Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Dyspepsia in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The natives and traditional healers of different parts of Chhattisgarh use Nimbu (Lemon) in different ways to treat the problem of Dyspepsia. In general, they take a glass of lukewarm water and add Lemon and Ginger juice in it. The juice of half Lemon and a teaspoonfull of Ginger juice are used. The patients are advised to take this water prior to meals. Many natives add common salt also but it is just for taste. The natives prepare chutney by mixing Nimbu, roasted Zeera (Cumin), rock salt and Ginger and consume it with meals. This chutney is used specially in rainy season. The popularity of these uses in the state clearly indicates its effectiveness.

The natives also use another Citrus fruit Santra (Orange) for the same purpose. The patients are advised to take matured fruits with Sonth (dried Ginger) and rock salt. Jamun (Syzygium cumini syn. Myrtus cumini syn. Eugenia jambolana) is popular fruit is Chhattisgarh. It is used in treatment of diabetes in different systems of medicine in India. Jamun is a large tree cultivated throughout the India for edible fruits. The natives use Jamun fruits for Dyspepsia. The method of use is very simple. The matured fruits with salt are given to the patients. In Chhattisgarh, Jamun fruits mature at the commence of Monsoon rains during rainy season. In this time, Dyspepsia is common problem. The use of Jamun fruits help in regularizing the digestive system. Like Jamun, Bael (Aegle marmelos) is also a common tree in Chhattisgarh. It grows in wild. The traditional healers of Bael rich areas use the leaves in treatment of Dyspepsia. Twenty leaves of Bael are crushed and juice is extracted. In this juice, they add Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) and rock salt and give it to the patients. In serious case, it is given in every three hours. It is considered as one of the promising treatments.

The natives use Onion juice in treatment. Three teaspoonful of Onion juice is given internally to the patients. The chutney of Garlic is also used for the same purpose. In general, the natives hesitate to use raw Onion juice because of its odd smell. As other promising alternatives are available, it is used in special cases. The green pods and seeds of Sem are used as vegetable in India. It is well known vegetable crop in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use, the juice of immature pods in treatment of diabetes. It is considered promising in treatment of Dyspepsia also. The juice of immature pods is given twice a day for this purpose.

I would like to mention here that in Chhattisgarh the Sem is cultivated with heavy chemical inputs as it is prone to diseases and insect attacks. This is the reason the traditional healers instruct the natives to take special precaution during the use of Sem. In general, to avoid any poisoning the healers grow this herb in their home gardens to fulfil the requirement. The scientific name of Sem is Dolichos lablab. The use of Tulsi herb is very popular among natives. The traditional healer of Mudpar village, prepare specific herbal formulation using Tulsi leaves as main ingredient. The method of preparation is crude. He takes a fistful of Tulsi leaves, few pinches of Sonth, and Gud (Jaggery ) and by mixing all these materials prepare small globules. He gives these tasty globules to his patients having the problem of Dyspepsia. He suggests it use during problem only. The regular use is not permitted. In this combination Ocimum sanctum leaves are used. In simple cases, he suggests the patients to eat a fistful of Tulsi leaves with rock salt to get rid from this trouble. Like proverb ' A apple a day, keeps a doctor away', he suggests the patients to take five healthy Tulsi leaves once in a day regularly in order to keep the body disease free. Pippali (Piper longum) is cultivated for its fruits that are used as spice and condiment. It is popular medicine in Chhattisgarh.

The traditional healers use it with Shahad (Honey) in treatment of Dyspepsia. The uses of other common herbs Aonla, Harra, Mooli, Rai etc. are also in existence. As I have written a lot or these herbs in my previous articles, I am not repeating it in this article. The formulation the traditional healer of Mudpar village is not available in form of patented herbal formulation. I personally feel that by establishing drug manufacturing units in Chhattisgarh, the state authorities can popularize these traditional uses. By this process, every one including Traditional healers, herb growers, herb collectors, and unemployed rural youths can be benefited.

Thank you very much for reading the article.