Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of Asthma : The results of recently conducted ethnobotanical surveys in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The traditional healers of Jashpur region of Chhattisgarh use wild Kela (Banana) fruits in treatment of Asthma internally. The method of use is very simple. The matured fruit is taken and after peeling, a small hole is made through the fruit. In this hole, Kali Mirch (Black Pipper) is filled. The fruit filled with Kali Mirch is kept as such whole night. Next morning the fruit is fried with little amount of cow ghee and given to the patients empty stomach. It is considered as one of the promising treatments.

According to the traditional healers, cultivated Banana fruits can be used for the same purpose but it is less effective as compared to the wild Banana fruit. This combination is given both at the time of attack and during normal days. Andi (Ricinums communis) is under cultivation as oil seed crop in Chhattisgarh. It occurs as waste land plant also. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the oil in combination with pure honey (Shahad) is used in treatment of Asthma. But as other promising and cheap alternatives are available, this combination is used less frequently but from documentation point of view it is an important information. From the natives of Dhamtari region, I got information on use of Baheda fruit (Terminalia bellirica) in treatment of Asthma. In my previous articles, I have written a lot on Baheda based herbal formulations used in treatment of Asthma. I am not repeating it in this article. The natives of Dhamtari region use the fruits in unique way. The fruits are dried in shade and converted into fine powder. This powder is mixed in fresh cow urine and small globules are prepared. Two globules twice a day with Shahad are given to the patients as treatment. The traditional healers of Dhamtari region are also well aware of this combination. They prefer goat urine in place of cow urine for more promising effects. I would like to mention here that the urine of black coloured cow or goat is used only. The urine of pregnant cow or goat is avoided. Baheda is well known medicinal tree in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Tendu tree rich areas of Chhattisgarh use Tendu fruit externally in treatment of Asthma. The fruits are dried and rind is removed. The rind is burnt and the patients having the problem of Asthma are advised to inhale the fumes. The fruit is used in this way during acute attack. I have seen its practical use many times. Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) is a common tree in Chhattisgarh. Its fruits are edible whereas leaves are used for wrapping bidis, the popular smoke of Indians.

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the roots of wasteland herb Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) in treatment of Asthma in combination with fruits of Pippali (Piper longum ) internally. Both herbs are mixed in equal proportion and with the help of Shahad small globules are prepared. These globules are given internally as treatment to the patients. Like Fudhar, Satyanashi is also a common wasteland herb in Chhattisgarh. For the traditional healers it is one of the promising herbs that can be used in treatment of Asthma successfully. Its roots are used internally. The roots are collected and dried in shade. After drying it is converted into powder. Few pinches of root powder with a glass of lukewarm cow milk is given internally as treatment. The roots collected before flowering are considered best by the healers. The scientific name of Satyanashi is Argemone mexicana. The traditional healers of rice growing areas are also aware of use of common herb Bhengra for this purpose. The juice of fresh herb is extracted and after mixing it in base oil, the combination is boiled. When all watery contents evaporate, the oil is collected and stored for future use. This oil is given in little doses internally in treatment of Asthma. According to the healers, one season use of fresh juice in this manner helps the patients as preventive to Asthma. In general, the healers suggest the patients to take Asgandh (Withania somnifera) root powder, one tea spoonful with lukewarm cow milk daily during winter season, in order to develop natural resistance in the body. It is considered as promising in treatment of Asthma also. The traditional healers of Bilaspur region of Chhattisgarh are aware about the use of Bhatkatiya herb (Solanum xanthocarpum) in treatment of Asthma. The juice of whole herb is used internally with Shahad (Honey) for this purpose. From every ethnobotanical survey, I get information on more herbs and herbal formulations. The huge list of herbs is still increasing. It seems that the traditional medicinal knowledge about herbs are enough to provide relief to the natives of whole world.

Thank you very much for reading the article.