Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of throat related diseases

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

During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have listed out over 150 traditional healers specialised in treatment of throat related diseases. I have also noted that the natives of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about herbs used in these diseases. These healers are well known in Chhattisgarh for their specialisation. In simple cases, the other healers also are capable of treating throat related diseases. As the treatments of traditional healers are cheap and effective, the natives living in urban areas prefer these treatments and avoid the use of costly allopathic medicines. In present article, I am describing the common herbs used by these traditional healers in treatment of Kanthmala (Swelling in throat), hoarseness and other related throat diseases.

For treatment of Kanthmala, the natives and traditional healers use about forty herbs both internally and externally. At first, I am describing the herbs and herbal combinations used internally. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains use Gudaria flower very commonly. The flowers are collected and dipped in water over night. Next morning, the leachate is given to the patients, empty stomach. It is given regularly upto one month. Gudaria (Sphaeranthus indicus) is a common winter season weed in Chhattisgarh. It is field weed and can be seen in wheat, chickpea and linseed crop fields easily. Although for farmers, it is a weed but for herb traders it is valuable medicinal herb having high demand in national and international drug markets. For more details about this weed, I suggest you to read my previous articles. As weed it is commonly available, without paying the cost, the natives use it in treatment. The traditional healers of Tilda region, adopt special method for preparation of medicine. They take the seeds of Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck) and convert it into powder. One part of seeds and two parts of Shahad (Honey) are mixed and kept inside the earthen pot. The mouth of plot is closed with the aqueous paste of Urd (Vigna mungo) seeds.

After closing, the healers put this pot under sunlight upto one week. After this duration, the mixture is given to the patient daily with restricted diet. The healers informed me that this is one of the promising treatments and they have got the knowledge from their forefathers. The traditional healers of Durg city, specialised in Unani medicine , once informed me that this problem can successfully be treated by using the horns of goat as medicine. He further informed me that for preparation of drug, the horn pieces are powdered and roasted in fire. When its colour changes into white, it is stored for future use. One teaspoonful powder is recommended daily upto fourteen days. The doses are fixed on the basis of vitality and age of patients. In reference literatures, this use is described with slight variations. For external application many herbs and herbal combinations are used. I am describing some of these promising herbs and herbal combinations. In treatment of Kanthmala, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the seeds of Mooli (radish). The seeds are mixed in cow urine and paste is prepared. The paste is applied externally on swellings (Gathan). The healers of this region, also use the leaves of Lasooda or Lasoora (Cordia dichotoma). The leaves are boiled in water for few seconds and by crushing the soften leaves, paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on swellings. The natives of Chhattisgarh use Kasondi (Cassia occidentalis) leaves in same manner. The soft branches of common garden plant Madan Mohan (Clerodendron japonicum) is also used in treatment. The powdered branches are applied with the help of cotton. The traditional healers of Nandini- Ahiwara region use the latex of Bar (Ficus benghalensis) for same purpose. I have already written a lot on use of Arhar (Cajanus cajan) leaves in this treatment in my previous articles. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region, prepare a special herbal combination by mixing common weed Makoi (Solanum nigrum) and Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) and with the help of black soil and water, an aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is used externally. From the traditional healers of Bastar region, I got an unique information. They suggest the patients to bring tortoise with them when coming for treatment. The healers keep the Tortoise’s nose at the level of patients nose and instruct the patients, to inhale the air coming out from Tortoise’s nostril. According to the healers, it is promising treatment. I have seen this traditional use and interviewed the patients getting relief through this astonishing treatment. The healers told me that this is traditional knowledge coming from back generations. I personally feel that there is a need of scientific investigation to explain this unique use. For throat pain, the traditional healers of Narharpur region, boil the Amaltas (Cassia fistula) and Masoor (Lentil) in juice of Makoi (Solanum nigrum) leaf juice and prepare a decoction. The patients having pain are advised to gargle with this decoction. The traditional healers of Pendra region, boil the Dhania (Coriander) and Masoor (Lentil), in Makoi leaf juice and use it in same manner. The healers of this region, also use the leaves and roots of Shahtoot (Morus alba) for the treatment. Both parts are mixed in equal proportion and decoction is prepared. The patients are advised to use it for gargling.

In case of hoarseness of voice, in order to clear it, the traditional healers and natives use many herbs. The natives use medicinal rice variety Bhejri for this problem. Chhattisgarh is known as "Rice bowl of India". According to researchers, Chhattisgarh is one of the places in the world from where rice is originated. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of medicinal uses of rice. Many medicinal rice varieties from the state, have been reported. The medicinal rice variety Bhejri is given to patients having throat problem. The cooked rice with gud is given as dinner to the patients. According to the traditional healers, this use improves the conditions of patients in very less time. The use of Bhejri in this trouble is not reported in reference literatures. I am proud to write that this is first written document on this specific use. I am also feeling proud as the healers are still using this medicinal rice variety in their routine practice. The traditional healers of Bastar region, prepare a special herbal combination for this trouble. In this herbal combination, they add many herbs including Peng (Celastrus paniculatus), Bach (Acorus calamus), Safed Musli (Chlorophytum sp.) Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Kulanjan (Alpinia officinarum) etc. According to the natives, the regular use of Surgarcane (Ganna) juice can solve the problem in few day. The common herb Adrak (Ginger) is also used alone or in combination with other herbs is this trouble.

Most of the above mentioned traditional uses have yet not been reported in reference literatures. The natives also use common home remedies in this trouble. As there are common and a lot have been written by early workers, I am not repeating it in this articles. My ethnobotanical surveys are in progress and I will write more on this aspect in my future articles. Thank you very much for reading the article.