Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about common herbs and herbal combinations used in treatment of diseases of stomach in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about herbs and herbal combinations useful in stomach diseases. They use more than 150 herbs alone or in combination with other herbs in treatment. They give emphasis on making the stomach strong and enough resistant of fight common diseases. According to them, the patients prone to these diseases should take the specific herbs or herbal combinations in order to make the stomach (as organ) strong. These stomach tonics are given when there is no attack. They instruct the mothers to start giving these combinations to their children from childhood in order to make them free from these complicated diseases. In present article, I am describing the traditional knowledge of both natives and traditional healers separately. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I collected the information on traditional healers specialised in treatment of these troubles and listed out over1500 traditional healers in the state. In the first part of the article, I am describing the herbs and herbal combinations used by these healers.

Common Indian Names of Nirmali (Strychnos potatorum)
Languages/Regions	Names
1) Bengali	Nirmali
2) Hindi	Nirmali, Nelmal, Neimal
3) Kanarese	Chilu, Chilladabeeja
4) Malyalam	Tetranparal, Tetraparel
5) Oriya	Kotaku
6) Sanskrit	Kataka ambuprasada
7) Tamil	Tetankotai, Tetta, Tettran
8) Telugu	Indupachettu, Chillachetu

Pipal is a common tree in Chhattisgarh. Since generations this tree is present and growing well in our state. In Chhattisgarh many village names are based on natural dominance of this tree in these villages. Pipradih, Piperchedi, Piparahi etc. are among some examples. All parts of Pipal(Ficus religiosa; Family Moraceae) are used as medicine in Chhattisgarh. As medicine, Pipal holds a reputed position in different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, all parts are cooling and useful in diseases of blood, vagina and uterus. Ripe fruit is considered as alexipharmic and useful in treatment of foul taste, heart troubles and intense thirst. Roots are good for Gathia (Gout) whereas root bark is used in treatment of stomatitis. Fruits are purgative, aphrodisiac and used in treatment of vomiting. As stomach tonic, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use this herb very frequently. As stomach tonic, it is given with Chashni (sugar syrup), empty stomach. According to the traditional healers, this combination helps in digestion, it is good appetiser and free from side effects. It is also a good sex tonic. As stomach and liver tonic, the traditional healers also use Sonth (dried ginger) very frequently. Its use during rainy season is very common among natives also. The Sonth powder is mixed in sugar syrup (Chashni) and sweet dish is prepared. This medicated dish is used as stomach tonic. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, particularly in southern parts, the healers adopt another method, they dip the Sonth powder in fresh lemon juice and after soaking the Sonth powder is dipped in Chashni. According to them the additional of lemon juice improves its taste as well as medicinal properties. In Chhattisgarh plains, the natives prefer Adrak (Ginger) as compared to Sonth (dried Ginger). The ginger is cut in pieces, dipped in lemon juice and kept in sunlight upto one month. After soaking, the traditional healers collect the ginger pieces for future use. The natives are advised to take these pieces, just after the lunch to increase the rate of digestion process. Many healers add namak (salt) in this combination, to make it more tasty. We are using these tasty pieces since generations as home remedy. This is best remedy in case of indigestion and acidity. It is good appetiser. As it is very tasty, it is very popular among children. Many pharmaceutical companies prepare this combination in commercial scale and sell it in attractive packets. According the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, the use of Sonth is more useful and effective as compared to Adrak but as the taste of Sonth is not agreeable to everyone, it is less popular. During my ethnobotanical surveys, I have noted over 50 combinations in which Sonth, ginger and lemon juice are combined. There is no standardise method. In most of the cases, the traditional healers and natives, add the juice without measurement. I personally feel that there is a need for scientific research on this aspect in order to standardise the dose and quantity of herbs to be added in the combination.

The use of Aonla is also very common among both natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. Aonla is in list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh having routine demand. The buyers and traders at national and international drug markets are well aware of the unique medicinal properties of Aonla found in dense forests of Chhattisgarh. Aonla is also under cultivation as agroforestry crop in the state. But the natives an traditional healers, prefer wild varieties for preparation of herbal combinations. In Chhattisgarh, its fruits are used as stomach tonic. It is used in over 35 different ways. The use of Aonla fruit juice mixed in water and sugar syrup is most common in Chhattisgarh. Many healers use rose water (Gulab Jal) in place of water in the combination. The patients are advised to take this sweet preparation empty stomach as stomach tonic. For more details, I suggest you to read my previous articles, as I have written a lot about botany and traditional uses of Aonla (Emblica officinalis Syn. Phyllanthus emblica; Family Euphorbiaceae) tree.

Ajwain is also among frequently used herb used as stomach tonic in Chhattisgarh. The natural occurrence of Ajwain is reported in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers and natives living in forest region use wild species as ingredient whereas those living in urban areas are dependent on local herb shops. According to reference literatures, Ajwain (Carum copticum syn. Trachyspermum ammi syn. Ammi copticum syn. Sison ammi; Family: Umbellifereae) is annual erect, 15-50 cm tall branched herb; stem glabrous ; Leaves 2-3 pinnate, ultimate segments linear; In florescence an axillary or terminal compound umbel; involucre of 5-8 linear bracts; rays about ten; Flowers white ; Pedicel in fruits twice as long as the fruit; Fruits ovoid, muricate, Flowering and fruiting time November to March. As medicine, the roots and seeds of Ajwain are used. Ajwain holds a reputed position as medicine, in different systems of medicine. According to Ayurved the seeds are hot, bitter, pungent, stomachic, appetiser, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, carminative, laxative, and diuretic. It is useful in treatment of ascites, abdominal tumours, enlargement of spleen, piles, vomiting, abdominal pain , heart and toothache, paralysis, chest pains , weakness of limbs, kidney troubles, inflammation, hiccup, diseases of ear, liver and respiratory system etc. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about this useful herb. I will write a separate article on this herb. Here I am describing its traditional uses as stomach tonic. According to the traditional healer of Mudpar village, Ajwain with Sonth is good stomach tonic. He takes 2gms of Ajwain seeds and one gm of Sonth and dips it in half litres of water over night. Next morning, he stores the solution and add common table salt. This solution is given to the patients as stomach tonic. According to him, it is also useful as liver tonic. This is poor man’s tonic. The healers never disclose this formula to the patients. The traditional healers of Bagbahra region use Ajwain in different way. In their preparations they use Tejab (Sulphuric acid) and sea salt with Ajwain. The traditional healers of Bastar region, dip the Ajwain seeds in fresh lemon juice like the Sonth and use it as stomach tonic. Many healers add sugar syrup also in this combination. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh also use Bach powder (Acrous calamus) in same way, as stomach tonic. As you know, Pudina (Metha arvensis) is an integral part of home gardens in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers and natives prepare different herbal combinations using Pudina as main ingredient. All these herbal combinations are considered as stomach tonic. In these combinations, in general, the herbs viz. Sonth, Ajwain, Elaichi, Saunf, Kali Mirch, Kala Zeera etc are used mainly.

As appetizer the healers prepare different Churna (Powder having many herbs). Here I am describing some unique combinations used by the healers. The matured fruit of Lal Mirch (Capsicum annuum) is dried in shade and converted into powder. The healers dip this powder in fresh lemon juice and keep the solution for sixty days as such. After sixty days, two pinch of powder is given as stomach tonic. According to the healers, regular use upto one month, in any part of the year, can make the users enough resistant to fight the diseases of stomach. Organically grown, indigenous varieties are preferred by the healers as compared to high yielding hybrid varieties. As appetiser, the use of fresh leaves of Sirsa (Albizia sp.) is also very common among healers. The decoction of leaves is used. Many healers boil the leaves with Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) to prepare the decoction. Ajwain is also in use as appetiser. The decoction is prepared by mixing Ajwain seeds and black salt in water and given to the patients. The traditional healers of Bilaspur region dip the Ajwain seeds in freshly extracted juice of Dhikuar (Aloe vera) and dry it in shade. After drying, the seeds are dipped in fresh lemon juice and again kept for drying. The dried seeds are crushed and given to the patients. The healers prepare this combination once in a year and use it round the year. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of unique medicinal uses of Anar seeds (Pomegranate) in case of stomach disorders. Many formulations in name of Anardana Churna are available in local markets. In general, the natives purchase it for use and traditional healers instruct the patients to purchase it. Very limited healers prepare this combination at their homes. The use of Gulkand is also common. Gulkand (a syrup prepared from using rose petals) is considered as good stomach tonic. For preparation of Gulkand indigenous rose varieties particularly Rosa damascena is preferred. For both internal and external application, the traditional healers prepare specific herbal oils. The oils prepared from Castor and Nirmali leaves are most common. Both oils are prepared separately. The Castor (Andi) leaves are boiled in base oil and herbal oil is prepared. It is applied externally around the umbilicus. The leaves of Nirmali are also used in same way. Many healers simply prepare an aqueous paste using leaves and apply it around the umbilicus. Nirmali is common non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh. The healers use all parts of Nirmali (Strychnos potatorum, family : Loganiaceae) in treatment of many common diseases. Among the herbal oils used internally, the oil of NakChhikni is very popular. In Chhattisgarh - Maharashtra border, it is a common herb found in abundance.

The traditional healers and natives of this border region have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about this herb. As I am writing about the uses of this herb for the first time in my articles, I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. The scientific name of Nakchhikni is Mardsdenia volubilis (Syn. Drega volubilis, family : Asclepiadiaceae). According to reference literatures, it is a large twinning shrub; older branches ash coloured with lenticles and black dots; Leaves broadly ovate or sub orbicular, few glands above the petiole cordate; flowers many, green or yellowish green, in lateral dropping umbellate cymes; Corolla rotate with broad lobes, overlapping to the right; Corona lobes large, fleshy; Fruits follicles, upto 10cm long, slightly tapering to a very blunt point, rugosely striae; Seeds broadly ovate, flattened, margined, pale yellowish brown, coma copious; Flowering time April-May. Not much has been written on medicinal properties and uses of this valuable herb in reference literatures. According to Ayurveda, it is tonic, cooling, aphrodisiac, alexiteric, antipyretic and astringent to bowels. It is useful in treatment of biliousness, burning sensation, tumours, piles, leucoderma, asthma, urinary discharges, diseases of eye, dyspepsia, inflammations and rat-bite. The roots and leaves are used as medicine. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh prepare a special herbal oil using Nakchhikni as main ingredient. The herb (four kg) is dipped in ten litres of fresh juice of Adrak (Ginger). After mixing, the tablets are prepared. The healers deep fry these tablets in cow ghee. The ghee is collected and used as medicine. In place of cow ghee, many healers use Sarson Ka Tel (Mustard oil) as substitute. The patients are advised to take this preparation daily upto two months in order to get rid from all complications related to vital organ stomach. Now I am describing some popular home remedies. The natives never miss to use the vegetable prepared from Palak (Spinach) and Bathua (Chenopodium album) during the season of its availability . According to them, both herbs are good stomach tonic. The juice extracted from whole Palak herb is also used by the natives. In northern parts of Chhattisgarh, the use of Chaulai (Amaranth) Bhaji as vegetable is very common. During my ethnobotanical surveys, I noted that the natives are aware of its utility in stomach disorders. During hot summers the natives use raw Onion in daily meal. In general it is used round the year. It is common man’s vegetable. Onion is under cultivation as vegetable crop in fairly large areas in Chhattisgarh. It is common belief among natives that Onion is a good stomach tonic and its regular use prevents the attack of diseases. Among fruits, Kela (Banana), Anar (Pomegranate) and Nimbu (lemon) is considered as best medicine for stomach disorders. The natives use these fruits in many ways. The sweet dishes prepared from Kela are very popular in Chhattisgarh.

I will write more on this important aspect in my future articles. Thank you very much for reading the article.