Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Measles in Chhattisgarh, India

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

According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, the out skin of Sitaphal (annona squamosa) resembles the blisters common in Measles, so it can be used as preventive to Measles. The traditional suggests the children to eat more and more Sitaphal for this purpose. Sitaphal is considered as poor man's fruit in Chhattisgarh. It is one of the common herbs in Chhattisgarh. The healers of different parts of Chhattisgarh use different herbs and herbal combinations for this purpose.

The healers of Southern Chhattisgarh informed me that the combination of juice of Semal (Bombax ceiba) and Adusa (Adhatoda vasica) can be used internally for this purpose. To protect the eyes during attack, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains recommend the use of Mehndi leaves (Lawsonia alba) externally. The freshly extracted juice is massaged gently on soles. As preventive, the traditional healers of this region recommend the internal use of Mulethi roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Mulethi is a perennial herb, native to the Mediterranean region. The healers are dependent on local herb shops for Mulethi. Mulethi is also used in combination of Adusa. From the traditional healers of Bilaspur region I got the formulation. They take a leaf of Adusa and a small piece of Mulethi roots and mix it in 250 mililitres of water. This solution is allowed to boil and decoction is prepared. This decoction is given internally as preventive. Adusa have other health benefits also. This is the reason the healers suggest the natives to plant this medicinal herb in home gardens. To reduce the intensity of fever, the healers of Rajnadgoan region use the leaves of Doomar tree (Ficus glomerata). The fresh juice is extracted from leaves and mixed in a glass of cow milk. Sugar is added for taste. This combination is given internally just before the start of fever. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. To reduce the intensity of trouble the traditional healers of Jashpur region use the seeds of wild Banana species. The seeds are mixed in buffalo milk and patients are advised to drink it.

The healers of Kanker region prefer the fresh juice pf Ber leaves (Ziziphus mauritiana) in place of wild Banana seeds. The leaf juice is given with buffalo milk. During fever, the natives spread the fresh Neem leaves on the bed of patients. According to them, the Neem leaves reduces the extra heat in body. The Neem leaves are used internally also. The healers of Chhattisgarh mix 20 leaves of Neem with 20 Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) and boil it in half liter of water. The decoction is prepared and patients are advised to take this decoction twice a day till complete cure. The healers of Bastar region prepare a decoction using 21 herbs. The healers do not want to disclose the formulation but they informed that in this formulation, the leaves of Koha (Terminalia arjuna) are used as main ingredient. In general, the natives of Chhattisgarh donot consider this trouble a serious one. They are aware that through simple use of common herbs the trouble will be over after specific period. Through the ethnobotanical surveys I am trying to gather more information on herbs used in treatment of Measles in Chhattisgarh. I will write more on this aspect in my future articles.

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