Traditional Medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of intestinal worms in Chhattisgarh, India

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

For the treatment of intestinal worms the use of Karosene oil (Mitti Ka Tel) is very common in Chhattisgarh. Although Karosene oil is not a herbal oil but after seeing its efficacy and popularity, I am describing its use at first and after this, I will describe herbal treatment. In general, the natives dip the cotton bud in Karosene oil and put it inside the anus before sleep. Next morning it is removed. According to the natives, this little treatment drains the worms out during motion. It is prescribed for persons of all age group. This is popular home remedy and since generations it is in use. During my ethnobotanical surveys, I have collected information on many herbs and herbal formulations that are in use in different parts of Chhattisgarh. The natives and traditional healers have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of intestinal worms in Chhattisgarh. In my previous article on Potherbs, I have described that many pot herbs are popular in the state. These potherbs are preferred not only for taste but it also possess valuable medicinal properties. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of medicinal properties of Bathua against intestinal worms. They use different parts of Bathua for this purpose. Bathua is among most popular potherbs in the state. In Chhattisgarh, it grows like a weed in winter crops particularly in wheat fields. As potherb, new leaves are used. Leaves collected after flowering are not preferred. The natives living in rural areas get the Bathua Bhaji free of cost whereas for natives living in urban areas, it is available as vegetable in local markets. It is common belief in Chhattisgarh, one season (i.e. winter) use of Bathua as pot herbs, saves the body from various troubles including intestinal worms. It is also considered useful in treatment and prevention of Safed Dag (Leucoderma). In my previous articles I have mentioned that the traditional healers blame the intestinal worms as root cause of Lecuoderma. According to them, the use of Bathua, kills the worms and in this way, cures the problem of Leucoderma.

During surveys I noted that many natives are not aware of miracle medicinal properties of Bathua but they are still using it regularly. This is positive sign. Many traditional healers of Chhattisgarh extract the juice of whole herb and give it to the patients having the problem of intestinal worms. According to them, for quick relief this treatment is more effective as compared to its use as potherb. The natives prepare special Chapati and Paratha, using the leaves of Bathua. The scientific name of Bathua is Chenopodium album (family Chenopodiaceae). As medicine, Bathua holds a reputed position in reference literatures. According to Ayurveda, the whole herb is generally used as medicine. It improve appetite. It is oleaginous, anthelmintic, laxative (at over dose), diuretic, aphrodisiac (this is new information for the natives of Chhattisgarh), and tonic. It is useful in treatment of biliousness, abdominal pains, eye-diseases, throat infections, piles, blood disorders and troubles of heart and spleen. Botanically, it is 1-3 feet high, herbaceous annual, having branched tap-root; Stem erect, branched, angled, of ten striped green, red or purple, young shoots mealy; Leaf variable in shape, 1-5 inches long, lower ovate or oblong, toothed or entire, angled or lobed, margin more or less sinuate, upper mostly narrow, entire, petiole slender, often equal to or longer than the lamina, more or less fleshy, covered with whitish mealy powder; Inflorescence : flowers in cymose clusters, forming axillary spikes or long terminal panicles, flowers very small an inconspicuous, sessile, without bracts and bracteoles, regular, actinomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous; Fruits having a membranous utricle enclosed in the perianth; Seeds rounded, compressed with a hard testa, having black shining. Although Bathua occur as weed and natives have rich traditional medicinal knowledge but it is bitter fact that there is not a single pharmacy engaged in preparation Bathua based drugs. There is a tremendous scope in this field. As it is not in list of non-wood forest produces, there is no threat to its natural population in Chhattisgarh.

Baibirang or Baibidang is in list of herbs having high demand in national and international drug markets. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use this herb alone and in combination with other herbs for treatment of intestinal worms. During my ethnoboanical surveys. I have collected the information about 50 herbal combinations in which this herb is used as main ingredient. The healers use Baibirang with Harra, Baheda, Aonla, black salt, and wild Pudina (Mentha) very frequently. These Baibirang based herbal combinations are given internally to the patients and in most of the cases, a single dose cures the trouble. The scientific name of Baibirang is Embelia ribes (family : Myrsinaceae). As carminative, it is well described in reference literatures. Its black berries are used as medicine. In ancient literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, the Baibirang from Kabul (Afganistan) was considered best for preparation of medicine. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of this fact but they prefer, the berries collected from natural forests as compared to berries purchased from local herb shops. I am describing its reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. According to these literatures, Baibirang is hot, dry with sharp bitter taste, good appetiser, carminative, anthelmintic, alexiteric, laxative, alterative, analgesic, vulnerary and useful in treatment of tumours, ascites, bronchitis, dyspnoea, mental diseases, diseases of heat, urinary discharges, jaundice (Peelia), Adhasisi(migraine), worms in wounds etc. Anti-ageing properties of different parts of Baibirang are also reported in reference literatures. In national drug markets, Chhattisgarh is one of the major suppliers of Baibirang. Unfortunately, like Bathua, there is lack of pharmacies engaged in processing and utilisation of this important and valuable herb in Chhattisgarh where raw material is available in plenty and at very cheap rates. Botanically Baibirang is a large scandent shrub with long ane slender branches; Leaves alternate, coriaceous, elliptic-lanceolate, shining above, paler and silvery beneath, whole surface covered with minute reddish sunken glands; Flowers berry, nearly globose, smooth, succulent, black when ripe, like a pepper corn when dried. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region, use the bark of Bakain (Melia sp.) for this trouble. The fresh bark is collected and dried in shade. The decoction is prepared and patients are advised to drink this decoction once daily upto three days. For taste, sugar or gud is added in decoction. The healers of Mahasamund and Pithora region, use the fresh juice Dhatura leaves for external application. Black flowered Dhatura species are preferred. The juice is extracted and patients are advised to apply the juice with the help of index finger, inside the anus, at night. Like application of Karosene oil, the use of cotton bud dipped in juice of Dhatura leaves is also common in these regions. The traditional healers of Dhamtari region, add the juice of Arandi leaves (castor) in Dhatura juice and use it in same manner. According to them, the addition of Arandi juice increases its potential. Various preparation of Til (Sesamum indicum) are also used by the natives. For details you can read my previous article on traditional medicinal knowledge about Til in Chhattisgarh, India.

As mentioned earlier, the natives have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of intestinal worms, I am describing some popular home remedies that are in use in Chhattisgarh and popular among the natives. The natives collect the seeds from ripe fruits of Papita (Papaya) and used it as carminative. The seeds from indigenous species are used. The patients are advised by the natives to take 10-12 seeds of Papita with water upto seven days. The natives also use pure honey with herbs like Lason (Garlic) to treat this trouble. According to healers alone pure honey is capable of solving the problem but it takes longer time. The natives of Durg region, use the fresh juice of Tulsi herb (Ocimum sanctum) for this trouble. The decoction is also used in many cases. In rural areas of Chhattisgarh, the use of Neem oil is also common. According to the age of patients, five to ten drops of neem oil is given for intestinal worms. But as taste and smell are awkward, this use is loosing its popularity in young generations. In general the natives avoid the intake of lemon seeds but the natives of Sarguja region, use the lemon seeds for the treatment. The seeds are crushed and taken with water in case of intestinal worms. The use of Mango fruit stone (Gohi) is also common is Chhatttisgarh. The dried stones are converted into powder and the powder is given with lukewarm water. Like Karosene and Dhatura juice, the cotton bud dipped in Hing juice (Asafoetida) is also used for external application. The fact that very few natives visit to medical practitioners for the treatment of intestinal worms, clearly indicates the efficacy and popularity of these home remedies commonly used by the natives of Chhattisgarh.