Some useful information about herbs and its uses noted from the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, India

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

Baibirang is one of the non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh having fair demand in national and international markets. Baibirang (Embelia ribes, family : Mysinaceae) fruit is used as anthelmintic and astringent. Many leading pharmaceutical companies are using Baibirang as medicine in different popular formulations. The herb traders of Chhattisgarh informed me that there is demand of only fresh Baibirang. No body wants to purchase it stored Baibirang. My friend working at leading pharmaceutical company informed me that the Baibirang fruits coming from forests are used directly in different formulations. This company is well known in its field. You will be surprised to know that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh specialised in use of Baibirang as medicine never use the fresh Baibirang as medicine. According to them like stored rice, gud and wine, stored Baibirang possess more medicinal properties. The reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India support the traditional healers experience. Similarly, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh always prefer fresh Satavar (Asparagus racemosus) and Asgandh (Withania somnifera) for preparation of formulation. This is a bare fact that the leading pharmacies taking advantage from the name of Ayurveda, purchase dry Satavar and Asgandh powder from traders and without grading using it in herbal formulations. These small but valuable information are very important for me and I never miss to note it down in my field diaries during the surveys. I have noted that the healers of Chhattisgarh have good knowledge about uses of herbs and about the precautions to be taken. In present article, I am describing these useful information.

As you know, Koha (Terminalia arjuna; Arjun) bark is a boon for the heart patients. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh take special precaution during its collection. They always select old trees for the collection. New or young trees are not used. Many healers simply identify the genuine material from samples available in local herb markets. Last year I got opportunity to learn the visual testing method. The healers told that the collected bark should be devoid of cork. If it contains cork, it means it is collected from new trees. In old trees due to exfoliation, the cork gets removed automatically. Although there are many chemical tests are available to identify the genuine material but the traditional healers knowledge is practical knowledge and require no sophisticated equipment as well as valuable time. The healers have their own criteria to choose best material for the preparation of drugs. When they select Harra (Terminalia chebula), they prefer fruits having smaller seed and more pulp. The fruits having bigger seeds with less pulp are rejected. To identify the best quality fruit of Bhelwa (Semecarpus anacardium), the healers dip the fruits in water. The floating fruits are rejected and other are used to prepare formulations. The healers of Amarkantak region, identify the Varahikand (Tacca sp.) By its appearance as forehead of wild boar (Varahi-boar). In the name of Varahikand many false herbs are available. Through this simple method the healers identify the genuine material. During my ethnobotanical surveys in Kondagaon region, I have noted that the natives have named common herbs based on its specific feature, properties and uses. Lantana is exotic weed and new for the natives of this region. They are aware of its harmful effects. They have named it Bemari Lata (Bemari - disease), a disease causing herb. Some other examples are Jhagadhin (Gloriosa superba), Kurvajadi (Rauvolfia serpentina), Sukandi (Curcuma amada) et. In different regions of Chhattisgarh I have found different names of same herb. And in most of the cases by putting all these names on paper, one can simply write all about this specific herb. The main language of Chhattisgarh is Chhattisgarhi but in Bastar, Halbi is more popular. Similarly the Chhattisgarhi of Bilaspur region is different from that of Raipur. I can speak and understand Chhattisgarhi but it is very hard for me to understand Halbi. In Halbi speaking area I always take local guide for the surveys. The local names of any herb changes after every ten kilometers in Chhattisgarh. This diversity has given us the opportunity to understand different herbs through different names and expressions.

The healers strictly warn the patients to never boil the same decoction again and again. According to them, if any one boils the prepared decoction, even at once, it acts as poison and its use can cause dangerous side effects. In previous article. I have mentioned about the traditional knowledge about medicinal uses of rain water. I would like to add this information that the healers never allow the patients to mix honey with first rain water because according to them, it is poison. In my previous articles, I have written a lot on useful herbs Bemchi (Psoralea corylifolia) and Charota (Cassia tora). Both are Leguminous herb and occur as weed in crop fields and wastelands. Charota occurs in rainy season whereas Bemchi in winter season. During recent ethnobotanical surveys. I got interesting information about these herbs. The healers informed that in scarcity of Bemchi seeds one can use Charota seeds, as promising substitute without any problem. This is new but valuable information for me. In reference literatures. I have not found the details regarding use of Dhawai (Woodfordia fruticosa) flower as natural sweetener like Stevia leaves but the healers of Chhattisgarh informed me that in scarcity of Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) one can use the Dhawai flowers successfully. The healers claim that they have promising substitute to all Himalayan herbs in Chhattisgarh. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, it is mentioned that the nature of herbs found in Himalaya possess cold nature whereas the nature of herbs found in Vindhya hills and surrounding broad areas, is hot. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are not ready to accept it. With the help of these healers I am preparing the list of Chhattisgarh herbs that can be used as substitute to Himalayan herbs. The flora nad fauna of both regions are entirely different. May I expect the similar work from any expert or researcher from Himalayan region to ask the healers of that region to prepare list of herbs, promising substitute to Chhattisgarh herbs ? Through initial listing I have got many valuable information. According to the healers, Motha (Cyperus rotundus) is promising substitute to Camphor. In absence of Harra (Terminalia chebula) one can use Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica) successfully. I am proud to mention that the healers of Chhattisgarh are using these substitutes successful since generations. Since the formation of Chhattisgarh as new state of India, I am trying my best to convince the authorities about the in depth traditional knowledge of herbs, our healers are having. I personally feel that these healers can play an important and vital role, from herb identification and collection to its marketing and utilization, in the process of establishing Chhattisgarh as the real Herbal State. Unfortunately, I have yet not got success in convincing them. I am giving all details in my articles and hoping that one day every one will be benefited from this in depth traditional knowledge of Chhattisgarh healers.

Thank you very much for reading the article.