Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Herbs used in Treatment of Cancer in Chhattisgarh, India. XV. Three "E" for Cancer. (New comments) by Pankaj Oudhia
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Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Herbs used in Treatment of Cancer in Chhattisgarh, India. XV. Three "E" for Cancer. (New comments)by
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| Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM | eResDocs Formal report Free form Table of Contents Display Full eArticle | ID: 1509 |
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| While documenting the traditional knowledge about herbs used for different types of cancer I always discuss about the three "E" with the traditional healers. Three "E" are names of three medicinal herbs used commonly by the expert traditional healers. These are used in almost all parts of Chhattisgarh but every healer is having their own method of use. Out of these three herbs two are common in both rural as well as in urban areas whereas one species is present in forest. Although all three species have been described as unwanted plants i.e. weed in standard literatures but for the traditional healers these herbs are having great value. They are aware of its miraculous effects in treatment of diseases including cancer. I have written a lot about the use of these herbs in common troubles in previous articles but in this article you will find the information regarding its use in treatment of cancer. Untkatara is a well-known herb in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers use its different parts very commonly in treatment of diseases related to urinary system. It is also used as tonic. In general it is used alone. It is also added in many popular herbal combinations as main ingredient. The traditional healers having expertise in treatment of cancer use this herb externally. The whole plant is used for this purpose. The whole plant is boiled in water to prepare concentrate decoction. The patients are advised to wash the cancerous wounds with the help of this decoction. Many times the healers also use the fresh juice of whole plant for this purpose. The healers informed that this herb is having miraculous healing properties. Its judicious use stops the spread of cancer. In Chhattisgarh Untkatara grows as wasteland weed. Its scientific name is Echinops echinatus. In general the herbs growing in Murrum (Laterite) soil are not considered best for the collection. But in case of Untkatara the herbs growing in this specific soil are considered richer in medicinal properties. The healers use the whole herb before flowering at early stages but at advanced stages the herb with flowers are used. Many healers are in favor of its internal use but as other promising alternatives are available it is used less commonly. It is very simple to read that the herb is boiled to prepare the decoction but you will be surprised to know that there are much variation in this simple method and the healers of different regions adopt different procedures for it. I have collected information on over ten such procedures. I am in process of getting more information. The healers of Northern Chhattisgarh add other herbs in this decoction in order to increase its efficacy. Like other herbs before collection the healers irrigate it with specific herbal extracts and leachates. I have written on this aspect in my previous articles. Bhengra is well known Rice weed in Chhattisgarh. The natives use it for hair care. The traditional healers use it alone and in combination with other herbs in treatment of many diseases. For the farmers it is a weed that gives additional income. It is one of my favorite weeds and I have written a lot on its different aspects. The traditional healers having expertise in treatment of different types of cancer use this herb commonly. In general it is given to every patients. According to the traditional healers this herb purifies the body. The patients are advised to take the juice of whole plant internally. It grows as rainy season weed. Its use is limited to rainy season only. Although due to intensive rice cultivation these days this herb is available almost throughout the year but the healers are not in favor of its off-season weed. Many healers use it in dry form. Blue flowered Bhengra is very rare in occurrence. The traditional healers having expertise in treatment of cancer use it in treatment. They are aware of the hot spots where this rare type grows naturally. The senior healers informed that blue flowered Bhengra is having promising effects in case of blood cancer. The scientific name of Bhengra is Eclipta alba. The traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara region of Chhattisgarh use this herb externally in form of decoction .The decoction is used to wash the cancerous wounds. It is used at all stages, The herb with flower is used for this purpose. The healers start its treatment three days before the collection of plant parts. In this treatment herbal extracts and leachates are used. The purpose is to enrich the herb with medicinal properties and to activate the medicinal contents. The third "E" is of Elephantopus scaber. Locally it is known as Gobhi. It is forest herb. The healers of different regions use it for cancer pain. The leaves are used for this purpose. The leaves are cooked with certain medicinal rice grains and the patients are advised to take it daily up to long time. The healers of Gariaband region use it with medicinal rice Bhejri. The healers of Kanker region use it with Dhanwar rice. According to the healers in combination with rice it acts in promising ways. Alone rice or leaf is not much effective. The cancer patients exhausted by taking the modern drugs are also advised by the traditional healers to take Gobhi based herbal formulations. Whole herb is used. Many time only leaves are used. The healers give this combination under their strict supervision. Gobhi herb is collected from forest. Gobhi herb growing with certain tree species is not considered good for the preparation of medicine. Mahua (Madhuca latifolia) is one of these trees. Although the healers are not aware of its scientific explanation but as traditional practice they are following it sincerely. The information on these three herbs is very valuable for the cancer researchers around the world. I am in process of gathering more information on these herbs. You will find the details in coming articles. |
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