Interaction with herb vendor Mr. Sohan Lal and his friends having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs found in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Last week, when I was on my evening walk, I saw some herb vendors engaged in selling the herbs and herbal combination by the side of road. In early days, these vendors were common in Chhattisgarh. But these days, one can see these vendors very rarely. As herb researcher, it was golden chance for me and taking advantage of this golden chance, without any hesitation, I approached these vendors. Mr. Sohan Lal, a group leader cam forward and saw at me suspiciously. When I told them that I am herb researcher and interested in purchasing of herbs and herbal combinations, they got ready to talk with me. I offered that I want to sit and talk to them whole day and in exchange ready to pay the expenses. They agreed. Next day, Mr. Sohan Lal and his friends visited to my home and we talked whole day on different aspects of herbs. I have written a lot on the herb vendors of Chhattisgarh and the problems they are facing, in my previous articles. These vendors stay outside the city, in general and during day time sell different herbs and herbal combination inside the city. It is common observation, that the herb vendors of Chhattisgarh prefer neighbouring states and the herb vendors of neighbouring state do their business in Chhattisgarh. The herb vendors of Rajasthan state are well known in Chhattisgarh.

As I have written previously, that the herb vendors, generally have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about herbs and as they travel long distance,their knowledge enriches and updates daily. These vendors are only reliable source for genuine herbs for the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, living in remotest areas. In the year 1998-99, I conducted a separate survey on the problems faced by these vendors. The natives have wrong impression about these vendors. Most of them think that in the name of selling herbs, they mark the empty homes and at night, with the help of their other members perform robbery. In case of any murder or robbery, it is common observation that the local police arrest and the harass these vendors at first .As in urban areas ,the natives are educated and believe less in traditional practices, these vendors get less positive responses. These are the reasons that the vendors less frequently visit to urban areas. This survey motivated me to list out the herb vendors of Chhattisgarh. Since 1999. I am preparing the list of these vendors. I am also trying to interact with them and to document their unique traditional knowledge about common herbs and insects. The names of Mr. Sohan Lal and his friends were not added in my list earlier. In present article, I am describing some unique traditional (and practical) uses of common herbs and herbal combinations, I have noted during the interaction with Mr. SohanLal and his friends. They are not only having this unique knowledge but they are also practising it. As standard procedure, adopted in early interactions, we discussed traditional knowledge by focusing our discussion on different diseases one by one. We started with dental care. He informed that they use many herbal combinations in form of powder, as tooth powder in order make the teeth strong and free from diseases since beginning (i.e. childhood.) According to him, after start of small infection, it is very difficult to make the teeth infection free forever. Therefore, the herbal tooth powder should be used from starting, to make the foundation strong. He has suggested me many combinations.

I am describing some promising combinations. He informed that by mixing Bhelwa (Semicarpus anacardium) and Asgandh (Withania sominfera), they prepare special tooth powder. These herbs are mixed in equal proportion and children are suggested to use it daily. In another combination, the gum of Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck) and Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) are mixed and converted into fine powder. In my previous article on Chameli I have mentioned the use of Chameli leaves in dental care. Mr. Sohan Lal confirmed this use. He uses Chameli leaves with Asgandh for strong teeth. He also informed that the whole herb of Bhat Katiya (Solanum xantocarpum) is boon for the patients having dental troubles. As tooth powder, the whole herb is used. The whole herb before flowering is collected, dried and burnt. The ash is used as tooth powder. In case of toothache, due to decayed teeth, the decoction of whole herb is used for gargling. He added that in place of decoction, one can use the fresh juice also. According to him, during visit at Southern part of Chhattisgarh, he has got this information on this unique use. He informed that the natives of Balaghat region prepare a special Herbal Mala using the root pieces of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo). This Herbal Mala is recommended specially for the natives having dental problems. This is new information for me. I am trying to search the science behind this unique use. I have already mentioned the botany, reported and traditional uses of Nirgundi earlier, hence I am not repeating it here Mr. Sohan Lal informed that he frequently recommend Majuphal as tooth powder for this clients. According to him, Majuphal alone or in combination with other herbs is a promising remedy for dental troubles. The natural occurrence of Majuphal (Quercus infectoria; family : Fagaceae) is not reported in Chhattisgarh. The herb vendors are aware of this fact and depend on other states for procuring this herb .

According to reference literatures, Majuphal is a shrub or small tree, indigenous to Greece, Syria and Iran. The Galls, known as Aleppo Gall, Mecca Gall, Turkey Gall, Levant Gall etc. ,are medicinally important. They are also used for tanning, dyeing, mordanting and in preparation of ink. Mr. Sohan Lal showed me dried herb named Katoriya. I identified it as Vajradanti (Barleria prionites). In Chhattisgarh, many traditional healers consider Sarphonka (Tephrosia Purpurea) as true Vajradanti. There is a lot of confusion in this regard. According to Mr. Sohan Lal, it is very useful in keeping the teeth healthy and also in treatment of dental troubles. The herb is used in many ways. Its use as herbal tooth powder is very common. To prepare this powder whole herb is collected, dried and burnt. The ash is collected and used. The decoction of young leaves are also used. As the name of Katoriya is coming for the first time in my article, I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures.

Botanically it is shrub having height upto two meters, usually prickly, stems and branches tetragonus; Leaves elliptic, acuminate, bristle tipped, entire, usually with three acicular spines in the axils; Flowers sessile, solitary in lower axils becoming spicate above; bracts foliaceous bristle tipped; bracteoles almost spinous; Calyx yellow, in fundibuliform, 3 - lipped, upper tip four - lobbed, lower entire; Flower capsule, ovoid with long tapering beak, two seeded; seeds clothed with silky hairs. According to Ayurveda, Katoriya is bitter, heating , alexiteric and useful in treatment of toothache, leucoderma, blood complaints, bronchitis, diseases of blood and skin, inflammations etc. Mr. Sohan Lal also told that to root out decayed teeth there is no need of dental surgery. According to him, there are many herbs that can be used for this purpose. These herbs are given both internally and externally. Thora is one of these herbs. The latex is applied in targeted teeth and within hour, it become loosen and can be root out without any effort. He warned that the latex should not be applied on non-targeted teeth. I am really impressed with this blood less cheap and effective method. Thora is xerophytic herb and not much common in Chhattisgarh.

The natives use this spiny herb as fence. I am describing its botany is short. According to reference literatures, Thora (Euphorabia neriifolia) is a succulent shrub or small tree having height upto 6 meters,; Bark reticulate; stem cylindrical or obscurely five-angled branches, bearing short, stipular thorns in verticle or spiral line or warty knobs; Leaf fleshy, nearly sessile, deciduous, obovate oblong, 15-30 cm long, terminal on branches; Inflorescence involucres yellowish, in small cymes; Fruit deeply - 3- lobed capsule, 1.25 cm broad. In order to stop Hichki (Hiccup), Mr. Sohal Lal informed that he uses many herbs. Most of the herbs used are commonly available herbs. In reference literatures, the use of all parts of Babool (Acacia nilotica) is mentioned but not much has been written on use of spines. According to Mr. Sohan Lal, these spines can be used in treatment of Hichki. The decoction is prepared by boiling half Kg of spines in water. The patients are advised to take this decoction, preferably with Shahad (Honey). Aam (Mango) leaves are also used for the treatment. The dried leaves are burnt and patients are advised to inhale the fumes in order to get rid from Hichki. The whole herb of common grass Muja, locally known as Sarkanda, is also used in same manner. The herb is burnt and the patients are advised to inhale the fumes. Sarkunda is common herbs found in different corners of Chhattisgarh. Many village names are based on this herb. It clearly indicates that Sarkanda is present in Chhattisgarh, sine generations. I am describing its botany in brief. According to reference literatures, Sarkanda (Saccharum munja ) is a tall, erect. caespitose, perennial grass, growing in clamps, having height upto 6 meters. Culm - biennial , pale, solid, pithy, smooth, with an inconspicuous grow the ring and root zone; leaf glaucous green, rough on margin with dense hairs, close to the ligule, leaf sheath glabrous, smooth, 100-200 cm long; spikelets in pairs, one sessile and other pedicelled, awnless, in racemes, 30-90 cm long, pale cream to dark reddish purple. Mr. Sohan Lal also uses the seeds of Kamal (Lotus) in treatment of Hichki.

During interaction when I asked him about the problem of excessive sweating from hands and legs, a common problem among natives, he replied that there are several herbal combinations that can be used successfully. These combinations are used both internally and externally. According to him, the fresh leaves of Ber (Ziziphus sp.), Babool (Acacia nilotica), bark of Neel (Indigofera sp.), roots of Untkatara (Echinops echinatus) etc., separately should be applied externally on affected parts for good results. Under his supervision, he also recommend the use of Dhatura seeds (Black flowered species is preferred) upto seven days. He also informed me about common herbs used in treatment of lethal carbuncles. According to him, the leaves of Chirchita (Achyranthes aspera) are used by him very frequently. The leaves are collected and with the help of water, an aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on carbuncles for successfully. Mr. Sohan Lall and his friends sell a special herbal cream for this trouble. They informed that they use the roots of Punarnava (Boerrhovia diffusa), leaves of Mehndi (Lawsonia alba), Parsa (Butea monosperma), Neem, Ber (Ziziphus sp.), and Andi (Castor) in this cream. The herb Bhatkatiya (Solanum xanthocarpum) can be used successfully. The fruits are collected and burnt and the aqueous paste of ash is applied. In another method, they dip the fruits in water, after crushing it and apply the solution externally. In case of burns during work with fire, Mr. Sohan Lal suggested the use of many herbs commonly available in our surroundings. As first aid remedy, according to him, one can apply the fresh juice of Anar (Pomegranate) leaves. The leaf juice of Andi (Castor) and juice of Dhawai Flowers (Woodfordia fruticosa) can also be used for the same purpose.

The information given by Mr. Sohan Lal and his friends are very important. As they are using these herbs and herbal combination since generations, it clearly proves its utility in treatment. These herb vendors are "Poor man’s doctor’ and their treatment charges are very cheap. Unfortunately, we are not giving importance to these experts. I personally feel that these herb vendors must not be ignored in any traditional knowledge conservation programmes. There are thousands herb vendors like Mr. Sohan Lal. I am trying my best to identify, recognise and motivate, these herb vendors through my articles and regular interactions. Thank you very much for reading the article.