Interactions with the herb collectors of Chhattisgarh, India having traditional medicinal knowledge about common herb used in treatment of 21. Fevers.
Interactions with the herb collectors of Chhattisgarh, India having traditional medicinal knowledge about common herb used in treatment of 21. Fevers.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Through the interactions with the herb collectors of Chhattisgarh , I have collected many valuable information on traditional uses of common herbs used in treatment of fevers. I have noted that the herb collectors have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge in this regard. They are aware of many unique herbal formulation. I am giving the details in present article.
In my previous articles, I have mentioned about the preparation of Herbal dish named Karayal Ke Burfi, popular among the traditional healers in treatment of fevers. The herbs collectors of Chhattisgarh are also aware of medicinal uses of Karayal in treatment of fevers. Its crushed seeds are used in treatment. The powdered seeds are given in combination with Shahad (Honey) internally. The combination is given till complete cure. According to the herb collectors it is very promising in treatment of old fevers. In herbal dish the healers use, Sirka (Vinegar) soaked and roasted Karayal seeds but the herb collectors use raw seeds. The traditional healers have their explanation for this. They informed that soaking nullifies the harmful effects in the seeds whereas roasting makes it delicious. The herb collectors informed that they have never experienced any harmful effect of raw seeds. I personally feel that it is a matter of scientific investigation that whether raw seed is more beneficial or soaked seeds ? Karayal is under cultivation as condiment crop in Chhattisgarh. Many herb collectors are engaged in its trade. Its scientific name is Nigella sativa.
The herb collectors of Bagbahera region prepare a special combination using Parsa flower, Dhania (Coriander) herb and Chana Bhusi (Gram husk). All ingredients are mixed in equal proportion and with the help of water, small globules are prepared .The patients are advised to take these globules once in a day. The use is continued till complete cure. According to the herb collectors, they use this combination for instant relief. Its use not only reduces the temperature but also helps the patients to regain the vitality. This combination is very popular among the herb collectors of this region. Although in this combination, all ingredients are mixed in equal proportion but the herb collectors informed me that Parsa flower plays an important role. Parsa is well known medicinal tree in Chhattisgarh. There is a good demand of its different plant parts in national and international drug markets. For the herb collectors, it is a soruce of earning. The scientific name of Parsa is Butea monosperma. Its Hindi names are Palash, Tesu, Dhak and Kinshuk.
The herb collectors of Bastar region use Ajwain (Carum copticum) in combination with Shahad (Honey) in treatment of old fevers. According to them this combination helps the patients to get rid from the high temperature but it takes long time and required lot of patience. The herb collectors also use the Neem fruit pulp in form of decoction for treatment. On the basis of vitality of the patients, the herb collectors decide the dose of the combination to be given. As the fresh fruits of Neem are used, there is limitation of Using it at specific period in the year whereas there is no such limitation with the Ajwain based combination .
The herb collectors of Gandai - Salewara region are aware of use of Dhatra based combination. In this combination, Black Datura (Kala Dhatra) Leaves are mixed in combination with Pan (Betle vine) and Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum) and small globules are prepared. These globules are taken twice a day. The traditional healers of this region are also aware of this combination. They informed me, as Dhatra leaves are one of the main ingredients, there is a need of judicious use as over dose can result in harmful effects. The herb collectors are aware of this fact. This is the reason they use this combination in rare cases. In normal cases, they use the decoction prepared by boiling Hing (Asafoetida) in salt solution. The decoction is given internally to the patients. This simple use helps effectively and in most of the cases, the patients get rid from fevers.
The herb collectors use above mentioned formulations, only in treatment of old fevers. According to them the common fevers can be managed by the simple use of Chireta decoction (Kalmegh, Andrographis paniculata). They are also aware of the use of home remedies to manage the fevers, successfully.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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