Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Ear related diseases in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh instruct the common natives to take special care of their ears round the year. According to them ear is one of the important organ and it is very difficult to treat the ear related diseases. They advise the natives to always put cotton buds in ears during sleep particularly in rainy and winter seasons. In early days when the natives were living in villages and forests and sleeping on floor, the use of cotton buds was common practice but now very few natives take this special precaution The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, use many common herbs in treatment of ear related diseases but before describing the herbs, I would like to describe the use of herbal pillow recommended by the healers for these diseases. The traditional healers prepare a special herbal pillow using the floss of Fudhar herb. According to them, this pillow is warm enough to protect the ear and head from cold. This pillow repel away the harmful insects from ear holes. One can use these pillows round the year to prevent the ear related troubles. Many healers recommend Fudhar floss in place of cotton buds for ears. During my ethnomedico surveys, I observed the use of this herbal pillow. Almost all traditional healers specialised in treatment of ear related diseases are aware of this use. The traditional healers of Pendra region informed me that they prepare herbal pillow using cotton in majority, only small quantity of floss is added. According to them , the nature of floss is very hot and if they prepare the pillow using the floss alone, it can cause harm to the patients. There is difference in opinion among the healers on the quantity of floss to be used for preparation of pillow. They are agree that in pillows for woman, children and patients having poor vital force, less quantity of floss should be used. Also the healers never allow the pregnant woman to use this pillow. This pillow is also useful in other troubles also. According to the traditional healers, it is beneficial for the patients of insomnia. The typical smell of old floss repell away the mosquitoes from head region.

This typical smell is intolerable for many natives and they request the healers to permit them to add perfumes or aromatic herbs in pillow. But in general, the healers do not allow them for this. The use of Fudhar floss is not mentioned in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine, for the treatment of ear related diseases. I personally feel that there is a strong need for scientific evaluation. The surveys conducted to know the popularity of these pillows among natives revealed that the use of these pillows is decreasing in Chhattisgarh. The new generation is totally unaware of these pillows. As collection of floss is very tedious job and natives are dependent on the traditional healers for pillows, the natives are loosing interest. Recently when I saw many TV advertisement about the special pillows for specific troubles, I decided to inform the world community about the herbal pillow prepared from Fudhar floss. Fudhar is a common roadside and wast eland herb in Chhattisgarh. Its scientific name is Calotropis gigantea (family Asclepiadaceae). I have written a lot about its traditional uses and botany in my previous articles. Fudhar holds a reputed position in almost all system of medicine in India. All parts possess valuable medicinal properties. Many friends from reputed companies engaged in manufacturing of pillows and mattresses, told me that these compaies use this Fudhar floss frequently but they are not aware of its medicinal properties. They said that my article will definately encourage them to think on this important aspect. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, are ready to share their knowledge to these manufactures but they are afraid of commercial exploitation. I personally feel that there is a need for the documentation of this knowledge systematically because every healers have different answers on the quantity of floss and the size of the pillows. The researchers can play a vital role in standardising the method and quantity. Only after this the role of the manufactures will start. Last week when I was playing a role of Agriculture Minister of Chhattisgarh in a drama organised by the Chhattisgarh Assembly Authorities, I suggested the specialists and industrialists of Chhattisgarh to think on this important aspect.

The traditional healers and natives have rich traditional medicinal knowledge on use of different herbs, both internally and externally, in treatment of ear related diseases. They use over100 species of herbs. The natives use Neem and Tulsi herbs most frequently. It is general practice to apply the fresh neem leaf juice into the ears as primary treatment. The natives also use fresh leaf juice of Sirsa (Albizia sp.) in place of neem leaf juice. According to them, both are equally effective. As neem trees are most common and easily available, it is preferred by the natives. In case of severe pain due to cold, the natives warm up the juice slightly and apply it. In northern Chhattisgarh, the natives collect the fresh leaves and boil it in water. The patients are advised to put ears in fumes. Many natives burn the dried leaves and fumes are used in same way. The traditional healers of Durg region uses specific formula. He take three yellow leaves of Neem and two pinch of Haldi powder (Turmeric) and mix these in cow urine. Few drops are then added into the ears to cure the cold borne earache. He informed me that to prepare more potential solution, one should use the first urine of pregnant woman. According to him , he gives second preference to bachelor’s urine and third preferene to cow’s urine. As first two are not easily available he uses cow’s urine in routine treatment. He also told me that mixture of Neem seed oil and pure honey is also beneficial in this trouble. I am really very impressed by the traditional medicinal knowledge about urine therapy in Chhattisgarh. During my Mount Abu visit, I got information on use of Unt (Camel) and Bhed (Sheep) urine for the treatment of earache. The Unani practitioner of Durg city uses the urine of infants for external application. This is very essential to study the efficacies of urine from different sources used in treatment of ear related diseases.

The herbal oils play an important role in treatment of ear related disease. Among these oil Sarson Ka Tel (Mustard Oil) is used most frequently. The natives apply lukewarm Sarson Ka Tel into the ears as preliminary treatment. The natives boil the lavang (Clove) and Lasun ( Garlic) in this oil and use it in same way. According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, Sarson Ka Tel is good remedy for earache, tinnitus, hearing troubles etc. The traditional healers of Saraipali region, boil the Gorakhmundi (locally known as Gudaria) herb in Sarson ka Tel and use this herbal oil in treatment of ear related diseases. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region, add Blumea herb (locally known as Kukronda or Kukurmutta) in this herbal oil to increase its efficacy. The traditional healers of Bastar region, use neem leaves, Kali mirch (Black Pipper) and Bakain leaves, with Gorakhmundi and Blumea. The traditional healers of Kanker region use only Gorakhmundi and bark of Sirsa (Albizia sp.) to prepare oil. These are really very interesting observations. In all the oils, Gorakhmundi is an essential component and the healers of different region, use many other herbs in name of increasing its potential. I would like to attract the attention of herb researchers towards these combinations and request them to start a systematic study to evaluate the efficacies of these oils. Recently, I have started new experiment. In this experiment, I am encouraging the traditional healers of one region to adopt and test the same oil prepared by the traditional healers of other regions and vice-versa. This is very difficult task because every healer have their own ‘egos’ and they feel that their combinations are best. I avoid to disclose the origin of oil among them. I am getting encouraging results. This experimentation is saving the cost of expensive R & D activities. Recently when I discussed this experiment to local NGO (non-governmental organisation), they requested me to prepare a detailed project on this aspect. According to them , with this project they can earn (?) good income and project. But my past experiences do not allow me to take grant for this type of social work . All the articles you have read so far are based on ethnomedico surveys and you will be surprised to know that I have yet not taken a single pie for these surveys and documentation. I am fortunate that mother nature has assigned this important responsibility to me many traditional healers use til oil (Sesamum) in place of Sarson ka Tel. The healers of Durg region, boil the Gobhi (Cauliflower) and Mooli (Radish) leaves in Til oil and use it in same way. Two parts of Gobhi and Mooli are taken and one part of Til oil is taken to prepare this herbal oil. Many healers use the leaves and flowers of ornamental plant Chameli with Til oil. Th healers use Sonth (dried Ginger), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Baibirang, Vidhara, Haldi, Ama Haldi, Leaves of Nirgundi also to prepare Til oil based herbal oil. All these herbs are common herbs in natural forests of Chhattisgarh. In Dantewada region, the use of Pen oil (Celastrus paniculata) in ear related diseases is also popular.

For the treatment of ear ache, the natives and traditional healers, use different herbs. Mostly the leaves are used. The fresh juice is applied into the ears. Since centuries, the natives and healers are comlucting experiments and now they are well aware about herbs safe for delicate ears. Their experiments are still in progress. Now they have focused their studies in exotic herbs like Eucalyptus, Lantana, Parthenium, Eupatorium, Rungia etc. The natives and traditional healer use the leaf juice of Tulsi (Ocimum species; wild species are preferred as compared to cultivated one), Sukhdarshan, Bhang, Chukandar, Dhikuar (Aloe sp.) Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Piyaz (Onion), Hurhur (Cleome viscosa),. Alsi (Linseed) etc. Many traditional healers use the fruit of Indrayan with Til oil to prepare special oil. The natives roast (slightly) these leaves on fire and after this, the juice is extracted. Few drops of this juice are applied into the ears. I am in search of answer of the question, that why yellow leaves of Fudhar and neem (as described earlier) are preferred by the natives and traditional healers ? As over 100 herbs are used both externally and internally, I am eager to know about the preference to herbs given by the traditional healers and natives. Are all herbs equally effective or perfect substitute ? In general, the patients complain earache and according to well known Allopath, many factors are responsible for any earache. He is also eager to know whether these herbs alleviate the pain only or help in curing the disease completely. I am sure that my on going studies and surveys will help us to answer these questions.