Traditional Medicinal knowledge about excreta of different animals used to treat many common diseases in Chhattisgarh, India

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

I got very first information on use of excreta of different animals used to treat many common diseases, when I was on training as a student of B.Sc. (Agriculture) at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Ajirma (Distt. Sarguja). We have selected five farmers from different income groups to introduce them the new farming technologies developed by our university. Mr. Raghunath was one of my farmers. He was very old farmer ( I am not sure whether he is alive or not because that was the year 1994). He was having good knowledge about common herbs. He was known as reputed traditional healer in that region. One day when I visited him for bench mark survey, I was having a small boil on my hand. The Homoeopathic drug Hepar sulph. was not showing good effect on this boil. Mr. Raghunath suggested the use of Bariyara (Sida acuta) leaves with the excreta of mouse in paste form for timely suppression of this boil. Bariyara is a common roadside weed so its collection was not a problem but from where I can get this Musua lendi (Musua - Rat; Lendi - Excreta). To solve my problem he showed me a bag full of rat excreta and gave me some fresh parts of rate excreta. I surprised to see his collection. When after the use of his combination my boil disappeared within 24 hours, I became curious to go in depth about his knowledge. But he refused to tell the facts. I was on training up to 6 months. After 3-4 months, when I became just like his family member, slowly - slowly he started to disclose the facts. You will be surprised to know that I have seen the excreta of wild bear, boar, sparrow, pigeon, peacock, crow , housefly and many other common animals, in his collection. Since that time my un-official survey to document the traditional medicinal knowledge about excreta of different animals have started and is still in progress and I am getting more and more information. I have searched many reference literatures, talked to traditional healers, and discussed with the scientists but they are not much aware of this knowledge. For common people particularly the patients, it is undigestable that the traditional healer is using excreta for his treatment. The same is the case of medicinal insects, mites and spiders. This is the reason, most of the traditional aspect. The traditional healers even never disclose it to their own family member. The daughter of Mr. Raghunath was not happy with her father’s ‘dirty’ work. Fortunately, there are over 1000 traditional healers in Chhattisgarh well aware of these uses. Surprisingly this knowledge is also present within the local people and more or less it is in practice (although not openly). In present article, I am trying to disclose some of the common uses of excreta of rat, goat, pigeon, houseflies, bison etc. I am not disclosing the traditional medicinal knowledge about cow dung in Chhattisgarh. I will write a separate article on this important aspect.

Rat is considered as one of the greatest enemies of farmers. The major part of our grain production is destroyed by this creature every year. The rat community of Chhattisgarh is becoming clever day by day as the farmer’s are developing new technologies to control rat population. Rat community is damaging the grains in storage as well as damaging the standing crop. As you know in rice farming it is necessary to maintain the water level in field. The rats have learnt the swimming and to confuse the rice farmers, they damage the plants in the mid of field. In order to reach the midfield, they use their swimming tactics. They do not disturb the plants nearer to bunds from where the farmers prefer to take field observation. This year Chhattisgarh is facing one of the greatest drought. The news from Pendra have shocked us. According to the forest officers, this year most of the Bamboo plants have started flowering. These flowers and seeds are favourite food for rats and increase in population will be the great problem for the farmers. During my surveys I have observed unique uses of rat against snake bite. I will describe this amazing use in separate article. I think that use of these enemies and dissemination of the knowledge about these uses can help the local community to get rid from these creatures. The use of rate excreta as medicine cannot manage the rat population. When I told my traditional healer friend using excreta therapy about the news from Pendra, he said that this year there will be not much problem to get the tons of rate excreta. In Chhattisgarh, rat excreta is used both internally and externally for the treatment of many common diseases. Also, it is used alone and in combination with common herbs. I am describing some important uses, the traditional healers of Bagbahera are practicing. In case of mad dog bite, the traditional healers give patients the mixture containing Bhavri insect and rate excreta with Gud (Juggery). In case of Bee bite, the traditional healers advise the patient to rub the dried powder (please note, the dried powder not the fresh excreta; according to them the fresh excreta can cause reverse effect; why ? they informed that they have experienced it many times), externally on the affected part. According to the patients getting relief from this treatment, just after application it starts action to alleviate the intolerable pain. In order to stop or prevent the unwanted hair growth, the traditional healer of Bhimkhoj recommend his patients to rub the fresh excreta with common herb Bawchi leaves (Psoralea corylifolia) on the affected part up to one week. As birth control measure, the traditional healers advise the women to put the rat excreta mixed with honey and the fresh leaf juice of Mucuna leaves inside the vagina. When I consulted the reference literatures regarding this finding, I found the use of pure honey in same manner and for same purpose. But the traditional healers informed that alone honey is not hundred percent safe and the use of this combination one can proceed with full confidence. The leaves of black seeded variety of Mucuna are used in this combination. According to the traditional healers both fresh and dried excreta are equally effective. Any alternative to rat excreta, the traditional healers said that they have no information. In case of bleeding pile, the rat excreta (dried) is recommended with the fresh juice of Kukronda (Blumea lacera) leaves externally. The patients are advised to put this mixture inside the anus for quick and permanent relief. I have suggested this use to my family friends and got positive and encouraging results. In order to remove the gas from stomach, the traditional healers advise the patients to apply the aqueous paste of Saunf, Asafoetida and rat excreta externally. You will be surprised to know that the rate excreta is capable to increase your sexual desire and efficacy. To use the excreta for this important work, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh suggest different methods. The dried excreta (not sun dried; dried in shady places) is mixed with any one of these liquids and applied on male genital just before intercourse. The liquids are water, milk (buffalo’s milk) Mahua liquor, honey etc. Every traditional healer claim that the liquid suggested by him is the best. I feel the scientific evaluation is essential to find the best liquid and if you are planning to conduct this experiment I have little suggestion that in different combination to be used for the proposed experiment. please also include the mixture of all liquids (in equal proportion) with rat excreta. I want to mention the explanation given by the traditional healer of Jagdalpur. According to him, the selection of liquid depend upon the Tasir (or nature) of patient. The patient having poor vital force is advised to use milk or honey and similarly the patients having good health are advised to use water.

During my surveys at Gandai and Salewara forest region, I have collected many important information on traditional medicinal knowledge about bison excreta. The traditional healers of these regions are well aware of the medicinal properties of Bison excreta but unfortunately they are not using it very frequently. The collection of Bison excreta from dense forests is a big problem and according to them Bison is not a friendly animal. During my forest surveys, I have faced this naughty creature many times, the only option is to climb on nearby tree without saying anything or challenging this animal. The forest guards facing this problem frequently told me that if any activity of yours, attract the attention of Bison, they will try to kill you by their horns and if you use the nearby tree for protection, they will try to uproot the tree with other bisons or stay whole night under the tree, waiting you. The daily intake of Bison excreta with honey in small dose is considered as beneficial to give strength to lungs and it is very useful in Chronic asthma. According to the traditional healers, the Tasir (i.e. nature) of Bison excreta is very hot ( like their nature?) and patients are advised to take this useful remedy under strict supervision of the traditional healers. The traditional healers have informed about the reaction of patients body in response to this mixture. The behaviour and mental status of patients are enough to explain its effect on them. For gastric troubles, again its excreta with milk is recommended. This mixture is given internally. According to traditional healers half teaspoonful of excreta is recommended with a glass of hot milk before sleep till relief. In case of internal injury with severe pain the Bison excreta is given to patient with water. In case of snake bite, like rat excreta, Bison excreta is used. It is common practice is forest areas of Chhattisgarh, to burn the dried excreta in order to repell away harmful insects and also snakes. According to the natives, the fumes are not harmful to human beings. It is used like cow dung in this case. The natives also told me that during rainy season, the heap of fresh Bison excreta have enough capacity to repell away these snakes and natives create a barrier by pasting the excreta in front of their homes to stop unwanted entries of venomous creatures, common in rainy days.

Although goat farming is not very common in Chhattisgarh but in isolated patches you get sufficient population of domestic goats. In Chhattisgarh, the traditional healers and natives have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about uses of goat excreta as medicine. During my ethnomedico surveys at Bastar region and also in Chhattisgarh plains, I have collected a detailed information on these important uses. Some uses are described below. The traditional healer of Jagdalpur use the excreta of goat in treatment of small boils on head due to extra body heat. He recommend the use of freshly collected excreta. External application of the excreta on boils directly helps in suppression and quick healing. For the treatment of shoulder pain due to over exertion, the traditional healers recommend the goat excreta in combination of other herbs. Total 25 species of herbs are used but the major part of mixture is the excreta. This herbal combination is mixed in castor oil (wild castor plants are common in these areas) and applied in affected part. I have noted that the natives are also well aware of this herbal combination. The drum players always put this combination with them. The goat excreta is also used alone in case of excessive bleeding during mense cycle. The excreta (dried) is put in the cloth bag and the patients are advised to keep this bag inside vagina in order to get quick relief. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, natives use the goat excreta for the treatment of earache. For earache the excreta (dried) is mixed with neem leaves juice and few drops are applied inside the ear. According to them it is very effective against cold borneearache. During my visit to Jabalpur city (Madhya Pradesh State) on invitation of Gandharva Ayurved Research Institute to delivera lecture on herbal farming, I got an oppurtunity to meet some local traditional healers. One of them informed me about the unique medicinal properties of excreta of donkey. According to him, the dried excreta is put on fire and ash is collected. This ash is a good hair tonic and it has a capacity to grow new hairs on bald head. This was really surprising information. Last year when I visited the Manawar region of Madhya Pradesh, another traditional healer confirmed this use. As the donkeys are not common in Chhattisgarh, I have yet not tested its efficacy. Like the rat excreta, the use of the excreta of donkey to increase the sexual desire and efficacy was also mentioned by him. Few years back, I got an oppurtunity to visit Mount Abu (Rajasthan State) to deliver a lecture on invitation of Prajapita Bramha Kumari association. During my journey in general compartment of passenger train from Ahmedabad to Abu road without reservation, my co-passenger was famour traditional healer of Mehsana. During journey in packed bogie we shared valuable information on herbs. After some time, all passengers started taking interest in our discussion. In every small station, the passengers collect the herbs from railyway track and ask us its use. That was really a great journey. The traditional healer of Mehsana informed me about many common xerophytic herbs and its medicinal properties. He has also informed me about many medicinal uses of excreta of camel. According to him the exoreta of camel with haldi (Curcuma longa) and ginger (Zingiber officinalis) is a best remedy for hydrocel. It is applied externlly in affected areas (i.e. scrotum). As the patients suffering from this awkward looking disease are increasing, according to him, the consumption of this combination from his dispensary is also increasing. He also informed me about its use in cases of ear troubles.

From my childhood, I am great lover of Kabutar (i.e. Pigeon). My grandfather was having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about medicinal uses of this bird. In Unani system of medicine it is considered as one of the most useful medicine in many lethal diseases. I am proud to write that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of medicinal properties of Kabutar, and also its excreta. One of the popular use is related to face care. According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, aqueous paste of excreta of Kabutar is best to make the skin free from spots and to improve the fairness. You will be surprised to know that the natives are also aware of this effective treatment.. I know many beauty parlours in capital city Raipur using the excreta of Kabutar in combination with other herbs like Aloe vera, in face packs. In order to hide its pungent and sharp smell, it is mixed with Multani mitti (Fuller’s clay) and rose water (Gulabal). According to these beauticians the excreta is really very effective and they have yet not found any promising alternative to this excreta. For the treatment of carbuncle, the traditional healers recommend the patients to swallow the small dose of excreta with gud (jaggery). Coud is used as carrier and also to hide its identity from patients. This is woman belief in Chhattigarh that putting the dried excreta inside the vagina of childless common is very effective to make her pregnant. Many traditional healers have confirmed it but according to them the excreta of Baj (a bird) is more effective as compared to the excreta of pigeon. Eneuresis (bed wetting) is a common problem among small children. According to the traditional healer of Gandai, the excreta of Pigeon is very effective in this case. He recommend his patient of swallow fresh excreta with gud (Jaggery) utpto one week, in order to root out this problem forever. According to the traditionalhealer of Gunderdehi, the use of excreta with sugar is very effective in order to drain away the kidney stones. Although he very rarely recommend it to his patients but he has used it successfully many times. He informed me that this problem is not a serious problem and can be treated with the help of common herbs successfully. In case of bleeding piles, he recommend the excreta with the freshly collected flowers of Babool (Acacia nilotica) . In order to get rid from its sharp smell, the petals of pink rose are also mixed in this combination. The patient is advised to swallow this combination daily till relief. In case of migraine, many traditional healers use the excreta of pigeon in combination with mustard seed for external application. I have tried it but not found much effective. Like the excreta of Kabutar and Baj, excreta of crow, sparrow and other birds are also used as medicine by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. The traditional healer of Chowki recommend the excreta of crow for his patients suffering from chronic cough. For this treatment only freshly collected excreta is used. Few drops of juice is sufficient to care chronic cough. According to him it is specially effective in case of children. Like the excreta of Kabutar, many beauty parlour use the excreta of sparrow for face care. According the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, the excreta of sparrow is less effective as compared to Kabutar excreta, I think scientific investigations can help us to understand the efficacies of different excreta.

At last (but not least), I would like to mention the information given by a forest officer of Jaspur forest. The Jaspur forests are under attack of wild and dangera’s elephant groups. The human-elephant confilictions are becoming headache for both. From decades both are living togather and this co-existence has given valuable information about medicinal properties of different body parts of elephants that can be used for the treatment of human diseases. The traditional healers use the elephant excreta also as medicine. You will find the details regarding traditional medicinal knowledge about different body parts of this useful animal in my future articles. One of the very important use of elephant excreta is, its use as birth control measure. The traditional healer recommend the female patient to put a piece of elephant excreta inside the vagina in order to prevent pregnancy. The natives are also well aware of this use and it is common practice adopted adopted by the natives. The traditional healers of Bastar, use the dried excreta collected from other regions in combination of common herbs like Datura in order to use it as birth control measure.

The important question coming in my mind is, as the feeding habit and material on which these animals are feeding vary from place to place, then how the efficacy of rat excreta collected in sarguja is equally effective as the excreta of rat from Jagdalpur (600 kms distance). Many traditional healers told me that the medicinal properties of excreta depend upon the feeding habit of the animal. The herbs on which the animal feeds is also important. According to them, all excreta can not be used round the year. For example, the traditional healer of Gandai, prefers the collection of excreta during rainy season because in this reason variety of new herbs appear on ground. If excreta is collected in winter, its medicinal properties changes. One surprising information is that due to the increasing infestation of obnoxious weeds like Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara and Rungia repens, the composition of the excreta is changing. According to them one can easily get the information about herbs on which Bison is feeding from the typical smell of excreta. Like collection of herbs, there are specific norms (discovered and fixed by their forefathers) for collection of excreta. Many senior traditional healers said that the young generation is not taking it seriously and purchasing the material from shop. This is the reason the efficacy and number of patients having deep faith in healing practices are decreasing. They also informed me that there is a need of in depth study. As- you have read in this article, in many cases the excreta of Baj is considered superior as compared to the excreta of Kabutar (Pigeon), because Baj is an enemy of Kabutar and feed on it. Most of the traditional healers are glad to know that atleast I am taking interest in traditional medicinal knowledge about these useful excretas. As most of the animals are herbivores hence it is not wrong to consider these excreta as "herbal excreta". I will give more details on this important aspect in my future article because I feel that there is a strong need to write a separate article on role of excreta of particular species. I am sure that my article on this untouched aspect will encourage the researchers all over the world to focus their research studies on this field.