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

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

The use of Haldi powder (Turmeric) is very common in Chhattisgarh in treatment of Pneumonia. The traditional healers take a teaspoonful of Haldi powder, two cloves of Lason (Garlic) and half litre of cow milk. After mixing, Haldi powder and Lason cloves in milk, it is boiled. When half quantity remains (of initial quantity), boiling is stopped and lukewarm milk is given to the patients. After its intake the patients are advised to go for sleep. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. For children, the healers reduce the quantity of herbs and milk to half. The intake is recommended till complete cure. The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains use the raw juice of Neem leaves externally in treatment of Pneumonia. The lukewarm juice is massaged on chest. It is used as supplement to regular treatment. From the traditional healers of Narharpur region, I got valuable information on use of Pippali fruits (Piper longum) in treatment. Two fruits are roasted and powdered.

This powder is given with Shahad (Honey) to the patients. A teaspoonful Honey is used. According to the healers they use it in treatment of child patients specially. The use of Tulsi herb is also very popular in Chhattisgarh for this trouble. The healers advise the patients to use, the decoction of Tulsi leaves in every hour. Other herbs like Adrak (Ginger), Laung (Clove), Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) are also added in this decoction to make it more useful. In general, the healers suggest the patients to increase the intake of Mattha (Whey) during treatment. Whey is considered as promising drink that helps in treatment of Pneumonia. Like Whey, the healers also recommend the use of Pure Honey (Shahad) during and also after the treatment to avoid repeated attacks. I have mentioned it in my previous articles that the traditional healers recommend the use of spider web internally in treatment of Pneumonia. The common spider webs found in rice bunds and wastelands are preferred. I have seen its practical uses many times. The healers of different parts of Chhattisgarh use it in different ways. In general, it is given with milk. The healers claim that one to two doses are enough to cure the trouble effectively. I personally feel that there is a need for scientific investigations so that this unique use can be promoted in other rice belts of the world. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region suggest the patients to prepare curry by using the leaves of Munga (Moringa sp.) And use it during meals. According to them, Munga leaf is a boon for the patients. They also prepare a special decoction by boiling Sonth (Dried Ginger) and roots of Andi (Ricinus communis) in water. This decoction is used internally. They prepare another decoction also in case of complications. The Methi seeds (Fenugreek) and Shahad are mixed in water and solution is boiled. This decoction is used twice a day. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh prepare different types of decoctions using natural herbs found commonly in nearby forests.

From my Guru, Shri Vishal Bharat, I got information on herbal mixture that can be used successfully in treatment of this trouble. In this herbal mixture Jangli Piaz, Bharangi, Chitrak, Sonth, whole herb of Bhatkatiya and bark of Babbol are used. The mixture is boiled in water and decoction is prepared. The patients are advised to take this decoction once in a day till complete cure. I have tried this herbal formulation successfully many times. As the names of Jagli Piaz and Bharangi are coming for the first time in my articles, I am giving details regarding its botany and reported medicinal uses. For detailed information on Chitrak (Plumbago sp.), Sonth (Dried Ginger), Bhatkatiya (Solanum xanthocarpum) and Babool (Acacia nilotica) I suggest you to read my previous articles. According to reference literatures, Bharangi (Clerodendron serratum) is a shrub with bluntly quadrangular stems; Leaves ternately whorled, sometimes opposite, oblong or elliptic, sharply serrate; Flowers many, shown in lax dichotomous cymes with a pair of bracts at each branching and a flower in the fork, collectively forming a terminal panicle; Corolla pale blue, the larger lower one deflexed; Fruits drupe, obovoid, black, fleshy; flowering time August to October in Chhattisgarh conditions. Bharangi holds a reputed position in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, root is dry, heating, stomachic, anthelmintic, and useful in bronchitis, asthma, ozaena, fevers, blood diseases, inflammations, tumours, burning sensations, hiccup, consumption, tubercular glands, wounds etc. According to the Unani system of medicine, root increases appetite, lessens expectoration, useful in inflammation, bronchitis, asthma, fevers etc. Jangli Piaz (Urginea indica) is one of the well known non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh having regular demand. Botanically, it is a herb with white, ovoid or globose bulb; Leaves appearing after the flowers, flat, linear, scape erect 30-45 cm; Flowers in racemes 15-30 cm long; perianth companulate, stalks long, drooping; Corolla with petals lanceolate, light brown; Fruit capsule, ellipsoid, tapering to both ends; seeds Flattened, black. According to Ayurveda, bulb is pungent, heating anthelmintic, alexiteric and useful in vomiting. The traditional healers of Bastar region use Harra and Bahera fruit powder mixed in equal proportion, in treatment of Pneumonia.

The healers of Bhopalpatnam region, prepare a special decoction by boiling the roots of Bhatkatiya and Kali Haldi (Curcuma caesia) in water. This decoction is considered as beneficial in treatment. Through the ethnobotanical surveys I have listed out 185 traditional healers specialized in treatment of pneumonia. I have observed that the natives also have in-depth traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in the treatment. I am trying hard to gather more information on traditional uses and in future article, I will write more on this important aspect.

Thank you very much for reading the article.