Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to August 2006 in Indian state Chhattisgarh. 53. Additional information on Ramphal.by Pankaj Oudhia
| |||||
Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to August 2006 in Indian state Chhattisgarh. 53. Additional information on Ramphal.by
| |||||
| Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM | eResDocs Formal report Free form Table of Contents Display Full eArticle | ID: 1763 |
 |
|---|
| 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 reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India write more about Seetaphal and less about Ramphal but the natives as well as Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of hundreds of uses of both herbs. They use Seetaphal plant parts to increase the performance of Ramphal plant parts and vice-versa. Also many times both are used to nullify each other's harmful effects. I have mentioned in previous research articles that the farmers engaged in organic faming of medicinal and aromatic crops use Seetaphal plant parts specially leaves as promising tool. In form of extract diluted with water it is sprayed on medicinal crops like Kevatch and Kasturi Bhindi. This treatment protects the crops from insects. Many times when weather conditions are favorable for insects and obviously unfavorable for farmers then alone Seetaphal leaves fail to give the desired effects. Many farmers add other herbs like Datura and Fudhar but they have found in their experiments that these options are not useful for every crop. Addition of Datura and Fudhar manage the insects but many times affect growth of main crops. The farmers of Southern Chhattisgarh prefer use of Ramphal leaves in place of these options and most of the times they get success in management of insects without damaging main crops. Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops is recent development. They are using this combination since time immemorial on their traditional crops like Rice and Kodo. The farmers of Bastar region use Ramphal leaves with Karra for the same purpose. In general farmers engaged in organic farming are suggested by experts to plant Seetaphal plants in periphery of fields as guard crop. The name of Ramphal is not present in their recommendation. But the farmers of many regions consider it equally important. Through recent surveys in different parts of Indian state Chhattisgarh I have collected many interesting information on Ramphal. I am giving details in present article. In general presence of Seetaphal in residential areas is not considered good. It is also not planted in home garden. It grows in wasteland as well as forest land. The natives collect it in bulk from there for their families as well as to sell it in local markets. Now many advanced farmers have started cultivation of improved varieties. Opposite to it Ramphal is planted in home garden. During recent visit to Lohandiguda region of Bastar I found this tree in home garden. It is planted mainly for fruits but the natives are aware of its health benefits. The Healers of Southern Chhattisgarh support its presence in house. According to them its shade is beneficial for the natives having poor vitality. Such natives are suggested to pass much time under shade of old tree of Ramphal. In general its shade is beneficial for the natives of all age group. Many Healers suggest its worship regularly so that natives can get chance to pass much time under it and also teach the coming generation about its importance specially as tree of religious importance. In Chhattisgarh trees having religious importance are relatively much safer than common trees. In order to kill lice in hair natives of Chhattisgarh use Seetaphal leaves as well as seeds. During this use they take special precaution to avoid entry of solution inside eyes. In order to increase the efficacy of leaves many Healers add Neem leaves with it. Neem seed oil is also used but due its odd smell many natives hesitate to use it. For such natives the Healers of Durg region suggest the addition of Ramphal leaves with Seetaphal leaves. Its addition is having many other advantages also. The most important is that it reduces the chance of eye infection. The Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh are having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about Ramphal. The Healers of Bastar region informed that they use Seetaphal leaves in many herbal combinations. Many times the use of matured leaves results in harmful effects. In such condition they use the young as well as old leaves of Ramphal in order to nullify the bad effects of Seetaphal leaves. It was new information for me. In general the Healers use bark of Ramphal as medicine. Many times this use causes upset in stomach. They treat this problem in many ways. They use green fruits internally during fruiting season. During off-season leaves of Seetaphal are used for this purpose. The reference literatures write about unique property of green fruits of Ramphal to flush out intestinal worms. The Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are also aware of it. Taking advantage of this property the Healers of Raigarh, Durg and Bagbahera regions suggest its use in treatment of patients having Leucoderma. It is given internally as supplement treatment along with main treatment of this trouble. The Healers of Narharpur region informed that Ramphal bark is used alone and in combination with other herbs in treatment of internal wounds. It holds a reputed position among them as wound healer. Inner bark is preferred and in general it is given in form of decoction. Fresh bark is preferred but dry bark is also used specially during off- season. Winter is considered best season for collection of bark. The Healers of different region treat Ramphal trees with different herbal solutions and through this Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge enrich its parts with medicinal properties. The Healers of Bastar region are aware of use of its flowers in treatment of respiratory troubles but as other promising alternatives are available they use it less commonly. Seeds are used in case of poisoning of unknown origin in order to induce vomiting but like flowers it is also used rarely. I am aware that from documentation point of view it is important information. The above-mentioned information is valuable and deserves place in reference literatures on Ramphal. I am expecting more information through on-going surveys. 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