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

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

The use of Sarpgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) root powder in treatment of Insomnia is well documented. In Chhattisgarh, two species of Sarpgandha are reported. Rauvolfia serpentina and R. tetraphylla. This was new information for me that the traditional healers use both species in treatment of Insomnia. I have observed natural population of R. tetraphylla in Southern Chhattisgarh. The patients are advised to take root powder with butter (Makkhan) before going to bed. As overdose can cause complications, the patients use root powder under supervision of the traditional healers. Both species of Sarpgandha are under cultivation also in different parts of Chhattisgarh.

The healers prefer naturally occurring Sarpgandha herbs for the preparation of herbal formulations. Like the root powder of Sarpgandha, the traditional healers of Asgandh reach (Withania somnifera) region use the root powder of Asgandh in treatment of Insomnia. I have mentioned it in my previous articles that in many parts of Chhattisgarh Asgandh occurs in wild. The root powder is used in similar manner as the Sarpgandha roots. As over-dose of Asgandh is not as problematic as the Sarpgandha roots, the natives use it without taking advise of the healers. Asgandh is also under cultivation in Chhattisgarh The roots of cultivated crop are also used by the natives. The use of freshly harvested Dhania herb is very common among the natives of Chhattisgarh Plains. It is used as popular home remedy in treatment of Insomnia. The patients are advised to take fresh juice internally with water and sugar. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the juice is applied externally on soles of legs for same purpose. Dhania (Coriander) is under cultivation as horticulture crop in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Bilaspur region use the sprouts of Andi (Ricinus communis) in treatment. The sprouts are mixed in cow milk and an aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on foreheads and near the ears. According to the healers, this simple treatment is having the capacity to treat this trouble effectively.

The traditional healers of Bhopal patnam region recommend the use of Hadjod in treatment. Hadjod (Cissus quadrangularis) is well known herb used in treatment of bone-fractures. The healers suggest the patients to take, fleshy stem with Gud (Jaggery) to get rid from this trouble. The natives of many parts of Chhattisgarh, prepare special sweet dish using Hadjod stem and use it for the same purpose. In reference literatures, the use of many species of ornamental Cactus species is mentioned for treatment of Insomnia. It is common belief among natives that the regular intake of Piaz (Onion) during meals in different forms helps the body in getting sound sleep. The natives use it frequently during hot summer days. The regular use of Piaz during hot summer days helps in protection against high atmospheric temperature. In other seasons, the natives use Mooli (Radish) similarly as Piaz. Both Piaz and Mooli are under cultivation as vegetable crop in Chhattisgarh. The natives believe that the patients having the problem of Insomnia must prefer buffalo milk as compared to cow milk and use it in large quantities. According to them, buffalo milk helps in getting good sleep. The problem of Insomnia is not significant in rural and forest areas of Chhattisgarh where the natives do hard work in their routine life. The natives living in urban areas are facing this problem. The number of affected natives is increasing very rapidly. Now the natives of urban areas are well aware of side effects of common synthetic drugs available in markets. The queue of patients having faith in traditional cure is increasing. This is positive sign that now the patients can get side effects free treatment having natural herbs collected from surroundings.

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