Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about common herbs used as veterinary medicine in Bagbahera region, Chhattisgarh

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

Before reading this article, I suggest you to read the previous article titled "Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about common Trees in Bagbahera region, Chhattisgarh, India." In present article, I am describing some herbs used as veterinary medicine in this region. This description is from my field diary. I am thankful to Mr. Panchu Ram and Mr. Dore Lal, my sincere and dedicated field workers who have collected the information for this ethnobotanical survey. Shri Dasru Gond of Kalyanpur village informed the field workers that the oil is extracted from Bhelwa fruits and used externally in case of Foot and Mouth disease of domestic cattle. This disease is locally known as " Khurha Chapka" disease. This is one of the common and lethal diseases. The scientific name of Bhelwa is Semecarpus anacardium (Family : Anacardiaceae). I am describing its botany in short, I have noted from reference literatures. Bhelwa is a deciduous tree, upto ten meters tall; Young branches, petiole under surface of leaves and inflorescence tomentose; Leaves coriaceous above, margin entire, base rounded or cordate; Flowers greenish-yellow, sub sessile, in erect, terminal 12-30 cm long panicles; Drupes black on ripening, ovoid or oblong. Bhelwa is common tree in Chhattisgarh.

The Indian names of Bhelwa (Semecarpus anacardium)
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Assam	Bhala, Bholaguli
2) Bengal	Bhela, Bhelatuki
3) English	Marking Nut
4) Gujarati	Bhilamu
5) Hindi	Bhela, Bhilawa
6) Kanarese	Karekeru
7) Malyalam	Chera
8) Marathi	Bibha, Bhilava
9) Tamil	Shenkollei, Erimugi
10) Telugu	Jidi

The villages named on this herb clearly indicate its natural occurrence in abundance. Shri Dasru also informed that the bark of Kusum (Schleichera oleosa; Sapindaceae) is used as medicine to suppress all types of phulan (Swellings). It is used externally. The leaves of Sitaphal (annona squamosa) are used for wound cleaning, washing and dressing. According to him, it is promising worm killer and fresh leaf juice should be used. For diarrhoea and dysentery, common in cattle, the fruits the Thelka are very useful. He informed that fruits should be boiled in water and given to cattle with curd for immediate relief. The scientific name of Thelka is Catunaregam nilotica (Family : Rubiaceae). As this is new herb in my article, I am describing its botany. According to reference literatures, Thelka is armed small tree; Spines terminal at the end of brachyblasts; Leaves on short branch lets , elliptic lanceolate or oblanceolate; Flowers solitary, white; Calyx toothed; Fruits oblong-globose, smooth, young ones green, mature yellow; seeds blackish. Flowering and Fruiting time in Chhattisgarh conditions April-May. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine, I have not found any description of its medicinal properties and uses. Shri Dasru also informed that Doomar (Ficus glomerata) is one of the favourite fruits of Bhalu (Wild bear). Bhalu is common in Bagbahera region and in my previous articles, I have described different aspects of Bhalu-human interactions in detail with medicinal knowledge of Bhalu about common herbs. Shri Heera Ram Patel of Mongra Pali informed that Chirai Jam (Psidium guajava) and Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) are also favourite fruits of Bhalu. Shri Hulkar Singh of Khamaria informed that the oil of Nilgiri tree (Eucalyptus sp.) is good tonic for cattle.

As you know, Nilgiri is not indigenous to India. Shri Ghanshyam of Daizbandha village informed that the bark of Kumbi herb is used to treat stomachache in cattle. Babool (Acacia nilotica) bark is used for amoebic dysentery in cattle. It is given with water. The bark of Mahaneem is also used for this problem but in this case it is given with curd instead of water. The scientific name of Mahaneem is Melia azedarach (Family Meliaceae). According to reference literatures, Mahaneem is a moderate sized, deciduous tree having height upto 12 meters; stem cylindrical, with a spreading crown; Bark grey, rough, with shallow, longitudinal furrows; Leaf bi or occasionally tripinnate; leaflets ovate or lanceolate; Flowers lilac, fragrant, in axillary panicles; Fruits ellipsoid - globose, smooth first becoming wrinkled, green when raw, yellowish when ripe, in clusters, 4-5 seeded, takes one year for ripening, seeds having 30 to 80 percent germination. Shri Bisahu of Sondadar village informed that the neem leaves are rubbed in loosen teeth of cattle, in order to make it strong and free from decay. Shri Chamra of Lamkeni village informed the field workers about common herbs useful in treatment of swellings. According to him, the barks of Mahua (Madhuca latifolia), Negur, Semra (Bombax ceiba) and Karra can be used separately in this trouble. Shri Seetaram of Dokarpali adds that the bark of Gohera herb can also be used in same way. Shri Daya Ram of Parrachua village informed that during rainy season, the cattle are given a herbal combination having barks of Mahaneem and Bhelwa with Gud and Lason (Garlic) in order to save them from infectious diseases common in that particular season. This herbal combination is given internally. He also informed that the decoction prepared by using Tendu bark (Diospyros melanoxylon) is used as eye tonic. The eyes of cattle having poor eye sight are washed daily with this decoction. According to him, this decoction gives desired result in very short time and it is also useful in case of human beings. Shri Chamar Rai from Dhoyana Bahara informed that Gohera fruit in combination with Kodha (Rice bran) is good tonic for cattle. According to him, the leaves of Khamhar (Gmelina arborea) increases appetite and improves the digestive system of cattle.

Babool bark given with Karhi bark is also a good tonic. He uses the leaves of Sicksa herb with water, to wash the cattle eyes in order to treat the conjuctivitis and inflammations. In case of problematic wound, the dried leaves of Bhirra (Chloroxylon swietenia; Family Flinderaceae) are applied on wound in order to increase the healing process. Shri Hujur Thakur of Sukhri Dabri informed that Patal kumhda herb is a good tonic for cattle. I have described in my previous articles, about similar uses of Patalkumhda in Tilda region. Shri Paras Sahu of Biroda informed that the leaves of common lemon tree (Nimbu) are collected and dried in shade. These leaves are burnt and the painful parts of cattle are exposed in fumes in order to reduce the pain. He also informed that the seeds of Bhatkatiya are used to treat toothache in cattle. The seeds are collected from matured fruits and burnt in fire. The fumes are exposed in affected teeth. Bhatkatiya or Bhachkatiya is a common weed in Chhattisgarh. It holds a reputed position as human medicine in different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, it is bitter, heating, laxative, appetiser, stomachic, anthelmintic and useful in bronchitis, asthma, fever, ozoena, lumbago, pains, piles, thirst, urinary concretions, heart diseases and pruritis. It is also a reputed aphrodisiac. The scientific name of Bhatkatiya is Solanum xanthocarpum (family Solanaceae). Botanically it is very prickly diffuse, bright green perennial herb with zig-zag stems, prickles compressed, straight, yellow and shining, leaves ovate or elliptic, sinuate or sub pinnatifid, hairy on both sides, armed on midrib and nerves with yellow long prickles, base un-equal sided, petiole prickly, flowers in extra-axillary few flowered cymes; Calyx purple, lobes deltoid, hairy outside; Fruits berry, yellow or white with green veins, surrounded by enlarged calyx. Shri Bala Ram of Maulimuda village informed that when during field work, the bullocks get injury, he apply the fresh leaves of Bans (Bamboo) to stop bleeding and to heal the injured part quickly. Shri Roop Rai of Dargaon informed that the fresh newly emerged leaves of Chirai Jam and Mango stone (Aam ki gohi) are useful in treatment of diarrhoea. Both herbs are used separately.

These traditional medicinal knowledge are unique and documented for the first time. In Chhattisgarh, unfortunately not much work has been done on this important aspect by early workers. The above described traditional uses are result of survey at very limited area. This is a challenge for us, to work hard and conduct detailed surveys in this important aspect, in different parts of Chhattisgarh. Thank you very much for reading the article.