Traditional medicinal knowledge about Aphis sp. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) feeding on Ratalu (Dioscorea bulbifera) in Chhattisgarh, India. Updated Version.

Traditional medicinal knowledge about Aphis sp. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) feeding on Ratalu (Dioscorea bulbifera) in Chhattisgarh, India. Updated Version.

Pankaj Oudhia

Introduction

Entomophagy and Entomotherapy are well known in Asia since generations. Unfortunately not much work has been done to document valuable Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Insects. Pankaj Oudhia is documenting this knowledge since year 1990. The present note “Traditional medicinal knowledge about Aphis sp. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) feeding on Ratalu (Dioscorea bulbifera) in Chhattisgarh, India.”  is updated version of his previously published online research document available through pankajoudhia.com.

Keywords: Entomophagy; Entomotherapy; Medicinal Insects; Ayurveda; Chhattisgarh;

According to the reference literatures, Ratalu (Dioscorea bulbifera) is a climbing, herbaceous perennial with large, tuberous roots. The aerial bulbs or tubers, produced in leaf axils, are fleshy and succulent. For eating purpose, it requires detoxification. Ratalu is well known medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh. The natural forests of Chhattisgarh particularly the Southern Chhattisgarh are rich in Ratalu population. The natives and traditional healers have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about this herb. Many insect species attack on natural population of Ratalu. Aphis sp. is one of these species. I have identified it as Aphis craccivora but I am confirming it. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh use it as medicinal insect. Through the Ethno-entomological surveys conducted in this region, I have collected valuable information on this aspect. The full fed nymphs and adults are collected and in dry form, kept for future use. The traditional healers add the insect powder as essential ingredient in popular herbal combinations used as birth control measure. According to them, they have acquired this knowledge from their ancestors and since generations they are practicing this knowledge successfully. In general, they do not inform the patients coming to them about the addition of insect powder. Many healers use the insect powder externally also. In combination with Shahad (Honey), a thick solution is prepared and female natives are suggested to apply it inside the vagina, just before the intercourse. It is considered as one of the promising preventive measures. As other promising and cheap alternatives are available it is used less commonly by the traditional healers. But from documentation point of view it is important information. The popularity of these uses among the healers emphasize the need of systematic research on this aspect without any delay. The traditional healers are not aware of its other medicinal uses. Through the on-going Ethno-entomological surveys I am trying my best to gather more information on this aspect.

In reference literatures, the above mentioned traditional medicinal uses have yet not been reported. The present research article is the first written document on this aspect.

New comments added on May, 2014

Through recent surveys I have collected information about over 3500 Formulations in which Aphis species collected from Dioscorea is added as important ingredient. These Formulations are used in treatment of respiratory diseases at all stages both internally as well as externally. In Blumea based Formulations it is added as secondary ingredient by the Traditional Healers of North Chhattisgarh whereas the Healers of Jharkhand add it as tertiary ingredient. In Sphaeranthus based Formulations for Asthma it is added as tertiary ingredient with Cuscuta collected from Ziziphus. In Abutilon based Formulations of Odisha it is added as quaternary ingredient. In Calophyllum based Formulations it is added as quinary ingredient. In Vateria based Formulations it is added as quaternary ingredient. In Vanslochan based Formulations it is added as secret ingredient by the Healers of different regions. The Healers of Amarkantak add it as secondary ingredient whereas the Healers of Bastar add it as septenary ingredient. The Healers of Niyamgiri add it as octonary ingredient. In Dysoxylum based Formulations it is added as denary ingredient. In Psoralea based Formulations it is added as nonary ingredient. In Nothopegia based Formulations of Maharashtra it is added as senary ingredient. Based on the vitality of the patients many times it is added as secondary ingredient. In Cyperus and Typha based Formulations of Chhattisgarh Plains it is added as septenary ingredient. For complete information on Formulations and dosage please visit pankajoudhia.com

Thank you very much for reading the article.

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Citation

Oudhia, Pankaj (2014). Traditional medicinal knowledge about Aphis sp. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) feeding on Ratalu (Dioscorea bulbifera) in Chhattisgarh, India. Updated Version.  pankajoudhia.com