Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about common herbs used in woman care after delivery (post natal) in Chhattisgarh India

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

Specially prepared vegetables, sweet dishes, medicinal laddus, fumes of herbs, medicinal rice, herbal beverage Kssa pani - yes all these are given to Chhattisgarh woman after delivery to gain vitality and strength.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich knowledge on this important aspect. In Chhattisgarh, over 250 species of herbs are used for this care both alone and in combination. The ethnomedico surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh from 1994 to 2002 revealed that the use of herbs varied from region to region. The traditional healers and natives of southern part of Chhattisgarh are not aware of combinations used by the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains and vice-versa. Beside herbs, many common insects, mites and specific soils are also used in this care. Munga is one of the common trees in Chhattisgarh. It is common practice all over the Chhattisgarh to serve the woman after pregnancy a dish (vegetable) prepared from Munga. In many parts of Chhattisgarh specially in plains, the vegetable prepared from Parwal is served to woman. The scientific name of Parwal is Trichosanthes dioica (English name-Patol or pointed Gourd). Parwal is cultivated in Chhattisgarh in fairly large areas. According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, these vegetable helps woman to regain the vitality. The Munga is rich in Iron whereas the traditional healers says the Parwal possess unique healing properties and act as good tonic. The traditional healer of Durg region informed me about other utilities of Parwal Durg region is famous for vegetable farming. In this region, the level of pesticide consumption is very high. The traditional healers are not happy with this increasing use. According to them chemically grown Parwal is very harmful to woman and should be avoided. According to them desi (indigenous) Parwal must be used for real beneficial effects. As the natives use no pesticide in production of Munga as compared to Parwal, the traditional healers prefer Munga as compared to Parwal. The traditional healer of Gunderdehi told that both vegetable possess different qualities and single species can not be used in place of both. He suggest local herbs to his patients. According to him both Munga and Parwal are not real native of Chhattisgarh. As you know, Chhattisgarh is known for Bhajis (Pot herbs) and many common weeds are used as potherbs. This traditional healer suggest his patients to use these pot herbs on the basis of season on which the delivery has taken place. If delivery is during July, he suggests his patients to use Charota (Cassia tora), Gumma (Leucas aspera) or Karmatta (Ipomoea aquatica) and if delivery time is winter, he suggests use the Bathua bhaji (Chenopodium album). According to him the local dogs living in village areas have rich knowledge about use of these bhajis, and he had observed it many times in natural conditions. The traditional healers of Gandai forest regions are also agree with him. They told me that wild animals use specific herbs after delivery. He quoted the example of monkey or bear. According to him after him after delivery these animals use Kali moosli (Curculigo sp.) common in the forests, to get the vitality. Before intercourse the males of these species use White moosli (Chlorophytum sp.)in order to get strength. I personally feel that there is a strong need for scientific attention and investigation in this regard. In Gandai forest region, the traditional healers recommend the powdered root of Kali moosli to woman after pregnancy.

The traditional healers accepts the fact that they have gained this knowledge from wild animals. Many of these traditional healers particularly the young educated generation are keeping close observation and view on behaviour of common wild animals, in order to get more valuable information. I have also collected a lot of information from the natives living very nearer to these wild animals. You will get these details in my future articles. The first target of traditional healers from all parts of Chhattisgarh is to protect the woman from cold. All herbs used and recommended are hot in Tasir (nature). In plains, daily after bath the woman is advised to inhale the fumes of burning Ajwain (Trachy spermum ammi, family. Umbelliferae). It is also common in other parts of India Ajwain with water is also given to woman. According to the natives, Ajwain plays key role in protecting the woman from cold. The use of Bukni of haldi (Curcuma longa) is also very popular in Chhattisgarh. I have collected over 15 methods used for preparation of Bukni from different parts of Chhattisgarh . In present article, I am describing the method of preparation used by majority of natives. Equal quantities of Sonth (Dried Ginger, Zingber officinalis), Fruit and root of Pippali (Piper longum) are taken, mixed and roasted. The roasted table salt is mixed in this mixture. A big piece of Haldi is fried in Ghee separately and mixed in mixture. This mixture is then served with very hot cooked rice to woman after delivery. The correct method is to create a hole on the heap of cooked rice, this mixture is kept inside the hole and again covered with cooked rice. The traditional healers advise to put the mixture inside the heap at least for 15-20 minutes in order to increase the effectiveness. I have interviewed many women who have used this Bukni after pregnancy. According to them , this Bukni gives instant energy and it is very useful in cold and body pain. The use of Bukni is in use in Chhattisgarh plains. Piper longum is not reported in Chhattisgarh. The natives purchase this herb (dried) from herb shop and used for preparation of Bukni. The traditional healers of Bastar living in dense forests are not aware of this Bukni. As herb shops are not common in this region, the purchase of Piper is not possible for them. In many parts, only Haldi and Sonth are used to prepare Bukni. As Haldi is an important component, it is commonly known as Haldi Bukni. The natives living in urban areas of Bastar, are aware of Haldi Bukni, Haldi and Ginger both herbs are under cultivation in the state. Many wild species of these herbs have also been reported in dense forests. Haldi in combination with other herbs act as tonic, and antiseptic.

A specially prepared sweet dish "Laddu’ is also recommended to the woman after deliver. The use of ‘Laddu’ is very popular in Urban areas. These Laddus are prepared with the help of herbs and dry fruits. Over 40 ingredients are used in an ideal Laddu. The natives delete or add the ingredients according to their economical status. Some of common but important ingredients are Sonth, fruits of Pippali, Karail, Ajwain, Gud (Jaggery), Cashew, Almond, Coconut, Gum etc. According to the economical status of the patients traditional healers add or delete the items but in Laddu Sonth, Pipplai and Ajwain are essential parts. These essential parts are available at very cheap rates in local market. Daily one Laddu is recommended to woman till a month after delivery. In local shops, readymade Laddus are also available for sale.

The use of Pippli, Sonth and Ajwain make this laddu very pungent and bitter. In order to reduce this bitterness, gud is added. This nutritious laddu requires lot of courage to consume it. This is the reason, many natives increase the proportion of gud to make the laddu more sweeter but according to the traditional healers, the proportion of ingredient should not be changed to get desired effects. In rural and forest areas, the use of this medicinal laddu is not much popular.

Chhattisgarh is known as "Rice bowl of India". In Chhattisgarh, natives have rich traditional knowledge about medicinal rice varieties. Many of these medicinal rice varieties are still under cultivation in interior parts where agricultural scientists have not introduced high yielding rice varieties. The increasing area under high yielding varieties is the main factor responsible for elimination of traditional varieties. For woman care after delivery many medicinal varieties are used. Maharaji is one of them.. The woman is advised to use the Maharaji variety up to at least one month after delivery. According to the traditional healers of state, alone medicinal rice varieties used as food and medicine can make the woman strong after delivery in very short duration. The natives still want to use it for this purpose but unfortunately its availability is decreasing drastically. Another rice variety Bhejri is used in case of cow. For early removal of placenta, it is given to cow with linseed seeds and Gur (Jaggery) after delivery. My surveys revealed that over 50 rice varieties are known for its medicinal properties. There is a need of documentation of traditional knowledge and conservation of these varieties in the state.

In Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, use of specially prepared herbal beverage Kassa Pani or Kssa Pani is very popular. Like Bukni, there is no standardize method for preparation and you will find slightly modified method in every ten Kilometers. But according to traditional healers of Bastar, although there is no standard method and there is a lot of variations but Kssa pani prepared from all methods are equally effective because of same contents. The main ingredients of Kssa Pani are Bael leaves, Chind roots, Kulthi seeds, Gur, Lason, water and Sarson ka Tel. All of these ingredients can be collected from nearly forests easily. The preparation of this herbal beverage is very simple. Bael leaves, Chind roots, Kulthi seeds, and Kakai roots are put in earthen pot and water is mixed. This mixture is kept on flame over night. Next morning , the mixture is filtered and for taste Gud, Sarson ka Tel (Mustard oil) and lason (Garlic) are mixed. The prepared beverage is known as Kassa pani or Kssa pani. Based on the vitality of patients, the traditional healers recommend this herbal beverage to woman after third, fifth and seventh days of delivery. Again on the basis of vitality, they recommend it upto two to five days. Many traditional healers recommend it on third day of delivery. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, herbal beverages similar to Kssa pani are prepared. On the basis of availability of herbs, the traditional healers add or delete the contents of Kassa pani. Kassa pani is local name of beverage. In other parts it is known as other names. According to the traditional healer of Jagdalpur, there are many herbal beverages like Kassa pani in Bastar, more effective and easy to prepare. The natives prepare this beverage in their homes but according to traditional healers, the preparation of potential beverage is not so simple as it looks. From the selection and collection of herbs to filtering the beverage, every thing require special precaution and attention. On the basis of atmospheric temperatures, the durations of boiling are fixed. Kakai roots Bel leaves and Kulthi dal are the main ingredients.

The scientific name of Kakai is Flacourtia ramontchi (Family : Flacourtiaceae). In reference literature, I have found this botanical description. It is deciduous shrub or small tree with young branches and leaves pubescent; spines axillary. Leaves ovate to almost orbicular; veins prominent, pubescent; Margins crenate to serrate, apex obtuse or acute. Male flowers in short branched clustered racemes, sometimes on the thorns; calyx pubescent, stamens numerous. Female flowers on short branches, solitary or in pairs; pedicels villous; Sepals villous; ovary glabrous, stigmas 5-10 fruits globose and seeds obovoid. In reference literatures related to Indian systems of medicine I have not found much details about medicinal properties and uses of this useful herb. In Bastar, the ground seeds are applied with Haldi (Turmeric) and Sonth (Dried Ginger) on woman body in form of paste in order to reduce the body pain, after delivery. In different diseases, all parts of Kakai are used in Chhattisgarh by traditional healers.

Bael (Aegle marmelos) hold a reputed position in all systems of medicine. Bael is found as wild herbs in Chhattisgarh. In many parts it is under cultivation also. It is an important non-wood forest produce and different plan parts are supplied to national and international markets. Almost all parts viz. roots, root bark, leaves, flowers, fruits are used as medicine. According to Ayurveda, the root cures abdominal pain, heart palpitation, urinary troubles, melancholia and hypochondriasis. Leaves are astringent, digestive, laxative and febrifuge and useful in eye diseases, deafness, inflammations. Flowers are used to allay thirst and vomiting. Ripe fruit is hot, dry, tonic, restorative astringent and purgative. It is goo for heart and brain. Bael is a medium sized, deciduous, spiny tree; spines 2-3 cm long Leaflets usually 3, ovate, lanceolate, rounded at base; lateral sessile, terminal, stalked. Flowers pentamerous, greenish white, sweet smelled, peduncles 3-5 cm long; pedicels auriculate, pubescent. Filaments fascicled. Ovary glabrous, berry 8-16 m, globose, oblong or pyriform, rind grey or yellow, pulp orange and edible.

Kulthi is well known pulse crop in tribal areas of Chhattisgarh. Due to introduction of new high yielding species of new pulses, its area is decreasing rapidly but, still in large areas it is under cultivation. It is not wrong to consider this crop as medicinal pulse crop. In Chhattisgarh, it is one of the most frequently recommended pulses for the treatment of kidney stones. According to traditional healers regular intake of Kulthi upto forty days removes stones completely from kidneys and one should include this Dal (Pulse) in his diet in order to prevent the formation of new stones. It is also used for the treatment of cough, leucorrhoea, menstrual de-arrangements and indigestion.

All of these ingredients play important role in making the Kssa pani effective. There is a strong need to make the use of Kassa pani popular because it is not only effective but also easy to prepare and cheap. I will write more on other findings on this important aspect in my next articles. The natives prepare herbal oils for woman care after delivery. Recently I have started new survey in untouched parts of Chhattisgarh and I am expecting some more important findings on this aspect.