Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases, in Chhattisgarh, India : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Nagri - Sihawa region.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases, in Chhattisgarh, India : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Nagri - Sihawa region.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Through the recent interactions with the traditional healers of Nagri-Sihawa region, I have collected many important information on traditional uses of common herbs. This region is well known for specific rice varieties. In early days, medicinal rice varieties were also under cultivation in this part of Chhattisgarh. I am giving the details in present article.
In treatment of Sujak (Gonorrhoea), the traditional healers of this region use an unique herbal combination having Amli Beeja (Tamarind seeds), Bambri Beeja (Acacia nilotica seeds), Mokhla Jad (Asteracantha longifolia roots), Semar Jad (Bombax ceiba roots), Bhang beeja (Cannabis sativa seeds), Kevatch Beej (Mucuna pruriens seeds) and Sirsa Beeja (Albizia lebbeck seeds). All ingredients are mixed in equal proportion and converted into powder. Doodh (milk) is added in this combination and small globules are prepared. The patients having the problem of Gonorrhoea are suggested to take these globules daily till complete cure. It is considered as on of the promising treatments. The healers also add Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum) in it, to make it more promising. According to the healers, this herbal combination root out the trouble efficiently in less time. All herbs used in this combination are easily available in nearby forests. The seeds are used after removal of seed coat (Chhilka). In treatment of Gonorrhoea, the healers of this region are also aware of use Dhatra (Datura stramonium) seeds in combination with Kali Mirch but as the Dhatra seeds possess narcotic properties, the healers avoid its use. Dhatra occurs as wasteland weed in this part of Chhattisgarh. The natural forests of Nagri-Sihawa region are rich in natural population of both Safed Musli (Chlorophytum sp.) And Kali Musli (Curculigo orhioides). The healers use both Musli species in combination with Sonth (Dried Ginger) and Nakchhikni roots (Marsdenia volubilis), to prepare a herbal combination. This combination is given internally with cow milk to the patients having the problem of Gonorrhoea. The healers add more herbs in this combination to make it extra strong. In treatment of Hydrocele, the traditional healers of this region, use Bhang leaves (Cannabis sativa) externally. The leaves are boiled in water and decoction is prepared. The patients having the problem of Hydrocele are advised to wash the scrotum with this decoction and apply the softened leaves in form of aqueous paste on it. This application not only reduces the intense pain but also helps in complete cure. Externally they use Masoor seeds, Kukronda roots and Anar fruit rind in treatment. All ingredients are mixed in equal proportion and converted into powder. This powder is further mixed with water and aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on affected parts. Masoor (Lens esculenta) is well known pulse crop whereas Kukronda (Blumea lacera) is a common wasteland herb. Anar (Punica granatum) is planted in home gardens for its delicious fruits of medicinal importance. Like other parts of Chhattisgarh, Bambri or Babool is also a common tree in this part of Chhattisgarh. The healers of this region use the Babool (Acacia Nilotica) bark in powder form in treatment of old wounds. The bark is also used in form of decoction.
As mentioned earlier, this region is well known for both traditional and medicinal rice varieties. The healers informed that in early days when the medicinal rice varieties were under cultivation in the region, they were using it in treatment of gynaecological troubles. They are unable to name the specific variety but they informed that this medicinal rice variety matures in sixty days. In general, the rice varieties matured in sixty days are known as Santhi. There are many varieties that matures in sixty days. In Ayurveda, Santhi rice is used frequently as medicine. I am trying to search more accurate information on this specific rice variety. The healers informed that they were using Santhi Chawal (Santhi rice grains) in combination with Masoor, Rahar and Urd seeds, in treatment of Metrorrhagia. Masoor, Rahar (Cajanus cajan) and Urd (Vigna munga) are popular pulse crops in Chhattisgarh. To prepare the combination, all ingredients are mixed in equal proportion and converted into powder. A fistful of this powder is taken internally as treatment. The healers were preparing it in another way. In this method, all ingredients are burnt before mixing and ash is mixed in equal proportion. The healers use first method in normal cases and second method in complicated cases. The healers are also aware of use of leaf juice of this medicinal rice variety in combination with leaf juice of Harsringar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis). Both juice are mixed in equal proportion and after adding Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum) given internally as treatment. The healers were also using Zeera (Cumin) in combination of rice grain in treatment. The traditional uses of medicinal rice variety, as the healers informed, have yet not been documented. Like rice varieties, we will loose our healers one day, hence it is very necessary to document this important knowledge.
Earlier I was aware of rich traditional knowledge of the healers of this region, about common herbs used in treatment of fevers. Through the recent surveys, I am getting more valuable information on other aspects. I will write more about the results of surveys in coming articles.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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