Herbal dishes of Chhattisgarh, India VI. Paushtic Laddu

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

I have noted the use of Paushtic Laddu during my ethnobotanical surveys in Chhattisgarh plains. Very few natives and almost all traditional healers are aware of its use. The natives consider and use it as sex tonic but the traditional healers recommend it to the natives as health tonic and to develop natural resistance within them to fight against the common diseases. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, this preparation is used specially for newly married couples.

Material Required : Asgandh (Withania somnifera) root powder, Patal Kumhda tuber (Pueraria tuberosa) powder, Safed (Chlorophytum tuberosum), and Kali (Curculigo orchoides) Musli tuber powder, Sonth (Dried Ginger), Babool (Acacia nilotica) seeds, Kevatch (Mucuna pruriens) seeds, Imli (Tamarind) seeds, water 250 ml. And cow milk (50 ml.) , Bala (Sida acuta), Isabgol husk. Method of Preparation 50 gms each of Asgandh, Patalkumhda, Safed and Kali Musli and Sonth are taken and mixed with equal quantity of Imli, Babool and Kevatch seeds. This solution is allowed to boil in low flame. When the solution becomes thicker, boiling is stopped. This solution is dried in sunlight and after complete drying, with the help of Bala (Sida acuta) seeds and Isabgol Bhusi (Plantago husk), the mixture is converted into Laddus. These Laddus are tasty. The patients are advised to take one Laddu twice a day upto a month in any part of the year particularly in winter season. The traditional healers and natives add or delete one or more ingredients according to their ease. Most of the ingredients are commonly available herbs in natural forests of Chhattisgarh. According to the healers, Bala and Isabgol play more important role as compared to its role as binder. The natives prefer to collect Laddus from the healers because for them it is very difficult to get genuine herbs for to preparation of Laddus. I would like to mention here that in general , the healers and natives use their own ways to measure the quantities of herbs to be used. Mostly they use the terms 'Pinch of' or 'A fistful of ' but for the ease of readers, I have tried it to convert it in grams and millilitres.

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