Two days with Mr. Nakul Ram, A field worker having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs.

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

In the year 1996, I got an opportunity to learn about common herbs from my field worker Mr. Nakul Ram. At that time, he was working as farm labour in my father’s farm. Although Mr. Nakul Ram has never visited the forests, but I have observed his keen interest in herbs of forest origin. According to him, one can get rid from almost every disease with the help of herbs found in his surroundings. He was expert in rice and gram weeds, and in Patan region, he was well known for his treatment with the help of weeds (commonly known as Van Kachra). In order to get complete information on ethnomedico uses of common weeds in Chhattisgarh, in those days I was busy in detailed surveys with the help of regular visits and specially prepared questionaire . I decided to stay with Mr. Nakul Ram a day in both Kharif (rainy season) and Rabi (winter Season).

Common and popular names of Zillo (Vicia sp.) around the world.
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Bengal	Ankari
2) Dutch	Wikke
3) English	Common Vetch, Tare, Vetch
4) French	Barbotle, Billon, Billous, Vesce
5) Hindi	Akra, Ankra
6) Italian	Veccia
7) Portuguese	Ervilhaca
8) Russian	Jurablinyi, Gorak, Vika
9) Spanish	Algarrabilla, Alverja, Veza

I joined Mr. Nakul Ram on 24 th July morning at 4.30AM, as per his instructions. Early morning we started for field visit. I selected the Babool Dataun and he selected the Neem Dataun for mouth cleaning. As soon as, we reached to the field; his lecture on herbs started. He told me that this time is best for collection of herbs to prepare drugs. According to him after sunrise, the herbs start loosing valuable properties. Evening is also not suitable for herb collection. When herbs regain its vitality after long and peaceful night, the dew drops on herbs make it completely fresh and vital. So, the morning times is best time. When I discussed the importance of collection time of herbs as described by Mr. Nakul Ram with other traditional healers of state, the traditional healer of Bagbahera confirmed his time but according to him, in Bagbahera it is very difficult to visit forest at this best time. His problem is genuine. The Bagbahera region is well known for wild bear (Bhalu) population. Every year these wild animals destroy valuable crops and injure natives in large number. Due to strict wild life rules, no one dare to do anything against these destructive creatures. Daily evening wild bears start their visit to crop fields and next morning (before sunrise) returns to their caves. So, it is very difficult to collect the herbs early morning. One more typical observation, I would like to mention is the specific behaviour of wild bears towards herb collectors.

The herb collectors of Bagbahera region informed me that in presence of wild bears one must have to be very careful and cautious in collecting the herbs used by wild bears as food. The collectors of Gandai , engaged in collection of Safed and Kali Musli, favourite food materials for wild bear, confirmed the observations of these collectors. If the groups of collectors with arms tries to harvest these herbs, even then these creatures try to attack. According to the traditional healer of Pendra, in early days there is no competition for food material between wild animals specially wild bear and herb collectors. The decreasing population of natural herbs and over exploitation have motivated (?) these creatures to oppose (?) this collection. I feel that there is a need to study the specific behaviour of wild bears, in detail. So, we were taking about the best time for collection of herbs. In many reference literatures related to ayurveda, I have read that during the collection, the shade of the collector must not be on the herbs. To avoid the shade effect, the morning time is best. The traditional healer of Gunderdehi informed me that when the traditional healers take a part (like leaves or branches) of herb, the herbs get injuries. The dews present in early morning helps the herbs to overcome from these losses quickly. In my ethnomedico surveys, I have colleted a lot of information on medicinal dews. According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, the dews on different herbs posses different medicinal properties. I will write a separate article on this important aspect.

As morning breakfast Mr. Nakul Ram offered me fruits of common weeds, mainly Mungesa and Kolhi Kekdi. Mungesa (Phaseolus trilobus) and Kolhi Kekdi (Cucumis trigonus) are common wasteland weeds in Chhattisgarh. I have never taken such a tasty and nutritious breakfast. According to Mr. Nakul Ram, one must include these wild fruits in regular breakfast in order to get good taste with health. In reference literatures, medicinal properties of Mungesa and Kolhi Kekdi are well described. After breakfast, he prepared a herbal tea using the leaves of Charota and Gotiphool. Charota (Cassia tora) and Gotiphool (Lantana camara) are also common weeds in Chhattisgarh. In this herbal tea, Charota leaves were main component and only a small piece of fresh Lantana leaf was added to give it a flavour. I enjoyed this herbal tea. I told to him that I am fan of coffee but this herbal tea is even better than coffee. He said as evening drink, he will serve me coffee in the middle of crop fields ? I decided to wait till evening. For taking bath, we walked toward the river. Suddenly. I saw red velvet ground in front of me. Mr. Nakul Ram showed me tiny mites, thousands in number, spread on ground upto several square kilometers. This heavy population of mite were enough to change the colour of land from green to red velvety colour. Chhattisgarh and neighbouring state Orissa, are famous for this red mite. It is locally known as Rani Keeda. Its scientific name is Trombidium species (in English rain insects or red velvet mite).

Common and popular names of Mungesa (Phaseolus trilobus)
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Bengal	Mugani
2) Kanarese	Kohasaru
3) English	Three-lobed Kidney Bean, Wild Kidney Bean
4) Gujarati	Adabaumagi, Adavada, Magavala
5) Hindi	Mugani, Mugawana, Mungani, Trianguli
6) Marathi	Arkamath, Jangalimath, Ranamuga, Ranmath
7) Sanskrit	Aranyamudga, Hrasva, Kakamunga, Karanjika. Koshila, Kshudrasaha, Kurangika, Mudgaparni, Shimbi, Vanamudga, Vanya
8) Tamil	Naripayar, Panipayar
9) Telugu	Pillippersara

Every year thousands of these mites are collected, killed and exported to international markets for the preparation of sex tonic and oil for breast enlargement. Mr. Nakul Ram selected a big female for me. He told me to cut the legs off and swallow it without thinking much. To encourage me, he ate one female, I followed him. According to him this is beneficial for not only general health but also for sexual health. Two to three mites per day during rainy season is considered best by him. Overdose can cause harms in terms of vomiting and loose motion. He also helped me to identify the most potential mite. According to him, female mites are more potential (in terms of medicinal properties) as compared to male mites. Among females, awkward movement is key factor for identification. According to him, female mite having awkward movement is the best. As legs with minute hairs can cause irritation in digestive tract, it is advisable to remove it. After reaching to the river, we used mud as soap to wash our bodies. After bath I complained to him about my acidity problem. In Chhattisgarh, Aam Ka Bagicha (Mango orchards) are very common particularly nearer to rivers. We visited to nearest mango orchard having indigenous species of mango trees. Indigenous means fruits having more than two third part as stone (Guthli) and few drops of juice only. He collected Red ants from trees and advised me to eat two to three ants, in order to get rid from acidity. I hesitated to swallow ants alive. As alternative he suggested me to eat a fruit of Kamrasa . I agreed and when I ate it, he informed that I have already taken the ants with the fruit. It is general practice of traditional healers to give medicinal insects with fruits by keeping the insects inside the fruits, in order to avoid any possible hesitation by the patients. Within a hour, I got relief. After leaving Mango orchard, we started detailed surveys regarding common weeds, ethnobotanical uses and its local names. Within four hours I got information on over 100 common weeds.

After this exhaustive survey, we started for preparation of lunch. In place of rice, we collected the matured grains of common rice weed Sawan (Echinocloa colonum). As grains were very small, it took long time to collect the desired quantity. During cooking of Sawan grains, Mr. Nakul Ram told me that although in modern times Sawan is considered as most harmful weed in rice fields but actually it is a gift of god for the farmers. He informed me about the unique medicinal properties of Sawan grain. According to him, in early days Sawan was under cultivation as field crop in Chhattisgarh but high yielding and tasty rice varieties have replaced many traditional crops like Kodo, Kutki, Sawan etc. He remembered the severe drought period during fifties and sixties and at that time, according to him, this weed Sawan saved the natives from hunger and death. In our agricultural fields we, the educated generation, use tons of Agrochemical’s to root out this obnoxious weed. According to Mr. Nakul Ram, it is mere wastage and after understanding its unique medicinal properties one can get benefit from this so called weed. Although we are using machines and chemicals to eradicate the Sawan from our land but I feel its roots are so deep in our culture and tradition and Sawan do not want to leave the Chhattisgarh easily. Yes, Mr Nakul Ram truly said, there is a need to change the attitude toward these socalled unwanted herbs. As vegetable with cooked Sawan grain, he selected Muscaini Bhaji (pot herb) and fruits of Kolhi Kekdi. Muscaini Bhaji ( Ipomoea reniformis) is a popular potherb in Chhattisgarh and a common herb found as weed in crop fields. According to him, the combination of Sawan grain with Muscaini bhaji is the best combination. I was also agreed, after eating the fantastic lunch.

In order to enhance the digestion process, he advised me to sleep beneath the Babool (Acacia nilotica) trees, common in rice bunds of Chhattisgarh. Again on soft weed Doobi (Cynodon dactylon) we slept for sometime. After short sleep, as per his promise, he prepared a herbal coffee (?) for me. He used the seeds of Charota (Cassia tora) and Sarphonk (Tephrosia purpurea) to prepare the coffee. He simply added few seeds in boiling water and served me. The taste of this drink was very similar to real coffee. He informed that after little roasting the taste and aroma improves. According to him, one can use the seeds of Mungesa (Phaseolus trilobus) and Dhanbaher (Cassia fistula) for same purpose. During coffee break, we talked on medicinal uses of common trees. During this talk, he told me many useful formulas. I am describing some useful formula, I have tested. According to him, every part of Babool (Acacia nilotica) tree is useful for sexual health. The roots, bark, young pods, new leaves and gum of Babool tree are mixed in equal proportion and potential drug to increase the sexual desire and retention time, is prepared by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. He told me that he very frequently supply these parts to the local healer free of cost. As reward to his free service, the healer told him this useful formula. Mr. Nakul Ram warned me to not to use it regularly. According to him, regular use can cause many harms. It is better to take this drug fifteen days in any part of the year. He also told me that in order to increase its potential, one can use a part of Doomar roots. Doomar (Ficus glomerata) is a common tree in Chhattisgarh. Many villages have been named as Doomar in the state, because of its dense population in those particular villages.

My second day with Mr. Nakul Ram was started after four months of first day i.e. in last week of November. As winter starts in Chhattisgarh, this part of the year, the weed flora totally changes. During this survey we repeated and enjoyed same herbs. In place of Charota seeds he used the seeds of Soli (Aeschynomene americana) to prepare the coffee for me. As breakfast, we used Zillo (Vicia. hirsuta) pods. Zillo is a common weed in winter crops. You will be surprised to know that the Chhattisgarh farmers grow this weed with Lathyrus (Tiwra) crop. Every year when during harvesting the seeds of Lathyrus and Zillo are mixed, the farmers do not bother this mixture and next year, use the same mixed seed for sowing. The seeds harvested for selling are separated from Zillo seeds and farmers use these Zillo seeds as cattle feed. According to them, Zillo is a source of additional income for them. Many farmers told me that both crops perform better in case of mixed cropping, as compared to if taken as single crop. During lunch, in place of Muscaini, he used the common weed Bhathua (Chenopodium album) as potherb. In place of Sawan grains, he used the grains of wild grasses like Baranta, Chiwda Phool, Ranta etc. Whole day we collected weeds and finally I got information on 87 useful weeds. I will never forget these two days with Mr. Nakul Ram. I enjoyed first day (during Kharif) more as compared to second day.

Unfortunately, Mr. Nakul Ram Chouhan is not with us. Few years back he died. In last days of his life, he suffered both mental and physical tension as he got leprosy problem. He tried many herbs and got much relief but social bicot has depressed him much. In India,it is general belief that leprosy is a contagious disease and even after lot of efforts by governmental and non-governmental agencies engaged in awareness programmes, the patients are still discarded by society, particularly in rural areas. Today Mr. Nakul Ram is not with us, but his great and valuable knowledge is with us and I am sure the world community will be benefited by this knowledge. In Chhattisgarh, thousands of such Nakul Rams are living and practising. There is a strong need to identify, recognise and to honour them, preferably before their departure.