Pankaj Oudhia on Arjun (Terminalia arjuna): 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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Like every year this year also many families in [[Indian]e103] state [[Chhattisgarh]e372244] distributed medicinally rich {{Kheer}g} free of cost to thousands of {{Asthma}g} patients during night of Sharad Purnima. These families are doing this social service since many decades. Every year patients take this Kheer and in most of the cases they have to come again next year for taking another dose. In this way many patients take it life long. When I interacted with the patients taking this remedy since long time most of them replied that it is not much effective. They have to take other remedies especially modern drugs for Asthma management during winter. It was not good news. I approached to the [[Traditional Healers]t235] having expertise in treatment of different types of respiratory troubles. Through interactions with them I got information about over 32 herbs added separately in such Kheer. They claimed that proper use of this Kheer cures the trouble in single dose. They suggest its use round the year on full moon days as per ease. In general the inner bark of medicinal tree [[Koha]e10321] is used in Kheer as medicine. The Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use it quite commonly. In general the Healers add few pinches of Koha bark powder in Kheer and keep it under open sky whole night. Next morning at five Kheer is distributed to the patients. After taking it they are advised to go for long walk. After coming back take curry prepared from [[Mooli]e1839] with Roti without [[cow]e243652] {{ghee}g}. They are further suggested to avoid use of [[Alu]e1971], [[Bhata]e1965], [[Urd]e2149] Dal and [[Kumhda]e819] in any form up to two months. The Healers claim that through these strict rules one can get rid from Asthma. Possibly the families practicing this traditional knowledge are not aware of these strict rules and consider that only medicated Kheer is effective. As result the patients are not getting the desired results.

Although the Healers give credit to Koha bark and strict rules for miraculous effects but many senior Healers informed that when Kheer having bark powder is kept under full moon the rays play important role to enrich it with medicinal properties. We cannot ignore the role of moon rays and specific day for preparation and distribution of Kheer. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India especially in {{Ayurveda}g} this information is available. Although this use looks simple but in general the Healers suggest the patients to take it under supervision of experts in order to get the promising effects. They collect bark from specific trees. Through the use of Traditional [[Allelopathic]g25170] Knowledge they enrich the bark with medicinal properties. The families doing this social work purchase bark from local herb shop. Most of the shops sell the mixture of inner and outer bark. I tried to convince the families about the actual procedure but according to them it is hard to keep control over thousands of unknown patients. The Healers suggested me to start this distribution. I am thinking on it.

Koha holds a reputed position as medicinal plant in reference literatures. In general we know it for its use in treatment heart troubles. Its Hindi name is Arjun. For the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh all parts of Koha tree are valuable sources of medicine. Through Ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh I have collected much information about its less known uses.

The Healers of North Chhattisgarh add roots of Koha in herbal combinations used in treatment of {{Migraine}g}. The combination is burnt and patients are advised to inhale the fumes. It acts as both preventive as well as curative. Although they don't use it in form of Herbal cigarette but I feel that in this form we can popularize and use this traditional knowledge in more promising way.  The Healers informed that in this herbal combination Koha roots play important role. The roots growing in south direction are not collected. Koha growing near [[Parsa]e3986] trees are not preferred for the collection of roots. Old trees are preferred. They use wooden tools to dig the roots. In general dark nights are preferred for the collection. During collection precaution is taken in order to avoid death of trees. As traditional practice they adopt these procedures. They are not aware of its science. I feel that it is our responsibility to establish the science behind these procedures.

In previous research articles I have mentioned about different types of Herbal Beds used by the natives and Traditional Healers. Koha leaves are also used in form of Herbal Bed. The patients having skin troubles all over body are suggested to sleep on bed having Koha leaves. New leaves are preferred. At advanced stages the Healers use the decoction of leaves to wash the affected parts. During surveys I got opportunities to meet and interact with the patients benefited from the use of this Herbal Bed. Their positive responses encouraged me to write about it without any delay.

The Healers of Bagbahera region are aware of use of Koha bark, leaf and root powder in treatment of burns. Based on the condition of the patients they mix the plant parts in different proportion. In general the proportion of bark is kept in higher sides.  The combination is applied on affected part in form of powder. The senior Healers informed that in early days they were using this combination to treat the soldiers injured by fire during war. 

During visit to health club the members always ask for herbs useful in case of {{obesity}g}. Although there are hundreds of herbs effective in obesity but the Healers are not in favor of its use. They suggest the natives to manage this problem through physical efforts. Only few herbs are recommended by them. Koha is one of these plants. Use of Koha bark in any form especially in form of Herbal Tea is having tens of benefits. It reduces the fat effectively. Koha Tea is prepared by special methods. You can get details about it in my series on Herbal Teas of Chhattisgarh.

Koha trees are present in our surroundings. The experts are using it for their health troubles. They are also educating others about it. There is need to popularize these simple uses among the natives living in urban regions. Also there is need to serve thousands of patients around the world through this traditional knowledge. Our Healers can do this holy work.

Through on-going surveys I am trying my best to get more information about this medicinal tree.

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