Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs and herbal combinations used as Eye tonic in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the common weed Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus) as eye-tonic very commonly. This herb occurs as weed in winter season agricultural crops in Chhattisgarh. The healers of different parts use it in different ways. I am giving the details of most commonly used method. The healers take Gorakhmundi flower heads and sugar in 1:3 ratio. At first the flower heads are dipped in 1.5 litres of water over night. Next morning the solution is boiled and when one third (of initial quantity) of solution remains, boiling is stopped. The sugar is added in this decoction and given to the patients empty stomach. According to the traditional healers, this simple use improves the eye sight to great extent and also keep the eyes trouble free. As this herb occurs only in winter, the healers never miss the chance to utilize it. Its off-season use is generally not preferred. Masooor (Lens esculenta) is a popular pulse crop in Chhattisgarh. You will be surprised to know that the traditional healers instruct the patients having eye troubles to avoid the consumption of Masor in any form. According to them, it reduces the eye sight. Soyabean is not native to Chhattisgarh. Now its area is increasing in Chhattisgarh. It is under cultivation as oil seed crop. The traditional healers are not in favour of using Soyabean in any form. They consider it harmful to eyes. Soyabean is one of the major crops in many countries of the world. Through this article, I would like to attract the attention of the Soyabean researchers towards the experiences and recommendations of the traditional healers. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, suggest the patients to mix the Piaz (Onion) bulb juice with equal quantity of Shahad (Honey) and apply the few drops in eyes daily. According to them, this regular use, keeps the eyes free from diseases and also acts as eye tonic. The healers instruct the patients to use only pure honey for this purpose as adulteration may cause harmful effects. The traditional healer of Mudpar village, prepare a special herbal combination to use it as Kajal or Surma. He takes fifteen Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum), 50 Pippali fruits (Piper longum), so Chameli flower buds (Jasminum grandiflorum), and 80 flowers of Til (Sesamum indicum). All herbs parts are mixed and Kajal is prepared. He suggest the patients to apply the Kajal daily inside the eyes to make the eye sight good. According to him, it is a boon for the patients having the problem of poor eye sight. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region use the Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck) juice in unique way. They dip a piece of cloth for specific period in Sirsa juice and after drying the cloth in shade, it is burnt in Chameli oil. The Kajal is prepared and applied inside the eyes for the same purpose. The traditional healers of Bastar region informed me that the use of Nirmali (Strychnos potatorum) is good for eyes. They suggest the patients to rub the Nirmali in stone, with the help of water and prepare an aqueous paste. This paste is applied inside the eyes. The traditional healers sof Bilaspur region recommend the use of Arhar leaf juice as eye tonic. Arhar (Cajanus cajan) is a popular pulse crop in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Charama region prepare a herbal combination using Harra fruit stone (Terminalia chebula). The fruit stones are converted into powder and after adding five Pippali fruits and five Kali mirch, prepared the combination. Ten fruit stones are used in this combination. All these ingredients are mixed in Aonla fruit juice (Phyllanthus emblica) and when the colour of solution changes into black, small globules are prepared. In case of use, the globules are mixed with water and applied into the eyes as eye tonic. This combination is very popular among the healers of this region.
Many of the above mentioned traditional uses have yet not been reported. I am proud to write that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are not only aware of these uses but also they are using it in their regular practice.

Thank you very much for reading the article.