Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Jalodari (Ascites) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, India, I noted that very few traditional healers are specialised in treatment of Jalodari and the natives are not much aware of any home remedies useful in treatment. I have prepared a list of 18 traditional healers specialised in treatment of Jalodari in all over state. According to these traditional healers the treatment of Jalodari is cheap and in general, they use common herbs, mostly weeds to treat it but the patients must start treatment at early stages. It was interesting to note the fact that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use excreta of different animals, both internally and externally to treat Jalodari. In present article, I am describing the traditional medicinal knowledge and uses about common herbs useful in treatment of Jalodari in different parts of Chhattisgarh. Also, I am describing some important information, I have collected during my visits to Mount Abu, Rajkot and Harpalpur region of India.

Common and popular names of Siris (Albizia sp.) around the world.
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Arabic	Lebach, Sultana ul asjar
2) Bengal	Siris, Sirisha
3) Assam	Hirih, Kothiakoroi
4) Brazil	Corazao negro, Ebano oriental, Pau negro
5) Myanmar	Kokko
6) Cambodia	Changriek
7) Kanarese	Bage, bagi, Doddahage, Hombage, Sirsul, Sirsa
8) Sri Lanka	Vahai
9) Egypt	Lebach
10) English	East Indian Walnut, Egyptian sensitive, Oriental Ebony, Parrot tree, Siris Tree, Sizzling tree
11) French	Acacia lebbek, Bois noir
12) Gujarati	Kaliosaras, Kalikansakia, Kalosadusado
13) Hindi	Garsa, Kalshish, Kalsis, Lasrin, Shiris, Sirai, Sirar, Siras, Sirin, Sirsa, Tantia
14) Punjabi	Lasrin, Siris
15) Iraq	Barham, Labakh
16) Malyalam	Kattu vaku, Nenmani, Vaga, Vaka
17) Marathi	Chichola, Chinchola, Chinchula, Shirish, Kala Siris
18) Persian	Darakhtejokheria
19) Sind	Mahari, Shirrus, Suri
20) Sinhalese	Mara
21) Tamil	Adukkavagai, Kalindi, Pandil, Kattuvagai, Siridam, Sonagam, Undugam
22) Telugu	Dirasan, Dirisanamu, Girisamy, Sirishamu
23) Sanskrit	Barhapushpa, Kalinga, Kapitaka, Karnapura, Krishnashirisha
24) Uriya	Bodosirisi, Shirson, Tinya
25) Urdu	Darash
26) West Indies	Woman's Tongue

Fudhar, Kukronda and Raksi are among common weeds used by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, in treatment of Jalodari, very frequently. The healers collect the Fudhar leaves from old plant and with Haldi (Turmeric) prepare small globules. Four globules a day is general recommendation. On the basis of seriousness of disease, the healers decide how much globules should be given. Many healers add some more herbs as ingredients in this combination. The healers informed me that the globules prepared by mixing Fudhar leaves and Haldi are useful in treatment of many other diseases also. According to them, four globules are given to cure bilious fever, two in case of cholera, one in case of paralysis. In general, they recommend its use upto one month only. Fudhar is common wasteland weed in Chhattisgarh. Its scientific name is Calotropis gigantea. For its botany, reported and other traditional uses I suggest you to read my previous articles. Kukronda is another weed, used most commonly during its growing season. It is a common winter season weed in Chhattisgarh. The healers suggest the patients to collect insect infestation free leaves, before flowering, of Kukronda and extract the juice. This juice is taken internally as treatment. The healers instruct the patients to start with one teaspoonful of juice and then increase it gradually upto one cup of juice. The patients using this juice informed me that as it is winter season weed, it is very difficult to get the juice round the year. But the healers have no complaint. According to them, one season use is enough to cure the patients and if the patients do not get relief, they try other herbal combinations. Many natives, aware of the use of Kukronda leaves, try to grow this herb in off season under controlled conditions but the healers never prefer its use in off-season. The scientific name of Kukronda is Blumea lacera. Raksi is common weed in rice fields of Chhattisgarh. The natives specially the rice farmers and traditional healers have in depth knowledge about its medicinal properties and uses. The traditional healers specialised in treatment of Jalodari, use the whole herb in treatment . The powdered herb is given to the patients and like the juice of Kukronda, they increase the dose gradually. They sue this herb only in rainy season. The scientific name of Raksi is Abutilon indicum. Many healers use another weed Makoi (Solanum indicum) as ingredient in herbal combinations used in treatment of Jalodari.

As mentioned early, the traditional healers use animals excreta very frequently in treatment of Jalodari. The healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the cow dung and urine externally and internally. They select the black cow for collection of dung and urine. The bull and pregnant cows are not preferred. The freshly collected dung with common salt is applied externally like paste in patient’s body. The healers also add the aqueous extract of common herbs in this dung paste. They collect the dried dung paste. They collect the dried dung from pastures and burn it. The patients having Jalodari are advised to take the ash daily at specific doses as treatment. In general, the healers avoid to disclose what they are giving to the patients. During my visits to Rajkot and Mount Abu region, I got information on use of Camel’s urine, in treatment of Jalodari. The healers of this region, also use the goat’s urine internally. They informed me that red coated goats are preferred for the collection of urine. The traditional healers of Narharpur region, use common pest Rice grass hopper as medicine to treat Jalodari. They collect twenty fresh hoppers and after killing, dry it in shade. After drying, powder is prepared and given internally to the patients. The healers informed me that the rice varieties on which these hoppers feed play an important role in making the hopper medicinally valuable. They complained that due to introduction of new high yielding varieties in the state, they are not getting the good quality grass hoppers. They also blame, the increasing use of chemical insecticides. I have mentioned in my previous articles about medicinal rice varieties of Chhattisgarh. At present , very limited areas are under commercial cultivation of medicinal rice varieties. The healers of these areas are still using the medicinal insect Rice grass hopper in treatment of Jalodari. The traditional healers of Durg region informed me that the fresh juice of Karela fruit is one of the best remedies for Jalodari. Its use in treatment of diabetes is common in Chhattisgarh. For taste, the healers suggest the patients to add pure honey in juice. Karela (Momoridca charantia) is under cultivation as vegetable crop in different parts of Chhattisgarh. The healers never use the Karela fruit collected from cultivated fields. They grow Karela in their home gardens organically and use it for extraction of juice. Unfortunately,. The natives are not aware of this fact and for the treatment, specially for diabetes, they are using Karela fruits available in markets. During my ethnobotanical surveys in Rajnandgaon region, I got information on use of Chickpea seeds (Chana) in treatment of Jalodari. The healers informed me that the special decoction is prepared by boiling the matured seeds in water and given to the patients. According to them, it is very simple but promising use. Sirsa is common tree found in almost every corner of Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of the state, use different parts of Sirsa as medicine to treat Jalodari but bark is used most frequently. The healers prepare a decoction by boiling Sirsa Chhal (bark) in water and it is given to the patients till relief. The use of Sirsa bark in this trouble, is reported in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. I am proud to write that it is still in use in Chhattisgarh. The scientific name of Sirsa is Albizia lebbeck (family : Leguminoaseae). The traditional healers of Kanker region, use the roots of useful herb Indrayan both internally and externally in treatment of Jalodari. The decoction of roots is given internally whereas the root paste is applied externally. Indrayan is one of important non wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh, having routine demand in national and international drug markets. In reference literatures, many uses of this herb are described in detail. As medicine, roots and fruits are used mainly. According to Ayurveda, root has a beneficial action inflammation of breasts and joint pains. Externally root is used in ophthalmia and in uterine pains. Roots and fruits are cooling, laxative, carminative, antipyretic and cures tumours, ascites, ulcers, lecucoderma, bronchitis, jaundice, urinary discharges, spleen enlargement, dyspepsia, constipation, anaemia, elephantiasis, throat diseases etc. For botany of Indrayan (Citrullus colocynthis), I suggest you to read my previous articles. With the use of Indrayan, externally and internally, the healers suggest the patients to use the water having boiled leaves of Kachnar (also known as Son Patti), in daily life, in place of plain water. For bath they suggest the patients to use the decoction prepared from Kachnar leaves. They also suggest the patients to take rest on special bed covered with Kachnar (Bauhinia tomentosa) leaves. They informed me that the combination of both herb i.e. Indrayan and Kachnar is very promising for the patients. I am describing the botany of Kachnar, I have noted from reference literatures. It is an erect shrub, branches slender, terete, zigzag ; Leaves broader than long, divided a little less that half into two rounded lobes, base truncate; Flowers usually in pairs (rarely one or three) on short axillary or leaf opposed peduncles; Corolla - Petals 3.8-5.0 cm, much imbricated, spatulate, yellow, the upper with a purple blotch on the face; Fruits - pod stalked, flat, painted, veined; Seeds 8-12. From one of the well known traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Shri Vishal Bharat, I got one formula very effective in treatment. In this formula, the herbs named Gondla( Cyperus rotundus), Haldi (Turmeric) , Baibirang (Embelia ribes), Chita (Plumbago zeylanica) etc. play the important roles.

As mentioned earlier, very few traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are specialised in treatment of Jalodari (Ascites). Most of them are of over 70 years of age. This is very sad that their young generations are not willing to take charge from them. I am worrying that if timely step is not taken by us to conserve their important knowledge, it will loss for ever. Thorough this article. I would like to request the world community to come forward in conservation of this unique traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Jalodari (Ascites). Thank you very much for reading the article.