Some less known traditional medicinal uses of common herbs used in treatment of Bavasir (Piles) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The traditional healers of Mahasamund region use the Hulhul herb very frequently in treatment of Piles both internally and externally. Similarly, I have observed the frequent use of Hulhul in Southern Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Mahasamund region suggest the patients having the problem of Piles to use the leaves of Hulhul as pot herb and prepare a special curries using fresh curd (Dahi). I have tasted the curry. Although it is not much tasty but as medicine it can be taken. The addition of curd makes it slightly tasty and also more promising. For the preparation of curry, the new leaves are used. The old leaves or leaves collected after flowering are rejected. The patients are advised to use it atleast once in a day till the availability of new leaves. More than three times a day can cause harmful effects - the healers add. During its consumption, the patients are instructed to avoid the use of milk. According to the traditional healers this curry is a boon for the patients specially those having the problem of bleeding piles. The older leaves of Hulhul are used for external application. By boiling, the older leaves in water, a decoction is prepared and anus is washed by this decoction. It stops the bleeding immediately. Later in the season when seed formation starts, the seeds are collected and used internally, in treatment of piles. One part of seeds and two parts of sugar is given once in a day. In this way, the traditional healers of this region use the Hulhul at different stages of its growth wisely in treatment. They simply say that its use in this way i.e. upto one life cycle, cures the patients forever. The scientific name of Hulhul is Cleome viscosa. In my previous articles, I have mentioned that how the healers of different parts of Chhattisgarh use it in different ways. I also suggest you to consult the previous articles for its botany, and reported medicinal uses in detail. In general, Hulhul is considered as waste plant. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh frequently use different plant parts of common herb Kareel in treatment of Piles. The healers of Southern Chhattisgarh use its roots inform of decoction. The roots spreading in north direction are collected and before use, dried in shade. After drying it is converted into powder. The healers prepare a decoction by boiling it in water. About 200ml. Of decoction is given once in a day preferably in morning time as treatment. In general, the healers give the powdered roots to the patients and patients prepare the decoction by adopting standard method. As you know, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh strictly avoid the use of old and stored decoction. According to the healers, the use of Kareel decoction helps the patients in many ways. Its use upto a week stops the bleeding whereas its use upto a month, cures the trouble upto great extent. In case of complications, the healers suggest the patients to take it twice a day instead of one dose. In such conditions, they give more herbs or add the herbs in decoction to nullify its associated effects. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use the bark of Kareel in place of roots and they use it in herbal combinations having many other herbs. As the name of Kareel is coming for the first time in my articles, I am giving the details regarding its botany, I have noted from reference literatures Botanically, Kareel (Capparis decidua) is nearly leafless glabrous shrub or small tree; bark corky, grayish-white, longitudinally furrowed, thorns in pairs, straight; Leaves only on young shoots, glabrous, linear-oblong with spinescent apex, caduceus, buds pubescent; Flowers red or scarlet, about two cm across, in short corymbs on short lateral shoots; Fruits globose, smooth and red in colour when ripe. Flowering time March-April whereas fruiting time May-July in Chhattisgarh conditions. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region use the roots of medicinal tree Ankol both internally as well as externally. Internally they mix the dried root powder with Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum) and give it to the patients. The patients are advised to take few pinches of combination twice a day. Externally the dried roots are burnt and patients are advised to expose the anus in fumes. According to the traditional healers, both uses at a time cure the patients effectively. The scientific name of Ankol is Alangium salvifolium. The traditional healers of Kondagaon region use Nirmali (Strychnos potatorum) seeds for this purpose. Nirmali is burnt and ash is collected. The patients are advised to apply the ash externally on anus and swallow, the small globules, prepared by mixing ash in water. I have yet not observed this use in other parts of Chhattisgarh. The healers of this region also use the seeds of Imli (Tamarind) for this purpose. The seeds are converted into ash and used both internally and externally in same manner. In case of chronic problem, the healers suggest to use the ash with Dahi (curd) internally. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh suggest the common natives having the problem of Piles or having the possibilities of Piles in future to consume the raw corms of Jimikand daily morning empty stomach. The corms are cut into small pieces and ten pieces at a time are given as treatment. The scientific name of Jimikand is Amorphophallus campanulatus. The above mentioned traditional medicinal uses are less known and limited to specific healers. I am thankful to the healers for showing faith on me and also on on-going project on documentation of traditional knowledge about herbs.

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