Pankaj Oudhia on Arandi (Castor; Ricinus communis): 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.
Like other parts of {{Chhattisgarh}e} the farmers of
{{Rajnandgaon}e} region are also aware of medicinal [[rice]e1574]. In this area
earlier medicinal rice types were under cultivation. Today it is hard to locate
traditional varieties. The place of low
yielding but healthy rice varieties has been taken by new high yielding
varieties. Young farmers are adopting
chemical farming and they want to grow more and more rice. Organic farming is
becoming thing of past. Although medicinal rice types are not under cultivation
in this part of Chhattisgarh but the farmers specially senior farmers are still
aware of medicinal properties and uses of these rice types. During recent
interactions they informed that in early days they were cultivating medicinal
rice Udanpakheru. They were using it in treatment of many diseases. Rice water
prepared from it is having tonic properties. This is the reason in early days
natives recovering from exhaustive diseases were suggested by the Traditional
Healers to drink this rice water in plenty till regaining the vitality.
[[Andi]e1866] is well known herb in this region. Earlier farmers have grown it
as oilseed crop but during surveys I found it growing along with road as
[[weed]g24116] in waste places. The farmers informed that the use of Andi roots
with rice water of Udanpakheru rice is beneficial for the patients having any
type of internal wound. This combination is considered as sure cure for such
trouble. Later the Traditional Healers of this region confirmed it and added
that Andi roots failed to give such miraculous effects when used with common
rice types. As this medicinal rice is not under cultivation in this region now
they are facing problem in this use. This knowledge is in danger as Traditional
Healers have started using alternatives in form of other herbs and herbal
combinations. They are aware of uses of
another medicinal rice type i.e. Kanthi Banko. Rice water prepared from it is
useful in combination with leaves of medicinal weed [[Bhui-Aonla]e1679]. The
farmers informed that this combination is useful in treatment of stomach
related troubles especially in case of ulcers. Later the Healers added that
they are using it successfully in many cases of stomach {{cancer}g}. I feel
very fortunate to document this type of information. Farmers grow rice in
fields having weeds and aware of use of both crop and weeds for their health.
Instead of promoting this unique traditional concept modern planners are
introducing modern medicines, full of well-known side effects that are not only
harmful to health but also very costly. During recent interactions with the
farmers of Rajnandgaon region I collected many interesting information on
various aspects of medicinal herbs. I am giving details in present article.
After collecting different types of medicinal weeds at the
end of day once I exhausted. Seeing my condition the senior farmers visited to
crop fields and brought special herb. They washed it with well water and by
crushing whole herb prepared thick paste. This paste was applied on my leg.
After drying they replaced it with another layer of paste. Very soon I
experienced its miraculous effects. For me they have prepared this paste but in
general they simply crush the plant growing in field with their legs up to five
minutes after completing fieldwork. It gives great relief to them. They told in
lighter mood that after regaining vitality they collect fish from {{nallah}g}
by making special effort and give it to their wives and other family members as
surprise gift. Many of them informed that this weed can be used in this way as
remedy for their [[cattle]e243652] also. Although it grows as weed but its rich
population is not present in this region. Later the Healers of this region
confirmed the miraculous effects of this weed but added that in order to get
more promising results one must use its roots in form of paste. They also informed
that whole herb is added as main ingredient in many herbal oils used for hair
care. I identified this weed as {{Tragia involucrata}e}.
Many Healers use it internally also as remedy for pain alone and in combination
with other herbs.
In early days [[Kakun millet]e9732] was under cultivation in
this region. The senior farmers informed that cooked grains of this millet are
having many health benefits. It is considered beneficial for heart troubles.
Many farmers informed that in early days natives were serving it as royal food
to newly wed couple considering it as promising sex tonic. The Healers of this
region are also aware of these properties but they added that it is curse for
the natives having problem of Pathri ({{Renal Calculi}g}) and associated
troubles. They must avoid its use in any form. In reference literatures related
to different systems of medicine in {{India}e} much has been written on its
medicinal properties. Although this traditional knowledge is not in use in this
part of Chhattisgarh as Kakun is not under cultivation but in many parts of
world it is still under cultivation. This knowledge can help the natives of
these parts to get its health advantages.
As traditional vegetable the use of [[Kheksi]e7798] fruits
is popular among the natives of Chhattisgarh. It is grown in {{Badi}g} and
fields by the farmers of Rajnandgaon region. They consider it as very promising
appetizer. They prepare its curry by adopting different methods and by adding
different types of spices. They believe that its regular use removes all types
of toxins from body and helps in purification of blood. Beside fruits they are
also aware of medicinal uses of its leaves. Internal use of its leaves in any
form even in form of curry along with fruits is considered beneficial for the
patients having old problem of {{Leucoderma}g}. The Healers of this region use
leaves in form of juice in pain management. Leaves are considered beneficial
for {{Piles}g} also.
I have requested the farmers to memorize all information about
traditional rice types especially medicinal rice as I am trying to conduct
special survey in order to get detailed information and also to collect the
seeds of available rice types.
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