Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Herbs used in Treatment of Cancer in Chhattisgarh, India. XXXII. Uses of Kathal (Artocarpus heterophyllus). (New comments) by Pankaj Oudhia

Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Herbs used in Treatment of Cancer in Chhattisgarh, India. XXXII. Uses of Kathal (Artocarpus heterophyllus). (New comments)by Pankaj Oudhia

Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM

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Abstract

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Table of Contents

Traditional Healing

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Traditional Healing	Return To Table of Contents

Kathal is well known tree in Chhattisgarh. It is known for its fruits. The natural forests are rich in this tree. Also the natives plant it in their fields and home gardens (Badi). Its fruits are consumed in form of curry and pickles by the natives. In many parts of the state the poor natives use it up to long time as it is very cheap and nutritive. For the traditional healers Kathal fruits are valuable source of medicine. They are also aware of medicinal properties of all Kathal parts. These parts are used both internally as well as externally in treatment of common diseases. During the Ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh I have noted that many wild animals consume the fruits with taste and this is the reason the healers claim that these animals are aware of its medicinal properties. The healers of Bhopalpatnam region accept that they have learnt about its many medicinal uses from the wild animals. The traditional healers having expertise in treatment of different types of cancer use Kathal plant parts as medicine. Although very less number of healers are using it but I have found the information very valuable. The traditional healers of Northern Chhattisgarh especially the healers of Ambikapur region use Kathal seeds in treatment of cancer. Seeds are used both internally as well as externally. The senior healers informed that the internal use of seeds is very beneficial to the patients having blood cancer. It is given as single remedy. In general the healers dry the seeds in shade and convert it into powder. Few pinches of powder are given internally to the patients. Based on the conditions of the patients many healers give larger doses even one teaspoonful of powder. The healers are in favor of its judicious use. They informed that the powder is not suitable for everyone. Externally the powder is used in combination with other herbs .The combination is applied on cancerous wounds. The healers informed that this powder plays an important role in the herbal combination. Old trees are preferred for the collection of seeds. Matured seeds are used. They use fresh seeds every year. In general the natives of Chhattisgarh Plains never miss to consume Kathal fruits in form of curry during Deepawali, the festival of light. According to the traditional healers the tradition of consuming the curry is having many health advantages. The experts' traditional healers suggest the natives of young generation to follow this tradition strictly as the fruits are having the capacity to prevent cancer. The fruits in any form are considered beneficial to the cancer patients. In order to change the taste the patients are advised to consume Kathal fruit in different forms. The fruits are consumed as supplement treatment along with main treatment of cancer. New comments added on January 17, 2007 During recent visits to village markets of Bastar region I found that tribals are selling pieces of matured fruits. In this belt the natives consume it with taste. It is one of the popular fruits in this region. The Traditional Healers of this region consider this habit of consuming fruits very healthy tradition. Many of them informed that as far as this healthy tradition continues our people are safe from modern diseases like cancer. Unfortunately the village markets are under influence of open market trend and very soon the place of these fruits and other traditional items, will be taken by modern foods full of bad effects on health. This is not good sign. The traditional healers of Kanker region use the bark of Kathal in treatment of cancerous wounds. The bark is used in combination with other herbs. The healers informed that without bark the formulations are considered incomplete. The outer bark of young trees is preferred. They use both fresh and dry bark. The healers extract the juice from fresh bark and apply it on wounds. At initial stages it acts in miraculous ways. At advanced stages the healers use the decoction. To prepare the decoction the bark is boiled in water and concentrate decoction is prepared. The patients are advised to wash the wounds with this decoction many times a day. Bark is not used internally. The traditional healers of Bastar region use leaves in place of bark. At initial stages the leaves are used alone but at advanced stages the healers mix the dry leaves and use it with other herbs. New leaves are considered more useful. New comments added on November 07, 2006 Few days back I was in Bastar with cancer patient from Canada. Along with herbal combinations the Healers suggested him to pass some time under shade of Neem and Kathal trees. He replied that it is hard to get Kathal in home garden at Canada. In reply he was suggested to fifteen full days atleast under Kathal shade till the end of Indian trip. In my articles related to 'Tree Shade Therapy' I have written a lot on different trees but it is new information for me. The traditional healers of {{Bhopalpatnam}e} region use the roots of Kathal in treatment of mouth cancer. The roots are used in form of decoction. The patients are advised to gargle with this decoction many times a day. The healers informed that the root decoction is having the capacity to stop the spread of cancer. It also promotes the healing and keeps the wounds free from maggots. The healers have deep faith in this use. They use it as supplement treatment along with main treatment of mouth cancer. The healers prefer old trees for the collection of roots. The roots free from diseases are used for this purpose. Kathal tree growing near to the Neem trees is considered good for the collection of roots. The Kathal trees growing near to the Parsa trees are not preferred for the root collection. The traditional healers are not having any scientific explanation for this specific choice but as traditional practice they are following it sincerely. The healers are aware that unscientific collection of roots may result in the death of the trees. This is the reason they take special precaution while collecting the roots. The roots are not used internally for cancer. Before collection of different plant parts the traditional healers of different regions treat the trees with specific herbal extracts and leachates. In general the treatment starts one week before the collection of plant parts. The healers also utter mantras and worship the trees during the collection. Most of the healers want to keep the mantras and herbal combinations secret. I have collected much information on this aspect from the healers eager to share this Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge. You can find the details about these herbal extracts and leachates in my previous articles. The quantum of information available with me is not enough and I am aware that I have to work hard to get more information on this important aspect. The surveys are on and I am expecting some good information in near future.

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