Traditional medicinal knowledge about red ant Oecophylla Smaragdina (Fab.) [Hymenoptera; Formicidae] in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Red Ant Oecophyllya smaragdina (Fab.) is widely distributed and common in mango orchards of Chhattisgarh. This ant constructs its nests by webbing together the leaves. The ant is carnivorous feeder on flies, moths, beetles and caterpillars. It bites with its mandibles and squirts formic acid from the abdomen. Chhattisgarh is known for its unique bio diversity and traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs, insects, mites and spiders (Oudhia, 2002) The traditional healers of the state use insects and mites very frequently in order to treat common health problems. Every year SOPAM conduct series of ethnoentomological surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh. During summer 2002, the survey was conducted to document the ethnoentomological properties of Red ant found commonly on Mango trees. Total fourty traditional healers specialised in use of insects as medicine were selected. 

The survey was conducted through personal interviews and weekly visits to traditional healers to observe their healing practices. The survey revealed that the tribal of Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, use this ant as food due to its acidic taste. In village level markets, it is common dish available for sell. The chutney is also prepared from these ants. In most of the cases, live ants are sold and used as food. It is one of the most popular dishes among the children. The common people are not aware of its medicinal properties. According to traditional healers, regular intake of this ants prevent the attack of rheumatism in old stage. It also helps in curing the patients suffering from rheumatism. The traditional healers prepare special oils from these ants and use it to treat many common health problems for preparation of medicated oils, the mustard , sesamum and jasmine oils are used at base oil, Total hundred ants are collected and dipped in these oils separately. This oils (with ants) are kept under open sky for forty days. 

After forty days, oils are used externally for different problems. The medicated oil having mustard oil as base oil is used for the treatment of rheumatism and gout. The medicated oil having sesamum oil as base oil is used for external application in case of ringworm and other skin diseases. The medicated oil with jasmine oil as base oil is used as aphrodisiac for external application. These unique medicinal properties of Red Ant Oecophylla smaragdina have not been reported in available literatures. The survey suggested that there is a strong need to evaluate the medicinal efficiancy of these oils and to conserve the traditional medicinal knowledge about these valuable.

Reference
Oudhia, P. (2002). Insect Environment. 8(1) : 25 

[Originally published as
Oudhia,P.(2002).Traditional medicinal knowledge about Red Ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Fab.) [Hymenoptera:Formicidae]in Chattisgarh,India.Insect Environment.8(3):114-115.]