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

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

In Chhattisgarh, I have found very few female traditional healers. This is the reason the female patients have no choice except to take medication from the male traditional healers. Possibly due to this reason, the use of common home remedies are very popular in treatment of gynecological troubles. In simple cases, the female patients prefer home remedies and consult the senior family members regarding its use. But in case of complications, they visit to male traditional healers. In general, the male traditional healers ask very few important questions and recommend herbs and herbal formulations.

The female traditional healers I have met during the surveys are not specialized in treatment of gynecological troubles. As an observer, it is odd observation for me but I have noted that the female patients feel comfortable in describing the troubles in front of male traditional healers. Possibly, the simplicity of the healers is one of the responsible factors for hesitation free discussion. As bachelor, it is really difficult for me to collect the information on this aspect, but I have tried sincerely for this work. In present article, I am giving details of some promising herbs and herbal formulations used by these traditional healers of Chhattisgarh in treatment of Metrorrhagia.

The traditional healers of Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck) rich areas of Chhattisgarh use the Sirsa bark in treatment. The juice of fresh bark is extracted and equal quantity of cow ghee is added. This combination is given twice a day till complete cure. Like the bark of Sirsa, the use of Semal (Bombax ceiba) bark is also in use. The healers recommend the use of powdered bark with cow milk. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use the inner bark of Aam (Magnifera indica) for same purpose. Instead of fresh bark, the decoction is prepared by boiling the bark in water and it is given internally. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. According to the traditional healers, in most of the cases the patients get relief within a week. The healers of this region, also prepare a decoction of Chirai Jam (Syzygium cumini) bark in same manner but after preparation of decoction, cow ghee, Shahad (Honey) and sugar are added in it. In simple cases, the healers use the decoction of Aam bark whereas in complicated cases, the decoction of Jamun bark is used. The traditional healers of Durg region, use the young leaves of Kaitha (Feronia elephantum) and Bans (Bambusa sp.) In treatment. The healers suggest the patients to cut the leaves into small pieces and after mixing, eat it with Shahad (Honey). This herbal mixture is recommended once in a day till complete cure.

Both Kaitha and Bans are common medicinal trees in Chhattisgarh. The healers of Bagbahera region use the bark of Champa (Michelia champaca) in treatment. In normal cases, freshly extracted juice is given internally whereas in complicated cases, the decoction of bark is used. Champa is common ornamental tree in Chhattisgarh. It is also used as medicinal herb. As supplement to regular treatment, the natives of Kanker region, recommend the use of Kela (Banana) leaves with cow milk. By boiling the leaves in milk and adding sugar, they prepare sweet dish. This sweet dish is given as supplement. According to the natives in many cases the patients get relief by this sweet dish. The use of Lasa of Pipal (Ficus religiosa) is also popular in this region. The Lasa is boiled in whey and patients are advised to drink the whey with Lasa. This combination is also given as supplement to main treatment. As home remedy, during problem, the natives suggest the patients to take Haldi powder (Turmeric) with sugar. A teaspoonful Haldi is a normal recommended dose. The traditional healers of Bastar region use, the leaves and flowers of Kachnar in treatment. They prepare a special curry with the help of Kachnar leaves and curd. This curry is given once in a day till complete cure. According to the traditional healers it is also useful in treatment of Leucorrhoea. The healers use the flowers of Kachnar with sugar. The use of leaves is preferred. The scientific name of Kachnar is Bauhinia variegata. It is a small or medium-sized tree with pink to purple, fragrant flowers. The traditional healers of Gandai region are aware of use of Dhawai flowers in treatment. The decoction of flower is prepared by boiling it in water. Dhawai (Wood fordia fruticosa) is a valuable medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh. It is one of the important non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh having high national and international demand. The traditional healers of Pendra region recommend the decoction of Doomar bark (Ficus glomerata) in treatment. According to them, it is one of the promising remedies used this purpose.

The natives of rice growing areas of Chhattisgarh Plains are aware of medicinal uses of common wasteland weed Bariyari (Sida acuta) in treatment. The roots of Bariyari are given with Shahad (Honey) and milk, internally as treatment. This is known as 'Poor man's (woman's, more correctly) formulation'. The traditional healers of this region are also aware of its use. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the use of Babool bark in form of decoction is also in use. Many of the above mentioned uses have yet not been reported in reference literatures. I am proud to write that this article is the first written document on traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Metrorrhagia in Chhattisgarh, India. Very soon I will write more on this important aspect.

Thank you very much for reading the article.