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Interactions with the natives
of Tilda (Chhattisgarh, India) region having rich traditional
medicinal knowledge about common herbs
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Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights ReservedThe most important information I got from the natives of Tilda region, is the use of rice roots in narcotic drinks in order to increase its effects. This is really surprising that the uses of rice roots in this form and also as medicine are not well described in reference literatures. The native of Chhattisgarh are fond of Ganja and Bhang. Before going in detail, I would like to explain Ganja and bhang. Both are the products of Cannabis sativa. Bhang is composed of dried leaves and flowering shoots of male and female plants whereas Ganja consists of dried unfertilised female inflorescences. The active principle of Bhang and Ganja is resinous exudation from glandular hairs on leaves, stems and inflorescences. Bhang is taken in form of drink- whereas Ganja is used for smoking. The natives of Tilda region, use rice roots both in Ganja and Bhang. As you know Chhattisgarh is well known for its rice production. Many medicinal rice varieties have also been reported in Chhattisgarh. Also the natives and traditional healers use medicinal rice soils for the treatment of common diseases. Unfortunately, very few natives are aware of medicinal properties of rice roots and its use is limited to limited natives. According to the natives the addition of rice roots is not recommended for the beginners. It can cause bad effects if not taken under strict supervision of regular users.
Botanical differences among Pueraria species. Characteristics Pueraria lobata Pueraria phaseoloides Pueraria tuberosa 1. Habit A perennial hairy vine with numerous stolons which root at nodes A woody, twining climber, clthed with dense, spreading, brown hairs A large, perennial climber 2. Roots Long, thickened or tuberous roots, producing nodules, deep penetrating Tuberous, deep penetrating, with nodules. Very large, tuberous, upto 35 kg, connected with thin roots 3. Leaves Trifoliate; leaflets entire or shallowly 2-3 lobed, pubescent racemes, 20-50 cm long Trifoliate; leaflets entire or lobed, densely pubescent on lower surface Trifoliate 4. Flowers - Light lavender, often with whitish fringes in long - peduncled racemes. Blue or purplish - blue, in 15-30 cm long racemos. 5. Fruits Flat, oblong, linear, hairy pod, 5-10 cm long, 8-20 seeded Pubescent, 7-20 seeded, 5-11 cm long. Flat pod, densely clothed with long, silky bristly, brown hairs, 5-7 cm long. In Ganja, the natives add a small piece of rice roots in order increase its effectiveness. The traditional healers of this region informed me that they prepare a special type of cigarettes using rice roots in order to cure chronic headache particularly the migraine. They add Urai roots in order to suppress the bad effects of rice roots. Urai (Vetiveria zizanoides) is a common herb in Chhattisgarh. The state is well known for its unique Urai roots in national and international markets. From reference literatures, I have noted the medicinal properties of Urai roots. According to these literatures, powdered root is cooling, refrigerent, diuretic, stimulant and tonic. In many parts of India, the natives use the cigarettes prepared from Urai roots with benzoin in order to treat headache. But the use of Urai roots with rice roots is not mentioned. I am proud to say that the natives of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about the use of rice roots with Urai roots and also this is in practice. The native and traditional healers prefer the roots collected before flowering of the rice plants. They also prefer the roots of indigenous varieties, not the roots of high yielding varieties. They avoid the fields in which chemical inputs have been used for cultivation. The traditional healers of region, told me that they utter some mantras before collecting these roots to be used as medicine. Sometime back Mr. Vinod Shukla, a qualified engineer, from Bilaspur region met me with information on use of common herbs. He confirmed the use of rice roots both in Bhang and Ganja. He informed me that in his region, the traditional healers extract the oil from rice roots. This was absolutely new information for me. I was aware of rice bran oil but never heard about the oil from rice roots. Last week I got the sample and now I am studying the medicinal properties of this oil with the help of my biochemist friend. I am also planing to visit Bilaspur region, in search of information regarding traditional medicinal uses of rice root oil.
Common and popular names of Patal Kumhda (Pueraria tuberosa) around the world Languages/Regions/Counties Names 1) Bengal Shimiabatraji 2) Hindi Badar, Bankumra, Bedarikand, Bilaikand, Billi, Bodar, Bolaikand, Dedarikand, Patalkand, Patalkahnda 3) Marathi Badra, Bharda, Dari, Pitham, Vendari, Virdari 4) Panjabi Saloha, Salar, Siali, Sural 5) Sanskrit Bhukushmandi, Bhumikushmand, Gajavajipriya, Gajeshta, Gandhaphala, Ikshugundha, Kstriravalli, Payasvini, Srigalika, Shukla, Vidarika, Vidarikanda 6) Telugu Darigummadi, Kubayatige 7) Uriya Buinkakarkara, Handiphuta, Katoka. During my visits to Tilda region, I have noted the natural occurrence of Patalkumhda (Pueraria tuberosa) in abundance. The natives use this herb as veterinary medicine. In case of sickness, they feed the cattle one kg of big tubers. According to them the tuber acts as tonic and cattle get enough resistance to fight the diseases. Mr. Verma of Podsiri village told me that it is very tedious job to dig the Patal kumhda tubers. The natives use the tuber and leaves as vegetable. The traditional healers informed me that the vegetable prepared from tuber is good for health and develops resistance in body. Patal Kumhda is one of the well known non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. Every year, it gives employment to many poor families engaged in collection of this herb. In Sanskrit it is known as Vidari Kand and as medicine it is an integral part of over 100 popular drug combinations in India. There is a good demand of this herb in national and international drug markets. In English it is named as Thunberg Kudzu vine (family Papilionaceae) and you will be surprised to know that in many countries including Australia, it is considered as obnoxious weed and the scientists recommend the use of harmful (to environment) agrochemicals to root out this herb. This is very sad. As member of different e-mail discussion group. I suggested the scientists considering this herb as weed to promote the utilization of this herb. This utilisation can not only help in removal of weed but also help the natives to earn additional income from these so called weeds. The most important thing is that the utilization of Kudzu vine can minimise the use of harmful (to environment) agrochemicals. But unfortunately, they are not ready to adopt this concept. In India, we are developing agro-practices for commercial cultivation of this useful herb.
Common and popular names of Urai (Vetiveria sp.) around the world. Languages/Regions/Countries Names 1) Arabic Izkhir, Usir 2) Bengal Bena, Khaskhas, Khor, Kuskus 3) Myanmar Miyamoe 4) Kanarese Dhappa, Sajjai hullu, Kadu karai, Lavancha 5) Chienese Ko cha 6) English Cuscus, Vetiver, Koosa 7) Hindi Bala, Bahah, Ganrar, Kaskas, Khas, Panni, Usir 8) Malyalam Ramachchamver, Vettiver 9) Marathi Vala 10) Philippines Moro, Raiz do Moro 11) Persian Bikkhiwala, Khas 12) Sanskrit Abhaya, Amrinala, Avadaha, Jalashaya, Ushira, Indragupta, Ishtakapatha 13) Tamil Vakil, Vettiver, Vilhalver, Viranam, Virkel 14) Telugu Avurugaddiveru, Kassavu, Kuruveru 15) Sinhalese Saivandera, Savand ramul 16) Uriya Bena 17) Urdu Khas In Tilda region, the natives use the bark of Jamrasi or Jumrasi in order to treat many common diseases. During the search of reference literatures, I have not found much description regarding medicinal properties of Jamrasi. The natives informed me that its barks are best remedy for Jhun Jhuni Vaat (A type of rheumatism). They use the powder of bark with Jaggery (Gud). Very minute quantity is used for treatment. In general, they prepare a globule having size of Lentil (Masoor) seeds. According to them , over dose can cause loose motions and cramps in stomach. Mr. Verma of Pondisri informed me that few decades back there were many Jamrasi trees but due to illegal felling, now only few trees are present. The wood of Jamrasi is used for cabinet work. The increasing population pressure is again a responsible factor for its decreasing population. The scientific name of Jamrasi is Cassine glauca ( Syn. Mangifera glauca syn. Elaeodendron glaucum syn. E. roxburghii, family Celastraceae). It is a large evergreen tree, upto 5 meters high : Leaves simple, opposite, coriaceous, ellipticor obovate, crenate, acuminate, glabrous, dark green at maturity, upper surface shining, under surface glaucous; Inflorescence an axillary dichotomous cyme; Flower white or greenish yellow;. Stamens four, inserted on the margin of the disk, recurved; anthers with a bilobed connective; Disk fleshy, tri-lobbed; Ovary 4-celled united with the disk; style short; fruit green in colour, ovoid and a drupe. Flowering time in Chhattisgarh conditions varies between February to May.
During my last visit to Tilda region, I got an opportunity to visit the traditional healer of Mudpar region Mr. Hanumat Prasad Verma, expert in treatment of almost all common diseases. He takes no charge for his treatment and frequently visits to forests (100 kms. far from his village) by bicycle in search and collection of herbs. He uses the combination of herbs instead of single herb. will write a separate article on the traditional knowledge of Mr. Verma. Here I am describing the uses of some herbs I have seen in his small village clinic. In case of bone fracture I noted that the healer uses the combination of Muscaini and Bhuiaonla herbs for external and internal application. Both herbs are easily available in crop fields. Muscaini (Ipomoea reniformis) is a popular potherb whereas the Buiaonla(Phyllanthus niruri) is popular liver tonic in Chhattisgarh. According to him the internal doses of common herb Launaea asplenifolia (family Compositae) can cure any type of headaches. In reference literatures, galactagogue properties of Launaea are described but I have yet not read its utility in case of headaches. He uses Lajjawanti (Mimosa pudica) herb in case of bleeding piles (Bavasir). He takes the leaves of Lajjawanti in glass and warm it lightly. After warming he extracts the Juice from leaves. The patients are advised to take a teaspoonful of this juice internally and apply this juice on bleeding piles with clean hand in order to get quick relief. He treats the patients suffering from Jaundice with special mantras. His assistant told me that every week he suggests the patient to visit his village clinic to take special bath. For this special bath he uses the bark of Mango tree and dehydrated lime. The traditional healer is well known in the region for his expertise in the treatment of sickle cell anaemia, common in specific communities in Chhattisgarh. According to him, he uses the Indrajau herb in combination with other herbs to cure this disease.
During my surveys at Tilda region, I have got some unique information on use of herbs. I personally feel that there is a need of detailed surveys and scientific research to find the science behind these uses. As informed earlier, the medicinal property of rice roots is new information and this is the area on which scientists should focus their studies. Due to overproduction of rice in state, farmers are not getting good prices. The studies on medicinal properties of rice can open a new opportunity in the field of utilization of different rice varieties.