Common home remedies used in treatment of Tonsillitis in Chhattisgarh Plains, India

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

Like other parts of the world, the problem of Tonsillitis is becoming common in urban areas of Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh blame the modern life style as a root cause of this trouble. The decreasing natural resistance is responsible for frequent attacks. The natives of urban areas were dependent on antibiotics earlier now seeing its limited effects, they are showing interest in home remedies and adopting 'Prevention is always better than cure' concept. The healers are giving more emphasis on developing natural body resistance. They are worried by seeing increased number of child patients.

The natives of urban areas are also showing interest in Homoeopathic treatment considering it the side effect free therapy. As Homoeopath, I am aware the miracle effects of these drugs in treatment of Tonsillitis. There are many drugs like Baryta carb that can stop the repeated attacks if used judiciously. In general, the natives and traditional healers use home remedies for gargle. According to them, there is no promising alternative to gargle. For gargle, the use of lukewarm salt water is very common. They use herbs in place of salt also. Through ethnobotanical surveys in the Plains of Chhattisgarh, I have collected many such information's. I am giving details in this article. In place of common salt, the natives use Onion juice also. Two teaspoonful of Onion juice is added in a glass of lukewarm water and patients are advised to gargle with this combination. The dried leaves of Pudina (Mentha arvensis) are used in same manner. A teaspoonful of dried leaves is mixed in lukewarm water. The natives of Durg region use, fresh juice of Adrak (Ginger) one teaspoonful and Shahad (Honey), two teaspoonful in lukewarm warm for gargle in treatment of Tonsillitis. For internal use, the use of Haldi is considered as promising treatment. One teaspoonful of Haldi powder with a cup of lukewarm cow milk is given to the patients. It acts as indigenous antibiotic.

This use is repeated upto atleast five weeks. It acts as both preventive and for treatment. It is recommended once at night before going to sleep. Haldi (Turmeric) is well known and commonly used medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh. I am describing its botany in brief. According to reference literatures, Haldi (Curcuma longa) is a herb with oblong and palmate tubers; Leaves long stalked, lanceolate, tapering to each end, smooth, of a uniform green; spike central, oblong, green. Haldi holds a reputed position as medicinal herb in different systems of medicine in India. Internally, Anar leaf juice is also used for this purpose. The patients are advised to take leaf juice regularly in order to avoid the attack. The leaf juice is also used for gargle. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains claim that through these herbs and herbal combination the problem of Tonsillitis can be managed efficiently. We are conducting detailed surveys in other parts of Chhattisgarh, I will write more on this aspect in my future articles.

Thank you very much for reading the article.