Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used as home remedies in treatment of Renal Calculi in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The natives of Chhattisgarh use many home remedies in treatment of Renal calculi. The use of Fudhar flowers is common in almost every part of Chhattisgarh. The natives collect the ten flowers of Fudhar and after drying, convert it into powder. This powder is taken with a glass of lukewarm cow milk daily morning upto forty days. According to them, this simple treatment flushes out the stones effectively. The flowers of white flowered species are preferred. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this use but they add Gud (Jaggery) in this use in order to reduce the harmful effects of overdoses of Fudhar flowers. According to them, in most of the cases, the use of different parts of Fudhar is safe but many times it produces harmful effects. To nullify this possible effect Gud is added in the combination.

I would like to mention here that in case of Fudhar poisoning , the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Parsa (Butea monosperma) leaves. The leaves are boiled in water and decoction is given internally for immediate relief. Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) is a common wasteland herb in Chhattisgarh. In my previous articles, I have written a lot on its unique traditional uses in Chhattisgarh. You will be surprised to know that the use of flowers in treatment of Renal Calculi, also helps the patients having the problem of Asthma. During treatment with Modern therapies we generally observed that many drugs sometimes can not cure the trouble but in Chhattisgarh, same herbal formulation is used by adopting same method in treatment of many related and unrelated troubles. Like Fudhar, Bathua is also common herb in Chhattisgarh. It grows naturally with winter season agricultural crops. The weed experts consider it unwanted plant but for the traditional healers and natives of Chhattisgarh it is a valuable medicinal herb. The natives of urban areas , far from crop fields and aware of its unique medicinal properties and uses, grow this so called weed in home gardens. It is common belief among natives that use of Bathua herb as pot herb prevents the formation of stones in Kidney. The natives also use it as home remedy for treatment of Renal Calculi. The fresh leaf juice is used for this purpose. The natives of many parts of Chhattisgarh use the juice of boiled leaves for the same purpose. The natives are satisfied with its effects. I got opportunities to interact many patients got relief from this use.

The scientific name of Bathua is Chenopodium album. For its botany, reported and other traditional uses, I suggest you to read my previous articles. The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains use the juice of Radish (Mooli) as preventive during cropping season. According to them, its use helps in flushing out the existing stones also. As supplement to main treatment, the natives suggest the patients to take Nimbu (Lemon) juice with rock salt. During my visits to Sarguja region, the Annanas (Pineapple) growers of this region informed me that its juice is beneficial for the patients of Renal Calculi. I have yet not seen its practical use. The natives of Southern Chhattisgarh use the roots of Papita (Papaya) in unique way. The roots are collected and dried in shade. The dried roots are cut into small pieces. Two teaspoonful of root pieces are dipped in half glass of water over night. Next morning the patients having the problem are advised to drink the leachate empty stomach. This simple treatment is considered as one of the promising treatments. The natives informed me that in most of the cases, the stones come out within a week. Papita is under cultivation as fruit crop in Chhattisgarh. The natives of this region suggest the patients to increase the uptake of Dahi (Curd) during this treatment. Unfortunately, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are not aware of the use of Papita roots for this purpose. When I informed them, they thanked me after getting promising effects. As Papita is present as fruit plant in different parts of the world, I am expecting that the natives of these parts will get the relief from the traditional knowledge of our healers.

Thank you very much for reading the article.