Interactions with the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh, India specialised in use of some promising herbal oils

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

The traditional healers and natives have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about useful herbal oil. Through my ethnobotanical surveys, I have collected information regarding over 4000 types of herbal oils. Besides these, the traditional healers and natives also prepare special oils from different insects, mites and other creatures. In these oils, single herb or combination of different herbs are used. The healers and natives adopt special method for preparation of these oils. On the basis of stages of diseases and nature of patients, they prepare oils of different potency. These observations clearly indicate that they have deep traditional medicinal knowledge. Since my grandfather’s time, we are preparing over 50 types of herbal oils useful in treatment of common troubles like headache to complicated troubles like gout. This traditional knowledge is saving our medical expenses to the greater extent. The procedure for preparation of these oils is very complicated but my mother still adopt all the procedure described by my grandfather sincerely and as per strict instruction, we never charge money or fees for these herbal oils. Our special oils for gout and hair care are very popular among family friends. As native of Chhattisgarh, I have special respect towards this herbal oils because from my childhood I am seeing and experiencing its miracle healing effects. As mentioned earlier, over 4000 types of herbal oils are in use in the state, the description of each oil requires a complete detailed article. In my previous articles, I have mentioned some herbal oils in detail. Here I am describing some unique herbal oils useful in treatment of many common diseases. I have collected these information from my surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh.

In Gandai region of Chhattisgarh, Dasmool is very common herb in dense forests. The traditional healers and natives use the roots of Dasmool to prepare a specific oil for the treatment of hemicrania or migraine. The healers and natives prefer to collect the roots early morning. Although Dasmool root is very common non-wood forest produce in Gandai region but they never use the roots collected by the herb collectors. As the colour of roots (inside) is white, it is general belief that its collection during full moon night (i.e. on Poornima) is best in terms of quality of herb. There is a strong need to find out the science behind this general belief. In general, the traditional healers and natives prefer dark nights or time of solar or lunar eclipse for the collection of herbs but in case of Dasmool it is totally different. In other parts of Chhattisgarh, the healers are also aware of this fact and they are practising this collection procedure since time immemorial. The healers prefer to wear white cloths during the collection of this herb and like other herbs, they perform special ceremony before uprooting the herb. As it is deep rooted herb, the healers visit in group of four or five. For digging the roots they avoid the use of equipment built from iron, although these equipment save much time and effort. For the healers and natives, every part of Dasmool is of great use and this is the reason they dig whole herb. After uprooting the herb, they fill the spot with fertile soil. It is common observation that the healers collect this herb from all directions and each time it is collected from different direction. This is really interesting. Although the healers have no answer why they collect same herb from different direction ? But I think there is a reason behind this. In order to conserve the herb and to give them enough time to re establish this rotational harvesting is essential. In early days, when there were less healers., and less patients, there was no pressure on natural population, but now when the use and demand of this herb are increasing, the knowledge coming through generations is helping to conserve the natural population of Dasmool in Gandai region. This is good to see that the healers are still adopting the instructions of forefathers. I would like to mention the same observation I have noted during my ethnomedico surveys in Bagbahera region of Chhattisgarh, where the natives collect the Gondla herb (Cyperus rotundus) adopting rotational harvesting method and the herb collector of Tendukona village knows that if this year Gondla is coming from north direction it means it will never come from same direction upto 2-3 years.

These observations are very important for the researchers engaged in research works on scientific exploitation of herbs. I feel that the ethnomedico surveys can play a vital role for collection of information in this important aspect also. After collecting the fresh herb of Dasmool the healers separate the root parts and extract the juice. After extraction, the healers add equal quantity of Til oil (Sesamum) in juice and start boiling this combination. When all water evaporates, the healers collect this oil and keep it in bottle for future use. The healers use this oil for many diseases. Its use in treatment of migraine is very popular and common. The patients are advised to apply this oil on forehead in order to get quick relief from intense pain. Very few are aware of this fact that this oil is very good hair tonic. In case of insomnia, the healers rub the oil in sole of both legs. This oil is also useful for malnourished diseased children. As mentioned earlier, its use in migraine is common, the healers avoid to disclose its other benefits and generally use this oil for specific purposes when the patients visit to them for treatment. The healers use this oil in combination with other oils also. In all these oils, Til oil is used as base oil. Til is under cultivation in Chhattisgarh and the healers extract the oil for their own use.. Most of the healers specialised in treatment of migraine prefer to use this herbal oil but there is difference in opinion that whether alone this oil is capable to cure migraine or it is for temporary relief or it is just supplement to main treatment ? My interactions with natives revealed that this oil have enough potential to cure initial trouble and natives use it regularly but when this problem (very few cases) still persist, they consult the healers. Many natives informed me that home made oil is less effective as compared to healer’s oil. This is true to great extent because natives living far from natural habitat of Dasmool, are dependent on herb collectors for roots. The natives living nearer to the natural habitat do not follow the specific procedure for collection and most of the times, they collect immature roots. For verification when I compared the efficacy of homemade and healer’s oil with the help of local Ayurveda expert and my biochemist friend, we have found great difference in its effect. Although my biochemist friend failed to prove it chemically but practically we have observed miracles of healer’s oil on targeted patients. In other parts of India and some parts of Chhattisgarh, Dasmool is commonly known as Satavari or Shatavari. In Gandai region, the natives and healers are not aware of this name. Dasmool holds a reputed position in different system of medicine in India. It is one of the frequently used herbs in India. It is an essential component of over 250 popular herbal formulations. The traditional healers of Amarkantak hills informed me that Shatavari is named as Shatavari because its regular and prescribed use make the woman enough potent to satisfy hundred (Shata) brides (Vara). It is popular tonic for female and reputed aphrodisiac.

According to Ayurveda, root possess valuable medicinal properties and root is sweet, oleaginous, cooling, indigestible, appetiser, alterative, tonic, aphrodisiac, stomachic, galactagogue, and astringent to bowels and useful in treatment of dysentery, tumours, inflammation, biliousness, blood and eye related diseases, throat troubles, leprosy, night blindness, scalding of urine, gleet, gonorrhoea, diseases of kidney and liver, tubeculosis etc. The scientific name of Dasmool is Asparagus racemosus (family Liliaceae). In many parts of world, the young shoots of many species, known as spears are used as vegetable. The natives are not aware of it use as vegetable. As mentioned earlier, in reference literatures, the medicinal properties of roots are described only. I am proud to write that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of the medicinal properties of Dasmool leaves and they are still using it for treatment. The leaves of Dasmool are an integral part of herbs used to prepare a special solution for herbal bath. In this solution, Neem, Dasmool and Chirchita are used as main components. The patients suffering from skin disease are advised to take bath using this solution. The aqueous juice from leaves are applied on eye brows to make the eyes tension free and healthy. The healers prepare a special hut using Dasmool leaves for pregnant woman suffering from habitual abortion. The aqueous paste of leaves is also used for face care in combination with other herbs. These uses of Dasmool leaves have not been mentioned in reference literatures. Many healers use the leaves for preparation of oil, like roots. In many cases, they use the juice of leaves and roots in equal proportion to prepare specific oil. According to the traditional healers, the leaf oil act as sex stimulant when applied externally on male genital regularly. As other promising and cheap alternatives are available, the natives and healers less frequently use this oil But from documentation point of view, it is an important information. Although only one species of Dasmool is reported from Chhattisgarh by previous workers but I have noted many biotypes in different parts of the state. These biotypes can be identified clearly on the basis of their growth habit, rooting pattern, appearance and also from medicinal properties. The healers clearly identify and distinguish the different biotypes. Only after seeing the dried roots, they can identify the origin and they have given it names like Gandai type, Sihawa type etc. I am immature as far as specific identification is considered but I am under training. I am describing its botany in short, I have noted from reference literatures. Dasmool is extremely scandent, spinous, undershrub; spines recurved ; root stock tuberous; Leaves linear with a stout spinous spur (spineless varieties are also reported) ; Cladodes in tuft, curved; Flowers in simple raceme,2.5-5.0 cm , white, fragrant; segments, linear, oblong; fruits berry, globose, red when ripe. The flowering times varies between May to August in Chhattisgarh conditions.

Dasmool is one of the high valued non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. The buyers from national and international markets are aware of its natural occurrence in different parts of Chhattisgarh. They are also aware of rich pockets having good quality of Dasmool. As the new research findings related to medicinal properties and use of Dasmool are coming, its demand and collection are increasing rapidly. Unfortunately, the greedy traders do not follow the rotational collection of herbs. Last year when I visited the Gandai Salewara forests, I was shocked to see the empty pits in every cornet of the forest. The empty pits clearly show that these activities and diggings are by the traders, not by the healers because as mentioned earlier healers fill up the pit after uprooting the herbs. The traditional healers informed me that the greedy traders are collecting both mature and immature roots and it seems that they are in hurry as after exploiting this potential zone, they have to shift to other region. This is really sad and shocking. As Dasmool is multiplied through vegetative propagation (in majority) in Chhattisgarh conditions one time harvest of this herb result in elimination of the herb forever from that spot. There is an urgent need of strict action against this destructive harvesting of this valuable herb. The traders informed me that there is no pressure on Chhattisgarh forests and they can supply this herb upto 10 more years. But traditional healers are aware that 10 years are very short time and government must take immediate action to stop this. Many herb growers have started commercial cultivation of Dasmool in Chhattisgarh but they are very few in numbers, and most of them are practising chemical farming. As the herb is available in plenty in forests, the traders are not showing interest in purchasing the roots of cultivated origin. In absence of suitable markets, the farmers are planning to stop the commercial cultivation. I personally feel that the government should promote the cultivation of this herb in order to reduce the pressure on natural population. The ban on exploitation may serve the purpose. For promotion of commercial cultivation it is necessary to develop improved package of practices for different agro-climatic regions of Chhattisgarh based on financial status of farmers, with emphasis on quality not the production (i.e. quantity). In my experiments at farmer’s field, I have found that many biotypes can be propagate through seeds successfully after adoption of specific seed treatment methods.

For wound dressing, the traditional healers and natives of Chhattisgarh prepare many special oils. Among these oils, Bhelwa oil, Kuchla oil and Kevatch oil are very popular. These oils are also used as veterinary medicine. As all these herbs are common in forest areas, these combinations are very popular. In areas where these herbs are not available. The natives purchase these oils from the traditional healers and always keep it with them during field work, journey and when they are at home. According to the traditional healers these oils have miracle healing effects. It is good external remedy for carbuncles also. Bhelwa oil is prepared from its fruits. The healers take ten fruits and boil it in about 125 grams. of Til Oil. This oil is applied externally on wounds. In order to make strong oil the healers increase the numbers of fruits during the preparation of oil but they never use more than fifteen fruits. Many healers use this oil for rheumatism and gout also. But as the use of this oil require special attention, most of healers prefer other safe alternatives. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine, Bhelwa holds a reputed position. According to Ayurveda, the Bhelwa fruits is hot, digestible, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, carminative and useful in treatment of skin and nervous system diseases, fever, piles, dysentery , tumours, loss of appetite, urinary discharges, leprosy, bronchitis, asthma, in sanity, coryza and Safed Dag (Leucoderma). The scientific name of Bhelwa is Semecarpus anacardium (family Anacardiaceae). As the name and use of Bhelwa are coming for the first time in my articles. I am describing its botany mentioned in reference literatures. Bhelwa is deciduous tree upto 10 meters tall; Young branches, petiole, under surface of leaves and inflorescence tomentose; Leaves coriaceous above margin entire, base rounded or cordate; Petioles 1-4.5 cm long; Flowers greenish yellow, sub sessile, in erect, terminal panicles; Drupes black on ripening, ovoid or oblong. Bhelwa is common forest herb and it is in list of non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh. According to the traders, there is a routine demand of Bhelwa in national and international market. In English, it is named as Marking nut. In Chhattisgarh, you will find that many villages are named on Bhelwa like Bhelwadih. I have noted about fifteen villages are named on Bhelwa like Bhelwadih. These villages named on the basis of herbs found in abundance in past, are good indicator for bio-diversity studies. Due to increasing population, now most of the Bhelwadih villages have not a single tree of Bhelwa. For wound dressing, the traditional healers also prepare oil from different parts of Kevatch (Mucuna prurines). The roots, leaves, seeds, seed cover are mostly used to prepare the oil. The healers use many other herbs like neem leaves to prepare herbal oil. I have written a lot about Mucuna in my previous articles. Hence, I am not describing its botany and other details. The traditional healers prepare a special herbal oil from the black flowered variety of Dhatra (Datura sp.). The fruits are used for preparation of oil. To prepare the oil, the healers collect the fruits and boil it in Til oil. This oil is used for external application on piles. There are multiple uses of this oil. This oil is also useful for skin troubles and kidney pain. It is also a popular veterinary medicine.

I will write more on this important aspect in my future articles. Thank you very much for reading the article.