 |
Interactions with the traditional
healers of Bastar region, India
|
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights ReservedOne of my Gurus, the legend Mr Vishal Bharat passed away on 9th November 2002. On the Terhavi (Thirteenth day after the day of his departure), I visited the Jagdalpur city to pay homage to him. I passed my whole day in his home remembering my good days with him. As he was well known person in Bastar region, many traditional healers came to attend the Terhavi,. He was the Guru of many traditional healers of Bastar. During my visit I got opportunity to discuss the herbs and to share my knowledge with the traditional healers. We discussed continuously over eight hours during lunch and dinner also. I have collected a lot of information from these traditional healers. With the help of this article, I am describing some of the promising uses of common herbs used by these traditional healers in treatment of many common diseases. We were twenty in number and during discussion all of us talked profusely and openly, on all aspects.
Common and popular names of Viola odorata around the world. Languages/Regions/Countries Names 1) Arabic Banafsaj, Benephig 2) Bengal Banafsha, Banosa 3) Danish Martzfioler 4) Dutch Tamme viol 5) Egypt Benefshig 6) English Apple-leaf, Bairnwort, Blue violet, March violet 7) French Fleur de mars, Violier commun 8) German Blauoesken, Blauvoegschen, Blauvoelken 9) Hindi Banafshah 10) Hungarian Ibolya 11) Italian Mammola, Viola 12) Marathi Bagabanosa 13) Polish Tamaioasa, Toporas 14) Russian Packutchaya fialka 15) Sanskrit Jvarapaha, Vanapsa 16) Spanish Violeta, Violeta de olor 17) Swedish Aekta fioler 18) Urdu Banafshah We started our discussion from common medicinal herb Kuchla. The healers told that they use the seeds for the treatment of bleeding piles. The healers described different methods of use. They are using this herb both internally and externally to cure the piles. The traditional healer of Machkot forest area told that he uses the Kuchla seeds with ghee. This mixture is applied externally on piles in order to get quick relief from pain. Many healers added that with Kuchla seeds, Kukronda (Blumea lacera) seeds can be used for better results. The traditional healer of Dantewada region added that with Kuchla seeds one can use the Kuchla roots and in place of ghee, oil can be used. He told that he was not aware of the use of Blumea seeds in this combination and he assured to try this in his routine practice. Many healers use Kuchla with sugar and this mixture is given to the patients internally in order to get complete cure. Most of the healers were agree with this combination but they discussed a lot on the question of dose. All of them were aware of poisonous nature of Kuchla and they told me that they use special method to purify the seeds. According to them, one must take special care during the use of Kuchla and only pure Kuchla should be given to the patients. To purify the Kuchla seeds, they wash the seeds thoroughly in running water. After washing seeds are dried partially in shady places and partially dried seeds are boiled in cow’s milk. The healers never use the Buffalo’s milk for this purpose. After boiling, the soften seeds are again washed in water and with the help of sharp knife, the minute cover on seeds is removed. These seeds are considered as pure seeds.
Common and popular names of Viola odorata around the world. Languages/Regions/Countries Names 1) Arabic Banafsaj, Benephig 2) Bengal Banafsha, Banosa 3) Danish Martzfioler 4) Dutch Tamme viol 5) Egypt Benefshig 6) English Apple-leaf, Bairnwort, Blue violet, March violet 7) French Fleur de mars, Violier commun 8) German Blauoesken, Blauvoegschen, Blauvoelken 9) Hindi Banafshah 10) Hungarian Ibolya 11) Italian Mammola, Viola 12) Marathi Bagabanosa 13) Polish Tamaioasa, Toporas 14) Russian Packutchaya fialka 15) Sanskrit Jvarapaha, Vanapsa 16) Spanish Violeta, Violeta de olor 17) Swedish Aekta fioler 18) Urdu Banafshah Many healers adopt more complicated method. After removing the minute cover, these healers dip the seeds in cow’s urine upto few hours and seeds are washed again. These seeds are considered best to prepare the drugs. In reference literatures, this purification method is described but in very short. For beginners, it is very difficult to purify the seeds with the help of reference literatures only. As medicine, the healers use it in very minute quantity. Most of the healers are aware to treat the patients if it is taken in excess. The healers told me that both internal and external use of Kuchla can cure this disease in very short time. The healers informed that they prefer to collect the seeds from atleast 30 years old plants. According to them, in younger plants there are less properties. They have marked the trees having over 30 years age, and educating the next generation to prefer only these trees. The healers gave me shocking news about the decreasing population of this herb in natural forests. According to them, the herb is decreasing at alarming rate. Unfortunately, the state officials are not aware of this fact and at present no conservation work focused on Kuchla is in progress. The scientific name of Kuchla is Strychnos nuxvomica (family : Loganiaceae). It is in the list of high demanded non-wood forest produces of the state.
Common Indian Names of Kuchla (Strychnos nux-vomica) Languages/Regions Names 1) Bengali Kachila, Kuchila, Thalkesur 2) Gujarati Kuchla 3) Hindi Bailewa, Chibbenge, Kajra, Kuchla 4) Kanarese Hemusthi, Ittangi, Itti, Kajavara, Khasea, Yetti, Yettica 5) Konkani Kazra, Koya, Musthi 6) Malyalam Kanhiram, Kanjera, Kanjiram 7) Marathi Jharkatchura, Kajrakar, Kara, Karo 8) Telugu Musadi, Mushadi, Kushti 9) Tamil Eddikunchera, Kanchurai, Yetti 10) Uriya Karan, Kerra, Kuchila 11) English Crowfig, Nux-vomica tree, Poison nut, Snake wood, Strychnine tree. There is a heavy national and international demand of Kuchla. Kuchla holds a reputed position in almost all systems of medicine. In reference literatures, a lot of information about Kuchla is available. Although all parts of Kuchla are used as medicine but wood, leaves, fruits and seeds are among frequently used parts. According to Ayurveda, Kuchla fruit is acrid, pungent, bitter, heating, appetiser, tonic, astringent to bowels and antipyretic and useful in treatment of leucoderma, blood disorders, piles, ulcers, pneumonia, anaemia, jaundice, itching, ear troubles and urinary discharges. In different parts of India, many studies have been done on propagation and commercial cultivation of this herb. There is a need to encourage the herb growers of Chhattisgarh, to cultivate this herb. The commercial cultivation can help a lot to reduce the pressure on natural population. In reference literatures, I have got the botanical description of this useful herb. Kuchla is a slow growing small handsome deciduous to semi-evergreen shade bearing tree growing commonly in shady areas. It attains a height of 9 to 12 meters, in general. When it occurs in moist deciduous forests it attains a fairly large size of about 30 meters height. The branch lets are opposite. Bark is yellowish-grey to blackish grey thin, smooth, covered with minute tubercles and containing chlorophyll tissue. The flowers are dull green white whereas the colour of fruit is brownish yellow. The fruits are berry nearly about the size of a small orange, containing a large quantity of gelatinous pulp in which 1 to 5 seeds are embedded. The seed is flat disc shaped, 4-6 mm thick, hard, sometimes irregularly curved, the edges rounded or subacute. I personally feel that there is a strong need to pay special attention on this herb in Chhattisgarh.
Vanfasha is common herb found on forest flour in Chhattisgarh region. After ending the discussion on Kuchla, we started discussing this useful herb. The traditional healers informed me that they use this herb very frequently for the treatment of respiratory diseases. The herb before flowering is collected. Most of the healers prefer to collect his herb early morning. The decoction of Vanfasha is prepared using whole herb (excluding roots). The decoction is useful in many complaints. The healers recommend it mainly for cough and cold but according to them, it is also good for body ache, fever and constipation. The healers of Bastar region suggest the natives to take the decoction of Vanfasha during tranisitional periods in order to remain healthy during these periods. I informed them the traditional healers of Raipur and Nagri - Sihawa region, suggests the natives to use the decoction of Chirayata (Kalmegh; Andographis paniculata) for same purpose. The healers replied that they are also aware of this use but they prefer Vanfasha as compared to Kalmegh. The healers frequently use this herb to reduce extra "Garmi" (body heat). In reference literatures, the uses of Vanfasha are described in detail. In Chhattisgarh, Vanfasha in not a routine non-wood forest produce. The healers have no complaint about its natural occurrence. I am describing its botany, I have noted from reference literatures. The scientific name of Vanfasha is Viola betonicifolia (Famly Violaceae). It is a herb with leaves in rosette; lamina glabrous to more or less pubescent, roundish, obtuse; petioles more or less winged above ;stipules ovate lanceolate, acuminate, sparsely short fimbricate, adnate upto middle point. Peduncles with 2 bracteolates at the middle; Flower lilac; Sepals ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate. Petals obovate-oblong, lateral petals usually beared at the base ; spur cylindrical; Capsules upto 1cm long, ellipsoid or oblong, glabrous. Flowering time varies between January to May in Chhattisgarh conditions. Many traditional healers add the decoction of Arusa (Adhatoda vasica) in the decoction of Vanfasha in order to get better results but the traditional healer of Machkot, told that this combination is not a compatible one and the healers using this combination should take special precaution during its use. This combination is not mentioned in reference literatures. I personally feel that there is a need of scientific investigation and evaluation.
On the basis of root colour, Nisoth can be divided in two varieties i.e. black and white. In Chhattisgarh, I have observed black variety in dominance. The Bastar region is well known for natural occurrence of Nishoth. The traditional healer are aware of its miracle healing properties and also they use it very frequently for the treatment of many common diseases. As medicine, the healers of Bastar region, use the roots but in rare cases they use whole herb to prepare different combinations. The traditional healers conduct a small worship ceremony in forest before digging Nisoth roots. In general, they apply fresh curd on roots of herb and two hours after application, they harvest the roots. They informed me that use of curd increases the medicinal potential of Nisoth roots. All healers were not agree with this reason. Many healers told me that curd is applied for specific reason. According to them , many insects attack on roots of Nisoth. The use of curd repel away these insects and two hours time is sufficient for them to leave the roots. There is no harmful effect of curd on Nisoth roots, or herb. I would like to request the researchers reading this article, to focus their studies on this important aspect also. The use of curd in this way is not mentioned in reference literatures. Nisoth is found as natural herb in other parts of state also, but the traditional healers of that parts are not aware of this collection method. There is a need to evaluate the efficacy of roots collected by using these two different methods. During my surveys, I always dig the roots of Nisoth, in order to see insect infestation but I have yet not observed any insect in roots. I think that the role of curd is associated with the medicinal properties of Nisoth. I am confident that the scientific research can answer this question in near future. The traditional healers prefer the roots before flowering. They use the powdered root in treatment of piles, fever, epilepsy, jaundice and biliousness. According to them, it is good purgative and it should be used very carefully. In many cases the patients feel uneasy after taking Nisoth. The healers advise the patients to take coconut water in plenty to get relief. The healers are using the roots mostly in treatment of fever. The healers give the powdered roots with pure honey to the patients to reduce the body temperature. Nisoth as non - wood forest produce holds a reputed position in Chhattisgarh. There is good national and international demand. The forests of Chhattisgarh, fulfil the annual requirement of Nisoth to many established drug companies of India. As I am writing about this herb for the first time in my articles, I would like to describe its botany noted from reference literatures. The scientific name of Nisoth is Ipomoea turpethum (Family Convolvulaceae). It is a large perennial herb with milky juice; root long, fleshy, much branched, stem very long, twining, and twisted togather, angled and winged; Leaves ovate or oblong, mucronate, rarely slightly lobed, base cordate or truncate. Flowers in few flowered cymes, bracts large, often pinkish, pedicels thickened upwards; Corolla white; Fruits capsule, globose, enclosed in enlarged sepals. Flowering time varies between October to February in Chhattisgarh conditions.
The traditional healer from Dantewada region disclosed the use of Charota roots in same manner as the roots of Untkatara (Echinops echinatus) and Chirchita (Achyranthes aspera). He told me that during delivery the roots are put inside the vagina in order to ease the delivery process. The use of Charota (Cassia tora) root in this was is not mentioned in reference literatures. Most of the traditional healers showed ignorance towards this use. They are in favour of use of Chirchita and Untkatara roots or even Kalihari roots (Gloriosa superba). I am also not confident as I have yet not observed its practical use. The healers were having same opinion on the use of Bach roots in treatment of epilepsy. They told me that regular use of Bach roots upto one month under supervision of traditional healers can root out the epilepsy totally. During this treatment, the patients are advised to take only milk with cooked rice as food. The healers use Bach (Acorus calamus) root powder with pure honey. The healers told me about unique use of Parsa flowers for the treatment of Night blindness. The patients are advised to apply the juice of red flowers of Parsa (Butea monosperma) on eyes to get rid from this problem. When I discussed this use to one of my eye expert friend Dr. Dinesh Mishra, he simply discarded this use. He is allopath. I feel that scientific investigation can answer this question more clearly. As the problem of acute tonsilitis is becoming a serious problem particularly in urban areas of Chhattisgarh, I decided to discuss the problem with the traditional healers of Bastar. I got good herb for this purpose. They informed me that regular gargling with the decoction of Babool (Acacia nilotica) can cure it completely. After coming back, I tried this decoction and found it very effective. My family friends are also using it and saving a lot of expenses in terms of anti-biotics.
Our discussion was very useful for all of us. We decided to meet at regular interval to update and increase our knowledge level. During discussion, we have also discussed the possibilities of forming traditional healers forum at Bastar region. We are expecting more and more members in next meeting. We were agreed that our discussion was so fruitful only because of the blessings of our Guru, Mr. Vishal Bharat.