Traditional medicinal knowledge about common rice weeds used for first aid in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Chhattisgarh (India) is rich in bio-diversity. Many valuable medicinal plants grow in the region as weeds. Chhattisgarh is known as "Rice Bowl of Eastern India". Many medicinal weeds infest the rice fields of Chhattisgarh. Majority of native people still have faith in traditional systems of medicines and they treat their health problems with plants available in their surroundings, specially during field work where they invest their major time period, far from medical facilities. During field works, farmers use common weeds as first aid measures. Due to non-availability of any systematic information as survey was conducted to list out the common rice weeds used for first aid by Chhattisgarh farmers.

The survey revealed that farmers use 13 common weeds for first aid. These weeds are Tridax procumbens, Cynodon dactylon, Caesulia axillaris, Blumea lacera, Eclipta alba, Sida acuta, Achyranthes aspera, Leucas aspera, Spillanthus acmela, Ocmum basilicum, Xanthium strumarium and Scoparia dulcis. These are common weeds of rice fields and bunds. In case of injury, cuts, wounds etc. farmers apply fresh juice of crushed leaves in injured part. In majority of cases, the bleeding stops ad fast healing of wound occur. For bleeding fresh juice of whole plant of Caesulia is useful. It is general belief in Chhattisgarh, that keeping the Achyranthes root in foot wears, repell away the scorpion in case of scorpioin bite, as first aid measure farmers apply fresh juice of crushed leaves in affected part. Leucas aspera, locally known as Gumma, is one of the popular potherbs.

It is general belief that person taking Leucas leaves as potherb for long period develops specific smell in his body which repells snakes away. In case of snake bite farmers apply the fresh juice of crushed plant in affected part. For sever toothache, during field work, farmers chew Spillanthus fruits. The bitter taste of this fruit juice mixed with saliva relieves toothache immediately. For acute headache farmers apply paste of Ocimum leaves in affected part. In Northern-hilly part of Chhattisgarh, farmers wear the Xanthium fruits as earring to cure headache. In hot summers,.sun-stroke is common ailment. To prevent and also to cure sunstroke farmers use the decoction of Scoparia. During field work, while working under open sky, farmers chew Scoparia leaves to prevent Sunstroke. Mature fruits of Cucumis trigonus, locally known as Kolhi Kekdi, is a popular on field breakfast for farmers. This fruits cure indigestion and help farmers to work for long time.