Traditional medicinal knowledge about medicated wooden bowls prepared from Jhau in Chhattisgarh, India

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

In my previous articles, I have written a lot on different medicated herbal glasses used by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh in treatment of Heart troubles, Piles, Asthma, Constipation, Diabetes etc. Through recent ethnobotanical surveys I got new information on use of Jhau bowls in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of the state, prepare small wooden bowl from Jhau wood and use it in treatment of Spleen (Tilli) related troubles. The patients are advised to keep the water in bowl overnight and next morning drink the water having leachate empty stomach. It is considered as one of the promising treatments useful in Spleen enlargement. From their experiments, the traditional healers select the potential Jhau trees for the preparation of bowls. I got the opportunities to visit the forests with the healers in search of these potential trees. I have noted that the healers prefer old trees and also give emphasis on uninjured trees. According to them, the herbs present in surroundings play an important role in making the common Jhau tree, a potential Jhau tree. The healers perform special worship before cutting the trees. In general, on first day they select the potential trees and by giving invitation and information they come back. Next morning before sunrise they again visit to same places, try to cut down the trees as soon as possible. Many healers collect the wood in Amavas, the darkest night of the month. They have explanation for this. According to them, during the process of cutting, our shade should not come on any part of tree. In general days, it is not possible to avoid this and during morning time, many wild animals return to their homes, the healers prefer the night of Amavas. After collection of wood, it is washed using well water and dipped in herbal solution upto three hours. The healers do not want to disclose the ingredients of herbal solution but they informed me that this dipping process is to eliminate the harmful natural chemicals of Jhau, not for increasing its medicinal properties. After completion of this period, the healers prepare small bowls. The healers are confident about its utility. I have interacted many patients that have got relief by this bowl. Its popularity in different parts of Chhattisgarh among the healers also clearly indicates its efficacy. The bowl prepared once is used only upto 15 days. After 15 days, the healers suggest the use of new bowls but in most of the cases, the patients get relief in this duration. This medicated bowl is not available in market. Also I have yet not found about its description in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. I am filing proud to write on this aspect and also to document this important traditional knowledge. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh also use different parts of Jhau specially the leaves in treatment of Spleen related troubles. Both fresh and dried leaves are used for this purpose. Dried leaves are given internally with sugar whereas the juice of fresh leaves is given in combination with other herbs. The healers use the leaves, with regular use of Jhau bowls to decrease the duration of treatment. The scientific name of Jhau is Tamarix dioica. It is a small tree commonly occurs in rive bed. I am giving the details regarding its botany, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically, it is small tree with branches having drooping tips; Leaves scale-like, obliquely-branched, apex acute, base amplexicaul; Flowers dioecious, numerous pink, in drooping panicles spikes, bracts triangular; Petals linear-oblong; Capsule 3-valved, not longer than the corolla. Flowering and fruiting time from July to November in Chhattisgarh conditions. Many other species of Tamarix are found in Chhattisgarh. In general all are known as Jhau but the healers using the Jhau tree for bowls is T. dioica. Its twigs are used for making baskets and also it is a source of tannin. In reference literatures, it is mentioned that the shade of this tree is harmful to human health. When I informed the healers, they showed ignorance.
Like the initiatives taken by the young researchers of Mumbai in Bael herbal glasses, I would like to request the researchers to come forward to study the effects of Jhau bowls so that it can be used for the benefit of the world community.

Thank you very much for reading the article.