Interaction with the herbs collectors of Chhattisgarh, India having traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of 17. Cholera.
Interaction with the herbs collectors of Chhattisgarh, India having traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of 17. Cholera.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
The ethnobotanical surveys conducted among the herb collectors of Chhattisgarh revealed that the herb collectors have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge regarding use of common herbs and herbal formulations in treatment of Cholera. Most of the herbs they use are the herbs usually they collect from natural forests. The herb collectors use the herbs for their own treatment. They do not play the role of traditional healers but in case of urgency ,they never hesitate to help the natives. Very few works have been done by early workers to document the valuable traditional knowledge these herb collectors are having. I am giving the details of some herbal formulations used by the herb collectors of Chhattisgarh in treatment of Cholera.
The herb collectors of Chhattisgarh plains use the fruits pulp of Bael in combination with Sonth (Dried Ginger). They prefer dry fruit pulp. The fruit pulp and Sonth are mixed and boiled in water to prepare the decoction. This decoction is used internally in treatment of Cholera. The herb collectors of Amarkantak region are also aware of this decoction. But they informed that the addition of Kaiphal as ingredient increases the potential of this decoction. I have yet not seen the Kaiphal herb in natural forests of Chhattisgarh but the herb collectors of this region, showed me the herb collected from wild. The traditional healers of this region are also not ready to accept its natural occurrence in this region. According to them, the herb, herb collectors are showing is collected from the herb vendors who keep the many herbs of Himalayan origin. But the traditional healers are ready at point that the addition of Kaiphal makes the decoction extra strong. The scientific name of Kaiphal is Myrica esculenta. Bael used as main ingredient in decoction, is a common medicinal tree in Chhattisgarh. It is one of the most frequently collected non-wood forest produces by the herb collectors. Its scientific name is Aegle marmelos. The herb collectors of Chhattisgarh plains are also aware of use of Doomar (Ficus glomerata) roots in treatment. Its aqueous extract is used internally. Many herb collectors use the fruits for the same purpose. The herb collectors of Southern Chhattisgarh informed me about the specially prepared herbal combination. In this herbal combination, Amli pods, Lason (Allium sativum) and Bhelwa (Semecarpus anacardium) are used. All ingredients viz. Amli (Tamarind), Lason (Allium sativum) and Bhelwa (Semecarpus anacardium) are commonly found herbs in Chhattisgarh. All herbs are in trade for its medicinal properties and uses. Amli pods used in this combination is taken from stored stalk. According to the herb collectors more older the Amli pods, the combination will be more promising. Like old Rice, wine and gud, the herb collectors consider old (but insect free) Amli as more promising than the fresh herb. Another ingredient, Lason is dipped in Matha (Whey) and peels are removed. Bhelwa fruits are used as such. All the ingredients are mixed and with the help of pods pulp of fresh Amli, the combination is converted into numerous small globules of same shape, These globules are used internally in treatment of Cholera. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. This combination is also popular among the traditional healers. As Bhelwa fruits are used in this combination, the herb collectors take special precaution during its use. Many herb collectors informed that Bhelwa fruit can be deleted from the combination but they are aware , the deletion makes the combination less effective. The herb collectors of Bastar region informed about the use of Jaiphal (Nutmeg) as home remedy in treatment of Cholera. It is used in combination with milk. The herb collectors of Chhattisgarh are aware that regular intake of Nimbu (Limau or Lemon ) juice acts as preventive to cholera. I have mentioned in previous articles that the natives and traditional healers are also aware of this preventive measure.
All of the above mentioned traditional uses are in practice in Chhattisgarh and with the help of the traditional knowledge the herb collectors are protecting themselves from Cholera.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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