Some popular home remedies used in treatment of Obesity in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Like other parts of India, 'Sattu' is well known preparation in Chhattisgarh. It is prepared by mixing Gram (Chickpea) flour and Jau (Barley) in different preparations. In early days, Sattu was the good breakfast for the travelers. The herb collectors still keep Sattu powder with them during visits to forests for the collection of herbs. The combination of Gram and Jau is considered best from nutrition point of view. During recent ethnobotanical surveys, I got an interesting information related to Sattu. According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, Sattu helps in reducing extra fat from body and in this way, it is a boon for the patients having the problem of obesity. According to the healers, it can be used as promising substitute to meals, atleast one time. Sattu is free from fat. The natives add sugar in Sattu powder but it can be avoided or quantity can be minimized. As Homoeopathic drug Calotropis gigantea can be used successfully in treatment of obesity. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are not aware of use of this wasteland herb in crude form for this purpose.

As you know, Chhattisgarh is known as 'Rice bowl of India '. Living with rice since generations, the natives are well aware of its different medicinal uses. The natives use the remains of boiled rice as remedy for obesity. It is locally known as Pasia. Pasia is given internally. It is common belief among natives that its regular intake helps in reducing the extra fat without decreasing the stamina and strength. A well known herbal combination Triphala is also used for the same purpose. The natives and traditional healers collect the Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica), Harra (Terminalia chebula) and Bahera (Terminalia bellirica) fruits in different proportions (mostly in equal proportion) and mix it with the help of pulveriser. This powder is known as Triphala (Tri-Three; Phala; fruits). Two teaspoonful of Triphala powder is boiled in a glass of water and the natives having the problem of obesity are advised to take the decoction. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. This decoction also helps in eliminating the problem of constipation. It is common belief among natives that the use of Sonth (dried Ginger) in any form, helps a lot in reducing extra body fat. This is the reason the natives use it in different preparations. Sonth is considered useful in treatment of other common diseases. Like Sonth, Methi is also considered useful for obesity. The natives use the green herb of Methi as vegetable. Its regular use helps in reducing the fat. The decoction of Methi (Fenugreek) seeds is also considered promising for the same purpose. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, suggest the natives having the problem of Obesity to eat more and more Mooli (Radish) roots and leaves during cropping season. According to them, its regular consumption helps in great way to reduce the fat. In the previous articles, I have written a lot on use of herbs and herbal formulations in treatment of Obesity. This article is a supplement to previous articles.

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