Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used against venomous creatures snakes and scorpions in Chhattisgarh (India)

Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used against venomous creatures snakes and scorpions in Chhattisgarh (India)

Research Note - P.Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Chhattisgarh, a newly born state of India, is rich in biodiversity. Many rare and valuable flora and fauna found in abundance. Most of the area is under cover of dense forest and tribals still use traditional systems of medicine to solve their health problems. In these traditional systems of medicine herbs are used in majority. In many parts of the state, traditional healers also use medicinal insects, mites and spiders for treatment. Due to excessive rainfall and dense forests venomous creatures like snakes, scorpions etc. are in abundance and every year thousands of people get affected due to these creatures.

Common and popular names of Commelina benghalensis around the world

Languages/Regions/Countries Names

1) Bengal Kachradam, Kanchara, Kanchura

2) English Day flower, Dew Flower

3) Gujarati Mhotunshishmuliyun

4) Hindi Kanchara, Kanuraka

5) Marathi Kena

6) Philippines Alibangon, Anagalide azul

7) Sanskrit Kanchata, Marishajalaga, Tanduliya

8) Sind Chura, Kanna, Khanna

9) Sinhalese Deyamainaireya

10) Spanish Ahagalide azul

11) Tamil Kanangakarai

12) Telugu Nirukassuvu, Vennodeviruka

The Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh is locally known as "Nag Lok" (Kingdom of snakes). As fan of local healers and as herb expert, I frequently visit to different dense forests of Chhattisgarh to list out the traditional knowledge about common herbs. You will find details of some of these important herbs used against the venomous creatures in the present article. Out of all herbs used against these creatures, the most important in my view is Bharamarmar. In Hindi Bhramar is the fly and Mar means to kill. Few years back I have seen this useful plant in southern part of Chhattisgarh.

According to tribals this plant is becoming endangered and less than 1000 plants are remaining in the state. This plant attracts the flies and venomous snakes. Any time of the year, you will find the dead bodies of thousands of flies and hundreds of snakes around this plant even upto depth of 1 to 2 meters. This plant is not a carnivorous plant. Very few people are aware of this unique property of this plant. In available literatures, I have found no such plant similar to Bhramarmar. The traditional healer use the bark of stem against snake bite. It is also used in case of lethal diseases like cancer. I have tried to plant this herb in my home garden but not got success. In my life I have seen only three such plants isolated in different regions of Chhattisgarh. I have noted that when any fly or snake came in effective periphery (3 meters approx) of this plant, their activities and movement slows down and after two or three hours they loss their lives. I personally feel that there is a strong need to document the unique propertiesof this herb.

Leucas aspera, locally known as Guma, or Gumma bhaji, is also an interesting herb. It is found as rainy season wasteland (Sometimes in crop fields also) weed. It is a popular bhaji (potherb) in Chhattisgarh. It is general belief in Chhattisgarh that regular intake of this herb develops a typical smell inside the body which repell away the venomous snakes. The local people particularly the workers engaged in paddy fields prefer this potherb. The traditional healers use this herb both externally and internally in case of snake bite. Sometimes the fresh juice of leaves is pored in ears of the patients. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, where Leucas is not found as weed, local people plant this herb in garden for use in case of emergency. Leucas is also a popular Homoeopathic drug and as Homoeopathic drug it is used against snake bite by practitioners.

From dense forests, the trees of Garun phali is common. Garun phali is the pod of this leguminous tree. This pod exactly resemble the body of snake both in size and appearance. In urban areas people use to keep this pod in their houses in order to repell away the snakes. The traditional healers use the seeds of this herb against snake bite as an antidote. Commelina oblique is a common paddy weed in Chhattisgarh. It is locally known as Kaua-Kaini. In North eastern parts of Chhattisgarh its root is used as antidote to snake-bite. In other parts of Chhattisgarh, the traditional healers are not aware of this unique property of the herb. In these parts, field workers use the fresh plant as styptic to stop the bleeding from injured part of the body as first aid measures.Phyllanthus niruri, locally known as Bhui-aonla, is now known as potential hapatotonic in all over world.

In Chhattisgarh, it is found as common weed. In many common problems including liver complains, the traditional healers use it very frequently. During my survey to Kanker district of Chhattisgarh state, I have seen the practical use of aqueous extract and decoction of whole plant against snake bite, internally. In case of scorpion bite, the most frequently used herb is Achyranthes aspera (locally known as Onga, Chirchita or Latkana). The whole plant is used against scorpion bite. The juice of plant repell away the scorpion. To demonstrate its effectiveness, local healers smear the juice on hands (up to shoulder) and force the scorpions to walk on their hands. Scorpions hesitate to walk on hands. For Indians, Achyranthes is one of the most valuable herbs. In majority of Hindu homes you will find this herb in home gardens.

It is general belief that Achyranthes in home garden repells away all venomous creatures. I have yet not tested the science behind this belief. In case of scorpion bite, the local people immediately apply the fresh housefly (Musca domestica) as first aid measure. It is a common use you will find in the state. Some other herbs used are Cleome viscosa, Euphorbia hirta, Portulaca oleracea, Carthamus tinctorius, Vernonia cinerea (Specially for Scorpion bite), Xanthium strumarium, Ocimum basilicum etc.

About The Author Pankaj Oudhia, Herb Expert and Convenor
Society for Parthenium Management (SOPAM)
28-A, College Road, Geeta Nagar, Raipur - 492 001 India
Email : pankajoudhia@usa.net
Homepage : http://www.celestine-india.com/pankajoudhia

Copyright © 2001,2002,2003. All Rights Reserved. Quotation from this document should cite and acknowledge the author. For reprint rights, please email Pankaj Oudhia directly for written permission.