Traditional medicinal knowledge about Sonpatha Ke Illi Hyblaea puera (Cramer) [Hyblaeidae : Lepidoptera] in Chhattisgarh, India : Updated Version

Traditional medicinal knowledge about Sonpatha Ke Illi Hyblaea puera (Cramer) [Hyblaeidae : Lepidoptera] in Chhattisgarh, India : Updated Version

Pankaj Oudhia

Introduction

Entomophagy and Entomotherapy are well known in Asia since generations. Unfortunately not much work has been done to document valuable Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Insects. Pankaj Oudhia is documenting this knowledge since year 1990. The present note is updated version of his previously published online research document available through pankajoudhia.com.

Keywords: Entomophagy; Entomotherapy; Medicinal Insects; Ayurveda; Chhattisgarh;

Sonpatha (Oroxylum indicum (L.) Benth. ex Kurz, family Bignoniaceae) is well known medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh. Its root bark is well known and much esteemed being an ingredient of the Dashamula of Hindu medicine. According to Ayurveda, root bark is acrid, astringent to bowels, cooling, aphrodisiac, tonic, appetizer and useful in biliousness, bronchitis, fevers, intestinal worms, vomiting, dysentery, leucoderma, asthma, inflammations and anal troubles. Its fruits are acrid, stomachic, anthelmintic and good in heart and throat disease, piles, bronchitis etc.

Sonpatha Ke Illi Hyblaea puera is a common insect feeding on Sonpatha. The traditional healers and herb vendors of many parts of Chhattisgarh are aware of many traditional medicinal uses of full fed caterpillars. During the ethno entomological surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted that the traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara and Narharpur region use frequently this insect as medicine. Most of the healers want to conserve this knowledge as secret knowledge. Many healers aware of my on-going documentation work disclosed many uses of this insect. The healers prepare special oil from the caterpillars. To prepare the oil, full fed caterpillars are boiled in base oil and when all watery contents evaporate, boiling is stopped and oil is kept for future use. As base oil Til (Sesame seed) oil is used. Few healers add the herbs with the caterpillars but majority of the healers claimed that the full fed caterpillars are enough to give the desirable effects. The special oil is used externally in treatment of ear related troubles. In treatment of Otorrhea, few drops of oil are applied into the ears. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. The healers also use the oil in form of massage externally in treatment of rheumatic pain. I have observed that many herb vendors sell this special oil to the traditional healers and natives of neighboring states without disclosing its method of preparation. I have tried this oil successfully in treatment of rheumatic pain. The traditional healers have their own criteria to select the potential caterpillars feeding on Sonpatha. The dull caterpillars are considered more promising. According to them, the agile caterpillars loose the valuable medicinal contents. I personally feel that there is a need of systematic research on this aspect in order to find out the scientific explanations. In reference literatures, Hyblaea is not reported as medicinal insect. This research article is a first written document on this important aspect. 

[New comments added on April, 2014: Through recent surveys I have collected information about over 350 Formulations used both internally as well as externally in which the caterpillars are added as important ingredient. Most of the Healers purify the collected caterpillars before using it as medicine. The native Kamar Healers are aware of its food value. Many Healers practicing Traditional Entomophagy are aware of its use with Indigenous Medicinal rice. Adults are also used but not much popular like caterpillars. In many cases when Oroxylum as single remedy fail to give the desired effects these caterpillars are added in the formulations to make it strong.

In Blumea based Herbal Formulations used for blood related diseases Hyblaea is added as secondary ingredient. In Vanda based Herbal Formulations used for treatment of Parkinson ’s disease Hyblaea is added as octonary ingredient. In Chlorophytum based Formulations for vitality Hyblaea is added tertiary ingredient. In Moringa based formulations used for Leucorrhea Hyblaea is added as nonary ingredient. For information on complete Formulations and dosage please visit pankajoudhia.com]


Through the on-going ethnoentomological surveys, I am expecting more information on traditional medicinal uses of Hyblaea puera feeding on Sonpatha. You will find the details in coming articles. 


Thank you very much for reading the article.

Related References

Oudhia, Pankaj and Thakur, B.S. (1996) New record of the leaf beetle on a weed. Current Research 25: 218.

Oudhia, P. (1997) Evaluation of host specificity of Blumea leaf beetle (Chrysolina sp. nr. madrasae Jackoby). Insect Environment. 3 (3): 80.

Oudhia, P. and Ganguali, R.N.(1998). Is Lantana camara responsible for Sal-borer infesttation in M.P.? Insect Environment. 4 (1): 5.

Oudhia, P. (1998). Medicinal insects and spiders. Insect Environment. 4(2): 57-58

Oudhia, P. (1999) Effect of some botanicals on hatchability of Blumea leaf beetle eggs. Insect Environment. 4(4): 154

Oudhia, P. (1999) Blumea leaf beetle in Chhattisgarh Plains. Insect Environment. 5 (1): 22.

Oudhia, P. and Ganguli, J. (1999). Outbreak of Tortoise beetle Aspidomorpha miliaris F. (Coleoptera ; Chrysomelidae) in Chhattisgarh plains. Insect Environment 5(3): 110-111.

Oudhia, P. (1999). Effects of Total Solar Eclipse on activities of some insects and mites. Insect Environment 5(3) : 113-114.

Oudhia, P. (1999). Traditional medicinal knowledge about Red velvet mite Trombidium sp. (Acari : Trombidiidae) in Chhattisgarh. Insect Environment 5(3): 113.

Oudhia P, Pandey N, Ganguli RN & Tripathi RS (1999) Gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) infestation in hybrid rice as affected by agronomical practices. Insect Environment 4: 123–124.

Oudhia P, Pandey N, Tripathi RS & Ganguli RN (1999) Effect of nitrogen and water management practices on gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) infestation in hybrid rice. Insect Environment 4: 119–120.

Oudhia P, Pandey N, Tripathi RS & Ganguli RN (1999) Reaction of hybrid rice varieties to gall midge (Orseolia oryzae).. Insect Environment 4 (4): 134.

Oudhia P, Pandey N, Tripathi RS & Ganguli RN (1999) Effect of different fertility levels on the gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) infestation.. Insect Environment 4 (3): 66-67.

Oudhia, P. (2000). Studies on host specificity and preference of the metallic coloured Tortoise beetle (Aspidomorpha miliaris F.) Ecol. Env. And Cons. 6(3):357-359.

Oudhia, P. (2000). Effects of leaf extracts on Metallic Coloured Tortoise beetle Aspidomorpha miliaris F. Insect Environment 5(4): 165.

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Oudhia, P. and Ganguli, R. N. (1999) Chrysolina madrassae: A potential bio-control agent for Blumea lacera. VIII Biennial Conference of Indian Society of Weed Science held at BHU, Varanasi 5-7 Feb. p 134.

Oudhia,P. (2000).Evaluation of some botanicals against orange banded blister beetle(Zonabris pustulata Thunb.).Crop Research 20(3):558-559

Oudhia,P.(2000).Record of Orange Banded Blister Beetle Zonabris pustulata Thunb.(Coleoptera: Meloidae) on Safed Moosli(Chlorophytum borivilianum).Insect Environment.6(3):138

Oudhia,P.(2000).Effect of some leaf leachates on hatchability of Blumea leaf beetle(Chrysolina madrasae Jackoby) Eggs.Indian J. Weed Sci. 32(3&4):206-207.

Oudhia, P. (2000). Traditional medicinal knowledge about green leaf hopper, Nephotettix spp. in Chhattisgarh (India). International Rice Research Notes.25 (3):40

Oudhia, P. (2000). Common housefly Musca nebulo Wiedemann (Diptera: Muscidae) as medicinal insect in Chattisgarh. Insect Environment. 6(1):36-37.

Oudhia, P. (2001). Traditional medicinal knowledge about Pod borer Helicoverpa armigera in Chhattisgarh, India. International Chickpea and Pigeonpea Newsletter.8:14-15.

Oudhia, P. (2001). Medicinal insects of Kharif crops and weeds of Chattisgarh (India). VII National Science Conference, Bharitya Krishi Anusandhan Samitee, Directorate of Cropping System Research, Meerut, India, 12-14 April.

Oudhia, P. (2001). Record of Aphis craccivora Koch.(Hemiptera: Aphididae) on medicinal crop Mucuna pruriens L. in Chhattigarh (India). Insect Environment. 7(1):24.

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Citation

Oudhia, Pankaj (2014). Traditional medicinal knowledge about Sonpatha Ke Illi Hyblaea puera (Cramer) [Hyblaeidae: Lepidoptera] in Chhattisgarh, India : Updated Version. pankajoudhia.com