Some less known traditional medicinal uses of common herbs used in treatment of Hydrocele by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, India.

Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, India, I have collected many valuable information on use of common herbs used in treatment of Hydrocele. I have written a lot on this aspect in my previous articles. In present article, I am giving the details regarding traditional knowledge limited to very few traditional healers and most of these healers are known as expert in treatment of this trouble. The healers agreed to disclose the formulation with promise that I will earn no money ever from this formulation. They are aware of my on-going documentation work. I am feeling sad to inform you that many of the healers, who have disclosed these formulations are not with us now.

The traditional healers of Bagbahera region, once told me that the mother nature has made a specific part of Ama tree for the treatment of Hydrocele and by minute observation one can identify the part by its specific appearance like swelled scrotum. They instructed me to observe the tree and identify the part. And only after identification, they will inform about how it can be used in treatment. I collected all parts of tree and studied it carefully but not found the specific part having similarity to scrotum. I visited to the healers again. They laughed and said, do not observe the parts separately, observe the standing tree. I followed the instruction but failed to identify the specific part. Finally, I visited to Ama tree with the healers. They showed me small Gathan or swellings like node on Ama tree trunk. When I observed it minutely, I found it similar to swelled scrotum. According to the traditional healers, these Gathans are a boon for the patients having the problem of Hydrocele. After performing specific worship ceremony, they collect these parts and bring it to their homes to prepare medicine. The Gathan is crushed and with the help of cow urine, they prepare an aqueous paste. The patients having the problem of Hydrocele are advised to apply the aqueous paste externally twice a day. Within very less time the patients get relief and very soon, get rid from this trouble. The healers use this Gathan internally also in combination with other herbs commonly used in treatmetnt of Hydrocele. But the traditional healers consider external use more promising as compared to the internal use. The healers use the Gathan of only indigenous Ama tree. Ama is a local name of Aam (Mangifera indica, Mango). Mango orchards are common feature of typical Chhattisgarh village. The traditional healers of other parts of Chhattisgarh are not aware of this unique use. When I appreciated the healers for their minute observation, they gently replied that this is blessings of forefathers. According to them every herb lover must spend sometime, observing the plant parts of different herbs as every part clearly speaks that 'Use me in the specific trouble'. The solution of every trouble is around us but due to lack of concentration, we ignore these valuable solutions. I am feeling proud to document this valuable traditional knowledge, our healers have.

As you know, Chhattisgarh is a rice bowl of India. In early days, when medicinal rice varieties were under cultivation, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains were using the medicinal rice variety Baisoor in treatment of Hydrocele. The senior healers of Durg region disclosed this formulation. The rice grains are cooked and after cooking, the rice water is collected. This rice water is used in combination of Karanj roots to prepare a herbal combination. The fresh roots are crushed and with the help of rice water, an aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on scrotum to treat Hydrocele. Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) is a common medicinal tree in Chhattisgarh. The senior healers are not using this promising combination because the seeds of Baisoor are not available. They informed that they have tried other medicinal as well as commercial rice varieties in combination with Karanj but failed to get desirable effects. I have noted that these traditional healers have in depth traditional knowledge about medicinal rice varieties but unfortunately most of these varieties are not available these days. Their valuable traditional knowledge is still undocumented, I personally feel that there is a need to document the important valuable knowledge and to honour these healers. I have promised them to arrange the seeds of specific medicinal rice varieties from other parts of Chhattisgarh for their use.

I have written a lot on medicinal uses of Triphala [A combination of Harra (Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia bellirica) and Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica) Fruits] in treatment of many common diseases. The reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India are also full of information regarding medicinal uses and properties of Triphala. But through the interactions with the traditional healers of Gandai region, I got information on use of Triphala internally in treatment of Hydrocele. In general, in Triphala, all ingredients are mixed in equal proportion but the traditional healers add Harra, Bahera and Aonla in 3:2:1 proportion. This is new combination of Triphala. According to them, through this combination, Hydrocele can be managed effectively.

When I write about my experiences with the healers, I feel very satisfied and glad and while writing, all the scenes of specific locations come in front of my eyes. This is really fantastic experience.

Thank you very much for reading the article.

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