Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used as home remedies in treatment of Gastritis in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The natives of Chhattisgarh use many herbs and herbal formulations in treatment of Gastritis. In general, through these herbs they manage the trouble without any problem and only in case of complications consult the traditional healers. Through the ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected a lot of information on this aspect.

Many of the common home remedies are mentioned in reference literatures. They are many other uses that have yet not been documented. In present article, I am giving the details of both types of uses. During the surveys, the emphasis was given to interact the senior house wives having age over 60 years. The young housewives were also consulted. From previous experiences, I am aware that the senior housewives have more in formation as well as faith in traditional uses. The housewives of modern generation are having faith on herbs but instead of raw herbs, they are dependent on patented available in local markets. The senior housewives have no faith on patent drugs particularly the purity of herbs and also they do not want to pay higher price for simple formulations. The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains take many preventive measures to avoid the problem of Gastritis specially in rainy season. They take different herbs at morning time empty stomach for this purpose. The use of fresh juice of Pudina (Mentha arvensis) is very common. A teaspoonful of Pudina leaf juice and Shahad are used with a glass of lukewarm water daily morning. They also use the fruit juice of Nimbu (Lemon), Shahad and Adrak (Ginger). One teaspoonful each of Nimbu juice, Adrak juice and Shahad (Honey) are mixed and stored for future use. Daily morning half teaspoonful of this combination is taken internally empty stomach. In general, the natives use it thrice a day, but they never miss to use it daily morning. The natives of Bilaspur region, use Adrak juice and Shahad in combination with other herbs. They add ten drops of Lason bulb (Garlic) juice and five drops of Piaz bulb (Onion) juice in this combination and use it in same manner.

The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the roasted seeds of Methi (Fenugreek) after meals. The roasted seeds are boiled in water and extract is taken internally. It is considered as preventive to Gastritis. As preventive, the use of Ajwain seed (Carum copticum) is also popular in Chhattisgarh. The Ajwain seeds and Sonth (dried Ginger) are mixed in equal proportion and taken with lukewarm water just before sleep. It is considered as one of the best remedies for constipation also. In normal cases, Sonth is used alone or in combination with common salt (Namak). Namak is used just for taste. Powdered Sonth is used thrice a day with lukewarm water. From my grandfather's diary, I have noted the use of Adrak juice. A teaspoonful of Adrak juice if given with a glass of lukewarm milk, it cures the problem of Gastritis effectively. The internal use of Pippali is popular in Northern parts of Chhattisgarh. The natives take 3 fruits of Pippali and convert it into powder. Rock salt is added in equal quantity in this powder and taken internally with lukewarm water half an hour after the meals. In Southern parts of Chhattisgarh the use of Harra fruits (Terminalia chebula) is in practice. The natives dip two fruits in water at night and next morning, throw away the leachate. The fruits are taken after every meals in order to prevent the problem of Gastritis.

In previous articles, I have mentioned about the popularity of chutney prepared by mixing Pudina and Lason herbs. The natives suggest the patients having the problem of Gastritis to take a glass of milk just after the use of chutney to make it effective against the problem of Gastritis. For this use, the natives add the salt and spices as minimum as possible. Dalchini (Cinnamonum zeylanicum) is in use as spice and condiment in Chhattisgarh. The natives use this herb in treatment of Gastritis. The herb is boiled in milk and used for this purpose. The natives of Narharpur region informed about the use of Bhelwa seed oil (Semecarpus anacardium) internally in treatment of Gastritis but as wrong use or overdose can cause problems, the natives use it less frequently as home remedy. The above mentioned traditional uses clearly indicate, the in depth traditional medicinal knowledge the natives are having. The herbs used are commonly available. With the help of this traditional knowledge, the cheap and effective formulations can be prepared and small cottage industries can be established. I would like to request the concerned authorities reading this article to pay attention on this aspect.

Thank you very much for reading the article.