Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Herbs used in Treatment of Cancer in Chhattisgarh, India. 96. Uses of Ankol (Alangium salviifolium).

Ankol is well known medicinal tree of medicinal importance in Chhattisgarh. Its all parts are used as traditional medicine. The natives of forest and rural regions are also aware of different uses of Ankol. I have written a lot about its traditional medicinal uses in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh having expertise in treatment of different types of cancer use its different plant parts in treatment. Through interactions and meetings with these traditional healers I have collected less but important information on its use as cancer herb. I am giving the details in present article.

During the Ethnobotanical surveys in Narharpur region I observed special Herbal Mala having root pieces. When I asked the persons wearing this Mala they informed that they are having skin cancer and the local healers have advised them to wear it. By seeing the Mala it was hard to identify the roots. I met to the healers and informed about the importance of on-going documentation work. Many of them informed that the roots are of Ankol or Dhera. According to them this Mala acts in promising way in treatment of skin cancer. The Mala is tied loosely around the neck in a way so that the pieces will remain in touch with body. Although the traditional healers are not aware of its mode of action but as traditional practice they are using it sincerely without any modification. I feel that it is responsibility of modern researchers to explain the science of this use and provide scientific base to this important traditional knowledge. The healers use it as supplement treatment along with main treatment of skin cancer. I visited to the nearby forest in search of Ankol roots with the healers. Many senior healers irrigated the trees with herbal extracts few days before the collection of roots. They informed that these extracts enrich the roots with medicinal properties. The healers have very strict criteria for the collection of roots. They prefer its selection on full moon night. The roots growing in northern direction are considered best. The roots are collected in a way so that it can damage the trees. I was much impressed by observing this scientific way of root collection. The natives using Herbal Mala are not aware of its use. Many of them informed that this Mala protects them from evil spirits. This Mala is not available as commercial product in market. Many herb vendors collect it from the traditional healers and supply it to the healers of other states. The healers don't inform much about this Mala to common person.

The traditional healers of Gandai-Salewara region use the roots internally in treatment of skin cancer. Suprisingly they are not much aware of use of Herbal Mala prepared from Ankol root pieces. They are aware that the roots are very toxic in nature and this is the reason the roots are used under their strict supervision. They use it at both initial and advanced stages but it gives better results at advanced stages. The roots are given as single remedy in form of powder at initial stages. At advanced stages it is used in combination with other herbs.

The traditional healers of Kanker region suggest the patients having lung cancer to never miss the chance of consuming Ankol fruits during the season. The fruits are considered beneficial for the patients. The fallen fruits are not preferred. In general the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains suggest the patients having any type of cancer to consume its fruits as the fruits are cool in nature and help the patients taking hot drugs in treatment of cancer. It also helps the patients to get relief from pain to some extent.

The traditional healers of Jashpur region boil the fresh bark in base oil to prepare special oil. This oil is considered beneficial for the cancerous wound especially at initial stages. The patients are advised to apply the oil on wounds many times in a day. It is used as supplement treatment along with main treatment of cancerous wounds. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region prefer the use of bark decoction in place of oil for cancerous wound. The concentrate decoction is prepared and every time fresh decoction is used. The healers of this region also collect the soil near to the Ankol root zone to prepare herbal combination. This combination is used externally in treatment of skin cancer.

In general the shade of Ankol tree is considered beneficial for the cancer patients. The patients having skin cancer are specially advised by the healers to pass much time around these trees.

The traditional healers use different herbal extracts and leachates in order to enrich Ankol plant parts with medicinal properties. I have written a lot on this Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge in my previous articles. I am not repeating it here.

Although I have written a lot about this tree but it seems much knowledge is still undocumented. I am trying my best to collect and document this knowledge through on-going surveys.




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