Traditional medicinal knowledge about first rain water in Chhattisgarh, India

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

'Jal Hi Jivan Hai' (Water is Life), we all are aware of this fact. The purity of Ganga Jal (Water collected from Ganga river) is world famous. For the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh the water of first monsoon rains is valuable and important. For the first time, I got the information on therapeutic value of rain water through Shri Vishal Bharat, an eminent herb expert of Chhattisgarh. He was my Guru and specialized in treatment of different types of cancer. He never missed to collect the rain water in enough quantity during rainy season. During treatment of cancer patients, he always instruct the patients to drink more and more rain water. In case of non-availability, he was suggesting the spring water. The well water was third preference. For his patients, he was collecting more and more water for its use round the year.

In reference literatures, related to different systems of medicine in India the use of rain water for cancer patients has not been reported. This was new information for me. Later when I conducted detailed ethnobotanical surveys, in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I got information that almost all healers specialized in treatment of cancer recommend this use. The healers prefer the water from first rains, but in case of poor collection, they collect water from subsequent rains. For collection of rain water, they prefer Tamra Patra (Copper vessels). The traditional healers at interior regions having not enough purchasing capacity to buy Tamra Patra, use earthen pots (Ghada) to collect rain water. According to them, the water before reaching to ground surface must be collected. The rain water coming down through plants are also collected but they have their specific list of plants that can be used for this purpose. My grandfather was aware of miracle healing properties of rain water. My father still remember that during his childhood the grand father never misses the chance to collect the water from first rain. The natives take bath with this water. According to them, this water removes the extra heat from the body and treats the small boils common in hot summer days in Chhattisgarh. It is common belief in Chhattisgarh Plains that the hairs should be protected from rain water as it loosens the hairs.

Last week when I informed Dr. Shinji Takara, an expert from Japan about traditional medicinal knowledge about first rain water in Chhattisgarh, he replied that it is not possible in his country, because due to heavy atmospheric pollution, the first rain falls as acid rain and no one want to collect this acid. We are fortunate that in our part of the world, the atmospheric pollution is not a problem and the natives and traditional healers are getting pure rain water. During my surveys in Amarkantak region, my field worker informed me that the first rain water is given in this region, as treatment of stomach troubles. It is recommended as two to three spoonful daily empty stomach. The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains are also aware of this use. During my surveys in Mungeli region, the natives informed that it should not be given to pregnant woman. They are not aware of the scientific reason for this restriction. During my surveys in Bastar region, the healers informed that they use the first rain water collected from specific herbs, herbal combinations in place of water. I am explaining it more clearly. When the healers prepare herbal combinations using Bramhi herb, for instance, and the addition of water is must, in such cases they use the first rain water collected from Bramhi herb in place of normal water.

The traditional healers are aware of valuable medicinal properties of first rain water but the collection in maximum quantity is the main problem for them. They keep this collection as precious asset and due to less quantity, they use it in serious troubles only. In name of first rain water, many local herb shops sell bottled water but the traditional healers have little faith in this and they use it only in case of urgency. The healers have no traditional water testing method to differentiate all types of water, but many healers claim that by seeing the reaction of patients taking different types of water, they can simply tell the sources. I have yet not seen it practically but I have no doubt on their in-depth traditional knowledge. In my laboratory, I have tried the first rain water on germination of common seeds. Although all selected species failed to show the same response. But many species showed significantly higher germination and vigour. The detailed studies are in progress. Through my visits to different parts of India, I have collected a lot of information on medicinal uses of rain water but this is really surprising that I have yet not found these informations in reference literatures.

I personally feel that this is an important aspect on which there is a need for detailed research without any delay. After herbs and insects, this is a new field for me. This article is the first written document on the traditional medicinal knowledge about first rain water in Chhattisgarh, India. I am confident that through my surveys I will be able to collect more information on this traditional knowledge.

Thank you very much for reading the article.