Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs and herbal formulations used in treatment of Piles in Chhattisgarh, India : The results of recently conducted ethnobotanical survey

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

The recent ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh revealed that the natives and traditional healers have more rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs and herbal formulations useful in treatment of Piles, than expected. I have already mentioned the results of previous surveys. In present article I am giving the details of some valuable traditional uses of common herbs noted through recent surveys. Before these surveys, I was not aware about the fact that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the raw herb of Bach along with its oil. Bach (Acorus calamus) is both under cultivation and occur as wild herb in Chhattisgarh. The healers extract the oil from Bach rhizome using indigenous methods. I have not written much on traditional medicinal knowledge about Bah oil. Bach oil is known as Calamus oil in trade.

There is a heavy demand of this oil in national and international drug markets. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use this oil in treatment of Piles externally. This is considered as one of the promising treatments. The traditional healers not aware of oil extraction procedure, use the powdered rhizome with base oil in same manner. But it is considered as less effective treatment. In Chhattisgarh two species of Bach grow naturally i.e. A. calamus and gramineus . Now I am trying to find out the use of A. gramineus oil. Like the oil of Bach, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains recommend the use of Munga leaves (Moringa oleifera) externally on piles. The use of leaf juice of common tree Karanj is also in use. The traditional healers use the Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) internally also. The leaves are fried with cow ghee and given internally with whey. According to the healers the use should be continued till complete cure. They claim that patients get relief within a week. Haldi (Curcuma longa) is well known and frequently used herb in Chhattisgarh. The natural forests of Chhattisgarh are rich in natural population of different species of Haldi. It is also under cultivation. Haldi rhizome powder is used both internally and externally in treatment of piles. The aqueous paste is applied externally whereas the powder is taken internally to get rid from this trouble. In Southern parts of Chhattisgarh, fresh leaf juice of Bael (Aegle marmelos) is applied externally. The juice is given internally also.

According to the traditional healers both internal and external use simultaneously helps the patients to get rid from constipation as well as Piles. The traditional healers of Dhamtari region use the bark of Patla in treatment of Piles. The bark is collected and after drying dipped in water. The softened bark is given internally. The scientific name of Patla is Stereospermum suaveolens. It is a common medicinal tree in this part of Chhattisgarh. Like the leaves of Karanj, the bark of Kachnar (Bauhinia tomentosa) is given with whey in many parts of Chhattisgarh for the same purpose. The decoction of bark is also prepared. The patients are advised to wash the piles with this decoction. It stops the bleeding immediately. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are aware of use of wasteland herb Chirchita (Achyranthes aspera) in treatment of Piles. The seeds of Achyranthes is given internally with rice water. The use of medicinal rice varieties are prescribed in this combination but in case of non-availability, the healers use indigenous rice varieties. The traditional healers of Bastar region use Ajwain seeds (Carum copticum) externally in treatment of Piles in unique way. The Fudhar and Imli branches are collected and dried. After drying, it is burnt. Ajwain seeds are added in burning branches. The patients having the problem are advised to expose the affected part in fumes. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. According to the healers, Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) and Imli (Tamarind) branches play an important role and no other herbs should be used in place of these herbs. Besides above mentioned traditional uses, the healers instruct the patients to avoid spicy food and avoid mental tension. According to them regular life helps the patients to get cure in less time. Now after documenting the healer's knowledge, I am engaged in collection of information related to home remedies used in treatment of Piles in Chhattisgarh.

Thank you very much for reading the article.