Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used against Poison in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use many poisonous herbs in treatment of common diseases both internally and externally. From their long experiences they are aware of specific doses. In general, they use the formulations having poisonous herbs under their strict supervision. But in spite of these precautions many times, the patients come under attack due to overdose of these herbs and herbal formulations. The healers, aware of these effects, always give counter herbs with these formulations, for use in the time of such emergencies. Many times the children living in rural and forest areas consume wild fruits or unknown herbs just in curiosity and get serious problems. When these affected children are brought to the healers, first of all they try to ask for the source of poison. If they get the information it is very easy for them to treat the patients in less time but when the source is unknown, the healers try general formulations. As I have mentioned in previous articles that the leaves and seeds Dhatra (Datura sp.) Are narcotic and in India these are used for criminal poisoning. In urban areas the cases of criminal poisoning are increasing at alarming rates. Observing the less choice of drugs in such cases in other systems of medicine, now more and more natives are approaching the traditional healers for treatment. The problem due to poisonous herbs is common in case of domestic cattle also. The natives of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs that can be used to nullify the harmful effects of the poisonous herbs. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected a lot of information on this aspect. I am giving some important informations in present article.

Bhelwa (Semecarpus anacardium) is a common medicinal tree in Chhattisgarh. The Black resin, obtained from pericarp of fruit is in use as marking-ink to write on cloth since generations. The nuts are used as Tans. Bhelwa is one of the important non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. It is also a most frequently used herb in use by the traditional healers. Many categories of natives come in contact with this herb and this is the reason from herb collectors and end users, all are prone to get injuries from this herb. As Bhelwa is in good demand and common tree, the natives and traditional healers are aware of many herbs to counter the harmful effects. Before describing these herbs, I would like to mention here that the herbs used to nullify the bad effects of any herb are collected from surroundings of harmful herb. According to the natives, the herbs present in surroundings have enough capacity to nullify the harmful effects. This is according to nature's arrangement. To nullify the bad effects of over consumption of Bhelwa fruits, the natives and healers used Imli leaves and seeds. Imli is also a common medicinal tree in Chhattisgarh. In forest, Imli and Bhelwa are the integral parts of same forest ecosystem. You will be surprised to know that the bad effects of over consumption of Imli fruits can be treated successfully with the help of Bhelwa herb. This was really interesting in formation for me. Imli (Tamarind) leaves and seeds are used internally in case of Bhelwa poisoning. It is used to reduce the intense itching and swelling in body due to over consumption of Bhelwa. The leaves are boiled with sugar and water and sweet solution is prepared. This sweet solution is given till complete cure. In case of complications, Imli seeds are used in place of Imli leaves. Like Imli, Char is also a common tree that grows in surroundings of Bhelwa tree. Char is also used to nullify the harmful effects of Bhelwa. Char seeds are given with Buffalo (Bhais) milk internally as treatment. Many times the traditional healers get injuries when they burn the Bhelwa. The fumes are toxic. It produces swelling in body. To treat this trouble the traditional healers of Narharpur region use Amba Haldi based herbal combination externally. The rhizomes of Amba Haldi (Curcuma amada) are mixed with rice grains with the help of water and an aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on affected parts. The healers still remember that in early days they were using the grains of medicinal rice varieties in place of existing hiyielding varieties in this combination. As the medicinal rice varieties are not under cultivation in this part of Chhattisgarh the healers are unable to add it in combination. According to them, there is no promising substitute to the grains of medicinal rice varieties. For this swelling the traditional healers of Raipur region use the fresh leaves of Dhanbaher (Cassia fistula) externally. They also use Koha (Terminalia arjuna) herb for this purpose. The barks and leaves are mixed in equal proportion and juice is extracted. This juice is applied externally on affected parts in order to reduce the swelling. Many times, during handling the Bhelwa the herb collectors get injuries, in form of blisters. They use many common herbs in treatment of blisters. As first aid measure, they simply apply the fruit pulp of Baheda (Terminalia bellirica) in affected parts. But this use is limited upto to the specific period when Baheda trees are at fruiting stage. Til (Sesamum) seeds are also in use for this purpose. The seeds are powdered and with fine clay soil, aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied immediately on blisters externally. The herb collectors of Bagbahera region use the nuts of Gondla herb (Cyperus sp.) For this purpose. Its aqueous paste is applied in affected parts.

In treatment of Dhatra poisoning, the traditional healers pay immediate attention because delay in treatment may lead to death of the affected natives. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region use the fresh aqueous juice of Baigan (Bhata) fruits to nullify its harmful effects. This is simple but very promising treatment. Bhata (Solanum melongena) is under cultivation as vegetable crop in Chhattisgarh. Bhata and Dhatura both belongs to same family i.e. Solanaceae. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains consider the roots of Andi promising in treatment. The aqueous extract of Andi roots is given internally to nullify the effects of poison immediately. The natives use the concentrate solution of common salt internally as first aid measures. As mentioned earlier, in many cases when the patients are not aware of source of poison, the healers use general formulations. I am giving details of some promising solutions. The roots of Jangli Chaulai are used most commonly. The dry roots are mixed with water and cow ghee. This combination is given internally. Jagli Chaulai (Amaranthus spinosus) occurs as wasteland herb in Chhattisgarh and this is the reason it is not difficult to collect it. In general, the traditional healers always keep the dry roots in their collections for its use in emergencies. Another common herb Bhatkatiya is also in use. The freshly extracted juice is given internally to nullify the harmful effects of poisons. Its scientific name is Solanum xantho corpum. The traditional healers of Bastar region use the Kuchla (Strychnos nux-vomia) in combination with Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) for the same purpose but as Kuchla is itself a poison, it is used very carefully. Bhelwa and Dhatra are most frequently used medicinal herbs in Chhattisgarh. The in depth traditional medicinal knowledge to counter its harmful effects successfully, is making the natives and traditional healers more confident during its use in treatment of many common as well as complicated diseases.

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