Some Unique Traditional Medicinal Uses of common herbs in Chhattisgarh, India, needing scientific evaluation and confirmation

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

As an active member of Raipur based Andh Shradha Nirmulan Samitee (non-governmental organisation engaged in awareness against blind faith), I get opportunities very frequently to interact with many natives having in depth knowledge about common herbs. During these visits, I have noted and observed many unique and surprising uses of common herbs in different parts of Chhattisgarh. The natives use the herbs for treatment of diseases as well as to protect themselves from ill spirits. As preventive measure, they use different plant parts of herbs with string, in form of Herbal Mala or Tabiz (Locket). Although our members consider it as blind faith but I personally feel the as these uses are in existence since generations, there must be the scientific reasons behind its popularity an we cannot ignore these uses. After all it is our traditional knowledge. My field diaries are packed with these information and uses. I am trying hard to explain these uses scientifically but I have got very little success. As ethnobotanist, I personally feel that these valuable knowledge should be documented for future generations. In this article, I am describing many such uses, in detail.

Botanical differences between major Albizia species
Characterstics	Albizia amara	Albizia lebbeck
1. Habit	A small or moderate sized, much branched deciduous tree with a smooth, dark green, scaly bark.	A moderate sized to large, much branched deciduous tree with a broad crown; Bark dark grey, and rough with irregular cracks, inner dark, dark red or crimson
2. Leaves	Pinnately compound with 15-24 pairs of small linear leaflets, on 6-15 pairs of pinnae,	Bipinnate, 10-40 cm long with agreenish main axis bearing 3-4 pairs of lateral axes, each having 3-10 pairs of leaflets; leaflets are unequal at the dose, rounded at both ends.
3. Flowers	Globose, in cluster, fragrant yellow, in April May, when trees are almost leafless	Flat, thin, linear - oblong, straw coloured, each pod contains 6-12 light, smooth oblong, compressed seeds with hard testa
4. Seeds	Small, flattended, ovoid, 14,000/kg.	Obvate-oblong, compressed, light brown, smooth, 8000-13000/kg.

In order to avoid or delay the death at young age the natives use Nagdauna herb. The roots are collected only during Chandra grahan (Lunar Eclipse). With the help of Blue string (Neela Dhaga), special herbal mala is prepared and given to the person to wear it whole life. Many natives use locket made up of Chandi (Silver). The roots are kept in this locket and used in same way. The natives have no answer of the question that why only blue string is used for preparation of Herbal Mala. It is also common belief in Chhattisgarh, that the presence of Nagdauna herb in home gardens restricts the entry of venomous snakes. In order to repel away the flies and mosquitoes the natives burn the dried herb at evening time. The rich natives keep the roots tied with red string (Lal Dhaga) in their cash lockers. It is common belief that the presence of this root, increases the money in the lockers. In the occasion of Deepawali, the festival of light, the natives use the roots of Nagdauna as pen, for signatures. The signatures done with the help of Nagdauna pen are considered beneficial as it eliminates the financial constraints. Nagdauna is an aromatic shrub distributed in different parts of India. The natural occurrence of this herb is reported in dense forests of Chhattisgarh. As mentioned earlier, it is a common plant in home gardens. It is not under cultivation as aromatic crop in Chhattisgarh. I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses in brief. Nagdauna (Artemisia nilagirica syn. A. vulgaris, family : Asteraceae), is perennial, erect or ascending aromatic shrub, 60-200 cm high; Leaves 8-10 cm long, deeply pinnatisect, finely pubescent above, white tomentose beneath, uppermost leaves trifid or simple, lanceolate; Heads ca 1.5mm in diameter, pendulous, solitary 2-3 togather ; involucral bracts two -seriate; Ray florets 2-3 lobed, disc florets, five lobed; Achenes oblong-ellipsoid, brown, pappus absent. Flowering and fruiting time October to September in Chhattisgarh conditions. Not much have been written on medicinal uses and properties of this valuable herb in different reference literatures related to prominent systems of medicine in India. The whole plant is used as medicine. According to Ayurveda, the Nagdauna plant is pungent, alexiteric, appetiser and useful in treatment of asthma, ulcers and itching.

Sirsa is common tree in Chhattisgarh. The natives use the roots of this tree for many purposes. The families having mental tensions are advised by the natives to plant this tree in home gardens. Also they advise the families to put the branches (dry) of Sirsa in their homes. In front of homes, the branches are also buried. In order to get higher milk production and to prevent the attack of lethal diseases, the natives prepare Herbal Mala using the branches and roots of Sirsa for their milch cattle. This use is very common. According to the natives, this Herbal Mala makes and keeps the cattle happy. For botany and traditional medicinal uses and reported uses of Sirsa (Albizia sp.), I suggest you to read my previous articles.

The positive (inhibitory) allelopathic effect of Desi Ber (Ziziphus sp.) on Banana (Kela) is a discovery of Chhattisgarh natives. According to natives, the Ber roots buried near the Banana plant can destroy the fruiting capacity of that particular plant. This is a discovery by the natives having destructive mentality. For revenge, the natives are using this traditional knowledge since generation. According to the traditional healers, the Ber roots of specific length, collected at specific occasion should be used to get desirable effect. The use of Ber roots to stop fruiting in Banana is not reported in available reference literatures. For scientific confirmation, I am conducting many field trials at farmers fields. I am getting proofs of the allelopathic effects of Ber roots. The orchid grows on Ber trees is considered as herb of good luck. The natives always keep this orchid with them. The natives use the roots of Parsa (Butea monosperma) to create dispute between two persons. It is common belief in Chhattisgarh, that the presence of dried root in home causes disputes and family tension. I have mentioned in previous articles that the roots of Parsa are used as brushes for wall painting and this use is becoming a threat to the natural population of Parsa in Chhattisgarh. In order to get male child, the natives use the leaves of Parsa very commonly. Five leaves are collected and with the help of milk (preferably from lactating woman) converted in to paste. The woman having desire to get male child is advised to take this paste just after bath upto one week. I personally feel that the scientific confirmation is essential in this regard. The natives prefer to keep Munj grass (Saccharum munja) in their homes in order to protect the homes from ill-spirits. It is common belief that the Herbal Mala prepared from root pieces helps in protecting the body from skin troubles. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, particularly in Raigarh area, the natives prepare the herbal Mala using Giloi (Tinospora sp.) roots is order to prevent snakebite. Although its use is very common but it is also bitter fact that in most of the cases the natives using this Mala get bites as natives not using it. For the treatment of anger and its bad consequences, the natives of Chhattisgarh, suggest the person to use lockets having Mehndi seeds and roots. I have experienced miracle effects of these lockets. During my visit to Mahasamund region, I got information on utility of whole plant juice of Mehndi. In this region, the newly borne child is washed thoroughly with whole plant juice. According to the natives, this special bath makes the soft and delicate skin free from all troubles upto one year. The use of Mehndi for this purpose is not reported in available literatures. The scientific name of Mehndi is Lawsonia alba (family : Lythraceae). It is common herb in Chhattisgarh. Many medicinal properties and uses of Mehndi have been reported. According to Ayurveda, the leaves are emetic, expectorant and useful in treatment of leucoderma. Seeds are astringent to bowels and antipyretic and useful in treatment of insanity.

According to Unani system of medicine, leaves are bitter, vulnerary and diuretic. Leaves are useful in treatment of headache, lumbago, bronchitis, boils, ulcers, stomatitis, ophthalmia, syphilitic sores, amenorrhoea, scabies, diseases of spleen etc. Seeds are good tonic to brain. The leaves yield a dye and the natives of Chhattisgarh use the leaves for dying hands, finger nails and hair at different festive occasions. The natives of Chhattisgarh use the Black Dhatura herb very frequently for black magic (Kala Jadu). In order to make the enemy powerless, the natives prepare powder by crushing the dried herb and mix it in the ash resulted from burning of human body. Both are mixed in equal ratio. This powder is thrown on the enemy, in order to make him powerless. The natives write the name of enemy in simple paper and keep the paper inside the locket. For writing, the twig of Black Dhatura herb is used and as ink the juice of whole herb is used. The natives also write the name of enemy using this method in soles of legs. It is common belief that these uses give enough power to face the enemies. My allopath friends say that it is just psychological treatment but according to traditional healers, the application of Dhatura juice in any part of body, lows down the anger and make the patients (or persons) cool and calm. They are also agree that this method increases the self confidence. The natives of Chhattisgarh, collect the Dhatura roots before flowering and use it to prevent the abortion. A special Herbal Mala is prepared by using forty one piece of Dhatura roots. Black coloured string is used for Mala. The pregnant women are advised to wear this Mala during pregnancy time and at the time of delivery, tied it around the waist in order to avoid the abortion. The Mala prepared from eleven root pieces is used for youths. The youths having the problem of night pollution are advised by the natives to tie this Mala around the waist before sleep. This is used till cure. The natives of Chhattisgarh use the Neem in different ways. In order to reduce the intense labour pain, like Datura roots, the Mala of Neem roots is used by the natives. The natives take the Neem leaves with Masoor Dal (Lentil) every year between 15th to 30th January. It is common belief that this 15 days use make the body enough resistant to nullify poison of any venomous creature round the year. They are unable to answer why the 15 days of January are preferred ? In case of bites by venomous creatures as first aid measure, the natives instruct the patient to lay on bed covered with fresh Neem leaves.

Ratti (Abrus precatorius) is a common herb and an important non-wood forest produce of the Chhattisgarh. I have written a lot on botany and traditional medicinal uses of this herb in my previous articles. The natives use all varieties of Ratti for different purposes. The roots spreading in north direction are preferred. It is common belief that the use of Ratti roots results in male child. For this purpose, the herbal Mala using roots is prepared and tied around the waist before intercourse. The aqueous paste of Ratti roots is applied externally on forehead of Leprosy patients. According to the natives it is good remedy against Leprosy.

Most of these uses are not documented earlier. Although at present we have no scientific explanations regarding these uses but I am sure that young researcher will take keen interest in these traditional uses and try to provide answers and scientific explanations for future generations. Thank you very much for reading the articles.