Traditional medicinal knowledge about specific soil on which wonder herb Safed Musli (Chlorophytum sp.) Grows, in Chhattisgarh, India

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

In previous articles, I have mentioned the traditional medicinal knowledge about rice soils in Chhattisgarh. The natives and traditional healers have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about the medicinal values of soil in which common medicinal herbs grow. The observation of medicinal rice soil was new for the rice scientists working at international levels. When I prepared a research note for publication in international journal focused on rice crop, the editors rejected the paper with comments that without scientific explanations they can not publish this note. Later with the help of researchers working on Allelopathy at various international institutions, we proposed a new hypothesis that the soil is medicated by the leachates of medicinal rice varieties. After understanding this hypothesis, the editors gave green signal.

Many unique information when I try to document through these articles, I always feel hesitation specially when I have no scientific explanation with me. Many of the information seems false look but when its scientific explanation comes from the readers side, I feel the sense of great satisfaction. But as researcher, I feel that this is my moral responsibility to just document all the information I am noting and observing during my ethnobotanical surveys. As a student of science, I try to add my views and explanation. Instead of these steps many things remain unexplained. I leave it for future generations and readers. When I asked the explanation from the traditional healers about medicated soil, they gave very simple reply. They said, the medicinal properties of any soil are well established, also of any herb then why the questions arise, that the interaction of both soil and herbs will not result in any miracle? Very true. Sometimes I feel that we intellectuals, loose many golden opportunities in meaningless (senseless also) discussions. The healers are using medicated rice soils since generations. They do not bother whether it has any scientific base or not? If it is in nature, there must be some science in it. Last year, during my ethnobotanical surveys in Bastar region, I got surprising information on use of soil on which Safed Musli species grow naturally. These soils are collected when the life cycle of herb is over. In forest, the healers put identification marks for Musli herbs. I have noted that very few healers are aware of this use. They use the soil in treatment of many common diseases mostly externally. According to them, the soil is used mainly in treatment of diseases having origin from cool nature (Tasir). Many healers use it externally in treatment of cancers.

Most of the healers do not want to disclose its medicinal uses. The adopt special method for collection of soil. The surface soil is rejected. The soil present in periphery of Musli herbs upto Aik Bita (approx. 30 cm) are taken. The soil collected under the tip of Musli root is considered the best. According to the healers, they collect the soil after performing worship ceremony. The soil is used as such without further drying. After collection of soil, Musli herb is planted in same spot and hole is filled with nearby soil. The healers informed me that next year, the new soil becomes medicated. Encouraged with this unique observation, I started confirmation with the help of other traditional healers specialized in use of Safed Musli herb as medicine-most of them showed ignorance on this traditional use. This year, many traditional healers of Bhopalpatnam region accepted that they are aware of these unique properties of Musli soil. But like the healers of Bastar, they also refused to disclose its traditional medicinal uses. But they informed that in many complicated cases this soil acts as panacea. They further informed that the soils can be used internally also. I feel that this is an important information and for further study on this aspect, I am seeking the helping hands from experts specialized in biochemical analysis and clinical trials. The herb collector of Kondagaon region gave me one more important information when I discussed this observation with him. He informed that in natural condition Safed Musli herb suffers less damage from Termites but when it is planted in new soils, the Termites damage the herb to great extent. According to them, the anti-termite properties of Musli soils in natural conditions possibly helps the Musli herb. For another reasons, I also suggest the Musli growers taking Safed Musli crop for the first time to apply the soil collected from nearby forests where this herb grows naturally, in order to get healthy natural crop. Now the recent observations have added one more benefit in this application. I am in search of more information on this important aspect I will give the details in my future articles.

Thank you very much for reading the articles.