Traditional Medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Garmi (Syphilis) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, the shape of Fudhar phal (fruit) clearly indicates its utility in treatment of syphilis,. If you see the fruits carefully, you will see a shape resembling a man sitting in front of any one with great shame, bowed down and explaining what he has done is just by mistake. When person having syphilis sits in front of traditional healers, from distance it looks like the fruit shape of Fudhar. According to healers, the patients suffering from rheumatism and respiratory troubles specially asthma, also sit in this specific position. Hence, Fudhar is a promising herb in treatment of these troubles. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected many such interesting information. In our ancient literatures related to herbs it is clearly mentioned that " Aushdhia Bolti Hain" (i.e. the herb speaks). If you see any herb minutely, you will understand for which disease, it is useful. There is no need of chemical evaluation. Like traditional healers of other parts of India, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this unique knowledge and they are using this knowledge in treatment. In my previous articles on ethnobotanical surveys of Bagbahera, I have described traditional knowledge on this important aspect.

The natives of this region use Lal Kumhba (Lal -red) in order to enrich the blood. According to them the red colour clearly indicates its use in blood disorders. During the year 1999-2000, I conducted a separate ethnobotanical survey to list out the traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs that speak. I have collected information on over 500 such herbs. I am describing some interesting findings. According to healers, the fruit of Sitaphal (annona squamosa) resembles to the skin of small pox patients, hence it is useful in treatment and prevention of small -pox. Similarly, the fruit of Karela (Momordica charantia) looks like pancreas, hence it is good remedy for diabetes. The fruit of Papita (Papaya) looks like the shape of stomach we are aware of its utility in stomach related troubles. The use of Shivlingi (Bryonia) is also common in Chhattisgarh. Shivlingi resembles to male - genitals. The seeds and its arrangement in Anar fruit (Pomegranate) resembles human teeth, hence the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, consider it best for dental care. The leaves of popular pot herb Muscaini Bhaji (Ipomoea reniformis) resembles to the shape of kidney. I have described its traditional uses in kidney related troubles particularly in case of renal calculi (Pathri). The use of Akhrot (Walnut) as brain tonic is mentioned in reference literatures. I will describe more in my future articles. This is unique knowledge and I am observing that in Chhattisgarh, due to poor documentation work, we are loosing it very rapidly. Like herbs, on the basis of shape and behaviour of insects and mites, the healers of the state, get information of its utility in treatment of specific diseases.

As the fruit of Fudhar clearly indicates its utility in treatment of syphilis, the healers use this herb very frequently in treatment. All parts of Fudhar are used both externally and internally. Fudhar is a common wasteland weed in Chhattisgarh. Taking advantage of patient’s shame, the medicinal practitioners, of Chhattisgarh, charge very high fees for the treatment of syphilis. The traditional healers informed me that syphilis can be treated easily and at very less expenses, with the help of common herbs growing as weeds in wastelands of Chhattisgarh. The healers take no charge for treatment. Many healers take nominal charges in the name of expenses on herbs. In general the healers express anger against patients and after long lecture they start the treatment. During clinical experience course, as a part of my Homoeopathy course, with eminent Homoeopath of Chhattisgarh Late Dr. B. R. Guha, I got opportunities to handle many cases of syphilis. In Homoeopathy, there are many promising drugs that can cure this trouble in relatively less time. Like traditional healers, Dr. Guha was also giving long lectures using harsh language to the patients before starting the treatment. According to him, it is his duty to warn the patients that what you have done is wrong and do not repeat it, be careful. It is common tendency that after getting early cure through herbs and Homoeopathic drugs, the patients do not take it seriously and repeat the same mistake. Like long lectures, the very high charges of medical practitioners, make the patients enough cautions. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Fudhar alone or in combination with other herbs.

I am describing some promising traditional uses , I have noted during my ethnobotanical surveys. For treatment, the healers use the roots of Fudhar very frequently. The roots are collected early in the morning. During flowering time, collection is avoided. The roots are dried in shade and mix with Kali Mirich (Black Pipper). This combination is converted into small globules and given to the patients. The recommended dose is one globule twice a day. The stem of Fudhar is also used in treatment. The stem is dried in shade and put in fire. The ash is collected and given to the patients with sugar and cow’s ghee. The bark is used in combination with other herbs. All herbs are dried and burnt. The affected part is exposed in fumes. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, boil the yellow leaves of Fudhar in Sarson Ka Tel (Mustard oil) and this herbal oil is used externally on affected part. After mixing wax, many traditional healers use it as herbal cream also. It is also noted during surveys, that many healers add Neem leaves in this combination. It is a matter of scientific investigation that why the healers use yellow leaves, why they do not use normal green leaves. The healers are unable to explain the science. In general, twenty one leaves are taken and for collection of leaves, twenty one plants are selected. The healers collect only one leaf from one plant. The healers are following the instructions of their forefathers. I am trying to get the answer. As many leaves from one plant can damage the plant, possibly this is one of the reasons why one leaf is collected from one plant. The scientific name of Fudhar is Calotropis gigantea. I have written a lot on this useful herb. For new readers I am describing its botany in short. According to reference literatures, it is a common shrubby weed having height upto six feet (even taller Fudhar herbs can be seen in Chhattisgarh), with its younger parts and under surface of leaves covered with white floccose tomentum. All parts contain milky latex; Tap root, deep and branched; Stem woody below and herbaceous above, branched, tomentose; Leaf sessile, opposite and decussate, 2-5 inch, long thick, glaucos-green, elliptic or obovate-oblong, acute or shortly, acuminate with a slightly cordate or often amplexicaul base; Inflorescence : Flowers large arranged in axillary umbellate cymes; Flower pedicellate, complete, regular, bisexual, hypogynous, pentamerous except pistil; calyx five sepals, poly sepalous, deeply divided, inferior greenish; Corolla five petals, gamopetalous, pink or whitish with purple spots; Fruits as an entaerio of follicles, follicles 3-4inch recurved; Seeds numerous, broadly ovate, flat, minutely tomentose with tuft of silky hairs.

The leaves of Kevatch are also in use in Chhattisgarh. The healers use both fresh and dry leaves. The traditional healers of Dhamtari region, use the fresh leaves. The leaves are mixed and with the help of water, paste is prepared. The patients are advised to take this paste, twice a day upto one week. The healers of Kanker region, particularly from Narharpur region, prepare a decoction by boiling the leaves in water. The decoction is given to the patients. In my previous articles, I have reported natural occurrence of many species of Kevatch (Mucuna sp.) in Chhattisgarh. In treatment of syphilis, the black seeded Kevatch species is preferred as compared to other species. The cultivated white seeded species is not used. The traditional healers also prepare special decoctions using different herbs. I am describing some popular decoctions. The barks of Mahul (Bauhinia sp.), roots of Bhatkatiya (Solanum xanthocarpum) and Indrayan (Citrullus colocynthis), young pods of Babool (Acacia nilotica) are mixed in equal proportion and boiled in water. When water remains one fourth of initial quantity, it is collected in special bottles. Daily 100 ml. of this decoction is given to patients till cure. Many healers add the leaves of Bhatkatiya also in this decoction. The healers also prepare a special decoction by using the barks of Sirsa (Albizia sp.), Neem(Azadirachta indica) and Babool for treatment. This decoction is given upto seven days only. The healers instruct the patients to eat the Chapatis prepared from Chana (Chickpea) during this period. The traditional healers of Biladi forest region, use the leaves of Bar (Ficus benghalensis) and Hulhul (Cleome viscosa) in treatment of syphilis. Both herbs are used separately. The Bar leaves are dried and burnt. The ash is given with Pan (betel vine). The leaves of Hulhul are applied both externally and internally. The aqueous paste is applied on chancre whereas leaves are taken internally with water. Ghoda Ghas is a common wasteland weed in Chhattisgarh. Its scientific name is Dinebra retroflexa.

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, use this grassy weed in treatment. The herb is collected and dried. After drying it is burnt and ash is given to patients internally. The ash is given upto one week only. Another weed, Raksi, commonly found in rice ecosystem is also used for treatment. The leaves are collected and dipped in water whole night. Next morning, the leachate is used. This use is recommended upto one month. The traditional healers of Dongergarh region, use the leaves of Kasondi (Cassia sophera) with Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) for the treatment. Its close relative Charota (Cassia tora) is not used as substitute. For the treatment of syphilis, many healers use para (mercury). According to the healers, one has to be very carefully in use of Para as medicine and overdose may result in many complications. The use of para causes stomatitis and gives birth to many boils in different parts of body. For stomatitis (due to use of para), the healers suggest the patients to gargle with the decoction of Kachnar bark and leaves of Chameli herb. Both herbs are used separately. The above mentioned decoctions used in treatment of syphilis are considered safe as compared to the use of Para (mercury). In general, initially the healers try herbal decoctions and in case of complications, they use para based herbal combinations. The use of herbal decoction is considered as safe because this use do not produce any side effects like stomatitis. In para based herbal combinations, the healers use many common herbs like, Baibirang, Mahua flowers, Kali Mirich etc. Nila thotha (Copper sulphate) is also used very frequently. The traditional healers of Mudpar prepare a special drug by using Tulsi leaves with Nila thotha and give it to the patients. The use of wild species of Ber (Ziziphus) is also common in many parts of Chhattisgarh. The patients are advised to cover their bodies with cloth. The dried Ber herbs is burnt and fumes are directed into the cloth particularly in affected parts. In southern parts of Chhattisgarh, the healers very frequently use the herbal oil prepared from Indrayan. The traditional healers of Machkot forest areas described the method of oil preparation. The half paw (125 gms) roots are mixed in 2 litres of water. This mixture is allowed to boil. When the solution remains one fourth of initial quantity the healer add half litres of Arandi Ka Tel (Castor Oil). Again this solution is kept on fire. When water evaporates completely, this oil is collected and kept for future use. The oil is given with cow milk to the patients daily. According to him, it is one of most promising treatment and in most of the cases the patients get cure within a week.

The above mentioned herbs and herbal combinations are in use in Chhattisgarh since generations. Most of the herbs occur as common weeds in the state. As syphilis is one of the common and complicated problem, the traditional knowledge of traditional healers of Chhattisgarh can help the researchers in their research studies and works. My surveys are in progress. I will write more on this important disease in my future articles. Thank you very much for reading the article.