Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs and herbal formulations used as initial measures in treatment of swellings in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware that there are many reasons responsible for swellings but as initial measures, they use some specific herbs both internally and externally. In most of cases, the swellings subside but in case of complications, they use the other herbs based on the root cause of swellings. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected few but important informations on common herbs and herbal formulations used for this purpose. I am giving the details in present article.

The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains use wheat flour and fruit pulp of Kela (Banana) in treatment of swellings. This combination is applied externally in swelled parts. The natives of Narharpur and Nagri-Sihawa region use Bhelwa bark (Semecarpus anacardium) for this purpose. The aqueous paste of bark is applied externally. These regions of Chhattisgarh are rich in natural population of Bhelwa tree. The traditional healers of Bhopalpatnam region use both Thudar and Hadjod herbs in treatment of swellings. The latex of Thuhar (Euphorbia nerifolia) is used whereas the fleshy stem of Hadjod (Cissus quadrangularis) is used externally. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use the leaves of wasteland herb Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) in treatment of swellings. The yellow leaves mixed with cow urine are converted into fine paste and applied in painful parts. The traditional healers of Bagbahera use Fudhar roots in place of leaves. The roots are used in combination with other herbs both internally and externally. Externally, the traditional healers mix the roots of Fudhar, and barks of Punarnava (Boerrhavia diffusa) and Neem in equal proportions and apply the paste in affected parts. Internally, the healers prepare a decoction by boiling this combination in water. The patients are advised by the healers to take this decoction as treatment. The decoction is also used externally in treatment. According to the traditional healers both internal as well as external treatment at a time cures the trouble in very less time. The traditional healers of Mahasamund region use the Kamhar leaves for this purpose. The fresh leaves of Kamhar (Gmelina arborea) are collected and mixed in cow milk. The aqueous paste is applied externally on swellings. The natives of Sarguja region consider the traditional pulse crop Kulthi (Dolichos biflorus) useful in treatment of swellings. They prepare special decoction by boiling the seeds in water and patients are advised to use it. Due to introduction of hi-yielding pulse crops, the area under Kulthi is decreasing in this part of Chhattisgarh.

I have mentioned in previous articles that Kulthi is one of the promising remedies used in treatment of Kidney stones. The use of Amaltas (Cassia fistula) leaves is also popular in many parts of Chhattisgarh. The traditional healer of Mudpar village use the roots of Dhaincha (Sesbania grandiflora) in combination with Dhatra (Datura stramonium) roots in treatment of swellings. Both roots are mixed in equal proportion with the help for lukewarm water and applied externally on swellings. According to him it is one of the promising treatments. Although the above mentioned traditional uses are less in number but its popularity among the traditional healers, clearly indicates its effectiveness. I have seen the practical uses of these herbs many times during surveys. I have tried many herbs also successfully. Many of the above mentioned traditional uses have yet not been reported in reference literatures. I am fortunate that mother nature has given me chance to document this important knowledge.

Thank you very much for reading the article.