Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India. : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Raipur region.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India. : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Raipur region.
Pankaj
Oudhia
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© Pankaj Oudhia
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In treatment of Conjunctivitis, the traditional healers of Raipur region use a special herbal combination for external use. They use fruit pulp of different herbs for this purpose. The fruit pulp of Harra (Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia bellirica) and Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica) are mixed in 2:3:1 ratio and small globules are prepared. These globules are kept for future use. When the patients approach to them, they prepare an aqueous paste by mixing the globules in water and suggest the patients to apply it inside the eyes. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. The healers of this region are also aware of use of Kurru Gond (Sterculia urens Gum) for this purpose. It is applied externally in combination with Gulab Jal (Rose water). As birth control measure, the healers of this region suggest the natives to take the decoction of whole herb of Neem (Indigofera species). According to them, its use once in a week is enough to serve the problem. Although Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) is not a native to Chhattisgarh but the natives and traditional healers are aware of its medicinal uses and properties. I have mentioned this observation in my previous articles. The traditional healers of Raipur region use Jatamansi to prepare a Sherbet. This Sherbet is given to the patients having the problem related to digestive system. For preparing the Sherbet, Jatamansi is boiled in water and decoction is prepared. In this decoction, sugar syrup is added. The healers suggest the patients having diarrhoea to consume the roasted seeds of Masoor (Lentil). It is used in normal cases. Masoor is under cultivation as pulse crop in Chhattisgarh. When we started discussion on treatment of Sujak (Gonorrhoea), the healers informed about many herbal combinations. Most of these combinations are known to me. I am giving the details of new combination. In this combination, Ajwain (Carum copticum) seeds, Roasted Chana (Gram) seeds, Mooli seeds (Radish), Black Til (Sesame) and Adrak (Ginger) are mixed in equal proportion. The combination is given to the patients twice a day. According to the healers this combination is used as supplement to main treatment. At initial stages, it shows promising effects. In treatment of complicated cases of Ringworm, the healers of Raipur region use the combination of Charota seeds (Cassia tora), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Kattha (Acacia catechu), Gonda leaves (Marigold) and Limau Rasa (Lemon fruit juice) in form of aqueous paste. This paste is applied externally on affected parts. I have mentioned in previous articles that as blood purifier, the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, use the young leaves of Neem internally. The healers of Raipur region informed that like Neem leaves, the leaves of Sarphonk (Tephrosia purpurea) can also be used. This was new information for me. Sarphonk occurs as wasteland weed in Chhattisgarh. In treatment of common itch, the healers suggest the patients to apply the combination of Mehndi (Lawsonia alba) leaves and Gulab (Rose) petals. Both herb parts are mixed in equal proportion and with the help pf Sirka (Vinegar), aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied many times a day for quick relief.
Due to industrialization and increasing population pressure, now the number of sincere healers is decreasing around this capital city. Due to new jobs, the natives of other states have migrated here, sometimes I feel very difficult to sort out traditional knowledge of Chhattisgarh from the traditional knowledge of other states.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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