Traditional medicinal knowledge about Badam (Prunus amygdalus) in Chhattisgarh, India.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about Badam (Prunus amygdalus) in Chhattisgarh, India.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Although the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Char (Buchanania lanzan) as indigenous substitute to Badam (Almond) but they are also well aware of traditional medicinal uses and properties of Badam. Chhattisgarh is dependent on other Indian states for the supply of Badam. Badam as nutritious dry fruit is very popular among the natives. They use it very commonly in different food preparations. Although the natives consumes it in bulk, the traditional healers are not happy with this use. According to them in limited doses Badam is a promising remedy for many common troubles but its overdose requires much physical exertions and exercise to digest it properly. They prefer the use of Badam in form of paste prepared by rubbing Badam with the help of cow milk in stone, instead of its use in raw form. According to them its intake with cow milk helps in its proper assimilation inside the body. As Badam is much costlier than its local substitute Chironji, in rural and forest areas the natives prefer Chironji. Badam tree do not occur as wild plant in Chhattisgarh. It is also not undercultivation as commercial crop. Many natives have planted this interesting herb in gardens and surroundings. I have observed that in Chhattisgarh Plains, it is not performing well. The vegetative growth is good but fruiting is very less. Premature fruit fall is one of the major problems. Frequent rains in Chhattisgarh are also a problem. In Southern parts of Chhattisgarh, it is performing relatively good. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted some traditional medicinal uses of Badam. The traditional healers of Narharpur region are aware of use of Badam Tel (Oil) externally to nullify the harmful effects of Bhelwa (Semecurpis anacardium) oil. The Bhelwa oil produces skin eruptions. The troubles can be managed by many common herbs, including external use of Badam Tel. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region informed that in case of scorpion sting, Badam Tel can be used externally to nullify the effects of poison and also to reduce the intense pain. My neighbour Shri A.S. Dave, a senior native of Chhattisgarh, informed that the ash collected by burning the raw fruits of Badam can be used successfully in treatment of toothache. He uses the ash in form of tooth powder. He has planted Badam tree in his homegarden. The reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India are full of information regarding medicinal uses and properties of Badam. A lot have been written on these uses. I am not repeating it in this article. Botanically, Badam (Prunus amygdalus syn. Amygdalus communis) is small tree with a pale brown bark; Leves lanceolate, acuminate, thin, bright light green, serrated; Flowers sessile, pink or white; Petals variable in size, ovate, cancave, irregularly notched; Fruits leathery heavy drupe; stone oblong or ovate, acute, hard in various degrees, seed oblong, compressed, ovate.
As I am documenting the traditional knowledge of every herb and insect present in Chhattisgarh, at present time, I feel that it is my responsibility to write each and every detail. This is the reason, I have written this article to give details about the present status to traditional knowledge about the Badam in Chhattisgarh.
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