Random Ethnobotany Notes by Pankaj Oudhia

On invitation of respected DIG, ITBP, I visited for guest lecture last month. ITBP (I ndo - Tibetan Border Police) is operating in Chhattisgarh, India in anti-naxal operations. My lecture was focused on forest herbs useful to the Arm forces new to the region. From thirst quencher herbs to Appetite suppressant herbs I covered many topics related to problems the forces face in ground. The Chief Medical Officer was also attending the lecture and we interacted a lot during one hour lecture.  The possibilities of using forest herbs for land mines detection and destruction created much interest among them. 

After 14 years of long research and clinical trials on medicinal herbs useful for Sickle Cell Anemia, a researcher from Central India visited to me for “Consultation”. Every thing was in perfect shape in the Herbal Formulation developed by him but in many patients it was resulting in Urticaria like symptoms. There are 13 herbs in the Formulation. I found all ingredients safe. His problem solved when I asked about the sources of plants from where he was collecting it. Two hour brainstorming discussion resulted in error free Formulation. Hoping that very soon it will extend relief to patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia as commercially available drug.     

Yesterday a group of researchers and their sponsors visited to me for consultation on Medicinal Mushroom. They were interested in using Mushroom base in Chyawanprash. Although it was new concept or idea for them but innovative Traditional Healers have tried it earlier on Chyawanprash and other Traditional Herbal preparations with much success. About 45 minutes discussion has answered most of their questions. They showed interest in seven types of wild and Medicinal Mushroom species for experimentation.