Interactions with the natives of Durg region, Chhattisgarh, India having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used as veterinary medicine.

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

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used as veterinary medicine. I have written a lot on this important aspect in my previous articles. During the year 1999-2000, I conducted a special ethnobotanical surveys in Durg region of Chhattisgarh to list out the common herbs and herbal combinations. In present article, I am giving details of the information collected. The natives use the herb Ketki (Agave americana) very frequently in treatment of bone fracture. Ketki is not native to Chhattisgarh but the rich traditional knowledge about its uses as human and veterinary medicine clearly indicates that the natives have welcomed and accepted this introduced species. It occurs as wasteland plant. The forest department of Chhattisgarh, plants this herb in periphery of there plantations in order to provide live fence and check the soil erosion. In neighbouring state, Orissa this herb is under cultivation. After setting the bone properly, the natives prepare a paste from Ketki leaves and apply it in broken portion as plaster. According to them, it is one of the promising treatments.

I am describing the botany of Ketki in brief. According to reference literatures, Ketki is half-woody, almost stemless, perennial. Leaf erect-patent, with trong, widely patent or recurved marginal spines with longitudinal, white or yellow streaks or bands, 1.8-3.6m x 15-20 cm. Flower yellowish green, funnel shaped, in large panicles. Fruit oblong, clavate, beaked capsule. The senior natives informed that if accidentally the cattle feed on Kodo crop (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and poison starts showing its harmful effects, it must be treated with the help of Harshringar herb. The juice is extracted from fresh leaves and given to the affected animal. This use is not in existence, as Kodo is not under cultivation now, in this part of Chhattisgarh. Harshringar (Nycthanthes arbor-tristis) is a common ornamental as well as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh. When cattle eat, the seeds of Semal accidentally, the natives give one litre of Banana (Kela) juice to the affected animal. It acts as anti-dote to Semal seed poison. When cattle eat unknown poisonous herb or herb parts during grazing, as first aid the natives, mix the Shikakai (Acacia concinna) seeds in whey (Mattha) and give it to affected animal immediately. According to the natives, this combination flushes out the poison. Most of these traditional knowledge is developed by senior natives and their forefathers. At that time, they were capable of protecting and treating their cattle from any poison of plant origin. But now as young generation is taking less interest in this knowledge and not developing new formulations, the incidences and deaths due to new poisons are increasing in Chhattisgarh. As the pastures are heavily infested with exotic weeds like Gajar ghas (Parthenium hysterophorus), Goti Phool (Lantana camara) etc., the cattle have no option and as result they are feeding on these weeds. The senior natives informed me that they are still able to solve the problem but no one has time to get technical guidance from them.

The natives of Chhattisgarh use Hing to dress the wounds and to make it maggot free. The Hing powder (Asafoetida) is applied directly on the wounds to heal it well in time. The natives use other herbs like Neem but they give preference to Hing. To treat the problem of Mirgi (Epilepsy) in cattle, the natives use Katha or Cutch. It is given internally as treatment till complete cure. According to the natives, the problem of Mirgi is not much common among cattle in Chhattisgarh but in case of problem, Katha is the only promising cure. I am describing the botany of Acacia catechu. According to reference literatures, it is a prickly tree, with a cylindrical stem, generally 3 meters, Bark dark greyish brown, exfoliating in long and narrow strips. Leaf pinnate, with a pair of recurved prickles at the base of rachis. Flower pale yellow in cylindrical spikes. Fruit glabrous, flat, oblong, pod, readily dehisces. Seed upto 40000/kg. To treat the problem of urine retention, the natives of Durg region use Banana juice with common salt and Black Pipper (Kali Mirch). The combination is given internally. In case of poisonous snake bite, the natives use Reetha both internally and externally. The froth of Reetha seeds mixed in water, is applied externally on eyes and the leachate in given internally, as anti-dote to snake venom. The above mentioned traditional medicinal uses have not been reported in reference literatures. Although as the government is trying the best to provide modern health care facilities for domestic cattle but I personally feel that there is a strong need to use this traditional knowledge and to encourage the natives specialized in traditional treatments.

Thank you very much for reading the article.