Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Herbs used in Treatment of Cancer in Chhattisgarh, India. 99. Additional information on Uses of Dhatra (Datura species).

Dhatra is well known medicinal herb throughout India. It is wasteland herb and its all parts are used both internally as well as externally in treatment of common diseases. Although it is mentioned as weed in reference literatures related to Agriculture but the farmers are not ready to accept it as unwanted plant. In many parts of Chhattisgarh including in Chhattisgarh the farmers collect different plant parts of Dhatra and sell it to the local herb traders. In this way they earn an additional income from this so-called weed. The natives of Chhattisgarh are having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about this herb. They use it in common troubles and in this way save much of their medical expenses. The traditional healers use it in treatment of complicated troubles. It is one of my favorite herbs and I have written a lot on Dhatra. I have evaluated its Allelopathic potential. I have mentioned in previous articles that how the traditional healers use it in treatment of different types of cancer. In present article I am giving additional information I have collected through recent surveys.

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains prepare special herbal combination by mixing Dhatra leaf juice, Opium and Sonth (Dried Ginger) and in form of paste apply this combination on cancerous wound. This paste is used in this way many times in a day. The traditional healers informed that this combination is having wound healing properties. It reduces the pain to great extent. The healers use it at all stages of cancerous wounds. They are in favor of its long-term use. The healers keep this combination secret and this is the reason this useful combination is available as commercial produce in the market. The healers use it under their strict supervision. It is used as supplement treatment along with main treatment of cancerous wound.

I have mentioned in previous articles that the traditional healers use Dhatra leaf in treatment of Asthma. The leaves are dried in shade and burnt. The patients are advised to inhale the fumes. Many healers prepare special herbal cigarette using these leaves. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Pains informed during the recent surveys that the use of leaves in this way is beneficial for the patients having lung cancer also. The healers add more leaves in it in order to get more promising result. I have collected the information on over ten types of leaves. Most of the healers add Blumea leaves with Dhatra leaves. The healers use it at all stages of lung cancer as supplement treatment.

By boiling the roots in base boil the traditional healers of Sirpur region prepare special herbal oil. This herbal oil is used externally in treatment of cancerous wound. It gives promising effects at early stages. The healers add more herbs in this oil but roots are used as major ingredient.

At last stage of blood cancer when all remedies fail to give the desirable results as last hope the traditional healers use Dhatra seeds. They are aware of the toxicity of the seeds. This is the reason they use it under their strict supervision. On the basis of the conditions of the patients the healers decide the dose. I have seen the use of larger doses and poor responses of patient's body even at such higher doses. The healers informed that the success rate is very low and in general one patient get cure out of one thousand patients. But the healers believe much in this trial and never miss the chance of its use. The seeds are not used with other herbs.

The traditional healers of Bagbahera region informed that the flowers in dry form are added in popular herbal combinations used in treatment of cancer. The flowers are added as major ingredient and many formulations are considered incomplete without the flowers.

I have mentioned in previous articles that the traditional healers use different insect species feeding on Dhatra in treatment of many diseases. Through recent surveys I got interesting information on use of these insects in treatment of cancer. These insects are used alone as well as in combination with medicinal herbs. I will write a separate article on this aspect.

During the surveys in Gandai-Salewara region I observed Dhatra root pieces tied around the wrist of the cancer patients. Like Gunja roots the traditional healers of this region suggest the use of Dhatra roots in this way. The roots are tied with the help of black thread. It is used as supplement treatment along with main treatment of cancer. The traditional healers are not aware of its mode of action but as traditional practice they are following it sincerely. I feel that it is the responsibility of the modern healers to search its scientific explanation in order to provide scientific base to this traditional knowledge.

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

Although I have written a lot on different aspects of this herb but much knowledge is still undocumented. I am trying my best to gather information on Dhatra based herbal combinations used in treatment of cancer by the healers. I will write on this aspect as soon as I will get the information.




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