Traditional medicinal knowledge about Metanastria hyrtaca C. (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) feeding on Harshringar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) in Chhattisgarh, India. Updated Version.

Traditional medicinal knowledge about Metanastria hyrtaca C. (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) feeding on Harshringar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) 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 “Traditional medicinal knowledge about Metanastria hyrtaca C. (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) feeding on Harshringar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) in Chhattisgarh, India.”  is updated version of his previously published online research document available through pankajoudhia.com.

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

Traditional Healing

Harshringar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) is a well known herb in Chhattisgarh. It is generally planted as ornamental herb in home gardens. The natives and traditional healers are aware of its medicinal properties and uses. Its different parts play important role in popular herbal combinations. Many insect species infest Harshringar. I have mentioned in previous articles that many insects feeding on Harshringar are used as medicinal insects. Metanastria is one of these insects. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of its medicinal uses. Although it is used less frequently but from documentation point of view it is important information. Through the Ethno-entomological surveys conducted among these traditional healers in recent past, I have collected valuable information on this aspect. The full fed grayish caterpillars are used both internally as well as externally. For internal use it is purified by dipping it in herbal solution upto long time in order to eliminate its toxic contents. As traditional secret, the traditional healers do not want to disclose the ingredients of solution. Internally, the caterpillar powder is taken in form of dry powder. It is popularity used to flush out the intestinal worms. Before giving this powder with Shahad (Honey), the patients are given a piece of Gud (Jaggery). According to the traditional healers a piece of Gud brings all the worm at one place inside the body and when caterpillar powder is given after sometimes, it flushes out all the worms effectively in very less time. The healers are not in favour of using caterpillar powder with medicinal herbs.

New comments added on May 1, 2007

Through recent surveys I have collected information about tens of traditional herbal formulations in which this caterpillar is added in powder form as important ingredient. Unfortunately most of these formulations are not in use by the Healers of present generation. Senior Healers informed that most of these formulations are not considered incomplete without this insect. These formulations were in use in treatment of Leucoderma. The other ingredients of these formulations are still in use in different formulations but this insect is used less commonly. The Healers have reason for it. According to them it is hard to locate this insect feeding on Harshringar. The Healers having this plant as garden plant in their home gardens informed that for medicine it is required in bulk. Due to these constraints they are not using it. When I suggested rearing of this insect for bulk supply they replied that it is possible but as other promising alternatives of this insect is available easily they don’t adopt rearing method. From documentation point of view I feel that it is necessary to put the information about these formulations in this article. Formulations are given in next section of this article. All formulations are used internally in treatment of Leucoderma by the Healers of different regions. It is used in initial stages along with external treatment. Small children and pregnant women are not allowed to use insect based formulations. As mentioned in the article that Healers use many herbs to nullify the harmful effects of this insect. Through recent surveys I have collected information on this aspect also. In general Healers dip the insects in cow urine for few hours after collection. After it shade dried insects are converted into powder and used in medicine. Datura alba, Tridax procumbens, Cyperus rotundus, Martynia annua, Amaranthus viridis, Ipomoea aquatica, Ipomoea quamoclit etc. are the herbs added in insect based formulations for this purpose.

In treatment of sciatica, the caterpillar powder is added in popular herbal combinations used in form of decoction but as other promising alternatives are available it is used less commonly. The traditional healers are not aware of its other medicinal uses. Through the on-going Ethno-entomological surveys I am trying my best to gather more information on this important aspect.

In reference literatures, Metanastria hyrtaca feeding on Harshringar is not mentioned as insect. It seems that the present research article is the first written document on this aspect.

Metanastria hyrtaca (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) based Traditional Formulations used in treatment of Leucoderma by the Traditional Healers of Indian state Chhattisgarh.       

Herbal Formulation No. 1- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Chenopodium album

Herbal Formulation No. 2- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Gloriosa superba

Herbal Formulation No. 3- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Psoralea corylifolia

Herbal Formulation No. 4- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Lawsonia alba

Herbal Formulation No. 5- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Pterocarpus marsupium

Herbal Formulation No. 6- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Terminalia chebula+Terminalia bellirica+Emblica officinalis

Herbal Formulation No. 7- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Azadirachta indica

Herbal Formulation No. 8- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Rubia cordifolia

Herbal Formulation No. 9- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Ventilago denticulata

Herbal Formulation No. 10- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Bryonia laciniosa

Herbal Formulation No. 11- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Herbal Formulation No. 12- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Curcuma longa

Herbal Formulation No. 13- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Commelina benghalensis

Herbal Formulation No. 14- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Chenopodium album+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 15- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Gloriosa superba+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 16- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Psoralea corylifolia+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 17- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Lawsonia alba+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 18- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Pterocarpus marsupium+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 19- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Terminalia chebula+Terminalia bellirica+Emblica officinalis+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 20- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Azadirachta indica+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No.21- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Rubia cordifolia+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 22- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Ventilago denticulata+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 23- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Bryonia laciniosa+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 24- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Hibiscus rosa-sinensis+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 25- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Curcuma longa+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

Herbal Formulation No. 26- Metanastria hyrtaca+Datura alba+Commelina benghalensis+Ipomoea aquatica+Martynia annua+Boerhavia diffusa

New comments added on May 1, 2014

Through recent surveys in 10 states of India I collected information about over 700 Formulations for Vitiligo in which Metanastria is added as important ingredient. In Adina based Formulations of Madhya Pradesh it is added as tertiary ingredient. The Healers add it as secret ingredient. In Aegle based Formulations for Vitiligo Metanastria is added quaternary ingredient. In Asteracantha based Formulations of Andhra Pradesh Metanastria is added as nonary ingredient. In Ventilago based Formulations it is added as septenary ingredient. In Panicum based Formulations of Chhattisgarh it is added as secondary and nonary ingredients as per the condition of the patients. Patients with poor vitality are not allowed to take these Formulations. In Cordia based Formulations of Balaghat it is added as octonary ingredient. Cordia based Formulations are very popular among the expert Healers. They treat advanced stage of Vitligo with these Formulations. Metanastria plays key role in these Formulations. The Healers use different wild flower decoction to purify this insect before use in herbal formulations. In Dendrobium based Formulations for external use in treatment of Vitiligo Metanastria is added quinary ingredient. In Grewia based Formulations of Odisha Metanastria is added as senary ingredient. Medicinal Orchids mainly Vanda and Dendrobium are also added as senary ingredients in these Formulations. In Bridelia based Formulations it is added as tertiary ingredient. In these Formulations barks of different wild trees are added with Metanastria.

In treatment of Sciatica, Metanastria is added in over 200 Formulations. In Pterocarpus based Formulations it is added as quaternary ingredient. In Cleome and Cassia based Formulations it is added as secondary and senary ingredients. In Vitex based Formulations it is added as septenary ingredient. For complete Formulations and information on dosage please visit pankajoudhia.com]  

Thank you very much for reading the article.

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Citation

Oudhia, Pankaj (2014). Traditional medicinal knowledge about Metanastria hyrtaca C. (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) feeding on Harshringar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) in Chhattisgarh, India. Updated Version. pankajoudhia.com