Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs use in treatment of Heart diseases: The results of recently conducted ethnobotanical surveys in Chhattisgarh, India

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

During my recent ethnobotanical surveys in Mahasamund region, I got interesting information on use of common tree Maulsari in treatment of heart diseases. The traditional healers suggest the patients to wear Herbal Mala (Garland) of Maulsari Flowers in day time. The healers suggest to wear this Garland as long as possible but only in day time. Fresh flowers of Maulsari are used for this purpose. They also suggest to inhale the specific smell of Maulsari flowers frequently. Internally the decoction of Maulsari bark is used in treatment. According to the healers these multiple uses cure the patients effectively.

I have interacted with the patients using Maulsari in this way. I have observed that during treatment, the patients feel both mental as well as physical comfort. The scientific name of Maulsari is Mimusops elengi (family Sapotaceae). Its English name is Spanish Cherry. I am not aware whether the natives and traditional healers of Spain use this herb in this common trouble or not. Maulsari is planted as ornamental tree in home gardens for its fragrant flowers. I have mentioned the use of Koha bark (Terminalia arjuna) in treatment of heart diseases. Like Koha bark, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use the bark of Semal bark in treatment of heart diseases. The bark is collected and dried in shade. The shade dried bark is boiled in cow milk and after filter the patients are suggested to drink the cow milk. The use is continued up to one month in any part of the year.

Many healers suggest the patients to take this combination upto one year as preventive to heart diseases. As preventive, the use of Pippali fruits (Piper longum) in combination with cow butter and Lemon (Nimbu) juice is also popular. Although Moongphali (Groundnut) is a popular oil seed crop in Chhattisgarh and natives use it in different preparations but the traditional healers suggest the patients to avoid its use particularly the raw pods. They instruct the heart patients to stop its use. The healers are unable to give scientific explanation for this but they informed that after stopping its regular use, the patients feel comfortable themselves.

The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh use the herbal combination of Baibirang (Embelia ribes) and Kulinjan (Alpinia galangal) with cow urine in treatment of heart diseases. Kulanjan is not native to Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers purchase this herb from local herb shops. I have noted that very few healers are aware of this combination. As mentioned earlier, the traditional healer give more emphasis on use of preventives. According to them by observing any child carefully at childhood, they can assess the chances of heart troubles in him or her, and after this diagnosis they can start, preventive treatment upto specific period. But these natives are not much aware of this preventive therapy. In general, the natives visit to the healers specialized in treatment of heart diseases after becoming patient. Through the articles in regional languages I am trying hard to aware the natives about this unique knowledge our healers are having I have written a lot on other herbs used in treatment of heart trouble, I am not repeating it again. This article is a supplement to previous articles.

Thank you very much for reading the article.