Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara region.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara region.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Through the recent interactions with the traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara region, I got many new information on traditional uses of common herbs. As you know, I have surveyed this region extensively. During this survey I have noted that many senior traditional healers have passed away. This was sad experience for me but the positive thing is that their valuable knowledge is safe in form of my articles. This incidence motivated me to accelerate the on-going documentation work. I am giving the results of this survey in present article.
The traditional healers informed that the flowers of Koha possess valuable medicinal properties. In Chhattisgarh, Koha is well known among the natives and traditional healers for its bark, useful in treatment of heart troubles. The healers of Gaondai-Salewara region use the flowers of this herb for its anthelmintic properties. The flowers are used in combination with other herbs. It is added in popular herbal combinations used to flush out the intestinal worms, for increasing its potential. Mostly flowers are added in Baibirang (Embelia ribes) based formulation. Baibirang is well known herb for this trouble. Baibirang based formulations having Koha flowers are used internally but during the recent interactions the healers informed that these formulations can be used externally also. Koha is a well known medicinal tree in Chhattisgarh. Its scientific name is Terminalia arjuna. Like Koha, Dhawai is also a valuable medicinal herb found naturally in forests of Chhattisgarh. The healers of this region use the dry flowers of Dhawai in treatment of diarrhoea specially the diarrhea of pregnant woman. The dry flowers are crushed into powder and in combination with rice water, Shahad (Honey) and sugar, given internally as treatment. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. Dhawai is one of the important non wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. Its scientific name is Woodfordia fruitcosa. In treatment of Mirgi (Epilepsy), the traditional healers use the leaf juice of Gasti (Sesbania sp.) Tree. The juice is extracted by crushing the leaves. In this juice, cow urine and Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) are added. The combination is given internally. It acts as both preventive and curative. During hot summer due to continuous walking in forest, the healers and herb collectors get blisters in sole, they use the leaf juice of Mehndi (Lawsonia alba) in treatment. They add the Nimbu fruit (Lemon) juice in fresh juice of Mehndi leaves and apply the combination externally on blisters. This use is popular among the senior natives also. The healers of this region also use the Mehndi leaf juice in transitional period (periods of season change) in order to protect the body from different diseases. They use the juice in combination with other herbs as preventive. At the end of summer season, the juice is given in combination with cow milk whereas at the end of winter season, it is given in combination with sugar and Zeera (Cumin). According to the healers, these combinations help in maintaining the natural balance in human body.
In rainy season, to treat the problem of severe itch, the traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara region use the leaves of Adusa (Adathoda vasica) in combination with other herbs. The juice is extracted and mixed with powdered rhizome of Ama Haldi (Curcuma amada). Cow urine is also mixed in this combination. The combination inform of paste is applied externally on different parts. The treatment is continued till complete cure. This use is very popular among the traditional healers. The healers also suggest the patients to take bath with the decoction prepared by boiling Adusa leaves in water. According to them, both uses at a time can cure the trouble in very less time. The natural forests of Gandai-Salewara region are rich in natural population of Adusa and Ama Haldi. The healers use the combination of Kapoor (Camphor) and Kattha (Acacia catechu) externally in treatment of bed sores.
During the recent surveys I got opportunity to meet the new flush of young healers. I was glad to observe about their interest in traditional medicinal knowledge about herbs. They were also eager to do new experiments. This is positive sign.
Thank you very much fore reading the article.
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