Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs and animals used as aphrodisiac in Chhattisgarh, India : The results of recent surveys

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

The traditional healers of Dalli- Rajhara region use the latex of Thura (Euphorbia neriifolia) in unique way. They mix the latex and cow milk in equal proportion and put the mixture in direct sunlight whole day. At night the mixture is rubbed in soles before intercourse. They informed me that this use increases the stamina as well as the retention time in case of males and one can use this mixture every day without any side effects but as it is not readily available in packets, the natives of this region use it at special occasions. For milk, black coloured cow is preferred and raw milk is used.

This mixture is harmful for the patients having the problem of Bavasir (piles). Why ? The healers were unable to answer this question but they never recommend this use for such patients. There is no specific method for massage. In cold winter days, they put the mixture in sunlight for more duration. The healers further informed me that this massage is also beneficial for eye related diseases. After massage, the users are not allowed to take water. The natives are well aware of this mixture and its effects but unfortunately, they are not aware of precautions to be taken during its use. This is the reason in many cases, the mixture produces the side effects. Thura is wild herb in this part of Chhattisgarh. The fresh latex is used to prepare the mixture. The traditional healers of Dondi-Lohara region use the leaves of Black Dhatura (Datura metel) for the same purpose. They extract the leaf juice and rub it on both ankles. After drying the users are advised to perform intercourse. The leaves before flowering are collected for juice extraction. Insect or disease infested leaves are not used for this purpose. Like collection of other herbs, the healers perform special worship ceremony before collection of Dhatra leaves. In general, the healers do not disclose the secret formula. This is the reason the natives of this region are not much aware of this use. Black Dhatra is common in this part of Chhattisgarh. In Tirathgarh region of Bastar, the healers recommend the external use of fresh blood of Bats (Chamgadur). The blood is applied on male genitals just before the intercourse in order to get more stamina and retention time. Many healers prefer the blood of Kabutar (Pigeons) as compared to the blood of Bats. The Mahanadi river belts is having the rich population of Hurhur or Hulhul herb (Cleome viscosa). This is the reason, that the natives and traditional healers of this region are aware of many unique traditional uses of Hulhul.

As aphrodisiac, they use the seeds and bark. Seeds and bark are mixed in (2:1) ratio and boiled in base oil. As base oil Til oil is used commonly. When all watery content evaporates, the oil is collected and kept for future use. The users are advised by the healers to apply this special oil externally on male genitals in order to stimulate it. The oil stored over one year is not used. The herbs growing in polluted areas are not preferred. Through the interaction with the natives of Balladilla hills, I got information that in this part of Chhattisgarh, Asgandh (Withania somnifera) is present naturally. I have yet not visited the hills to confirm this natural occurrence. He told me that the traditional healers of this part, mix the Asgandh roots in Chameli oil and use this combination externally as stimulant. The healers recommend regular use upto long time for real effect. He further informed me that the bile of cow mixed with Shahad (honey) is also a promising aphrodisiac and one must use this mixture atleast upto fifteen days to get real and complete effects. The procedure of use is very simple. Wash the genital with this mixture during bath and apply lukewarm water to remove the mixture from genitals. But it is very difficult for common person to get the bile regularly and this is the reason, this method is also not much popular. From documentation point of view it is an important information.

In my previous articles. I have mentioned the natural occurrence of Munga (Sahajan, Drumstick tree ) in Chhattisgarh. It is also under cultivation. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh , collect the roots of wild Munga and dry it in shade. The potential Munga trees are selected on the basis of experiences. The dried roots are powdered and mixed with Ajwain and Urd (Vigna mungo). The patients having poor sexual desire as well as power are advised by the healers to take this combinations in form of globules daily. The globules are prepared as the size of Ber (Ziziphus jujuba) fruits. On the basis of vitality of patients and severity of trouble, the duration is fixed but in general, it is given upto six months. The healers also suggest the patients to take Singhara with cow milk round the ear to maintain the sexual health. The natives prepare special sweet dish from Singhara known as Singhare Ka Halwa for themselves. It is specially recommended for newly wed couples. Both males and females are advised to take this medicinal Halwa. I am describing the botany and reported medicinal uses of this useful aquatic herb in short. According to reference literatures, Singhara (Trapa natans syn T. bispinosa) is floating annual herb; stems long, flexuous; Floating leaves in rosette, crowded in upper part of stem, lamina rhomboid, crenate-toothed on upper margin, 1.5 - 5.5 X 1.5 - 7.0 cm, glabrous, glossy dark green and mottled brown above, villous hairy and reddish - purple beneath; submerged leaves finely dissected into root-like inner segments. Flowers solitary, axillary, white or purple, pedicels incurved during flowering, afterwards bending down beneath water. Drupes top shaped, two-horned, one seeded, 2.5-3.5 cm across, dark brown on black, ripening under water. Flowering and fruiting time August to December. The English name of fruits is Water Chestnuts. It contains starch and fat in sufficient amount and eaten raw or cooked. As medicine, fruits are used most commonly. According to Ayurveda, it is cooling, indigestible, aphrodisiac, astringent to bowels, antipyretic and useful in treatment of leprosy, burning sensation, fatigue, inflammation, blood diseases, urinary discharges, biliousness, bronchitis, bad teeth etc. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region, use the pods of Bambri (Acacia nilotica) with whole herb of Chhoti Duddhi (Euphorbia hirta) as aphrodisiac. The immature pods and whole herb of Duddhi are mixed in equal proportion and converted into powder. This combination is given internally upto long time. During Basant (Spring), the natives of Gandai forest region, use the Baur of Aam (Mango inflorescence) in combination with other herbs as aphrodisiac. As other herbs both Musli i.e. Safed Musli (Chlorophytum sp.) and Kali Musli (Curculigo orchoides) and gum of Semar (Bombax ceiba) are used. All herbs are mixed in equal proportion and herbal mixture is prepared This combination is given with cow milk in order to maintain the sexual health round the year. For collection of inflorescences, the indigenous trees are preferred. It is not collected from the high yielding Mango trees. According to the traditional healers of this forest region, all four herbs alone act as aphrodisiac but this combination makes them more useful and potent. The natural forests of Gandai region are rich in natural population of both Kali and Safed Musli. Semar is also a common tree. The natives of Chhattisgarh plains are aware of use of desi (indigenous) Genda or Gonda seeds (Marigold) as aphrodisiac. This is considered as poor man's aphrodisiac. The seeds are collected and users are advised to take it with equal quantity of sugar. I interviewed the users of this herb. They informed that it is very promising herb but regular use can cause harmful effects. I would like to mention here that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh never suggest the users to use aphrodisiac regularly. According to them, the nature has provided these gifts for specific occasions. But unfortunately the natives ignore this instruction and this is the reason they face problems in terms of harmful side effects. The natives also use husk of Kasaundi (Cassia sophera) as aphrodisiac. They powdered the husk and with honey, prepare the mixture. This mixture is given with a cup of hot milk (cow milk). Kasaundi occurs as natural herb in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Dhamtari region use the common weed Duddhi (Euphorbia hirta) as aphrodisiac. The whole herb is crushed and globules are prepared. These globules are given twice a day with cow milk. This use increases the desire and power both. The size of globules should not be more than the size of Ber fruits as over-dose can cause loose motions. As mentioned earlier, that in Bagbahera region, Duddhi is used with Babool Pods, this is a matter of scientific investigation that which combination is more potential and what are the advantages and disadvantages of these different combinations and uses?

The traditional healers of all parts of Chhattisgarh have the opinion that there is no substitute to the globules prepared from fresh Gangerua (earthworms) as female aphrodisiac. According to them, its regular intake during rainy season, make the female genital enough potent for whole year. The traditional healers of Sirsa (Albizia sp.) rich areas use the Sirsa seeds mixed with Parsa (Butea monosperma) seeds as aphrodisiac. Both seeds are powdered and mixed in equal proportion. This mixture is given internally with cow milk. According to the healers, the seasonal use is good for sexual health. The use of Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris) as aphrodisiac is mentioned in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this use. The healers use to Gokhru with sugar, ghee and Shahad (honey) internally. The healers purchase the seeds of Uttangan from the herb vendors of Chhattisgarh and use it as aphrodisiac in specific cases. The Uttangan (Blepharis edulis) seeds are mixed in water and aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied twice a day on male genitals in order get good stamina and retention time.

I have already written a lot on Aphrodisiacs of Chhattisgarh but the results of recently conducted surveys indicated that these information are just the top of iceberg. I am aware that I have to work harder to collect more information on this important aspect. I am trying to get details regrading precautions during uses, side effects and efficacies etc. and hoping that these informations will be of great help for the coming generations.

Thanking you very much for reading the article.