Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Gynaecological troubles : Interaction with the traditional healer of Mudpar Village, Chhattisgarh, India

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

Through regular visits and interaction with the well known traditional healer of Tilda region Shri Hanumat Prasad Verma, I have collected many valuable information on traditional uses of herbs used in treatment of Gynaecological troubles. As I have mentioned in previous articles that like other traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, Shri Verma also not charge any fees or the expenses of herbs. He is practicing traditional knowledge with his eleven students. He visit to nearby forests with his team in search of medicinal herbs. To avoid the chances of abortions, he frequently uses the herb Bhengra (Eclipta alba). The juice of whole herb is given internally with cow milk. The juice and milk are mixed in equal quantity. Bhengra is a common weed in rice fields. In general, he uses freshly collected herb. Bhengra collected before flowering is considered best. The collection of Bhengra from rice fields having synthetic chemical inputs is avoided. According to him, this combination is used for normal patients also to avoid the possible risk of abortion. He simply discloses the combination to interested patients but the patients, take this combination under supervision of healer only. They have deep faith on healer. In treatment of Puerperal fever, he recommend the use of Karanj leaves. The seeds are also used. The dry leaves and seeds are roasted with the help of cow ghee and in powder form given internally to the patients. The treatment is continued till complete cure. The scientific name of Karanj is Pongamia pinnata. It is a common medicinal tree in Chhattisgarh. He informed that in treatment of Breast cancer, the roots of Indrayan are very promising . The roots are used externally. The roots are applied in form of paste on affected parts. According to him, it is one of the promising treatments. Indrayan is a common medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh. Its scientific name is Citurllus colocynthis. He collects this herb from the forests near to Sirpur region. He further informed me that in forests the availability of Indrayan herb is decreasing at alarming rates and there is a need to stop its over exploitation. I have mentioned in previous articles that Indrayan is a major non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh having good national and international demands. He uses the barks of old Ashok tree in treatment of gynaecological troubles. In case of excessive bleeding, he suggest the patients to take Ashok bark with cow milk. The treatment is continued till complete cure. He also suggest the patients to boil the barks in water and prepare a decoction. The patients are advised to wash the genitals with this decoction. According to him, both internal and external use of Ashok bark at a time, root out the problem in very less time. The scientific name of Ashok is Saraca indica. Ashok tree is an integral part of common home gardens in Chhattisgarh. The use of Ashok bark in treatment of gynaecological troubles have been well described in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. I am proud to write that the traditional healers of Mudpar village is still practising it in his regular practice. He suggests the female patients to prepare a special herbal tea by using the dry leaves of Pundina (Mentha virdis) and take it atleast once in day. According to him, this special tea acts as preventive to all female troubles. Its use regularizes the menses. Also it is a good health tonic. He is not in favour of using other species of Mentha for this purpose. The natives and healers plant this species in home garden for different uses.

This is really surprising to observe the single herb therapy of Shri Hanumat Prasad Verma. According to him, in most of the cases the correct selection of single herb can root out the problem, but in complicated cases, he uses herbal combination. I am thankful to Shri Verma, as he has permitted me to document this valuable traditional medicinal knowledge for the world community and also for future generations. Thank you very much for reading the article.