Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs and insects : Interactions with some field workers of Chhattisgarh, India

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

When I was working as Researcher at Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, Mr. Uttam Chand Sinha was working with me as field assistant. During our field observations when farm labour get injuries from equipment, always there was long discussion between us on the first aid remedies available in field. I was in favour of applying the fresh juice of Tridax leaves in order to stop the bleeding and to heal the wound quickly but Mr. Sinha always insist me to use the web of field spider for the same purpose. According to him the web is more effective as compared to Tridax. The spider web are common in rice fields. In area where pesticides are used frequently one can found these webs rarely. My impression about spider was not good. At that time, I was not aware of traditional medicinal knowledge about spiders in Chhattisgarh. But Mr. Sinha’s healing miracle has influenced me and now I am fan of the spiders. According to him, all spider webs can not be used for same purpose. He informed me that he has gained this knowledge from his father, who was the farmer. During my work with him I have gained many valuable knowledge from him. He informed me about the use of soil from termite mound. According to him, a Laddu (shape of cricket ball) is prepared from the soil and given to cow just after delivery as tonic. Datura stramonium locally known as Dhatra is a common wasteland weed in Chhattisgarh. Mr. Sinha is not a traditional healer, but as family tradition he knows the use of matured Datura fruit for the preparation of Herbal oil. This oil is used for piles (haemorrhoids). Although it was his family est on herbs he disclosed the method. 

Common and popular names of Sal (Shorea robusta) around the world.
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Arabic	Kai kahr
2) Bengal	Sakher, Sakhu, Sakhua, Sal, Salwa, Sala
3) Myanmar	Enkhyen
4) Kanarese	Asina, Asu, Asvakarna, Gugglu, Kabbu
5) English	Common Sal, Indian Dammer, Sal Tree
6) Gujarati	Ral
7) Hindi	Sal, Sala, Shal, Salwa, Sakher
8) Malyalam	Maramaram, Mulappumarutu
9) Marathi	Guggilu, Rala
10) Nepal	Sakwa
11) Sanskrit	Agnivallabha, Ashvakarna, Chiraparna, Cirgaparna, Sala, Sarja, Jaranadruma
12) Tamil	Attam, Kungiliyam, Shalam
13) Sinhalese	Dammala
14) Telugu	Guggilamu, Saluva, Sarjmu
15) Urdu	Ral
16) Uriya	Rengal, Sugua, Salo, Salwa, Sorjja

Matured fruits are collected and boiled in sesamum oil (Til Ka Tel) and applied externally on piles. According to him it is a sure cure (Ram ban) for piles. He is still at University. He want to make use of his traditional knowledge but unfortunately nobody has time to care this valuable man there. Like Mr. Sinha, a field worker Mr. Kureshi met me during my visit to Gandai forest. At that time he was working as Deputy forest ranger at forest department. During my initial visits to Gandai I came in contact with him. Togather we have visited nearby forests and shared a lot of information about common herbs. In Gandai area, he was famous as Unani practioner but in fact he was more than the practioner. 

I have never seen such a practical man that is good in both identification and uses of herbs.Once during our visit to nearby forest our assistant got scorpion bite. As the Gandai was far and the herb useful for bite were not available at that place, we preferred to go to nearby village . In order to reduce the intense pain, Mr. Kureshi, who is popularly known as "Deputy" among us, killed some houseflies and applied it on the affected part. Surprisingly the pain gone. From that village we take a taxi and then came back to Mr. Kurshi’s dispensary, where the patient got complete relief. When I shared my knowledge about herbs with Mr. Kureshi, he informed some good herbal formulations. According to him the oil prepared from scorpion is also a good and quick remedy for the care of piles particularly the bleeding piles. He informed me that it is a common practice in Chhattisgarh to apply the dead scorpion at the place where bite was done. According to him, this is good remedy. When I asked why he has not used this knowledge in forest that day, he said that he was not confident about this use. I was really impressed by his boldness and truth speaking. Chhattisgarh is well known for his silk. The silk worm culture is a common practice among tribal. According to Mr. Kureshi the natur useful insect for the treatment of many common diseases but he refused to disclose the secret uses. He also use Trombidium as hot tonic just after delivery specially in case of heavy shivering. We can not put Mr. Sinha and Mr. Kureshi in the category of traditional healers, but also we can not ignore the rich traditional knowledge they are having. They are field workers and their departments are not aware of their value. During my ethnomedico surveys, I met many such field workers and try to learn something new about common herbs and insects. 

During my ethnomedico survey of Ambikapur, Mr. Lalit was my assistant. He was field worker at regional research center of University. He was well aware of traditional medicinal uses of common herbs present in that region. He informed me about many unique herbal formulations. For the sure cure for piles and constipation he informed me the useful formula. According to him the use of gum from Sal (Shorea robusta) tree is a best remedy. Take a banana, make a cut so that a teaspoonful of gum can be put inside keep it whole night and next morning eat it empty stomach. Within a week you will get rid from both problems. I have suggested many of my family friends this unique use, they have tried and got success. I personally feel, that the traditional knowledge present in community, common people and traditional healers is of equal importance and it is a strong need to document this valuable information for the benefit of human beings all over the world.