Pankaj Oudhia on Kali Haldi, Asgandh, Safed Gunja and Vakeri: 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.
Although natural occurrence of medicinal herb
[[Asgandh]e10920] in {{Chhattisgarh}e} has not been reported in reference
literatures but as I have mentioned in previous articles that the Traditional
Healers and Herb Collectors of many regions claim its natural occurrence. The
Collectors of Nandni-Ahiwara showed its plants during my early surveys. During
recent surveys in Gandai region the Herb Collectors of this region also claimed
its natural occurrence and after seeing big question mark on my face showed me
plants collected from forest. I identified it as more vigorous and healthy type
of Asgandh than the plants I commonly see in crop fields. The Herb Collectors
informed that this herb is not in trade from this region. The Traders are not
taking interest in it and also it is not available in bulk. This herb is in use
as medicinal herb by the Healers as well as common natives. In general its
roots are used internally as main ingredient of many herbal formulations. The
Herb Collectors of this region are aware of its less known external uses.
According to them root possess wound healing properties. They have tried it
alone and in combination with other herbs in treatment of old wounds. Roots are
used in form of paste. In general they use [[cow]e243652] urine to prepare this
paste. Many times paste is prepared by using [[Sarson]e3846] oil. Later the
Healers of this region confirmed the claims of Collectors and disclosed that
they have found the roots useful in treatment of cancerous wound. They showed
me different preparation kept for off-season use. The Herb Collectors of this
region keep these roots with them while traveling in forest especially in rainy
season in order to apply it in case of injuries. Through recent interactions
and discussions with the Herb Collectors of this region I collected many
interesting information on different aspects of medicinal herbs. I am giving
details in present article.
The Collectors of this region collect both species of
Vernonia i.e. {{Vernonia cinerea}e} and {{Vernonia
anthelmintica}e}. First one is known as Sahadevi whereas second one
in known as Kaliziri. They collect it for the traders. They informed that
collection of Kaliziri is higher in comparison to Sahadevi. Recently the state
authorities have kept Kaliziri in the list of potential medicinal herbs having
regular demand. In reference literatures related to different systems of
medicine in [[India]e103] Kaliziri holds a reputed condition in treatment of
worm related troubles. The Herb Collectors of this region are also aware of its
uses. They informed that the internal use of its seeds is beneficial for
{{Leucoderma}g}. They claimed that at initial stages it acts in promising ways
and they have seen its miraculous effects on many patients. At advanced stage
it is used along with other internal as well as external remedies. They further
informed that use of [[Harra]e10327] internally in any form helps the patients
having this trouble at any stage. Harra is collected in bulk for the trade.
They collect its fruits commonly and rarely its bark as well as other parts.
When I started discussion of rare herbs they showed little
hesitation as earlier some traders from outside met to them and asked for
availability of red [[Patal Kumhda]e9067]. When they searched the hot spots by
their own expenses and informed them, the traders collected it by sending their
own workers. After this incidence they try to keep information about such hot
spots secret. I explained the purpose of my ongoing surveys and documentation
work. After this explanation they got ready to share information. According to
them [[Kali Haldi]e366157], [[Kalihari]e14378], [[Hadjod]e4606],
[[Vakeri]e374819] and [[Safed Gunja]e292] are among main herbs for which they
get regular inquiries. In general these herbs are purchased in little amount
but they get very high price for it. The senior Collectors informed that due to
over collection and increasing level of competition the existence of many types
of orchids is in danger. Among medicinal insects and mites the Herb Collectors
named [[Rani Keeda]e371992] and [[Red Ant]e19740]. Both creatures are collected
during specific seasons as per demand.
When incidentally any one consumes toxic wild fruits in
order to induce vomiting they use many types of medicinal herbs. [[Mainphal]e371831] fruit pulp is popular
among them. In case of unavailability they use the roots of medicinal herb
[[Anantmool]e17354]. Root juice or powder is given internally. In order to get
more promising results leaves are also added with it. Many times this
combination is given up to long time. Later the Healers of this region confirmed
the efficacy of this combination and added that through judicious use of it,
any poison of plant origin can be treated successfully. Anatmool roots are in
trade from this region, although in limited quantity.
The Herb Collectors of this region are not only aware of
anti-allergic properties of different types of [[Haldi]e829] but also they use
it as home remedy time to time especially during change of season. Its use
protects them from different types of allergies round the year. In cases when
these home remedies fail to give the desirable results they use seeds of
[[Kaya]e10132] tree. Seeds are used in powder form with cow milk. In general
they prefer its use under supervision of Traditional Healers. Many senior
Collectors claimed that they have used it successfully against exotic allergy
causing [[weed]g24116] [[Gajar Ghas]e1619]. I am in process of confirming their
claims. Like other parts of Chhattisgarh this region is also under influence of
this exotic weed.
The Collectors of this region prepare special herbal oil for
hair related troubles. They use [[Bahera]e236039] seed oil as base oil and add
twelve types of herbs in it. They want to keep the formulation secret. They
claim that it is single oil for all types of common hair troubles. During surveys
they showed me the oil and also their strong hairs. When I smelled it I found
smell of [[Neem]e3581] oil in it. I failed to get clues for other ingredients.
The Healers of this region are not aware of this secret formulation but they
appreciated its effects. The Collectors have acquired knowledge about it from
their ancestors and without modification they are using it for their personal
use. Its popularity among them clearly indicates its efficacy. They presented
this oil as gift to me.
As usual I showed them pictures of many rare herbs not
reported from Chhattisgarh. They took keen interest in it and identified many
pictures as local herbs. I am planning to visit forests with them for
confirmation.
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