Interesting Observations related to medicinal weeds in Niyamgiri Hill region (District Kalahandi) of Indian state Orissa. by Pankaj Oudhia
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Interesting Observations related to medicinal weeds in Niyamgiri Hill region (District Kalahandi) of Indian state Orissa.by
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| Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM | eResDocs Formal report Free form Table of Contents Display Full eArticle | ID: 1866 |
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| Abstract |
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| Although during recent visit I failed to observe and note much about medicinal weeds in Niyamgiri Hill regions but through two day visit I collected many interesting information. Details are given in present article. |
| Table of Contents |
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| Interesting Observations related to medicinal weeds in Niyamgiri Hills region. |
| Related Ecoport Articles and Interactive Tables |
| Acknowledgement |
| Interesting Observations related to medicinal weeds in Niyamgiri Hills region. | Return To Table of Contents |
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| During recent visit to Niyamgiri Hills region (District Kalahandi) of Indian state Orissa when I observed rich population of medicinal weed Satyanashi both in wasteland and fallow crop fields I asked the natives belonging to Kutia Kondh tribes about it. Whether you are cultivating it or it is growing as waste plant and why its population is very rich in these hills not in surrounding plains? The natives replied that it is waste plant and due to its spiny nature they know it as Kanta Gachh. Although it grows in waste places but it is not considered waste plant by them. Many of them are aware of therapeutic values of its seed oil. I have mentioned in previous research articles that Satyanashi is well known plant of medicinal importance in Chhattisgarh and its different plant parts are used both internally as well as externally in treatment of many diseases. Its seeds look like seeds of Sarson. Traders aware of this fact adulterate Sarson seeds with these seeds. Modern medical research works have shown that this adulteration results in dropsy and every year this adulteration takes many lives in India. Traders purchase it at very low rates without informing their bad intention to the people living in Satyanashi rich regions. The natives of Niyamgiri Hills are aware this malpractice but it is also bitter fact that in many parts especially in foothills it is collected and supplied to the traders. In general as medicine the seed oil is used externally in treatment of skin diseases. The Traditional Healer of Alabeli village Shri Laxa Manjhi informed that seed oil in combination with other seed oils is useful externally in treatment of all types of wound. Due to its miraculous healing property they have tried it successfully many times in treatment of cancerous wound. The natives of Ambuguda village informed that whole herb ash is useful internally as medicine. It is added in popular herbal combinations used to treat patients having poor vitality. Many farmers of Jharnia Kondh tribe informed that its presence in crop field is beneficial for soil. Although they are not aware of its science but as traditional belief they are still believing on it. The reference literatures mention that Satyanashi can be used to treat problematic soil. The senior natives informed that water is carrier of its seeds. This is the reason you will find its rich population in places where surface water flows. In general presence of Mundi weed in crop fields is considered as promising indicator of soil fertility. I have mentioned in previous research articles that the natives of Chhattisgarh pay higher price for the crop field having natural population of Mundi weed. They consider it as highly fertile soil. The modern reference literatures support this traditional knowledge. Although in my short visit to Niyamgiri hill region I failed to get its local name but I found that natives as well as Traditional Healers of this region are having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about this weed. The Traditional Healer Shri Laxa Manjhi use whole plant in powder form in treatment of mouth related troubles. Powder is applied inside the mouth. In general it is used as single remedy but many times it is added with herb like Lajjawati and used. When I shared information collected from the Healers of Chhattisgarh that decoction of whole herb is useful in treatment of common cough and cold to advanced stages of Asthma he replied that other herbs are used for this purpose but he is not aware of use of Mundi for this purpose. He thanked me and promised to try it for this purpose. The young natives use this herb for catching crabs in rice bunds. Among the plants used since time immemorial for managing flies the name of Blumea is at the tip of tongue. During visit I found rich population of drying Blumea in the region. They use its fresh as well as dry leaves. Leaves are burnt and fumes are spread in different corners. The natives belonging to Jharnia Kondh tribe informed that in treatment of patients trapped under influence of evil spirits the Faith Healers use this herb along with other aromatic herbs. As mentioned in previous research article that due to increased movement of outsiders with modern foods for proposed Bauxite project, population of houseflies has increased many folds in the region and natives are facing problem in form of different diseases, Blumea is among the plants helping them to keep houseflies at bay. Celosia is considered as problematic weed in upland crops by the farmers of Kutia Kondh Tribe. During visit I found rich population of this weed in harvested fields of Mandua crop. They allow it up to certain level but when its infestation increases hand weeding is adopted for its management. They are not much aware of its medicinal uses but many of them informed that in early days ash of this herb was in use to wash the cloths. In general Parthenium hysterophorus is known as Congress grass or weed throughout India but in Niyamgiri hill region natives have named Chromolaena as Congress grass. It is competing with native herbs and I found its rich population near crop fields in foothills than on hilltop. The young natives informed that it is of not much use and it is spreading fastly. During visit I found its dry plants with height enough to cover me. I am eager to share my knowledge related to weed management through competitive plants with them. In next visit I will try to search the competitive native herbs having potential to smother the growth of this exotic weed. I consider rainy season as best season to study medicinal weeds. I visited to Niyamgiri in season of fall when most of the weeds were in form of dry plants. I am planning to visit the region once more during rainy season to get detailed information with pictures. Keep reading my research articles at Ecoport for updates. Link to Pictures taken during survey in Niyamgiri Hills. |
| Related Ecoport Articles and Interactive Tables | Return To Table of Contents |
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| Acknowledgement | Return To Table of Contents |
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| Author is thankful to ActionAid especially to Ms. Brantindi Jena for giving opportunity to conduct this survey. He is also thankful to Shri Ashok Nath of ActionAid for support during fieldwork. |
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