Pankaj Oudhia on Hadjod (Cissus quadrangularis): Manuscripts from Medicinal Plant Database
Abstract
Since year 1990 Pankaj Oudhia is writing on various aspects
of Biodiversity and Traditional Healing. The regular writing of more than two
decades resulted in documents worth millions of pages. Very small part of these
documents is online so far. The present series is an effort to represent
excerpts of these documents available in Pankaj Oudhia’s Medicinal Plant
Database at pankajoudhia.com
Search Google or Bing for complete document. You can also write to Pankaj Oudhia at pankajoudhia@gmail.com with subject as
“Consultation” for related queries.
In general fleshy stems of medicinal herb [[Hadjod]e4606]
are used both internally as well as externally in treatment of bone related
troubles. I have mentioned in previous research articles that the Traditional
Healers of {{Chhattisgarh}e} prepare special oil by using stems alone and in
combination with other herbs for external use. Hadjod stems are used internally
in form of different traditional dishes. The expert bonesetters add Hadjod
stems in herbal combinations applied on broken bone after setting it in
original form. This combination helps in bone reunion. During recent visits to
{{Gariaband}e} and {{Mainpur}e} regions I got new information on use of Hadjod
roots. According to the Healers roots are having more powerful effect than
stems. In case of bone fracture the patients are suggested to consume Hadjod
roots with Bhat i.e. cooked [[rice]e1574]. According to them it hastens the
process of reunion. As you know Hadjod is climber and in nature grows with
support of forest trees. According to Healers Hadjod growing on [[Harra]e10327]
and [[Koha]e10321] trees gives more promising results. They collect the roots
during dark night. They are not in favor of its one time collection and use
round the year. Every time roots are collected as per their need and in general
they collect whole plant. Roots are given with Bhat whereas stems are used to
prepare herbal oil. While searching the reference literatures especially
Garunpuran I found the information on use of its roots for the same purpose.
But its use with juice of [[Jatamansi]e366197] is mentioned. In Chhattisgarh in
forests we are not having Jatamansi. The healers are not aware of its use with
Jatamansi. They are using it with Bhat since time immemorial and not interested
in modification. In [[Ayurveda]g27867] the use of Santhi Chawal for preparation
of Bhat has been mentioned at different places. The Healers are aware that it
is hard to get this rice. Hence they simply instruct the patients to prefer
organically grown rice. Fresh roots are taken with Bhat. Many times root juice
is mixed with rice. Like other parts of Chhattisgarh the Healers are aware of
Traditional [[Allelopathic]g25170] Knowledge to enrich roots with medicinal
properties but I observed that the Healers are not practicing it sincerely. Few
Healers use [[Mimosa]e1479] based solution for this purpose
but it needs more confirmation.
In previous research articles I have mentioned that the herb
vendor of {{Keshkal valley}e} region uses [[Chirchita]e2767] based special oil
to improve the complexion. The Healers of Gariaband region are aware of another
special oil in which Chirchita is used as main ingredient. Many times it is
used as single ingredient. Its roots are boiled in base oil to prepare this
oil. This oil is not used for improving complexion. The Healers use it for body
ache externally. If someone is beaten from [[Bamboo]e3616] sticks then as
treatment this oil is massaged on affected parts. It acts in miraculous ways.
It is not effective for all types of body ache. For the first time I got
information about any oil that is used for beaten persons. I feel that this
knowledge is having worldwide scope. When I shared information collected from
Keshkal valley region the Healers showed ignorance towards its role in
improving complexion. They promised me to try it on their patients. The senior
Healers informed that this oil was of great use in early days of war when such
injuries were common. In early days injuries by sharpen weapons were also
common. For such injuries the Healers are having many solutions.
According to the Healers the application of fresh root juice
of [[Ama]e1416] and [[cow]e243652] {{ghee}g} on injured parts gives immense
relief to the patients. Ama roots and ghee both are available very easily. They
are having specific rules for selection of Ama roots and ghee. Old trees are
preferred. Desi Ama free from diseases is selected for root collection. Wooden
tools are used to dig the roots. They prefer morning time for the collection.
Few days before the collection of roots [[Haldi]e828] solution is applied near
roots. It enhances the medicinal properties of roots-they believe. Freshly
collected roots are dipped in cow milk for few hours. After it juice is
extracted and applied on affected part. Desi cow feeding on grasses are
preferred for the collection of milk and preparation of ghee.
The above-mentioned traditional knowledge is valuable but I
am aware that much work is required to gather complete information about these
formulations. I will continue visits to these regions for complete information
and to observe its practical uses. Also I will share these formulations with
the Healers of other regions in order to get their comments regarding its
improvement and to confirm its effectiveness. Keep reading my research articles
for new updates.
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