Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs and herbal formulations used in treatment of Syphilis in Chhattisgarh, India : The results of recent ethnobotanical surveys

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

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh specialized in treatment of Syphilis showed worry during my recent ethnobotanical surveys, on increasing number of patients having the problem of Syphilis. According to them for any society it is not good sign and the most worst observation is that the young generations are becoming patients. In previous articles, I have mentioned many herbal formulations that are in use as promising remedies in Chhattisgarh. Through these recent surveys, I have collected more information. I am giving the details in present article. The traditional healers of Doomar (Ficus glomerata) tree rich areas of Chhattisgarh, us its bark internally in treatment of Syphilis. The decoction of fresh bark is prepared by boiling it in water. The healers consider it effective in treatment of all syphilis related troubles. For taste, they add sugar in this decoction. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains use the roots of Kaner (Thevetia nerifolia) externally for this purpose. The fresh roots are mixed with water and an aqueous paste is prepared. This aqueous paste is applied in painful parts. In case of complications, the healers add the bark of Doomar with the root of Kaner. Both herbal parts are mixed in equal proportion. The healers consider it as one of the promising pain killers in this trouble. The use of Aam (Mangifera indica) bark is also common in this region. The Aam bark is used both internally and externally. Internally, the fresh juice is given with lukewarm cow milk. Externally it is added in herbal mixture and used as aqueous paste for application.

The traditional healers of Bastar region use the bark of Pipal (Ficus religiosa) externally. The bark is collected and dried. The dried bark is burnt and ash is collected. The ash is applied externally on Chancre. It is consider as one of the effective treatments by the traditional healers of this region. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region use Anar (Punica granatum) bark externally in treatment of Chancre. The powdered bark is applied externally on Chancre. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh, use the Triphala powder (a herbal mixture prepared by mixing fruit powder of Harra (Terminalia chebula), Bahera(Terminalia bellirica) and Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica) in different proportions externally. The powder is burnt using iron vessel and ash mixed with Shahad (Honey) is applied on Chancre.Triphala is used as supplement to main treatment. Different parts of medicinal tree Semal (Bombax ceiba) are used in treatment of Syphilis. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh collect the roots of Semal, known as Semal Musli in trade, and after drying, convert it into powder. They also collect the bark and boil it with cow milk. After boiling, root powder is added in the milk and given internally to the patients. This use is continued upto 30 days. The healers consider it beneficial in treating the complications of Syphilis. For treatment of ulcers common in tongue, due to Syphilis, the healers of Chhattisgarh suggest the patients to Chew and Swallow, Doomar leaves with sugar. They also suggest to gargle with the leaf decoction.

The traditional healers of Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck) tree rich areas of Chhattisgarh use its bark alone or in combination with other herbs in treatment of Syphilis.' It is not wrong to say that the barks of different medicinal trees are used most commonly by the traditional healers. Many researchers have mentioned in their research papers that as the barks are collected, the healers are posing threat on natural population of medicinal trees. I consider it shallow observation. The healers have more worry about the natural population because they are aware if they destroy the trees, it will be very difficult to treat the patients. The greedy traders can be blamed for this non-scientific harvesting but traders do not harvest the herbs. The herb collectors perform the job for them. And I have found the herb collectors of Chhattisgarh very sensible and honest in this regard. I personally feel that there is a need to learn and understand the in depth traditional knowledge these people are having, before blaming them for any destruction.

Thank you very much for reading the article.