Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Ulti (Vomiting) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

For the vomiting due to poor digestion, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Aam and Pudina leaves and prepare chutney. This chutney is given to the patients for immediate relief. Two Aam leaves (Mangifera indica) and 50 leaves of Pudina (Mentha arvensis) are mixed for preparation of chutney. Many healers add Shahad (Honey) in this chutney to make it more effective. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use many such herbs and herbal formulations in treatment of vomiting. They are aware that only one factor is not always responsible for this trouble. They use the herbs and herbal formulations as first aid and in most of the cases the patients get relief. In case of complications, other herbs are used .

Through the ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected a lot of information on this important aspect. In present article, I am giving these details. For the treatment of vomiting during high fever, the traditional healers of Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck) rich areas, use Sirsa seeds. The seeds are boiled in water. The softened seeds are given with Shahad to the patients. The dose is repeated till complete cure. The healers prefer fresh seeds but in off season they use stored seeds for this purpose. The diseased or insect infested seeds are not used. The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains, use Pudina (Mentha arvensis) as home remedy. The juice of fresh leaves is extracted and with few drops of Lemon (Nimbu) juice, it is given to the patients. They use Lemon juice with water and sugar for the same purpose. One teaspoonful each of Lemon juice and water is mixed and few pinches of powdered sugar are added. This combination is given in every hour till complete cure. For vomiting due to hyper acidity, the natives use cold milk with sugar. But as milk do not suits to all, this use is of limited use. For the same purpose, the natives use the decoction of Mulethi root powder.

For preparation of decoction two teaspoonful of Mulethi powder is added in a glass of water and allowed to boil. When solution remains half of initial quantity, boiling is stopped. This solution is given to the patients for immediate relief. The natives also add Rai seeds in this solution in case of complications. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is not a herb from Chhattisgarh. It is also not under cultivation. This is positive sign that the native of Chhattisgarh are aware of its use. They are dependent on local herb shops for this herb. As the description of this herb is coming for the first time in my articles, I am giving details of its botany. According to reference literatures, the root of Mulethi is cylindrical, running to a considerable length and depth, bright brown on the outside, yellow inside, soft and succulent. Stem erect, upto 2 feet high, smooth, of a dull glaucous gray colour; Leaves unequally pinnate; leaflets generally about 13, oval, entire, obtuse, slightly emarginated, viscid; stipules in conspicuous; Flowers pale liliac in axillary, erect, stalked racemes; Legumes compressed, smooth. The natives also use the cloves of Lason (Allium sativum) to stop the vomiting. The patients are advised to swallow two cloves with water. In many cases, it works in effective ways. The natives of Durg region, mix a teaspoonful of Ginger and Onion juice in equal quantities and give it to the patients for same purpose. The traditional healers of Narharpur region use the Neem branches. The young branches are burnt and dipped in water. This water is given internally to the patients to check the vomiting. The traditional healers of Bael tree (Aegle marmelos) rich areas, use the decoction of immature fruits in treatment. As fruiting time of Bael is April to August in Chhattisgarh conditions, this use is limited upto this part of the year only. The natives of Mahasamund region use the fresh leaf juice of common herb Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum). The above mentioned traditional medicinal uses clearly indicate the in depth traditional knowledge, the natives and traditional healers are having. As I always mention, that the natives and traditional healers of one part of Chhattisgarh are not aware of the herbs and herbal formulations that are in use in other parts of Chhattisgarh. The documentation work is helping them to gather uniform knowledge about these herbs. Through personal visits and popular articles in regional languages, I am trying to disseminate this knowledge.

Thank you very much for reading the article.