Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to August 2006 in Indian state Chhattisgarh. 47. Interactions with the farmers of Bastar region having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about minor millets.by Pankaj Oudhia
| |||||
Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to August 2006 in Indian state Chhattisgarh. 47. Interactions with the farmers of Bastar region having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about minor millets.by
| |||||
| Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM | eResDocs Formal report Free form Table of Contents Display Full eArticle | ID: 1725 |
 |
|---|
| Abstract |
|---|
| This research article is a part of series titled Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to August 2006 in Indian state Chhattisgarh by the author. |
| Table of Contents |
|---|
| Traditional Healing |
| Related Ecoport Articles and Interactive Tables |
| Related References |
| Internet Links |
| Traditional Healing | Return To Table of Contents |
|---|
| Although Kodo millet is still under cultivation in different parts of Chhattisgarh but in early days it was one of the main crops in this tribal belt. Introduction of new cropping systems, crops and improved varieties have changed the scenario. Although the reference literatures related to Agriculture claim that Kodo possess narcotic properties and it is more harmful to cattle than human beings but in all parts of Chhattisgarh specially in Bastar region the natives as well as Traditional Healers are aware of its beneficial effects on health. Its cooked grains are used as food. They are also aware of its medicinal properties and uses. I have documented traditional medicinal knowledge about it through my research articles but still major part of this knowledge is in undocumented form. The reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India also mention its miraculous medicinal properties and uses. The natives and Healers are aware that Kodo is harmful to cattle. They have information about many types of remedies useful to treat affected cattle. During recent interactions with farmers of Bastar region I got new information on use of Kodo herb. The senior farmers of this region informed that Kodo herb collected before reproductive stage possess valuable medicinal properties. In early days they have seen its use in treatment of old wound specially when all available remedies fail to give the desirable effects. Freshly extracted whole herb juice is given internally to the patients and also this juice is used to wash wound. They claimed that both internal as well as external uses at a time cure the patients effectively in most of the cases. Later the Traditional Healers of this region confirmed it and added that they prefer external use for many reasons. According to them for internal use much care is required as over dose may take lives of patients. They use other safe alternatives for it. Like farmers they emphasized on use of vigorously growing Kodo plants must be used collected from fields where complete organic farming is in practice. Many senior farmers informed that dry leaves and roots of Kodo are useful in treatment of liver related troubles. It also stops all types of internal bleeding. Through recent interactions and discussions with the farmers of Bastar region I collected much information on different aspects of medicinal herbs. I am giving details in present article. Like Kodo the farmers of this region are aware of Kutki crop. In general natives recovering from exhaustive diseases are suggested to consume Kutki grains as meal as it is considered as cheap as well as effective tonic. It is also a promising nervine tonic. During surveys they showed me a native having 'Kampan Rog' and claimed that he is getting much benefit by consuming Kutki as meal. In technical term this disease is known as Parkinson's disease. Later when I asked about it with the Healers of Bastar region they confirmed its use in this disease but added that it is used as supplement treatment along with main treatment of this disease. I have mentioned in previous research articles that as main treatment in general they use Kevatch based formulations. The use of Kutki in treatment of Parkinson's disease was new information and I feel that attention from scientific community is needed in order to provide recognition to this traditional knowledge. I am in process of getting comments of healers and natives of other parts of Chhattisgarh. When we started discussion on herbs useful in treatment of bone fracture we discussed a lot on herbs growing in calcium rich soil and having higher content of calcium in it. Weeds growing in surroundings were also in list of these herbs. I got new information during this interaction. The senior farmers showed me grains of traditional minor millet and informed that use of cooked grain of this millet helps in faster reunion of bones. Later I found information about this use in reference literatures also. It is good to observe that the farmers are not only aware of this medicinal use but also using it in their day today life. The Healers of this region also confirmed it and added that the patients having problem of Pathri (Renal Calculi) are not allowed to consume it. They further informed that for such patients they suggest its use, if necessary, with Kulthi Dal. I identified this millet as Kora or Kakun. Although our Agriculture colleges are still teaching new students about Sawa as problematic weed but the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh consider it as medicinal herb and in early days farmers were cultivating it as crop. The farmers of Bastar region are still aware of its medicinal uses. I have mentioned in previous research articles that the use of Kodo in form of meals results in constipation. In order to avoid this problem, the farmers suggested addition of Sawa grains, as these grains are remedy for constipation. I am aware this information is of great value for the modern patients having Diabetes as experts suggest them to prefer use of Kodo in form of meals at least once in a day. When it results in constipation the experts fail to suggest any solution. Famous minor millet Ragi is also known in this region. The senior farmers consider the use of its cooked grains as promising meal for the natives having mild stages of Sickle Cell Anaemia. When I asked about the base of this information they replied in simple words that they are listening this medicinal use from their ancestors generation by generation. Many of them claimed that they have seen its miraculous effects also. The Healers of this region confirmed this traditional use and suggested its use as supplement treatment even in serious cases of this disease. They added that it is also useful for liver related troubles. During surveys I visited to area well known for best fertile soil in the region. It is in {{Lohandiguda}e} region. I observed traditional ways of farming and learnt much from the farmers. Farmers were not happy as they use to. They have reason for it. The authorities have granted this area for establishment of new industrial unit. Now farmers have to move away from this traditional land. There is no way for them although protests are on. The environmentalists are aware that establishment of such units in this high fertile land will not only cause damage to Mother Nature in selected area but also in surrounding areas. In state we have much wasteland. It is really surprising that why highly fertile lands are chosen for such purposes. Keep reading my research articles at Ecoport for updates. |
| Related Ecoport Articles and Interactive Tables | Return To Table of Contents |
|---|
| Related References | Return To Table of Contents |
|---|
| Green EC (1999) Engaging Indigenous African Healers in the Prevention of AIDS and STDs Bastien JW (1989) Healers of the Andes: Kallawaya Herbalists and Their Medicinal Plants Abdool Karim SSA Ziqubu-Page TT Arendse R (1994) Bridging the gap: potential for a health care partnership between African traditional healers and biomedical personnel in South Africa Green EC (1985) Traditional healers, mothers and childhood diarrhoeal disease in Swaziland: the interface of anthropology and health education Reynolds P (1996) Traditional healers and childhood in Zimbabwe Staugard F (1985) Traditional Medicine in Botswana: traditional healers Ehrenreich B. English D. (1973) Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers Leonard K.L. (1997) African traditional healers: incentives and skill in health care delivery McClain C. (1989) Women as Healers: Cross-Cultural Perspectives Sargent C. (1989) Women¹s Roles and Women Healers in Contemporary Rural and Urban Benin Oudhia P. (2006) Paramparik Chikitsak Kya Dilwa Payenge Mukti Bird Flu Se?(Can Traditional Healers give freedom from Bird Flu?). — Article in Hindi. Oudhia P. (2006) Working with the real health experts : traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. Oudhia P. (2006) Jameen aasman ka antar hai jhola chhap Doctor aur Paramparik Chikitsak main. (There is much difference between Quacks and Traditional Healers.)- Hindi Article. |
| Internet Links | Return To Table of Contents |
|---|
| Research Articles - Indian Herbal Research & Methods By Pankaj Oudhia |
| Sign in |
Comments