted into powder. The powder is stored for future use. The leaf powder in combination with Shakkar (Sugar) is given internally as treatment. According to the healers, its internal use have many other health benefits. In general, the healers suggest the patients to take the combination upto one month. In most of the cases, the patients get relief from this combination. It is not wrong to consider this combination as poor man's combination for Bavasir. Mooli is under cultivation as vegetable crop in this part of Chhattisgarh. The healers prefer the organically grown Mooli herb to prepare the combination. The young leaves of Jhau (Tamarix aphylla) are also considered useful in treatment of Bavasir. The freshly extracted juice is given internally with sugar. The healers of Ambikapur region are aware of use of Lasora wood ash in treatment of Bavasir. The ash is used externally. Lasora (Cordia dichotoma) is found in this part of Chhattisgarh.
In treatment of Kidney pain, the traditional healers of Northern Chhattisgarh use the pod pulp of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) in combination with Shahad (Honey). It is considered as one of the promising treatments. Within a week the patients get relief from this trouble. I have observed that the healers have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about the herbs used in treatment of Metrorrhagia. They consider the juice of whole herb of Jwasa (Alhagi camelorum) in treatment of this trouble. The patients are advised to take the juice daily morning empty stomach, till complete cure. The healers also prepare a herbal combination in which fruit rind of Anar (Punica granatum), Masor (Lentil) seeds, Babool (Acacia nilotica) pods, and Kukronda (Blumea lacera) roots are added as main ingredients. This combination is used in complicated cases.
During recent interactions, I got opportunity, to interact with few healers. Very soon I am planning to conduct a detailed survey in this part of Chhattisgarh. You will get more details regarding the traditional medicinal knowledge about herbs used by the healers of this region, in my coming articles.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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