Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases, in Chhattisgarh, India. : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Arang-Mahasamund region.
Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases, in Chhattisgarh, India. : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Arang-Mahasamund region.
Pankaj
Oudhia
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© Pankaj Oudhia
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The traditional healers of this region consider the fruits of Bar (Ficus benghalensis), a boon for the patients having poor sexual vitality. The fruits are collected and dried in shade. After drying it is converted into powder. This powder is given internally with cow milk as treatment. According to them, common person can also use this combination upto specific period in a year. Bar is well known tree in Chhattisgarh having religious and medicinal importance. In treatment of Sujak (Gonorrhoea), the healers of this region use a special herbal combination having Khirni (Manilkara kauki) bark, Ama (Mango) bark and Lisora (Cordia dichotoma) bark. All barks are mixed in equal proportion and converted into powder. In this powder, double amount of sugar is added for taste. The patients are advised to take this combination twice a day till complete cure. It is considered as one of the promising treatment. Many healers add more herbs in this combination to make it more strong. The healers suggest the patients having the problem of Bavasir (Piles) to take the aqueous of Kasaun dii (Cassia sophera) leaves daily morning, empty stomach. This extract is given as supplement to main treatment. Paan (Betel Vine) is well known herb in Chhattisgarh. The healers of this region suggest the patients having heart troubles to take Paan leaves in any form. It is considered as promising heart tonic. In case of Chronic cough, the healers prepare a special herbal combination in which Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Harra (Terminalia chebula)and Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) fruit pulp are used as main ingredients. The healers do not want to disclose the complete combination. I have tried this combination successfully. The healers are aware of many traditional uses of Multani Mitti (Fuller's earth). They suggest the patients having diseases related to respiratory system to take the leachate of Multani Mitti daily morning as treatment. This use is popular among the healers. In normal cases of Ear related troubles, the healers use Methi (Fenugreek) seeds in treatment. The seeds are crushed into powder and with the help of milk converted into aqueous solution. Few drops of this solution are applied inside the ears as treatment.
Although the above mentioned uses are less in number but all uses are very valuable. The important thing is that these uses are still in practice. As this region is nearer to big city Raipur, the youths travel to the capital city in search of job. From traditional knowledge point of view, this region is one of the most affected regions where the youths are showing less interest in valuable traditional medicinal knowledge. This is not a good sign.
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