Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about herbs used in Dental Care in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Do you believe that two drops of medicated herbal oil applied inside the nose can make you free from all troubles related to teeth ? Yes, it is possible and it is in practice in many parts of Chhattisgarh.

I have seen such specialists in almost every part of Chhattisgarh but among them the Traditional Healer of Gunderdehi is practising this traditional knowledge sincerely and devotedly. Since student life, I am continuously writing articles on herbs for farmers and common people. From those days, Mr. Chawda, a Traditional Healer of Gunderdehi, is in regular contact with me. Initially we were associated with the help of long letters but today we talk many hours continuously on telephone. He has told me many unique and important uses of common herbs. Mr. Chawda is well known in Chhattisgarh, also outside the India.

Two years back when my mother got the problem of dental carries, I suggested her to visit Gunderdehi for at least consultation. The method of treatment Mr. Chawda adopt is very simple and effect ive. Before starting the treatment, he take full details regarding the problem. After listening the problem carefully, he visit to his homegarden (Badi) for collection of useful herb. The fresh herbs are used to prepare a specific herbal oil. This herbal oil is applied inside the nose (only two drops), for sometime (few seconds) patient feel uneasy (due to sensitivity) and after that the Traditional Healer inform the patient that the treatment is over and he is free from all troubles. At once, the patient can not believe. To provide a proof of strong teeth, the Traditional Healer advise patient to put small stones (murum) inside the mouth and patient hesitate but when he try, he feels that his diseased teeth have became extra strong.

According to this Traditional Healer there is no necessity to repeat the treatment in life. He claims that this small treatment is more effective on young patients. He informed me that this herbal oil should be applied under vaccination programme nation wide once during childhood in order to make the child free from any dental troubles life long. He blames the modern foods like pizza, chowmein and other fast foods that are becoming very popular in Chhattisgarh, for dental troubles. After taking treatment my mother is now getting rid from dental carries. The natural colour is returning. I am regularly observing the miracle effect of this herbal oil. I have referred many of my relatives to Mr. Chawda. The rural people and the patients outside the India, are fan of Mr. Chawda’s traditional knowledge but urban people from nearby cities, a firm believer and follower of toothpaste culture, still make fun of Mr. Chaw da. This is really very sad. Mr. Chawda is over 70 and still practising.

According to him in his long life he has learnt and experienced much herbs but has got specialisation in only 20 herbs. He says one life is insufficient to understand the miracle’s of nature. You will be surprised to know that he charge no fees for his treatment. Even the cost of herbs is not charged. Mr. Chawda belongs to farming community and his sons are well established. Last year he visited and surveyed the nearby Gandhmardan hills, full of diverse flora and fauna, with local people. When he came back, I have seen a refreshed look on his face and his sumojeep was full of rare herbs. Unfortunately no one is ready to learn the secrets of his traditional knowledge. According to him many multinational companies are in regular touch but Mr. Chawda is not in favour of making money from this traditional knowledge. He has yet not documented this knowledge anywhere. He has devoted his whole life for herbal research. For the treatment only few minutes are required but he talks two-three hours to patient, for which every one have no time and patience. His every word is valuable for researchers like me but unfortunately I get very little time to be in touch with him. He has disclosed the formula to me but requested me not to sell it for money. He knows that after his departure from this earth, the people will become aware and only after this he will get recognisition, a statue will be placed in any street or any institute will be named in his name.

I salute his dedication and hard work.The natives of Chhattisgarh are having rich traditional knowledge about Daton or Datun ( twigs of different herbs used for chewing and preparing a tooth brush for teeth cleaning). Over 20 herbs are used for this purpose. When the toothpaste culture was not introduced in Chhattisgarh, the Daton was an integral part of daily routine. Out of these herbs, the Daton prepared from Neem and Babool twigs are still in use. The traditional Healers recommend different twigs to be used as Daton to different patients according to their problems. These Datons are having many useful effects on whole body. The natives of Chhattisgarh have started using many alien weeds for this purpose. You will find details in my next article focused on Datons of Chhattisgarh. Akarkara is one of the most frequently used herbs for dental care in Chhattisgarh. According to ancient literatures related to Indian systems of medicine, potential Akalkara roots were imported from Arabian countries, but it is also mentioned that in absence of Akarkara of Arabian origin, one can use the indigenous species for the same purpose. In literatures many promising spots and areas are mentioned. Fortunately Chhattisgarh is one of these. In my floristic surveys I have observed two species of Akarkara. One species is reported as field weed in winter season crop in Chhattisgarh.

Another species, I have found during my surveys of Bastar region. One can differentiate these two species with heads, and size of the flower head. The species found as field weed is less in plant height, pungency and size of flower head but I have found this species more hardy as compared to forest species. In forest species, I have noted and observed the attack of many insects particularly the leaf miner and fungal diseases. This observation will be of great use for the breeders in future engaged in development of new improved varieties of Akarkara. I am fortunate that I have not only seen the potential Akarkara of Arabian origin but also from many years, my many farmers are cultivating this species in Chhattisgarh. First time I got seed from Mr. Siddiqui, a herb grower from Panna. He has got the seeds from Makka - Madina during his visit as Haji. In terms of quality (?) and productivity the species of Arabian origin is many times superior from indigenous species. We have grown tons of dried roots organically and still the cultivation is going on. I was a great fan of this exotic species but the Traditional Healer of Bastar has opened my eyes. In our ancient literatures it is clearly mentioned that patient can only be treated efficiently and effectively with the help of herbs present in his surroundings. The emphasis was given on the use of indigenous herbs rather than the exotic herbs.

According to the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh, in early days, the natives of Chhattisgarh were resistant enough to face the diseases, but due to increasing use of Allopathic and exotic herbs, the natives are loosing resistance and the number of patients is increasing drastically. This information has motivated me to focus my work on indigenous species and from last year my farmers are cultivating all three species. The local Traditional Healers are ready to purchase the indigenous species for their treatment but the quantity required and the rates are very low. The national and also international buyers give more preference to big and healthy roots (Arabian species) as compared to thin roots (indigenous species). This is the rearabian species. I personally think that the support of government in this regard will be of great help to the herb growers of Chhattisgarh. In my laboratory experiments, I have found better germination of indigenous species as compared to exotic species. As you know, I am in favour of organic cultivation of herbs and this is also recommended in ancient literatures and also a demand of Traditional Healers and buyers all around the globe. But as the buyers are demanding thick roots, vigorous and big flower head,many herb growers are trying chemical fertilizers for cultivation. No doubt, the use of chemical fertilizer is increasing the quantity and growth but deteriorating the quality. Now here comes the responsibility and role of agriculture researcher to establish the balance between these two.

The scientific name of Akarkara is Spilanthes acmella (family Compositae). Its English name is Pellitary. I have found this botanical description of Akarkara in reference literatures. It is an annual herb, stem and branches hairy; Leaves - opposite, ovate, irregularly crenate - serrate, base usually acute; Flowers in heads. Ovoid, solitary or sub-panicled, peduncles reaching 10 cm long; involucral bracts oblong-lanceolate; ray flowers and ligules very often absent, the latter when present minute. Pappus O; Flower Achene, oblong, truncate and compressed. As the scientific names of indigenous species are still not clear, it is hard to say whether this description suits Chhattisgarh species or not. I have found much of variations during my surveys. This is one more area where the future work related to botany field should be focused. Akarkara holds a reputed position in almost every systems of medicine around the globe.

In Indian systems of medicine the roots, leaves and flower-heads are used as medicine. In Chhattisgarh, the Traditional Healers use this herb mainly for dental care. The patient suffering from decayed teeth and foul breath are advised to use the tooth powder prepared by crushing the dried whole plant of Akaits use increases the flow of saliva and makes the mouth fresh. The Traditional Healers recommend the common people to put daily one flower head inside the mouth during flowering season in order to prevent attack of any pathogen in mouth and make the components active and refreshed. This is specially effective in gum sores and aphthae. Children suffering from stammering problem are also advised by the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh to use the Flower head regularly. Fortunately, This is the knowledge also present in rural community of Chhattisgarh.

As the use of tobacco based "Gutkha’ is increasing in Chhattisgarh, the problem of mouth diseases is also increasing.The young generation is under attack of this harmful and lethal habit.. During field works, it is common bservation that the workers suffering from these disease put the flower head inside the mouth and after completion of work they root out the herbs from crop fields and take it to home in order to prepare tooth powder. This is encouraging observation. In future, This use may be of great help in managing the herb occuring as problematic weed (?) in crop fields. This unique concept of "Control Through Utilisation" will be of great importance both for farmers and herb users that time. In Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, Turmeric is under cultivation in fairly large areas. In dense forests of the region, I have seen many wild species, locally known as Van Haldi, also. The Traditional Healers of Bastar region use these wild species for the treatment of many common diseases. I have found it very useful in case of Dental care.

The Traditional Healers recommend it alone and in combination with other herbs, salts and oils both. The method of application or use is very simple. The dried roots are crushed and powder is prepared. The patients suffering from dental problem are advised to use this raw powder as tooth powder. For normal person they recommend it to use life long. According to them the regular use of Turmeric powder as tooth powder prevents the commend one time use to normal persons daily and two times (morning and evening,before going to bed) to patients. I have consulted my Chienese dentist Dr. Liu for this traditional use. He has given green signal but warned me that the powder should be very fine otherwise it may cause abrasions on teeth and can damage the gums. He also informed me later that he is recommending it to his patients.

As fond of sweets, my teeth are badly damaged. I am using this powder since 6 months and found it very useful. According to the Traditional Healers of Bastar, the young generation are not ready to quit the habit of tooth paste, so they are recommending it to use only at night. The use of Turmeric powder alone has not been described thoroughly in available literatures. My friends have found it effective against bleeding and spongy gums also. In order to get rid from toothache due to decayed teeth, the Traditional Healers advise to put or apply the powder in affected parts, it relieves the pain within few seconds. In many parts of Chhattisgarh this powder is used in combination with salt and Sarson oil (Mustard oil). This combination is applied on teeth and left for few minutes. I have found the use of Turmeric alone more effective. Many persons can not tolerate the pungency of mustard oil. So, this combination is not much popular. Keeping mustard oil alone in mouth for few minutes is also found effective in many cases. Few Traditional Healers are still recommending this practice to their patients.

During my ethnomedico surveys to different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have observed and noted the use of many herbal combinations used for the treatment of dental problems. I have found this knowledge both in Traditional Healers and natives. These combinations include the use of dried leaves of Ginger, common table salt, fresh leaves and bark of guava, fresh root of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea), Camphor, Neem leaves and bark, twigs of Kachnar, Black pipper, dried Ginger powder, Fresh bark of Babool (Acacia nilotica), fresh and s benghalensis), fresh bark of Maulshri etc in different proportions.

I personally feel that there is a strong need to document the traditional knowledge about these herbs and also encourage and recognize the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh so that the young generation can understand the value of them and set their minds to learn from them well in time.