Traditional medicinal knowledge about Patang (Caesalpinia sappan; family (Fabaceae) in Chhattisgarh, India.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about Patang (Caesalpinia sappan; family (Fabaceae) in Chhattisgarh, India.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
For the first time I have seen the wood piece of Patang with the herb vendors of neighboring states. Out of curiosity, I searched the reference literatures and identified it as Caesalpinia sappan. According to reference literatures, its heartwood yields red dye which is used for colouring cotton and woolen cloth and for making red ink. The reference literatures do not support its natural occurrence in Chhattisgarh. I have yet not seen it in natural forests but many herb collectors claimed that it is present in isolated patches. Also, they talked about two types of Patang. Locally it is not known as Patang. My Guru Shri Vishal Bharat was aware of medicinal properties and uses of this herb. He informed me once that the Britishers were aware of its unique uses, this is the reason you will always find this herb in gardens developed by them. With the interactions with the herb vendors and herb collectors of Chhattisgarh aware of its medicinal uses, I have collected many valuable information. I am giving these details in present article.
The herb traders and collectors informed that is wood powder is having the capacity to treat all types of wounds. They use it as styptic to stop the flow of blood from injured parts. It is considered as a boon for the diabetic patients having carbuncle. The old wounds full of dead cells can be treated successfully with the simple use of Patang wood powder. It is taken internally also as blood purifier. According to them, as it yields red colour, it clearly indicates that it is useful in treatment of blood related troubles. The herb collectors of Gandai - Salewara region informed that its internal use makes the lungs free from infections. The herb collectors also use it in face care. According to them, it improves complexion and removes black spots. In reference literatures it is mentioned that the cloths dyed by using Patang dye possess valuable medicinal properties. When the patients wear this cloth, it helps in increasing the natural vitality. Unfortunately, the herb vendors and collectors are not aware of this unique use. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, I have not found much details regarding its medicinal properties and uses. Patang is not in the list of medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh having demand in national and international drug markets. Through the on-going ethnobotanical surveys, I am trying to gather more information on this herb. I am showing the wood piece to the healers to get information from them. Also, I am planning to visit the natural forests with the herb collectors claiming its occurrence in Chhattisgarh. You will get more details in coming articles.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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