Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India. : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Dongargarh region.

Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India. : Recent interactions with the traditional healers of Dongargarh region.

Pankaj Oudhia

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© Pankaj Oudhia

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Although the Dongargarh region comes under Rajnandgoan region but I have noted that the healers of this region have specifically rich knowledge about herbs. This region is well known among the natives for the Temple of Goddess Bamleshwari. As thousands of Pilgrims visit this place in a year, it is an ideal place to study the impact of Pilgrims on local tradition and traditional knowledge. The good observation is that the traditional healers of this region have protected their knowledge safely and they are practicing it in their regular life. Through the recent interactions with the traditional healers of this region, I got some new information. I am giving the details in present article.

The traditional healers informed me that they prepare a special herbal combination for the patients having poor sexual health. In this combination, they add new leaves of Bar (Ficus benghalensis), Bambri Gond (Acacia nilotica) Gum, Khirni root bark (Manilkara kauki). Lisora (Cordia dichotoma), Moong Phali (Arachis hypogaea) and Dasmool (Asparagus racemosus). All ingredients are converted into powder and mixed in equal proportion. This combination is given twice a day with cow milk. According to the healers, within one month of regular use the patients get good results. In treatment of Gonorrhoea, they use another herbal combination. In this combination, the seeds of different herbs are used. They mix the seeds of Amli seed (Tamarind), Bambri (Acacia nilotca), Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck), Kevatch (Mucuna pruriens) and Bhang (Cannabis sativa) in equal proportion. With the help of water, the combination is converted into small globules. These globules are given internally as treatment. In complicated cases, the healers add more herbs in this combination. Semar roots (Bombax ceiba) is one of these herbs. The healers consider it a promising remedy. In simple case, the healers also use the seeds pulp of Khirni (Manilkara kauki). The seed pulp is mixed with sugar in 1:3 ratio. This combination is taken internally as treatment with cow milk. The healers also suggest the patients to boil Binoula (Cotton seed) in milk and consume the softened seeds. During interactions the healers informed about the use of Chhuhara fruit stone (dry Date Palm) in form of powder, in treatment of Hydrocele. The powder is mixed with Sirka (Vinegar) and the combination is applied externally to reduce the intense pain. For intense itch inside the vagina, the healers simply suggest the patients to apply the combination of Kapoor (Camphor) and Rose petals in affected parts for immediate relief. They prefer the petals of Desi (indigenous) Gulab (Rose). To give the normal shape to the vagina after normal delivery, the healers prepare a special decoction and use it in unique way. To prepare this decoction, the barks of common herbs are boiled in water. They mix the barks of Bambri, Boir (Zizyphus species), Maulsari (Mimusops sp.), Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) and Anar (Punica granatum) in equal proportion. During boiling, a piece of white cloth is added in the solution. When the colour of this cloth piece changes, the boil is stopped. The cloth piece is kept inside the vagina as treatment. According to the healers, its use is continued till the vagina gets its normal shape. I have mentioned in previous articles, that the natives and healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of use of Charota (Cassia tora) seeds in treatment of skin troubles specially the Ringworm. The traditional healers of Dongargarh region informed about new combination in which Charota seeds are used as main ingredient. The seeds are mixed in combination with Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica) fruit powder and Dahi (Curd) and the mixture is applied externally for the same purpose. Many healers also add Kattha (Acacia catechu) in it. The healers of this region consider the herbal oil prepared by boiling the Kuchla fruits (Strychnos nuxvomica) in base boil, a boon for the patients having the problem of Alopecia.

The healers have invited me for visit to nearby forests at the beginning of summer season. According to them, at this time, many rare herbs emerge out from ground. These herbs tolerate the intense heat of summer. The healers use these herbs round the year. From local names it seems that these herbs are of rare or endangered category. I will give the details after coming back from the proposed visit.

Thank you very much for reading the article.