Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Tilli (Spleen) related diseases in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh recommend the use of Patal Kumhda herb to the patients having spleen related troubles. According to them, the internal use of this herb helps in regulating the functions of spleen. The healers use the tubers and leaves for this purpose. The juice of these parts is given to the patients as treatment. For taste, they allow the addition of sugar in this juice. This juice also helps in regularizing the function of liver. Patalkumhda (Pueraria tuberosa) is an important non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh. Many such information I have noted during my ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh from 1997 to 2003.

I have listed out over 85 traditional healers specialized in treatment of spleen related diseases. The other healers also treat these diseases. In these diseases, in general, 80 species of common herbs are used by the healers but 9 herbs including Patalkumhda, Pippali, Harra, Parsa, Sarphonk, Dhikuwar etc. are used most frequently. In present article, I am describing the detailed uses of these 9 herbs. In spleen related troubles, the traditional healers use Dhikuar herb successfully. This herb is used internally. The leaf gel mixed with Haldi (Turmeric) and Namak (Common salt) is given to the patients, once in a day, till complete cure. It is specially useful in treatment of enlargement of spleen. According to the traditional healers, it is one of the promising herbal formulations. The scientific name of Dhikuar is Aloe sp. The traditional healers grow this herb in their home gardens to prepare herbal formulations .Now, many innovative herb growers have started its commercial cultivation in Chhattisgarh. For same trouble, the traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh use the roots of well known medicinal herb Indrayan. The roots are collected and dried in shade. After drying it is converted into powder. The patients are advised by the healers to take root powder with Gud (Jaggery) as treatment till complete cure. The traditional healers take special precaution during this treatment as the overdose of root powder may result in stomachache and other related problems. Indrayan (Citrullus colocynthis syn. Cucumis colocynthis syn. Colocynthis vulgaris) is a perennial trailing herb naturally found in Chhattisgarh especially in Southern parts of Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Kanker region use the fruits of Harra (Terminalia chebula) in treatment of spleen related troubles. The fruit powder is given internally with Gud.

According to the healers, this treatment is promising but takes relatively more time as compared to other treatments. For treatment of enlarged spleen the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use wasteland herb Fudhar in very specific way. I have got this special method from the traditional healer of Mudpar village. The yellow leaves of Fudhar are collected and rock salt of same weight is taken. The leaves and salt are kept in earthen pot and this pot is kept on flame. After burning, the ash is collected. This black ash is known as Ark Lavan in Ayurveda. The healers use this ash in treatment. It is given with whey daily morning upto a month. Its popularity in the region, clearly proves the efficacy of this traditional use in case of enlarged spleen. The scientific name of Fudhar is Calotropis gigantea. The green leaves are not used for this purpose. It is a matter of scientific investigation that why only yellow leaves are used ? The traditional healers of Gandai region use the bark of Parsa (Butea monosperma) in combination with other herbs for same purpose. But they do not disclose the formulation. According to them, among other herbs Pipal (Ficus religiosa) is main ingredient. The herbal formulation is for internal use. The traditional healers of Durg region use the roots of wasteland herb Sarphonk (Tephrosia purpurea) in treatment of enlarged spleen. The freshly harvested roots are used for this purpose. The roots are given with whey internally till complete cure. The healers have deep faith in this treatment. The traditional healers of Semal (Bombax ceiba) rich areas of Chhattisgarh use Semal flowers in treatment of enlarged spleen. The flowers are collected and dipped in a glass of water whole night. Next morning the flower is given internally with Mustard seeds (Sarson) empty stomach to the patients. This use is having its own limitation. In Chhattisgarh conditions, Semal tree flowers between January to March. As its off-season used is not preferred, the patients can use the flowers only in these limited months. Pippali (Piper longum) is not a common herb in Chhattisgarh but many healers use it in treatment of these troubles. It is given internally with cow milk. Many of the above mentioned traditional medicinal uses of herbs have been reported in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. I am proud to write that the traditional healers are still using these herbs successfully in their routine practice.

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