Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about common herbs, insects and mites used in treatment of Lakwa (Paralysis) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

For treatment of Lakwa, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the oil of Birbahutti or Rani Keeda very frequently. The oil extracted from freshly collected Birbahutti is considered best for treatment. As base oil, most of the healers use Sarson ka Tel (Mustard oil). The use of Til Oil (Sesamum oil) is also common in Chhattisgarh. The healers collect Birbahutti during rainy season, kill it and dry it in shade. Birbahutti or Rani Keeda (Trombidium sp. ; Red velvet mite) is a common mite in Chhattisgarh. I have written a lot about this medicinal mite in my previous articles. Its use as sex tonic and aphrodisiac is very popular. According to the traditional healers, it is a valuable medicine for Lakwa also. In treatment of Lakwa it is used both externally and internally. For preparation of oil, female mites are preferred. The nature (Tasir ) of this oil is hot and regular massage result in complete cure in few weeks. The traditional healers specialised in use of Birbahutti prepare the oil themselves for their own use round the year. The traders engaged in herb business purchase this mite from villagers at very low cost. After drying they sell it to the traders of Uttar Pradesh particularly to the traders the Banaras. Many pharmaceutical companies of this city are engaged in preparation of Birbahutti oil. The traders of Chhattisgarh purchase the oil from Banaras and sell it to the healers and natives. In Chhattisgarh there is not a single oil preparation unit. Last year during my ethnobotanical surveys in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. I got new information about this oil. Many traditional healers are adding common herbs like Nirgundi and Bach in the Birbahutti oil in order to make it more potential. According to these healers, this is the results of their own research and experience. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, the use of Birbahutti oil in combination with common herbs is not reported. I am proud to write that these new combinations are developed by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. For internal use, the healers remove the legs of mites collected and advise the patients to swallow it. In general, one mite a day is recommended. In case of hesitation, the healers use betel vine leaves or banana fruit as carrier, and give it to the patients without informing them that the carrier contains mites. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region of Chhattisgarh, prepare a special oil using the Gubraila (the dung beetles). As base oil Sarson Ka Tel (Mustard oil) is used. The freshly collected alive beetles are boiled in mustard oil and after evaporation of watery content, oil is used for external application. The use of dung beetles in treatment of Lawkwa (Paralysis) is not reported in available literatures. With the help of traditional healers of Bagbahera and Bastar regions, I am planning to evaluate the efficiency of combination of Dung beetle oil and Birbahutti oil.

The traditional healers and natives of Chhattisgarh use over 75 common herbs alone or in combination with other herbs in treatment of Lakwa, both externally and internally. The traditional healers and natives have rich traditional medicinal knowledge on this important aspect. In this article, at first, I am describing the traditional uses of herbs practiced by the traditional healers and after this, I will write on home remedies used in treatment. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected the information about 38 popular herbal combinations used by the traditional healers. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, use the leaves of Andi (Castar), Dhatura ( Datura stramonium; black flowered variety is preferred). Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea), Munga (Moringa oleifera), and Negur (Vitex negundo) to prepare special herbal oil. Equal quantities of all leaves are taken and juice is extracted. Equal quantity of Sesamum oil (Til Ka Tel) is added in this juice. The combination is kept on fire and after evaporation of watery content, oil is collected and stored in bottles for future use. Yellow leaves of Fudhar are preferred for preparation of oil. During year 1998-2000, I conducted a special survey based on this special oil. In this survey, I discussed the contents and methodology adopted for preparation by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains with the healers of other parts. I also covered neighboring states. I got in formation on variations both in contents and preparation methods. The traditional healers of southern parts of Chhattisgarh add dried ginger (Sonth) in this combination. Sonth is added after preparation of oil by early described method. The traditional healers of Sarguja region particularly of Ambikapur city, add the leaves of common weed Sahadevi (Vernonia cinerea). As it occur as seasonal weed, during active growth state the healers use its leaves and in other part of year they use its stored seeds in herbal oil. I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. It is an annual erect herb, 15-75 cm high; stem stiff , striate, pubescent; Leaves simple, alternate, variable in shape, (upper smaller), broadly elliptic or lanceolate, irregularly toothed or crenate serrate; Flowers pinkish violet; heads small, about twenty flowered in divaricate terminal corymbs; involucral bracts linear-lanceolate, awned, silkly on the back; pappus white; fruits achene, oblong, clothed with white hairs. Flowering time January – February in Chhattisgarh conditions. According to reference literatures, its whole herb, flowers and seeds are used as medicine. The use of leaves as medicine is not reported. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of medicinal uses of leaves also. According to Ayurveda, the plant is sweet, cold, tonic, stomachic, astringent and useful in treatment of consumption, asthma, bronchitis and fever. The traditional healers of Jabalpur and Chindwara regions also use this herbal oil for Lakwa (Paralysis). In place of Sahadevi leaves they add new leaves of Asgandh (Withania somnifera).

I personally feel that there is a strong need to evaluate the efficacies of these different herbal oils. The traditional healers of Kanker region prepare a special herbal oil using the root barks of white flowered variety of Kaner, seeds of Ratti and leaves of Kala Dhatura (Black Flowered species of Datura). All ingredients are mixed in equal quantities and boiled in oil. This oil is applied externally in paralyzed parts. According to the traditional healers using this herbal oil, the oil is also a promising aphrodisiac, if applied on male genitals before intercourse. All herbs used in preparation of this oil are commonly available in this part of the state. Kaner (Nerium indicum syn. Nerium odorum Syn. Nerium oleander) is an evergreen glabrous shrub with milky juice; Leaves in threes, coriaceous, 10-15 cm long, linear-lanceolate, tapering into short petiole, dark green and shining above; Flowers red rose or white, fragrant; Corolla funnel shaped, lobes rounded, throat scaly; Fruits follicles, 15-23 cm long, rigid at length separating; seeds tipped with coma of light brown hairs; Flowering time more or less throughout the year in Chhattisgarh conditions. As medicine its roots, leaves and flowers are used frequently. According to Ayurveda, roots are aphrodisiac, tonic and useful in treatment of chronic pain in abdomen and in joints. Flowers are also aphrodisiac and good for lumbago, inflammations, headache and scabies. Another herb used in this herbal oil is Ratti (Abrus precatorius; family Leguminosae). It is deciduous glabrous twining herb with slender branches; Leaves paripinnate, 5-10 cm long; leaflets 10-20 pairs; Flowers in racemes, small crowded, rose colored ; Fruits pod, turgid, finely silky, 4-6 seeded; Seeds scarlet with a black spot, ovoid. Flowering time rainy season in Chhattisgarh conditions. For reported and traditional uses of Ratti, I suggest you to read my previous articles. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains collect Lason (garlic), Sonth (dried ginger), Bakain and Negur (Vitex negunda) leaves and dry it in shade. After complete drying, all herbs are converted into powder. All herbs are taken in equal quantity. This powder is mixed in two liters of water and allowed to boil. The patients suffering from Lakwa (Paralysis) are advised to sit near the boiling herbs and fumes are directed to the affected parts. Just after treatment, the traditional healers instruct the patients to protect themselves from exposure in cold winds. In this combination, Bakain is new herb for us. I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Bakain (Melia azedarach) is medium sized tree; Leaves biortripinnate, 30-80 cm long; leaflets ovate – lanceolate, oblanceolate, or elliptic - lanceolate, acuminate at apex, bases cuneate, obliques, serrate to entire at margins; Flowers ca 15 mm across, purple; Calyx minute; Petals white, deflexed; Drupes fleshy, yellow when ripe, single seeded. According to Ayurveda, the herb is bitter, refrigerent, anthelmintic, maturant, pectoral, astringent and useful in treatment of vomiting, burning sensation, fatigue, fever, thirst, bad breath, bad taste of mouth, cough, ulcers, leprosy, blood disorders, skin diseases, asthma, piles, tumours, toothache etc.

Bach or Buch (Acorus calamus) is one of the major non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh . It is under cultivation also as medicinal crop. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh prepare different herbal combinations using Bach as main ingredient for the treatment of Lakwa (Paralysis). Its use with Sonth (dried ginger) is most common. The healers mix Sonth and Bach in equal proportion and prepare globules (equal to size of Ber fruits) These globules are given to the patients twice a day till cure. Bach is also used in combination of Kali Mirch (Black Pipper), Kala Zeera (Black Cumin), Akarkara (Spilanthes acmella) in different ratio. Like Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Kali Musli also holds a reputed position in different systems of medicine in India. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use this herb very frequently. The traditional healers of Gandai region of Chhattisgarh, prepare a special herbal combination using Pen (Celastrus paniculata; Family Celastraceae), Bhagrenda or Ratanjot (Jatropha curcas), Pipal (Ficus religiosa) and Kali Musli. The aqueous extracts of these herbs are prepared and given to the patients with Kali Mirch (Black Pipper). The traditional healers of Gandai region are specialised and well known in the state for their specialization in treatment of Lakwa (Paralysis). Kali Musli is naturally occurring herb in dense forests of this region. I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses in brief, I have noted from reference literatures. Kali Musli (Curculigo orchioides; Family Amaryllidaceae) is a small herb, root stout with copious fleshy root fibers; Leaves sessile or petiolate, 15-45 x 1.3 – 1.2 cm linear or linear – lanceolate; tips sometimes rooting ; scape very short, clavate; Flowers in racemes, distichious, yellow; lowest in the raceme 2 – sexual; perianth segments elliptic, oblong, hairy on the back; Fruits capsule, oblong with a beak; seeds grooved, black and shinning; Flowering time May- June or even late, in Chhattisgarh conditions. According to Ayurveda, root is heating, aphrodisiac, alterative , appetizer, fattening and useful in treatment of piles, biliousness, fatigue and blood diseases.

According to Unani system of medicine root is carminative, tonic , aphrodisiac, antipyretic and useful in bronchitis, ophthalmia, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhoea, lumbago, gonorrhoea, gleet, hydrophobia and pains in joints. Kali Musli is not under cultivation in Chhattisgarh as medicinal crop. The traditional healers of Bastar rregion, use pure honey in treatment. One part of pure honey and two parts of water are mixed and allowed to boil. When one third of initial quantity remains, they store the solution for future use. The patients having the problem of Lakwa are advised by the traditional healers to take this solution twice a day till cure. As I have described in my previous article on Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of rheumatism in Chhattisgarh, my relative Mr. Jaddu Oudhia is one of the leading traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, specialised in treatment of Lakwa (Paralysis). Like other traditional healers, he takes no fees for his treatment. Daily morning you can see a long line of patients waiting in front of his home for their chance. He frequently use Doda (Opium) and Kuchla (Nux Vomica) in his treatment. All patients are advised to apply this unique combination of herb with base oil in affected parts and after a week, he starts special massage using other secret herbs. During interaction with him I got information about this unique use of Kuchla. According to him Kuchla should be dipped in water upto fifteen days, in order to soften it. During this process, water is changed in every two days (the leachate can be used as natural weedicide. The leachate is able to manage the obnoxious weed Doob, Cynodon dactylon to the great extent). When Kuchla gets soften, burn it in fire. When fumes check, stop the burning process. After cooling mix the Kali Mirch in soften Kuchla (in equal proportion) and prepare globules. These globules are given to the patients twice a day till cure. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh specialised in treatment of Lakwa (Paralysis ) are aware of this formula. They add more herbs in this herbal oil in order to make it more useful. Although Babuna (Cotula anthemoides; family: Compositae), is not a common herb in Chhatisgarh but many traditional healers are aware of its utility in this case. The Bahuna flowers with Til oil are used to prepare a special herbal oil. After mixing, the oil is kept in open sunlight upto two months. External massage using this oil is considered best for treatment. The traditional healers are dependent on local herb shops for this herb.

The natives of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Lakwa. They use Lason (Garlic) , Shahad (Pure honey), Adrak (Ginger), Piaz (Onion), Urd (Black Gram), Tulsi (Ocimum sp.) very frequently. Out of all these herbs, the use of Garlic is most popular. The natives use this herb in many different ways. They advise the patients to take two buds of garlic with a cup of milk as treatment. They also instruct the patients to boil the Garlic buds in milk and take the extract. The use of herbal oil prepared from Garlic is also common. The natives of northern parts of Chhattisgarh use Lason buds in combination with Makkan (butter).

Most of these uses are not documented in reference literatures. The traditional knowledge of traditional healers and natives of Chhattisgarh clearly indicates that there is a scope for sincere research in this important field. Through this article I would like to request the young researchers to focus their research on this aspect. The traditional uses I have described is just a exposed tip of iceberg, a lot information are still with the healers and natives. My surveys are in progress and I am sure that I will get more information on common herbs, insects and mites useful in treatment of Lakwa (Paralysis) in Chhattisgarh , India.