Pankaj Oudhia on Alsi (Linseed): 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

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[[Alsi]e7336] is under cultivation as oilseed crop since long time in [[Indian]e103] state {{Chhattisgarh}e} especially in Chhattisgarh Plains. It grows without much care and in general it is least damaged by [[cattle]e243652]. In modern days Alsi oil is used for industrial purpose but in early days natives were using it as cooking oil. My father still remembers old days when Alsi oil was in use for this purpose. What are advantages of using this oil? He informed about its many beneficial effects as he heard from his senior family members. But the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh don't not consider it useful as cooking oil especially from health point of view. According to them to some extent this oil is beneficial for the patients having liver related troubles but internal use of this oil in any form is injurious to eyes. They are seeing many cases of patients since their childhood in which poor eyesight resulted due to use of Alsi oil as cooking oil. In earlier days they were suggesting the poor natives having no option to use of plenty of cow {{ghee}g} internally as treatment of eye problem due to Alsi oil. It was beyond imagination for the poor natives to consume costly cow ghee as treatment. Fortunately natives of Chhattisgarh are not using Alsi oil these days. The area under Alsi has decreased in the state as now more and more farmers are going for cash crops. In my own land my father has limited area of this crop due to nuisance of monkeys. Although the traditional knowledge about use of cow ghee in order to reduce the bad effects of Alsi oil is not in use in the state but from documentation point of view it is important information. I would like to mention here that the Healers suggest the natives using Alsi oil for its beneficial effects on liver to use [[Sarson]e3846] oil which is not only good for liver related troubles but also having other positive effects. Through recent surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh I collected many interesting information like this. I am giving details in present article.

The rich natives consume Kishmish (dry fruits of [[Grapes]e2160]) and [[Khajur]e1673] with taste. They are aware of its beneficial effects on health. These items are beyond reach of common natives. The Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh consider fruits of [[Mahua]e7504] as promising substitute to it. Mahua fruits are consumed with taste by natives in rural and forest regions of the state. Common natives are not aware of its health benefits. According to the Healers Mahua fruits are boon for the patients having blood related troubles. This is the reason it is given as supplement medicine to the patients having {{Sickle Cell Anaemia}g}. I have mentioned in previous research articles that how the Healers use liquor prepared from Mahua externally in order to stop bleeding in patients having {{Haemophilia}g}. The senior Healers say strictly that in order to remain healthy one must try to take locally available fruits and food.  It is also mentioned in ancient Indian literatures. Although rich natives rarely consume Mahua fruits but I feel that there is need to popularize its use among them so that they can get good health from tree available in abundance in surroundings.

Although the scientific studies are still lacking in this field but the Healers of Chhattisgarh blame impure milk and its products as cause of skin troubles specially {{Leucoderma}g}. Since few years the number of patients having this trouble is increasing at alarming rates. I have mentioned in previous research articles that milk from cows having similar skin trouble is not considered good for such patients. The introduction of exotic breeds and adoption of chemicals in order to increase milk production by dairy owners especially in metros have resulted in availability of poor quality milk. The Healers suggest the natives in clear words that either drink pure and healthy milk or don't drink it at all. Butter prepared from milk of indigenous cow is considered beneficial for general health. The senior natives of Chhattisgarh Plains suggest the patients having problem of {{Piles}g} specially bleeding piles to consume this butter in large amount in order to get rid from this problem. The Healers of this region confirmed it and added that it helps a lot in reducing pain.

Both [[Lakuch]e3437] and [[Kathal]e459] are well known in many parts of Chhattisgarh. Although both belong to same genus but Lakuch fruits are not considered beneficial for general health whereas Kathal is considered beneficial. The natives use it in different forms from curry to pickles. The Healers of Northern Chhattisgarh suggest thin natives to consume it throughout season in order to gain body weight in natural way. As home remedy the use of [[Kela]e7854] fruits along with cow milk is also considered beneficial for such natives.

The Healers of {{Durg}e} region suggest the natives to consume fruits of [[Kaitha]e6093] at right stage. Both less matured and over matured fruits are considered harmful to health. At right stage its use in any form helps in increasing body resistance. For the patients having troubles related to respiratory system the Healers of this region suggest them to never miss to consume two fruits in one year. One is [[Chirai Jam]e1030] and another is [[Tendu]e5465]. Chirai Jam fruits collected from trees growing near river are considered richer in medicinal properties. Although both fruits are popular in rural and forest regions but the I feel that there is need to popularize its use in urban regions where respiratory troubles are increasing due to pollution and other reasons. Such patients are instructed by the Healers to avoid use of [[Kakri]e374570] in any form.

Leaves of common tree [[Munga]e2348] are consumed as curry throughout Chhattisgarh. The Healers support its use in this way by natives. The Healers of {{Raipur}e} and {{Dhamtari}e} regions informed that this curry is having capacity to flush out intestinal worms. It is also considered useful for liver related troubles. They suggest natives to prepare simple curry from it without using pepper and spices. In general they consider [[red pepper]e618] harmful to body when added in large amounts in different food preparations.

Many of these uses have been reported in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. It is good to observe that these traditional uses are still popular among natives and Healers. It also shows the effectiveness of these uses. Through on-going surveys I am trying to get more information like this.

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