Traditional medicinal knowledge about diseased and insect-infested herbs in Chhattisgarh, India

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

In ancient Indian literatures related to herbs, it is cleared mentioned that the fresh and healthy herbs free from insect and disease infestation, should be collected for preparation of drugs. The herbs damaged by disease and insects are not preferred by the Indian healers. But during my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted that most of the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh prefer diseased and insect infested plant parts for preparation of drugs. Even in many cases they prefer to wait for attack of disease and insect naturally and collect the herb after the appearance of symptoms. This is one of the unique observations I have noted during my surveys. 

According to the traditional healer of Gandai, the pathogens or insects are the agents of mother nature and they help the herb collectors to find the most useful plant part having maximum medicinal potential. Many times the Traditional Healers prefer the insect in place of herb for preparation of drug. The use of larva feeding on Dhatura (Datura stramonium) leaves and also use of Gram caterpillar (Heliothis armigera) feeding on chickpea crop are promising examples. The Traditional Healer of Bakarkatta says that by feeding on particular herb these insects act as extractor of useful properties, this is the reason these tiny creatures are max effective as compared to the herb on which they feed. 

The Traditional Healer of Gunderdehi, also prefer to collect diseased or insect infested herbs but he removes the affected part before using it for preparation of dbout the research (?) findings of the Traditional Healers of other parts of Chhattisgarh, he got surprised thanked me and promised to try these findings next time. I am really proud as I am working as bridge among the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh. In this article, I am trying to give the details regarding some diseased and insect infested plants used for the treatment of common diseases by Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh, India. According to these Traditional Healers, in many cases of diseased or insect infested herbs develop unique medicinal properties in it. 

These unique medicinal properties are totally absent in disease or insect free herbs. You can understand it more clearly with the help of Croton’s example. Croton sparsiflorus in an exotic herb in India (introduced from South America). In Chhattisgarh, it is found as wasteland weed. Even a single traditional use of this herb has yet not been reported. Every year during rainy season a viral disease “mosaic” appear on the green leaves of this weed. After the attack this waste weed become most useful herb for the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh. This diseased weed is used for the treatment of Foot and Mouth disease of cattle with other herbs externally. There are other uses also but the Traditional Healers do not want to disclose it. Bermuda grass or lawn grass, Cynodon dactylon is not new for us It is one of the commonly found herbs in almost every corner of the world. For weed scientists, it is one of the obnoxious weeds of the world, but for the Traditional Healers and pharmacists, it is a valuable medicinal herb. In Chhattisgarh, the Traditional Healers use this herb most frequently . Every year a typical viral disease occur on leaves of this herb and due to this disease leaves turn white. In Chhattisgarh, the Traditional Healers use this diseased leaves in complicated cases of stomach disorders. According to them, the diseased leaves possess unique medicinal properties that is not found in disease free leaves.

In Sarguja region, Kuthua ie of this weed is Xanthium strumarim. The Traditional medicinal uses of leaves of Xanthium against herpes is well documented in reference literatures. Every year in winter season, this herb is severly affected by the fungal disease powdery mildew. As clear from name, in this disease, powdery mass gather on leaves and from distance whole plant looks white in case of severe attack. According to plant pathologists, this weed act as alternate host for fungus when there is no host. As field pea crop is sown in the region, this fungus shift to field pea crop. According to the Traditional Healer of Ajirma Mr. Rohini Sarkar, the diseased leaves of Xanthium is more effective in treatment of herpes as compared to healthy leaves. Mr. Sarkar is a famous Traditional Healer of the region and specialised in the treatment of herpes. The medicinal uses of diseased Xanthium strumarium leaves are not reported in reference literatures.

You have already read many interesting healing properties of herb named Charota (Cassia tora) found as wasteland weed in Chhattisgarh. As you know, the young leaves of Charota is used as potherb in Chhattisgarh. During rainy season, a typical insect leaf miner attacks on fresh leaves of Charota. The insect infested leaves are not preferred by common rural people but Traditional Healers show special interest in collection of this insect infested leaves. After long discussions and visits to the Traditional Healers of Bilaspur, they disclosed the fact that they prepare a special aphrodisiac using these leaves in combination with other herbs. According to them, this unique medicinal use is reported in ancient literatures but I have yet not found any documentary evidence.

I personally feel, that there is a strong need to document these important and valuable information regarding traditional medicinal knowledge about diseased and insect infested herbs in Chhattisgarh, India. To utilize it for benefit of humanity, it is necessary to evaluate and establish the science behind these unique medicinal properties, and I am sure I will get more interesting information on this aspect.