Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs in Chhattisgarh, India used to develop internal resistance in body to fight the diseases

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

Prevention is always better than cure'. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have deep faith in this philosophy. They give emphasis on making the body enough resistant to fight against any disease. If the natural resistance is high, there is less chances of disease attack. The healers recommend the use of different herbs to the natives in order to get this natural resistance. The selection of herbs depend upon the vitality age and severity of trouble. In general, the healers suggest the natives to give these herbs from childhood to their children, in order to remain disease free whole life.

Due to lack of knowledge, I lost this golden opportunity but now through my articles, I am disseminating this valuable traditional knowledge so that the world community can understand this concept. The healers recommend the use of specific herb or herbs upto limited time period in a year. This therapy is cheap as the healers charge no fees for this great support and guidance. Also the herbs used occur as wasteland plants or wild flora in Chhattisgarh therefore the natives can collect it in less investment. The traditional healers informed that the persons living in Chhattisgarh and its surrounding areas can get more benefits as compared to the persons living in far areas. Their concept is based on an ancient belief that any patient can be treated more efficiently with the help of herbs present in surroundings. Bhengra is a common rainy season herb found as weed in paddy fields. According to the traditional healers this herb posses valuable natural chemicals that provides extra resistance to human body. They suggest the natives to extract the fresh juice from whole herb and take it daily upto a month. This use is recommended in rainy season when it grows abundantly. Its off-season use is not permitted. The traditional healers of different parts suggest different doses. In general, two to three teaspoonful juice is recommended. The natives are advised to take more and more cow milk during this period as cow milk helps in proper utilization of juice inside the body. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh, use Blue flowered Bhengra herb, rare in occurrence, for this purpose. Bhengra (Eclipta alba) is common herb in paddy growing belts of India. I am not aware of its global distribution.

Another important herb is Semal. The roots of Semal is known as Semal Musli in trade. The healers collect the roots from young Semal tree and use it for this purpose. The roots are washed thoroughly and dipped in water whole night. Next morning the softened roots, mixed with sugar, are given to the natives. This use is continued upto two months. Many healers recommend its use upto forty days specifically. Sugar is added for the taste. Semal (Bombax ceiba) is a common tree in Chhattisgarh and hence, it is not very difficult to get soft roots. The healers take special precaution to not to use the matured, hard roots. In Chhattisgarh, there is a lot of variations in common species of Kevatch (Mucuna sp.). The traditional healers use the black seeded variety to develop natural resistance. The matured seeds are collected and converted into powder. This powder is given with cow milk daily night upto 30 days. Its use is preferred in winter season. In general, the natives considered it as sex tonic and aphrodisiac but according to the healers this herb helps in developing the natural resistance and when resistance will be high, the all body parts can function in right manner. The traditional healers also recommend the use of Dashmool roots (Asparagus species). The root powder is used in same manner as the Mucuna seeds. Dashmool is recommended both for male and female natives.

The natives use special preparations of Dashmool but the traditional healers prefer the use of root powder alone for better results. Dashmool is both under cultivation and occurs as wild flora in natural forests. The natural forests of Chhattisgarh are rich in natural population of Harra (Terminalia chebula) also. It is well known herb in trade and in the list of non-wood forest produces having high demand in national and international drug markets. The healers collect the fruits and convert it into powder. This powder is smeared in iron vessels with the help of cow ghee, and vessels are kept as such whole night. Next morning powder is collected and given to the patients with Shahad (Honey). The duration of use is upto one month. The traditional healers of Bilaspur region recommend the use of Shahadkand (Argyria nervosa), a very large climber, for developing natural resistance. The roots are used for this purpose. The powdered root is recommended with cow milk upto two months. Asgandh (Withania somnifera), Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica), Akarkara (Spilanthus sp.) Are other herbs, in the list of promising herbs. For the botany, reported and traditional medicinal uses of above mentioned herbs, I suggest you to read my previous articles. One important fact I noted while listing these herbs is that the healers ovoid the use of combinations of these herbs. Also they strictly warn the natives to not to mix herbs in any combinations. According to them, single herb if taken judiciously is able to fulfil the requirement and can help in developing natural resistance.

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