Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Herbs used in Treatment of Cancer in Chhattisgarh, India. XXXI. Uses of Pipal (Ficus religiosa).

Pipal is a tree of religious and medicinal importance in Chhattisgarh. There are many villages in Chhattisgarh having names based on the natural population of Pipal trees. The natives and traditional healers have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about this tree. They use its all parts as medicine. The natural forests are having rich population of this tree. The trees having age over hundred years are growing in different regions. The natives plant this tree in public places. According to them without these trees the village is like dead village. It is considered as life giving tree. I have written a lot about this tree in my previous articles. During the Ethnobotanical surveys I have found that the traditional healers having expertise in treatment of different types of cancer use the plant parts of Pipal as medicine. These parts are used both internally as well as externally. These are used alone as well as in combination with other herbs. I have collected much information on this aspect.

In case of spread of cancer the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains use the Pipal leaves. The leaves are used internally. The healers extract the juice and suggest the patients to take it internally with Shahad (Honey). The newer leaves are used at initial stages and at advanced stages matured leaves are used for juice extraction. The healers informed that alone juice is not much effective. This is the reason it is always given with Shahad. The healers are in favor of its long-term use. They give it to the patients daily morning empty stomach. It is given as supplement treatment along with main treatment. The healers have deep faith in this use. This is the reason it is very popular among them.

In case of cancerous wounds the traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara region use the Pipal bark. The bark is used in combination with Chuna (Lime). The combination is applied externally on cancerous wounds many times a day. The healers use the freshly collected bark. The inner bark is collected. The healers take special care during the collection of bark. They are aware that unscientific collection may result in death of the trees. Old trees are preferred for the collection of bark. Different healers use the bark in different proportion. Most of the healers use it in equal proportion. Other herbs are not added in this combination. The healers don't keep the combination up to long time. They informed that this combination is having wound healing properties. It also kills the maggots.

The patients having breast cancer are advised by the traditional healers of Northern Chhattisgarh to use Pipal bark in combination with Indryan (Citrullus colocynthis) roots. Both herb parts are mixed and in form of aqueous paste applied externally on affected part. The healers informed that at initial stages it acts in miraculous ways. They suggest its long-term use. The patients are advised to apply it many times in a day. It is used along with main (internal) treatment of breast cancer. The traditional healers don't inform about the contents of this combination to any one. In order to hide its identity they add more herbs in it. They are much worried about its wrong use.

I have mentioned in previous research articles that the child patients having mental disorders are suggested by the traditional healers to take garam Bhat (Hot cooked rice) in Pattal (Platters) prepared from Pipal leaves. It acts in miraculous ways. The traditional healers of Narharpur region informed that they prepare pattal by using Pipal and Parsa (Butea monosperma) leaves in equal proportion and suggest the patients having any type of cancer to use it in same way. In general the cooked grains of medicinal rice Dubraj are served hot in this pattal. The healers informed that the use of these pattals are having several known and unknown benefits for cancer patients and every patient must use it in their routine life. They suggest the patients to use it with other treatments. Old trees of Parsa and Pipal are preferred for the collection of leaves.

The traditional healers of Bagbahera region use special oil by boiling Lac (Lakh) collected from Pipal tree in treatment of cancerous wounds. They keep the method of oil preparation secret. The patients are advised by them to apply the oil on wounds many times in day. Many senior healers informed that they use over 22 species of herbs to prepare this oil. This oil is popular in the region. Many herb vendors purchase the oil from the healers and sell it to the healers of other states. Most of the healers use this oil under their strict supervision.

In general the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh suggest the patients to consume Picri, matured fruits of Pipal during growing season. The fruits are considered beneficial for the patients having any type of cancer. The healers informed that the fruits act as Vish nashak and protect the body from all types of toxins. Picri is consumed in Chhattisgarh with taste. It is much liked by small children. In Chhattisgarh many herbal dishes are prepared from the fruits. The healers also suggest the cancer patients to pass much time around and under Pipal trees especially under old trees. I have mentioned in my article on Tree Shade Therapy that many tree shades are considered beneficial for diseases. In metros now it is becoming hard to get old Pipal trees. In rural and forest regions it is easy to get old trees.

The above mentioned traditional uses are very popular among the healers. Its popularity clearly indicates its efficacy. The healers are practicing this knowledge sincerely. They are adding new herbs in these formulations and in this way enriching the traditional knowledge.

In order to enrich different plant parts with medicinal properties the traditional healers apply special herbal extracts and leachates around Pipal trees before the collection of plant parts. I have written a lot on this Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge in my previous articles.

I am still in process of collecting more information on this aspect .You will find the details in coming articles.





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