Interaction with the herb vendor Shri Babu Singh of North Chhattisgarh, India

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

Few days back, herb vendor Shri Babu Singh fixed his camp near to my home, at the front of Rajkumar College campus in Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. I got opportunity to interact with him and his team and to gather information on different traditional uses of common herbs found in different parts of Chhattisgarh. He informed that he is from Sarguja region and his family members are engaged in this business since many generations. The female members collect the herbs from forests and male members sell it in different parts of the state. In general, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh collect the herbs themselves but for exotic herb, they are dependent on herb vendors like Shri Babu Singh. I have observed that these vendors have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs. It is not wrong to keep these herb vendors in the category of traditional healers. As they travel different parts and interact with different traditional healers, they know more than the average traditional healers. Like healers and collectors, these vendors are also very important for collection of information. I have seen over 250 herbs and different herbal formulations with Shri Babu Singh. After knowing my objectives, he got ready to interact with me. We interacted over 5 hours and shared valuable traditional knowledge.

I am describing some of the uses of common herbs, I have noted during discussion with Shri Babu Singh. I informed him about the use of common housefly for hair dyeing and to promote hair growth. He replied that a special oil prepared from the fruits of Bakain (Melia azedarach) gives good results. He described the method. Collect the fruits, boil it in Til oil (Sesamum seed oil) and prepare the oil. Apply this oil gently on spots from where hair has been lost. It is a boon for the patients having the problem of alopecia (Ganja pan). He showed me samples of oil, he has prepared for the patients. According to him, during this use one should avoid the use of soaps and shampoos and also spicy foods. Depending upon the severity of problem, it takes one week to 6 months for hair regrowth. He warned that it should not be used as routine oil. Bakain is a common tree found in almost every corner of Chhattisgarh.

For its botany, reported and traditional medicinal uses, I suggest you to read my previous articles. I have found that the vendors keep the herb formulations and herbs used in treatment of sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and gonorrhoea. The truck drivers, aware of this fact, frequently take the services of these vendors. When we started discussion on this topic, I got information on use of Dikamali (Gardenia lucida). In case of gonorrhoea, to reduce or overcome the problem of burning in urine, Shri Babu Singh suggests the patients to inject special herbal oil in urinary tract. He informed that this oil is prepared by boiling Dikamali in base oil (Til oil is used mostly). He instructed me to take special precaution and never use the oil without filtering it in filter. As it is injected inside the tract, one should be careful and try to take the help from the healers or experts, He was assured with the performance of the oil because he prepares several litres every month and sell it successfully. Dikamali is common tree distributed in forests of Chhattisgarh. To treat initial stage of Bavasir (Piles), he suggested many common and simple treatment. According to him, the leaves and juice of many common herbs if applied externally on Bavasir (Piles), can cure the problem in less time and efficiently. Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea), Aam (Mangifera indica), Chirai Jam (Eugenia sp.) Jangli Gobhi (Launea sp.), Kasaundi (Cassia sophera), Genda or Gonda (Tegetas erectus) etc. are among these promising herbs. He further informed that Aam leaves can be used both internally and externally. I got new entry in the list of Herbal Cigarrettes. According to him, the Herbal Cigarette prepared from Aam leaves is capable of curing the problem of Bavasir. This was new information for me. Aam leaves can be used in combination with Chirai Jam leaves. Although I have yet not seen its practical use, but I am confident that these herbs can help in reducing the intensity of trouble.

We shared information on use of medicinal rice. He informed that medicinal rice Bhejri is capable of stopping the vomiting sensation resulted due to overuse of wine. To stop vomiting sensation, he also suggested the use of ash of aerial roots of Bar (Ficus benghalensis). It can be used during the trouble also. He further suggested the use of Pipal bark ash for the same problem, Collect the ash and mix it in water. When ash settle in bottom, drink the water. In treatment of Stye (Saloni), I got information on use of Gorakhmundi, (Sphaeranthus indicus), a common winter weed in Chhattisgarh. To root out this problem forever the vendor suggests the patients to take Gorakhmundi roots with equal quantity of sugar internally upto fifteen days. For better results it can be used with cow milk also. Shri Babu Singh informed about many other formulations, Fortunately I was aware of these formulations. I have mentioned these in previous articles, hence I am not repeating it here. Like other herb vendors, Shri Babu Singh was also afraid of harassment by local police. He was also worrying that the young generation is not taking interest in this family business. The availability of herbs is decreasing in forests. Now more and more collectors are coming and un-scientific exploitations are in progress. The main thing is that his potential customer i.e. the traditional healers are decreasing in number. All things are going negative but Shri Babu Singh is satisfied that his knowledge and herbs are providing better health to common people specially to poor people, not capable of getting costly modern treatment. He is unaware that how valuable he and his knowledge are for whole world. He refused to take fees from me saying he is happy that at least one person is ready to talk about herbs with him. I have taken his five hours and to prepare video film on him, I promised him to come back next day. Next day when approached to him, there was no camp. The natives informed that local police has warned him to empty the place within a hour for the safely of local residents. There are many Babu Singh in Chhattisgarh. I personally feel that this is our moral responsibility to recognize and honour these great experts.

Thank you very much for reading the article.