Interactions with the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, India specialised in treatment of Joint Pains

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

Through my ethnobotanical surveys, I have identified over 350 traditional healers as expert in treatment of joint pains. It was also noted that the natives also have in depth traditional knowledge about common herbs and herbal combinations used in this treatment. Over 55 common herbs alone or in combination with other herbs are used by the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. In most of the cases, the natives and healers prefer fresh herbs for preparation of medicine. They avoid the use of stored herbs. According to them, for the problems of specific season, the mother nature has given us specific herbs. This is good and practical philosophy, they adopt. They also prepare many types of herbal oils. These oils are used in off-season also, but during preparation, they use fresh herbs. During these surveys, conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted that the natives and healers use limited formulations very frequently and due to less use and popularity, the other formulations are becoming extinct. I personally feel that there is a strong need to document these valuable formulations and the minus points because of which, the healers are not preferring its use. For getting information on these old formulas, I have given special emphasis on my surveys and instructed the field workers, to document every single detail with full precaution. By giving cash prizes, I have motivated the field workers time to time during these surveys. In present article, I am describing both popular and less popular formulations, mostly the herbal oils. This is a responsibility of the researchers particularly of those engaged in phytochemistry research to evaluate the efficacies of these herbal oils in modern scientific terms for sake of human beings round the globe.

Mahua is one of the major non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. For the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, Mahua is valuable medicinal herb. All parts of this herb are used as medicine both internally and externally. The oil extracted from Mahua seeds is used in treatment skin diseases in Chhattisgarh. It is also used for soap making. Refined oil is used for lubrication, candles, for patching jute and as a raw material for stearic acid manufacturing. In reference literatures, it is described as promising substitute to palm oil. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use this oil externally in treatment of joint pains. Its use in Sarguja region is very popular. The scientific name of Mahua is Madhuca latifolia ( Syn. M. Indica, family : Sapotaceae). The traditional healers of Mahasamund region, prepare special herbal oil by mixing the juice of Dhatura (Datura sp.) leaves, fruits and roots and roots of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) in Alsi (Linseed), Sarson (Mustard) and Til (Sesamum) oils. All oils and juice are mixed in equal proportion and allowed to boil. When watery contents evaporate totally, oil is collected and used externally. All herbs are available as wasteland weeds in Chhattisgarh. Alsi, Sarson and Til are under cultivation as traditional agricultural crops since generations in Chhattisgarh . At initial stages, the healers of this region use only the roots of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) to prepare an oil for treatment. I have written a lot about this oil and its unique preparation method in my previous articles. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains use the Andi (Castor) roots to prepare herbal oil. The roots are collected freshly and boiled in castor oil. The use of this herbal oil is not much common among the natives and traditional healers. They also use the oil of Bemchi (Psoralea corylifolia) and Ajwain. Please read previous articles for details. The healers of Dhamtari region, use the oil prepared by using Mehndi leaves in treatment of joint pains. Mehndi is a common shrub is Chhattisgarh. The Mehndi (Lawsonia alba; family Lythraceae) leaves yield a dye and are used for dying hands, finger nails and hairs. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, many other medicinal properties of Mehndi have been mentioned. Leaves are considered as emetic and expectorant and used in treatment of leucoderma, headache, bronchitis, boils, ulcers, stomatitis , ophthalmia, amenorrhoea, scabies, diseases of spleen etc. Not much has been written on its use in treatment of joint pains. I am proud to write that the herbal oil prepared by using Mehndi leaves is popular among natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. The healers also add some other herbs in this oil to make it more useful. In this region, the use of Kaner leaves to prepare herbal oil, used in treatment of joint pains, is also common. The healers also mix the leaves of Mehndi and Kaner (Nerium odorum; family Apocynaceae) in equal proportion and prepare herbal oil. From the traditional healers of Machkot forest region, I got an unique herbal combination used to prepare special herbal oil. In this combination, the leaves of Mehndi, Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Dhatura (Datura sp.), Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea), Makoi (Solonum nigurm), Andi (Castor) are mixed and juice is extracted. The juice is mixed with Til oil and solution is boiled. This specially prepared herbal oil is used externally. The healers of other parts are also aware of this herbal oil. They add or delete one or more herbs, as per availability of herbs in that particular region. The healers of Bilaspur region, add the roots of Asgandh (Withania somnifera) in this oil as ingredient. In case of non-availability, they use fresh leaves in place of roots. The healers of this region, also informed me about the miracle effects of herbal oil prepared from Keora flowers. For preparation of oil, whole flowers are collected and dipped in Til (Sesamum) oil. The oil is kept in sunlight upto a month. After this time duration, oil is used externally. Keora is not a common herb in Chhattisgarh. It is grown as ornamental plant. The healers plant this herb in their fields to fulfil their requirements of herb, for preparation of herbal oil. As the description of Keora is coming for the first time in my articles, I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from the reference literatures. Botanically, Keora ( Pandanus odoratissimus, family Pandanaceae ) is a shrub upto 6 meters high, rarely erect; stem supported by aerial roots; Leaves glaucous green, long, coriaceous ensiform, margins and mid rib spiny; Flowers dioecious, male flower spadix with many cylindric spikes enclosed in long white or yellow fragrant spathes; female flower spadix solitary; Fruits oblong or globose, yellow or red, drupes 50-80 each consisting of five to twelve carpels. According to Ayurveda, leaves are pungent, bitter with flavour, alexiteric ,aphrodisiac, somniferous and useful in strangury and tumours. Flowers improve complexion, whereas anthers are useful in pruritus. The fruits possess medicinal properties to cure urinary discharges. The use of herbal oil prepared from Keora flowers is not reported in reference literatures. The healers always suggest the patients to use any oil continuously till complete cure. It is general tendency among the patients that they stop its use when pain subsides. The healers informed me that one should not use these oils as the pain-killers. The healers always prefer to give the oil without disclosing the ingredients and method of preparation and instruct the patients in advance, that if they stop the treatment in mid way, they will never be treated by the healers. One more thing, I would like to quote here that although the preparation methods look simple but the traditional healers prepare it with all precautions and for them it is not simple method. From collection of herb to selection of suitable dose, all procedures are complicated. This is the reason the natives aware of preparation method prefer to take it from the traditional healers. Last week, I got an inquiry from Nigeria, regarding my article on Shatavar (Asparagus. sp.). He informed that he has collected the material and ready to prepare the oil. In article, the use of fresh material was mentioned and the Nigerian person was having dried material. I have also mentioned specific preparation method in that particular article. Ignoring all the standard methods and precautions, he asked me to describe the most simplest method by which he can prepare the oil. I instructed him to read the article carefully. Yesterday he wrote again to me that oil is not as effective as described in article. This is not a new comment for me. Without understanding the in depth traditional knowledge of healers of Chhattisgarh, it is hard to get promising results from their formulations.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, also use the extracts of raw herb parts to massage the affected parts. I am describing some promising uses, I have noted during my surveys. The use of fresh leaf juice of Mehndi and Andi leaves is very common. The leaves are taken in equal amounts and juice is extracted. The healers of Mungeli region, use the Munga (Moringa sp.) seeds for external application. The seeds are converted into powder and with the help of water, an aqueous paste is prepared. The healers of Mahasamund region, use the bark of Hulhul (Cleome viscosa). The bark is collected from non-flowering herbs and dried in shade. After drying it is converted into powder and an aqueous paste is prepared. The healers of Bilaspur region use the roots of wasteland weed Kans (Saccharum spontaneum) with Sonth (dried ginger) for external application. The healers also boil the Munga leaves in water and apply the decoction. The healers of Bagbahera region informed me that in early days they were using the fresh leaf juice of cotton plants for this specific purpose. Now a days it is not in use in this region. I have already mentioned the use of common medicinal herb Ajwain in my previous articles. Although Maida tree is not reported in Chhattisgarh but the traditional healers are of Chhattisgarh are aware of its unique medicinal properties and uses. Maida alone or in combination is used for treatment of joint pains. Maida is crushed and powder is prepared. This powder is dissolved in lukewarm water and applied externally in painful parts. I am describing the botany and reported medicinal uses of this important herb, as its name is coming for the first time in my articles. According to reference literatures, Maida is a small evergreen tree, bark somewhat corky, lenticellate; Branchlets densely tomentose; Leaves crowded at the ends of branches, usually alternate, 10-25 x 5-10 cm, elliptic ovate or oblong lanceolate, base narrowed, glossy dark green above, pale beneath; Flowers in umbellate heads arranged in corymbs, yellowish,8-12 together in heads, perianth lobes wanting; Fruits globose, black, 7.5 mm diameter, supported by thickened pedicel. As medicine, root, bark, leaves, fruits and seeds of Maida (Litsea chinensis, family : Lauraceae) are used. According to Ayurveda, roots are cooling, aphrodisiac, galactagogue and useful in treatment of biliousness, burning sensation, bronchitis, consumption, fever, leprosy etc. According to Unani system of medicine, root is astringent, tonic, expectorant, aphrodisiac and useful in treatment of inflammations, overheated brains, thirst, throat troubles, spleen diseases, paralysis etc.

The natives and traditional healers also give many herbs and herbal combinations internally for treatment. The common herb Peng (Celastras paniculatus) is used most frequently . The use of its oil for external application has been already described in my previous articles. The Peng herb is used both alone and in combination with other herbs. The healers of Bastar region, prepare a special herbal combination by mixing Peng, Charota (Cassia tora ) and Bawchi (Psoralea corylifolia) seeds and give it to patients. It is given with lukewarm water. All seeds are mixed in equal quantities. The healers also suggest the patients, to use Peng seeds. At starting, take one seed a day and increase the dose gradually (add one seed daily) upto 100 seeds a day and then return back to one seed. According to the healers this simple treatment cures the problem for ever, but they warn that take this treatment under strict supervision of experts as sometimes overdose can cause harmful effects. In general, when the symptoms of harmful effects occur, the healers stop the increase in dose and at that point, decrease the dose gradually. The patients taking this treatment informed me that this use increases the appetite to many folds. During my visit to Nagpur region, at neighbouring state, I got the information on use of decoction prepared by boiling the Anjeer (Fig Tree) roots in water. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are not aware of this use. The healers of Chhattisgarh also use the wood of Kareer herb with ghee internally in treatment of joint pains. I am describing its botany in short. According to reference literatures, Kareer (Capparis decidua; family Caparaceae) is nearly leafless glabrous shrubs or small trees; Bark corky, greyish-white, longitudinally furrowed, thorns in pairs, straight; Laves only on young shoots, glabrous, linear-oblong with spinescent apex, caducous, buds pubescent, Flowers red or scarlet about two cm across, in short corymbs, on short lateral shoots; Fruits globose, smooth, red when ripe. It is found commonly in wastelands and in forest. The traditional healers also use the fumes of burning herb parts in treatment of joint pains. The most popular use is the mixture of Sirsa(Albizia lebbeck), Nirgundi and Munga leaves. The mixture is burnt and the patients are advised to expose the painful parts in fumes.

Many of above mentioned traditional uses are not mentioned in reference literatures. Although all combinations are not equally effective but from documentation point of view, each and every information is valuable. Thank you very much for reading the article.