Dr. Pankaj Oudhia ji, Harad or Harra (Terminalia chebula) is used as anti-cancer remedy since time immemorial. Please share your research work on medicinal uses of this species for treatment of cancer by the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh.
Dr. Pankaj Oudhia ji,
Harad or Harra (Terminalia chebula) is used as anti-cancer remedy since time
immemorial. Please share your research work on medicinal uses of this species
for treatment of cancer by the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh.
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Pankaj Oudhia
Harra holds a reputed position as medicinal
herb in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in
India. It is one of the important ingredients of famous Ayurvedic preparation
Triphala. Its fruits are used as medicine commonly. The natives and traditional
healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of its medicinal properties. The healers use
its all parts as medicine. The natural forests are rich in wild population of
Harra trees. I have written a lot on different aspects of these trees in my
previous articles. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh having expertise in
treatment of different types of cancer use Harra commonly. Through interactions
and meetings with these healers I have collected many interesting information
about this medicinal tree. Based on the shape and type of fruits Harra fruits have been classified in many categories in these ancient Indian literatures. The round fruits are known as Vijaya whereas roundish one is known as Rohini. The fruits having big Guthli (stone) and thin peel (Chhilka) are named as Putna whereas the fruits having small Guthli (stone) and thick peel (Chhilka) are known as Amrita. The fruits having golden color are known as Jivanti. The fruits having distinctive five lines are named as Abhya whereas the fruits having three lines are known as Chetki. Chetki is further divided in two types i.e. white type and black type. The white type is having more length than the black one. Vijaya is considered best for all troubles. Putna is used for paste. Rohini is having promising effects on Boil. Amrita is used as purgative. Abhya is good for eyes. Chetki is used as powder whereas Jivanti is having multipurpose uses. The cancer experts of Chhattisgarh use Chetki and Jivanti in treatment of cancer. They have classified the trees on the basis on its age as well as bark characteristics.
The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh consider the Harra fruits as preventive to cancer. They suggest all the patients prone to cancer to take the fruits internally up to long time. The healers have deep faith in this use. In rural and forest regions the natives are aware of this property. This is the reason they use it during the fruiting time.
The traditional healers of Kanker region use Harra roots in treatment of mouth cancer. The roots are collected and boiled in water. The decoction is prepared and the patients are advised to gargle with this decoction. It is used as supplement treatment along with main treatment of mouth cancer. The use of freshly collected fruits is preferred. Harra trees growing near Parsa (Butea monosperma) trees are not considered good for the collection of roots. Harra trees growing near the Neem trees are preferred by the traditional healers.
The patients having skin cancer are advised by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains to smear the Harra powder in affected part and wash it during bath. In general the natives use Harra fruit powder in this way. The healers informed that the regular use of fruits in this way protects the skin from troubles.
The traditional healers of Bhopalpatnam region use Harra fruits in treatment of cancer pain in combination with other herbs. They add Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kali Haldi (Curcuma caesia), Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Giloi (Tinospora cordifolia) plant parts with Harra fruits and prepares decoction. This decoction is given internally to the patients. This decoction is very popular among the traditional healers. The patients coming from the modern practitioners are advised to take this decoction in order to replace the modern pain killer full of side effects. The senior healers informed that this decoction is also having positive impact on patient's health. It stops the spread of cancer to some extent.
The traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara region use the fruit powder in treatment of cancer pain. The fruit powder is given internally with cow ghee to the patients. It is used both preventive as well as curative to pain. The healers informed that Jivanti type of fruit gives most promising effects.
At last stage of cancer when all available remedies fail to give the desirable results the traditional healers of Bagbahera region use Harra fruit in combination with Dhawai (Woodfordia fruticosa) flowers. Both ingredients are mixed in equal proportion and the combination is prepared. This combination is given very frequently to the patients. Many times it is given in every hour. The healers informed that on many cases it acts in miraculous ways and give much relief to the patients. In other cases its use ease the death of the patients. It gives relief from pain. I have observed its use.
In treatment of Liver cancer the traditional healers of Gariaband region use Harra fruits in unique way. They dip the fruits in Mattha (Whey) overnight and next day the patients are advised to drink the Mattha empty stomach. In general two-three fruits of Chetki (type) are dipped in a glassful of milk. The healers are in favor of its long-term use. It is used as supplement treatment along with main treatment of Liver cancer. This use is very popular among the healers. Its popularity clearly indicates its efficacy.
The senior natives of Narharpur region informed that the use of Harra fruits and Sonth (dried Ginger) in form of Chutney is very beneficial for the patients having lung cancer. The healers of this region have confirmed this use. This preparation is in use for taste in rural and forest regions of Chhattisgarh. There is a need to popularize it in urban areas also.
The traditional healers use Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge in order to enrich Harra trees with medicinal properties. I have written a lot on this aspect in my previous articles. I am not repeating it here.
With the
help of senior healers I am in process of understanding the other classifications
of Harra trees having different medicinal uses. It is very interesting
knowledge. As very few expert healers are with us I feel that its documentation
will conserve this knowledge for coming generation. [Excerpts of
the research document.]
You can
also write at pankajoudhia@gmail.com
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