Interactions with the traditional healers of Dashapal and Mudpar villages of Chhattisgarh, India
Interactions with the traditional healers of Dashapal and Mudpar villages of
Chhattisgarh, India
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved As the rainy season starts in Chhattisgarh, the incidences of snake bite increase at very high rate. Every year hundreds of natives get affected with this problem. In urban areas, the natives take the advantage of modern medicinal sciences but in remote areas, the natives are dependent on the traditional healers for their treatment. Facing this problem in every rainy season since generations, the traditional healer have developed many promising treatments by using common herbs and herbal formulations to treat this problem. This is good sign that the research of these healers is still in progress and every year they try new herbs on their patients. You will be surprised to know that the roots of ornamental plant Rajnigandha (Tuberose) can be used successfully in treatment of snake bite. Table 1. Medicinal weed flora of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) fields in Chhattisgarh (India) region Scientific name Local name English name Family Remarks 2 3 4 5 Kharif weeds Abutilon Raksi Velvetleaf Malvaceae M, m indicum* Achyranthes Latkana Prickly Amaranthaceae M, m aspera* chafflower Ageratum Gandhila Bill goat Compositae M conyzoides weed Aeschynomene Soli Northern Leguminoaseae M americana joint vetch Boerhaavia Punernava Spiderling Nyctaginaceae M diffusa* Borreria Safed Rubiaceae M hispida phooli Caesulia Balonda Compositae M, m axillaris Celosia Siliyari Cock's comb Amaranthaceae M, m argentea Cenchrus Poonchi Sand bur Gramineae M axillaris ghas Chloris Finger grass Gramineae barbata Commelina Kaua-Kaini Dayflower Commenlinaceae M, m benghalensis Corchorus Jungli Wild jute Tiliaceae M, m acutangulus juti Cucumis Kolhi Wild Cucurbitaceae M trigonus kekedi cucumber Cynodon Doobi Bermuda Gramineae M, m dactylon grass Cyperus Motha Nut sedge Cyperaceae M, m sp.* Dactyloctenium Makra Crowfoot Gramineae M aegypticum grass Digitaria Crab Gramineae M ciliaris grass Echinocloa Sawan Jungle Gramineae M colonum rice Eclipta Bhengra Compositae M, m alba* Eleusine Goose Gramineae M indica grass Eragrostis Chiwra Love Gramineae cilianensis phool grass Euphorbia Dudhi Spurge Euphorbiaceae M, m hirta* Fimbristylis Chuhaka Cyperaceae M barbata Gomphrena Amaranthaceae decumbens Ischaemum Badore Gramineae M rugosum Kyllinga Bandar Cyperaceae M brevifolius phool Leucas Gumma Labiatae M, m aspera* Ludwigia Laung Winter Onagraceae octovalvis phool primose Mimosa Chhui Sensitive Leguminoseae M pudica mui plant Oxalis Khatti Wood Oxalidaceae M, m latifolia* buti Sorrel Parthenium Gajar Congress Compositae M hysterophorus ghas weed Phyllanthus Bhuin Niruri Euphorbiaceae M, m niruri* awla Physallis Chirpoti Ground cherry Solanaceae M, m minima Paspalidium Gramineae punctatum Phaseolus Mungesa Wild Leguminoseae M, m trilobus mung Saccharum Kansi Gramineae M spontaneum Scoparia Mithi Scrophulariaceae M dulcis patti Sida Bariyara Sida Malvaceae M, m data* Solanum Makoi Night Solanaceae M nigrum shade Setaria Foxtail Gramineae M glauaca Ocimum Van Labiateae M, m basilicum tulsa Tridax Compositae M, m procumbens Table2 Scientific name Common name Family Medicinal uses Remarks 1 2 3 4 5 Melilotus alba and M. indica* Senji Leguminoseae Plant useful as discutient & emollient externally as a fomentation, poultice, or plaster of swelling M, m Spilanthes acmella Akarkara Compositeae For diseases of mouth M Vicia sativa Zillo Leguminoseae Seed used as emollient in the form of poultice M Chenopodium album Bhathua Chenopodiaceae For hook worm, Leucoderma and skin problems M, m Sphaeranthus indicus Mundi Compositeae For respiratory diseases M, m Cynodon dactylon Doobi Gramineae Whole plant juice as astrigent, decoction of root as diuretic M, m Cyperas rotundus Motha Cyperaceae Root is useful in leprosy, thirst, fever, diseases of the blood, billouseness, dysentry, intense itching, epilepsy, opthalmia M, m Medicago denticulata Leguminoseae As antidote to venom M Parthenium hysterophorus Gajar ghas Compositeae Root decoction useful in dysentry M Vicoa vestata Takla Compositeae Anagallis arvensis Krishna neel Primulaceae For diseases of respiratory organs & genitals, also in hydrophobia M Euphorbia heterophylla Duddhi Euphorbiaceae For respiratory diseases M, m Gomphrena decumbens Amaranthaceae Lathyrus sp. Khesary Leguminoseae A reputed drug in Homoeopathic systems in medicine, oil from the seed is a powerful but dangerous cathartic M Launea sp. Jangali palak Compositeae Used as lactagogue M Oxalis comiculata Khatti-buti Oxalidaceae For skin diseases M, m Sonchus arvensis Compositeae Used as laxative and diuretic, root and leaves used as a tonic and febrifuge M Vemonia baldwini Compositeae Useful in treatment of asthma, bronchitis and constipation M Tridax procumbens Bhengra Compositeae For all types of bleeding M, m Blumea lacera* Kukurmutta Compositeae For bronchitis, fevers, thirst and burining sensations M, m Cirsium arvense Kanta van Compositeae M-Weeds having medicinal properties m-Weeds in use in Chhattisgarh as medicinal plant. *Weeds having heavy demand in national and international drug markets. Yesterday I have seen the practical use of this herb. The traditional healers of Mudpar village used this herb on three patients having snake bite, during the field work at paddy fields. He collected roots and by rubbing it in stone and with the help of water, prepared an aqueous paste. This paste applied externally on affected part. After sometime, he repeated the same procedure. And within no time, the patients got free from the trouble. Like other traditional healers, Shri Hanumat Prasad Verma, also have deep faith in worship. He uttered mantras during treatment. The relatives of these three patients thanked the healer and offered fees but as usual the healer refused to take any charge for this great support. On Wednesday 9th July, Mrs. Lalitha Krishnan from Sidney, Australia visited Chhattisgarh to meet the traditional healers and to see the natural herbs after reading my articles at Botanical.com. We visited many herbal farms and interacted with the traditional healers of Dashpal and Mudpar villages i.e. Shri Lakan Kashyap and Shri Hanumat Prasad Verma, respectively. In my previous articles, I have written a lot on rich traditional medicinal knowledge, Shri Verma is having but I always write that when I visit to the same healers and villages, every time I get new information. Both villages are in remote areas. I feel good to observe that the natives have deep faith in these healers. In present article, I am giving details of new information, I have collected during recent visit. The healer of Mudpar village informed that he is getting good success in treatment of diabetes through common herb Koria. This herb has nothing to do with the country named Koria. In Chhattisgarh, Koriya is a name of one district also. I am trying to confirm that whether this district is named because of rich natural population of Koriya herb or not. The scientific name of Koriya is Wrightia tinctoria. It is a common herb found in deciduous forests. The healer informed me that the seed powder is much effective in treatment of diabetes. He recommends one teaspoonful of seed powder twice a day. You will be surprised to know that this healer also believes that diabetes is a curable disease. He is against the use of any anti-diabetes herb in whole life. According to him, if any herb suppresses the problem for time being than one must not use this herb. In treatment of diabetes, the healers know over 250 herbs but they use only those herbs that help in curing the disease. The healer of Mudpar village gives one packet of seed powder and simply says to the patients that one month of its use, will help in regularizing the function of pancreas. In most of the cases, the patients never visit to healers for th same problem. I am feeling proud to inform the world community about the research findings of our great healer. Unlike other healers, this healer simply discloses the herb or herbal formulation, he is using. But natives do not take advantage of this freedom and take herbs from him only. They know the importance of healer's touch. The use of Koria herb in treatment of diabetes has not been mentioned in reference literatures. In all parts of the world, the patients having the problem of diabetes are increasing and researchers are working hard to provide relief to these patients. Through this article, I would like to request the researchers to focus their studies on this herb also. In my previous articles, I mentioned the poor economic conditions and responses from authorities, this healer was facing. In this visit, I got good news that the officers of nearby cement plant owned by L&T, have helped the healer to build new hospital also provided financial assistance. Every Thursday, he visits to the cement plant and treats the factory workers through his valuable traditional medicinal knowledge. In my field diaries, I have the list of over 6000 traditional healers and I am hopping that one day all healers will get the same facilities, recognition and honour. For the problem of diseased named Pseudo-psoriasis on scalp, the traditional healers suggested different herbs. The healer of Dashapal village suggested the use of Neem oil externally whereas the healer of Mudpar village gave extract of cow urine (black coloured cow), for external application and for internal use be suggested the use of Koriya seed powder. The term Pseudo-psoriasis was new for both healers. The healer of Dashapal, addressed it Phafund bemari whereas Shri Verma named it as Diar Ghav. According to these healers, this trouble is common in different parts of Chhattisgarh. Both healers feel the pulse of wrist (Nadi) for agnosis. The visitor from Australia got surprised to know the accuracy of their diagnosis. After the diagnosis, she showed the medicinal reports and it was exactly the same what the healers described. I am aware that it is next to impossible for me but I want to become an expert of this traditional method of diagnosis. One of my relative got the problem in Thyroid gland. The medicinal practitioner recommended laboratory test. When for check, he went for same check up in four different laboratories, every laboratory gave different results. This is common observation in Chhattisgarh. The healer's method is simple, accurate and cheap. But the natives are aware that the registered doctors will never permit these traditional healers in their territories. As liver tonic, I got new formulation from the healer of Mudpar village. He uses the combination of Jaiphal, Hathi Kankar, Methi, Jatamansi, Asgandh, Cow ghee and Khopra in this combination. This combination is given upto one month only. According to him, it is good for lowering the cholesterol level. He further informed that he has tried Guggul in order to reduce the level of Cholesterol but not got desirable effects. The internet is full of information claiming that Guggul is capable of solving this problem effectively. Guggul is not found naturally in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healer accepts that possibly this is the reason that th is not showing full potential in Chhattisgarh as medicine. Dashapal village is situated near the Jagdalpur city of Bastar region. The traditional healer Shri Lakan is well known in the region as well as in India and abroad. He has visited many countries including Saudi Arabia to treat the patients having the problem of complicated diseases like blood cancer. Honorable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh government is also aware of his expertise. Dashpal village is near Sargipal village. Sargi is a local of valuable tree Sal (Shorea robusta). For the rich natural population of Sargi trees, the village is named as Sargipal. The healer informed that the availability of herbs in surrounding areas are decreasing at alarming rates and in search of herbs, he have to invest much time and effort. Like other healers, Shri Lakan charges no fees from the patients for his consultancy as well as for the drugs. Even he gives the container to carry drugs, free of cost. As he has visited many countries he knows little bit English also. He requests the patients to write their addresses on the walls of his home, just for memory. The wall is full of thousands of addresses, many from foreign countries. He is against the use of Patta Gobhi (Cabbage) as vegetable., He is unable to give the scientific reason but according to him, one can get rid from common troubles, simply by avoiding the use of Cabbage as vegetable. Cabbage is one of the popular vegetable in Chhattisgarh. I personally feel that this is a matter of scientific investigation, to search and establish the science for this recommendation by the healer. The healer of Mudpar village informed during field visit, that one can use the whole herb of Chui-Mui (Mimosa pudica) successfully in treatment of urine retention. According to him, one dose is sufficient to open the flow o urine. The visitor got surprised to know the in depth knowledge of these healers. As described in previous article, I always discourage the visitors to pressurize the healers to disclose their secrets. Fortunately, this visitor showed respect and honour to our healers. Thank you very much for reading the article.
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved As the rainy season starts in Chhattisgarh, the incidences of snake bite increase at very high rate. Every year hundreds of natives get affected with this problem. In urban areas, the natives take the advantage of modern medicinal sciences but in remote areas, the natives are dependent on the traditional healers for their treatment. Facing this problem in every rainy season since generations, the traditional healer have developed many promising treatments by using common herbs and herbal formulations to treat this problem. This is good sign that the research of these healers is still in progress and every year they try new herbs on their patients. You will be surprised to know that the roots of ornamental plant Rajnigandha (Tuberose) can be used successfully in treatment of snake bite. Table 1. Medicinal weed flora of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) fields in Chhattisgarh (India) region Scientific name Local name English name Family Remarks 2 3 4 5 Kharif weeds Abutilon Raksi Velvetleaf Malvaceae M, m indicum* Achyranthes Latkana Prickly Amaranthaceae M, m aspera* chafflower Ageratum Gandhila Bill goat Compositae M conyzoides weed Aeschynomene Soli Northern Leguminoaseae M americana joint vetch Boerhaavia Punernava Spiderling Nyctaginaceae M diffusa* Borreria Safed Rubiaceae M hispida phooli Caesulia Balonda Compositae M, m axillaris Celosia Siliyari Cock's comb Amaranthaceae M, m argentea Cenchrus Poonchi Sand bur Gramineae M axillaris ghas Chloris Finger grass Gramineae barbata Commelina Kaua-Kaini Dayflower Commenlinaceae M, m benghalensis Corchorus Jungli Wild jute Tiliaceae M, m acutangulus juti Cucumis Kolhi Wild Cucurbitaceae M trigonus kekedi cucumber Cynodon Doobi Bermuda Gramineae M, m dactylon grass Cyperus Motha Nut sedge Cyperaceae M, m sp.* Dactyloctenium Makra Crowfoot Gramineae M aegypticum grass Digitaria Crab Gramineae M ciliaris grass Echinocloa Sawan Jungle Gramineae M colonum rice Eclipta Bhengra Compositae M, m alba* Eleusine Goose Gramineae M indica grass Eragrostis Chiwra Love Gramineae cilianensis phool grass Euphorbia Dudhi Spurge Euphorbiaceae M, m hirta* Fimbristylis Chuhaka Cyperaceae M barbata Gomphrena Amaranthaceae decumbens Ischaemum Badore Gramineae M rugosum Kyllinga Bandar Cyperaceae M brevifolius phool Leucas Gumma Labiatae M, m aspera* Ludwigia Laung Winter Onagraceae octovalvis phool primose Mimosa Chhui Sensitive Leguminoseae M pudica mui plant Oxalis Khatti Wood Oxalidaceae M, m latifolia* buti Sorrel Parthenium Gajar Congress Compositae M hysterophorus ghas weed Phyllanthus Bhuin Niruri Euphorbiaceae M, m niruri* awla Physallis Chirpoti Ground cherry Solanaceae M, m minima Paspalidium Gramineae punctatum Phaseolus Mungesa Wild Leguminoseae M, m trilobus mung Saccharum Kansi Gramineae M spontaneum Scoparia Mithi Scrophulariaceae M dulcis patti Sida Bariyara Sida Malvaceae M, m data* Solanum Makoi Night Solanaceae M nigrum shade Setaria Foxtail Gramineae M glauaca Ocimum Van Labiateae M, m basilicum tulsa Tridax Compositae M, m procumbens Table2 Scientific name Common name Family Medicinal uses Remarks 1 2 3 4 5 Melilotus alba and M. indica* Senji Leguminoseae Plant useful as discutient & emollient externally as a fomentation, poultice, or plaster of swelling M, m Spilanthes acmella Akarkara Compositeae For diseases of mouth M Vicia sativa Zillo Leguminoseae Seed used as emollient in the form of poultice M Chenopodium album Bhathua Chenopodiaceae For hook worm, Leucoderma and skin problems M, m Sphaeranthus indicus Mundi Compositeae For respiratory diseases M, m Cynodon dactylon Doobi Gramineae Whole plant juice as astrigent, decoction of root as diuretic M, m Cyperas rotundus Motha Cyperaceae Root is useful in leprosy, thirst, fever, diseases of the blood, billouseness, dysentry, intense itching, epilepsy, opthalmia M, m Medicago denticulata Leguminoseae As antidote to venom M Parthenium hysterophorus Gajar ghas Compositeae Root decoction useful in dysentry M Vicoa vestata Takla Compositeae Anagallis arvensis Krishna neel Primulaceae For diseases of respiratory organs & genitals, also in hydrophobia M Euphorbia heterophylla Duddhi Euphorbiaceae For respiratory diseases M, m Gomphrena decumbens Amaranthaceae Lathyrus sp. Khesary Leguminoseae A reputed drug in Homoeopathic systems in medicine, oil from the seed is a powerful but dangerous cathartic M Launea sp. Jangali palak Compositeae Used as lactagogue M Oxalis comiculata Khatti-buti Oxalidaceae For skin diseases M, m Sonchus arvensis Compositeae Used as laxative and diuretic, root and leaves used as a tonic and febrifuge M Vemonia baldwini Compositeae Useful in treatment of asthma, bronchitis and constipation M Tridax procumbens Bhengra Compositeae For all types of bleeding M, m Blumea lacera* Kukurmutta Compositeae For bronchitis, fevers, thirst and burining sensations M, m Cirsium arvense Kanta van Compositeae M-Weeds having medicinal properties m-Weeds in use in Chhattisgarh as medicinal plant. *Weeds having heavy demand in national and international drug markets. Yesterday I have seen the practical use of this herb. The traditional healers of Mudpar village used this herb on three patients having snake bite, during the field work at paddy fields. He collected roots and by rubbing it in stone and with the help of water, prepared an aqueous paste. This paste applied externally on affected part. After sometime, he repeated the same procedure. And within no time, the patients got free from the trouble. Like other traditional healers, Shri Hanumat Prasad Verma, also have deep faith in worship. He uttered mantras during treatment. The relatives of these three patients thanked the healer and offered fees but as usual the healer refused to take any charge for this great support. On Wednesday 9th July, Mrs. Lalitha Krishnan from Sidney, Australia visited Chhattisgarh to meet the traditional healers and to see the natural herbs after reading my articles at Botanical.com. We visited many herbal farms and interacted with the traditional healers of Dashpal and Mudpar villages i.e. Shri Lakan Kashyap and Shri Hanumat Prasad Verma, respectively. In my previous articles, I have written a lot on rich traditional medicinal knowledge, Shri Verma is having but I always write that when I visit to the same healers and villages, every time I get new information. Both villages are in remote areas. I feel good to observe that the natives have deep faith in these healers. In present article, I am giving details of new information, I have collected during recent visit. The healer of Mudpar village informed that he is getting good success in treatment of diabetes through common herb Koria. This herb has nothing to do with the country named Koria. In Chhattisgarh, Koriya is a name of one district also. I am trying to confirm that whether this district is named because of rich natural population of Koriya herb or not. The scientific name of Koriya is Wrightia tinctoria. It is a common herb found in deciduous forests. The healer informed me that the seed powder is much effective in treatment of diabetes. He recommends one teaspoonful of seed powder twice a day. You will be surprised to know that this healer also believes that diabetes is a curable disease. He is against the use of any anti-diabetes herb in whole life. According to him, if any herb suppresses the problem for time being than one must not use this herb. In treatment of diabetes, the healers know over 250 herbs but they use only those herbs that help in curing the disease. The healer of Mudpar village gives one packet of seed powder and simply says to the patients that one month of its use, will help in regularizing the function of pancreas. In most of the cases, the patients never visit to healers for th same problem. I am feeling proud to inform the world community about the research findings of our great healer. Unlike other healers, this healer simply discloses the herb or herbal formulation, he is using. But natives do not take advantage of this freedom and take herbs from him only. They know the importance of healer's touch. The use of Koria herb in treatment of diabetes has not been mentioned in reference literatures. In all parts of the world, the patients having the problem of diabetes are increasing and researchers are working hard to provide relief to these patients. Through this article, I would like to request the researchers to focus their studies on this herb also. In my previous articles, I mentioned the poor economic conditions and responses from authorities, this healer was facing. In this visit, I got good news that the officers of nearby cement plant owned by L&T, have helped the healer to build new hospital also provided financial assistance. Every Thursday, he visits to the cement plant and treats the factory workers through his valuable traditional medicinal knowledge. In my field diaries, I have the list of over 6000 traditional healers and I am hopping that one day all healers will get the same facilities, recognition and honour. For the problem of diseased named Pseudo-psoriasis on scalp, the traditional healers suggested different herbs. The healer of Dashapal village suggested the use of Neem oil externally whereas the healer of Mudpar village gave extract of cow urine (black coloured cow), for external application and for internal use be suggested the use of Koriya seed powder. The term Pseudo-psoriasis was new for both healers. The healer of Dashapal, addressed it Phafund bemari whereas Shri Verma named it as Diar Ghav. According to these healers, this trouble is common in different parts of Chhattisgarh. Both healers feel the pulse of wrist (Nadi) for agnosis. The visitor from Australia got surprised to know the accuracy of their diagnosis. After the diagnosis, she showed the medicinal reports and it was exactly the same what the healers described. I am aware that it is next to impossible for me but I want to become an expert of this traditional method of diagnosis. One of my relative got the problem in Thyroid gland. The medicinal practitioner recommended laboratory test. When for check, he went for same check up in four different laboratories, every laboratory gave different results. This is common observation in Chhattisgarh. The healer's method is simple, accurate and cheap. But the natives are aware that the registered doctors will never permit these traditional healers in their territories. As liver tonic, I got new formulation from the healer of Mudpar village. He uses the combination of Jaiphal, Hathi Kankar, Methi, Jatamansi, Asgandh, Cow ghee and Khopra in this combination. This combination is given upto one month only. According to him, it is good for lowering the cholesterol level. He further informed that he has tried Guggul in order to reduce the level of Cholesterol but not got desirable effects. The internet is full of information claiming that Guggul is capable of solving this problem effectively. Guggul is not found naturally in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healer accepts that possibly this is the reason that th is not showing full potential in Chhattisgarh as medicine. Dashapal village is situated near the Jagdalpur city of Bastar region. The traditional healer Shri Lakan is well known in the region as well as in India and abroad. He has visited many countries including Saudi Arabia to treat the patients having the problem of complicated diseases like blood cancer. Honorable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh government is also aware of his expertise. Dashpal village is near Sargipal village. Sargi is a local of valuable tree Sal (Shorea robusta). For the rich natural population of Sargi trees, the village is named as Sargipal. The healer informed that the availability of herbs in surrounding areas are decreasing at alarming rates and in search of herbs, he have to invest much time and effort. Like other healers, Shri Lakan charges no fees from the patients for his consultancy as well as for the drugs. Even he gives the container to carry drugs, free of cost. As he has visited many countries he knows little bit English also. He requests the patients to write their addresses on the walls of his home, just for memory. The wall is full of thousands of addresses, many from foreign countries. He is against the use of Patta Gobhi (Cabbage) as vegetable., He is unable to give the scientific reason but according to him, one can get rid from common troubles, simply by avoiding the use of Cabbage as vegetable. Cabbage is one of the popular vegetable in Chhattisgarh. I personally feel that this is a matter of scientific investigation, to search and establish the science for this recommendation by the healer. The healer of Mudpar village informed during field visit, that one can use the whole herb of Chui-Mui (Mimosa pudica) successfully in treatment of urine retention. According to him, one dose is sufficient to open the flow o urine. The visitor got surprised to know the in depth knowledge of these healers. As described in previous article, I always discourage the visitors to pressurize the healers to disclose their secrets. Fortunately, this visitor showed respect and honour to our healers. Thank you very much for reading the article.
Comments