Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Bukhar (Fevers) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

During my ethnobotanical surveys in difference parts of Chhattisgarh, India I observed many unique uses of common herbs and insects used in treatment of common fevers. I would like to start the article, after describing the unique uses, I have seen in Bagbahera region. The traditional healers of this region, dig out the white flowered Dhatura (Datura alba) herb on Sundays and advise the patients to tie the fresh root pieces around the wrist with the help of red string. According to them, this application reduces the temperature and cures the patients in even one day. Similarly, they collect the leaves of Hulhal (Cleome viscosa) when herb is at vegetative stage and rub the fresh juice hardly on wrist of right hand till the blister occur. The healers informed me that the blister formation is a sign of effectiveness of leaves and after blister formation, within one or two days, the patients get rid from fever. Many healers use, the leaves of Hulhul and Kukronda (Blumea lacera) in equal proportion as treatment. The traditional healers of this region, also use common housefly as medicine to treat fevers. They take one adult housefly, half (in quantity) Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) and one pinch of Hing (Asafoetida) powder and with the help of water, prepare an aqueous paste. This paste is applied externally on eyelids as treatment of fever. The traditional healers of Mahasamund region, use the Spider web as medicine to treat the fever. They simply collect the web from crop fields and give it to the patients with gud (Juggery). In order to protect its identity, they cover it with gud. The patients are advised to take it till complete cure. Although the healers informed that web of any species of spider can be used without any harm but I am not satisfied with them. I have seen, they use only the web of spiders found commonly in crop fields particularly in paddy fields. The natives are also aware of this unique use but hesitate to use it. Many of them informed that they are not aware of doses and according to them overdose can cause bad effects. The above mentioned uses are unique for me because these uses are not reported in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine and the great thing is that the traditional healers are still practising this knowledge in their treatments. Its popularity among healers prove the fact that these treatments are effective. The traditional healers informed me that through these uses, one can treat only the simple fevers. For complicated ones, one have to use other herbs and herbal combinations. The use of Datura roots is common only in Bagbahera region. In other parts of Chhattisgarh, the healers and natives use the roots of Chirchita (Achyranthes aspera) very frequently. It is also considered beneficial in treatment of intermittent fever. During my survey at Ambikapur region, I have experienced its miracle effects. I have reported its ethnobotanical utility for the first time from this region. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs useful in treatment of common fevers. At first, I am describing the results of my ethnobotanical surveys focused on the traditional healers of the state and after this, I will write on traditional medicinal uses common among natives.

Common Indian Names of Kalmegh
Languages/Regions	Names
1) Gujarati	Kiriyata, Olikiriyat
2) Hindi	Kiryat, Kalmegh
3) Kanarese	Nelabevu gidu
4) Marathi	Olen Kirayat
5) Sanskrit	Bhuinimba, Mahateet, Kirata

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use different parts of common herb Fudhar in treatment. It is used in treatment of Malarial fever most commonly. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the immature buds of Fudhar internally. It is given with gud (Jaggery). According to the healers, it must be given continuously for three days only. They warned that never use mature buds as it can cause harmful effects. The traditional healers of Rajnandgaon region, use the roots of Fudhar instead of immature bud. The roots of 8-10 years (or more) old herb are preferred. Two parts of roots and one part of Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) are taken and with the help of cow milk, small globules (the size of chickpea seeds) are prepared. They give one globule before rising the temperature in malarial fevers. Many healers of this region use goat milk in place of cow milk. They also add some other herbs in this combination. The traditional healers of Mudpar village told me that like roots of Chirchita and Dhatura, one can use the roots of Fudhar externally in treatment of fevers. It is used more as preventive as compared to curative. The roots are used as earring (red string is used) and the natives wear it in both ears as earring in order to prevent the attack of fevers round the year. The roots are also used in form of Herbal Mala or Tabiz (locket) by the natives. The traditional healers at Narharpur region informed me that a tiny insect attack on the flowers of Fudhar. According to them, this insect can be used with other parts of Fudhar, in order to make the herbal combination more strong and effective. I have yet not seen that useful medicinal insect. This is new information for me. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh also use the yellow matured leaves of Fudhar in treatment of fevers. The leaves are collected, dried in shade and converted into powder. This powder is given with pure honey as medicine to cure the fevers. The latex of Fudhar herb in also used by many healers. The scientific name of Fudhar is Calotropis gigantea. It is a common wasteland weed in Chhattisgarh and found in almost every corner. I have written a lot about the botany, reported and traditional medicinal uses of this herb in my previous articles. I am not repeating these in present article. As mentioned earlier, all parts of Fudhar are used in treatment of fever, the traditional healers truely named this herb as ‘Poor man’s herb.’ The traditional healers of Bans (Bamboo) rich areas use, Vanslochan, a silicious concentration found in the joints of Bamboo, in treatment of fevers.

Botanical differences among major Cleome species.
Characteristics	C. brachycarpa	C. chelidonii	C.felina	C.gyandra	C.monophylla	C.simplicifolia	C. viscosa
1) Habit	Perennial herb, 10-20 cm tall, branched, glandular hairy.	Glabrous or sparsely prickly annual herbs, 30-60 cm tall	Erect, much-branched 30-60 cm tall annual herb covered with rigid hairs.	Erect, viscidly hairy, 30-60 cm tall, annual herb.	Erect, hairy, branched herbs, 30-60 cm tall	Erect herb, 10-25 cm tall, hairy.	Glandular pubescent annual herbs, 30-80 cm tall
2) Leaves	3-5 foliolate, upper simple, Leaflets obovate-oblong or oblanceolate	5-9 foliolate, with obovate leaflets or upper 3-foliolate with linear leaflets.	3-foliolate, leaflets obovate, obtuse, equalling or shorter than the petiole.	Digitately 3-5 foliolate, leaflets elliptic-obovate or elliptic-lanceolate, sessile.	Oblong or oblong-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 2.5-5.0 cm long	2.5-5.0 cm long, obovate-oblong or elliptic-oblong, obtuse or acute, scabrid.	3-5 foliolate, petioled, leaflets elliptic-oblong, glabrous above, pubescent beneath, sessile or subsessile.
3) Flowers	Yellow, long-peduncled, in leafy racemes.	Bright rosy, 2.5 cm across, with long pedicles.	Axillary, solitary, long-pedicelled, purple.	White or purplish	1.2-2.5 cm long, purple.	8 mm long, Pale to bright purple in elongate racemes.	1-1.5 cm across, solitary, axillary, in terminal lax racemes.
4) Capsules	8 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, or oblong.	5-10 mm long, linear, glabrous, with parallel, wavy striations.	2.5-4.0 cm long, compressed, linear-oblong, acute at both ends striate.	5-8 cm long, linear cylindric, minutely beaked, viscidly pubescent.	8-10 cm long, linear, striate, beaked.	1.5-2.5 cm long, subsessile, spindle shaped, glabrous, torulose or subtorulose, beak 4 mm long.	4-8 cm long, cylindric, viscid, minutely beaked.
5) Seeds	Minute, smooth.	2mm long, brownish black, obliquely reniform, warty	Large, tubercled, glabrous.	Depressed-spherical, blackish brown, 1.2 mm across	Nearly orbicular, flat, prominenntly ribbed.	Pale brown, glabrous, smooth, large.	Numerous, dark brown, reniform,1.2 mm long.
6) Flowering & Fruiting	August-September	June-Sept and July-Oct.	July-Sept.	July-Nov.	July-Nov.	July-Sept.	Throught the year.

In reference literatures, related to different system of medicine in India, many valuable medicinal uses of Vanslachan have been reported. According to these literature, Vanslochan is cooling tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulant, febrifuge and useful in treatment of cough, consumption and asthma. In treatment of fever, the traditional healers use Vanslochan with rose petals (indigenous species are preferred), Koha (Terminalia arjuna), Kasni (Cichorium intybus) and Tarbuz (Water Melon) seeds. Using these herbs they prepare tablets and give it to the patients suffering from fever. In reference literatures, the use of Vanslachan based herbal combinations is described but on the basis of availability of different herbs in specific regions, the healers add or omit one or more herbs from these combinations. In Chhattisgarh, over 53 Vanslochan based herbal combinations are still in use. In Hulhul (Cleome viscosa) rich region, the traditional healers use the flowering buds in treatment of fevers. They prepare tablets by mixing the flower buds with Kali Mirch and give it to the patients internally. During my ethnobotanical surveys focused on common herbs and herbal combinations used in treatment of intermittent fever revealed that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use about 88 herbs alone or in combination. The traditional healers boil the Hing (Asafoetida) powder and salt in water and prepare a decoction. This decoction is given to the patients suffering from intermittent fever. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region use the leaves of black flowered species of Dhatura with Kali Mirch, internally. The traditional healers of Gandai region use the Dhikuar (Aloe vera) herb. After removing the upper covering skin from leaves they add Haldi (Turmeric) powder in it. After adding Haldi, they roast it in mild fire. After roasting the juice is extracted and given to the patients. Its use is recommended till complete cure. The healers also use the common herb Giloi (Tinospora cordifolia) in treatment of intermittent fever. I have written a lot on this herb in previous articles. The traditional healers of Bastar region, use specific herbal combination during flowering season of Parsa (Butea monosperma). In this herbal combination Parsa flower, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and husk of Chickpea are used. Equal amounts of all herbs are taken. And after drying it is converted into powder. Three parts of powder and one part of water are given as medicine to the patients. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, very frequently use the whole herb decoction of Kalmegh ( Andrographis paniculata) in treatment. Kalmegh is a popular non-wood forest produce in Chhattisgarh. It is also under cultivation as medicinal crop The healers also have knowledge about the use of Dhamasa in treatment . The healers purchase the dried herb from local herb shops and use it in treatment. The whole herb is used for treatment . It is given with pure honey. I am describing the botany of this useful herb, as its uses are coming for the first time in my articles. According to reference literatures, Dhamasa (Fagonia arabica, family : Zygophyllaceae) is a small, spiny erect undershrub, more or less glandular; Leaves opposite, 1-3 foliate, petioles deeply striate; Stipules two pairs of sharp slender thorns, about 1.2 cm. long; leaflets linear, acute, the middle the largest, sessile; Flower solitary, small, pale rose-coloured, arising from between the stipules; Fruits of 5, one-seeded Cocci, glandular hairy, pyramidal to the apex; seeds ovoid, flattened, smooth.

The natives use many herbs as home remedies in treatment of fevers. They use Tulsi herb very frequently. Tulsi is an integral part of home gardens in Chhattisgarh. The natives informed me that the presence of healthy Tulsi herb in homegardens repel away the mosquitoes, responsible for Malarial fever. In many parts, the natives burn the dried Tulsi herb in order to repel away the harmful mosquitoes and flies. All parts of Tulsi are used in treatment of fever but leaves are used most frequently. The natives of different regions use it in different ways. The herbal tea prepared by using Tulsi leaves, Adrak (Ginger), Sugar and Kali Mirch is popular in all regions. The greens leaves are preferred but according to them, one can use dried and well stored leaves also. It is common belief in Chhattisgarh that the routine use of 10-12 Tulsi leaves after lunch round the year, protects the body from fever. As treatment, the fresh leaf juice is given to the patients. The natives prepare special decoction by adding Sonth, Lavang and Kali Mirch with Tulsi leaves for the patients. For taste, some times sugar is also added. The use of herbal tea prepared from Pudina (Mentha arvensis) leaves is also common in many parts. During fever, in order to reduce the temperature, the natives give tomato and lemon juice to the patients. They also give Lason juice (Garlic).

During my surveys I have observed that in most of the cases the natives avoid the use of Allopathic drugs and rely on home remedies. When they do not get success from home remedies they consult the traditional healers. In many remote villages, the natives are still not aware of allopathic and other modern systems of medicine. They are using the herbs since generations to manage all types of fevers. I am trying my best to visit these remote villages more frequently, in order to learn more on traditional uses of common herbs. Thank you very much for reading the article.