Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs in Chhattisgarh, India : Interactions with the small herb traders of Rajnandgaon region.
The surrounding areas of Rajnandgaon are rich in valuable medicinal herbs and insects. As Rajnandgaon is one of the metro cities of Chhattisgarh, the herb trade is in progress from this part of Chhattisgarh. During the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in this part, I have gathered many valuable information on traditional medicinal uses of common herbs from the small herb traders. I am giving the details in present article.
The small herb traders of this region informed that they use Aonla (Emblica officinalis syn. Phyllanthus emblica.) fruit externally in treatment of eye related troubles. The fruits of wild species are preferred for this purpose. The fruits are dipped in water and leachate is collected. This leachate is applied in form of drops many times a day. It is used in normal days also. The traditional healers of Rajnandgaon region are also aware of this use but they prefer extract in place of leachate for more promising effects. The name of Aonla is present in the list of medicinal herbs, the small herb traders of Rajnandgaon region purchase for trade. They are also aware of use of Piaz (Onion) juice in form of Kajal (Surma) in treatment of eye related troubles. I have mentioned in previous articles. That the natives and traditional healers of many parts of Chhattsigarh use raw Onion juice in treatment of eye related troubles. The use of juice in form of Kajal was new information for me. Many herb traders informed me about a special herbal combination taken internally in treatment of eye-related troubles. In this herbal combination, Neem fruits, Boir (Ziziphus sp.), Neem bark, Ama Haldi (Curcuma amada), Harra (Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia bellirica), Aonla (Emblica officinalis), Arusa (Adhatoda vasica) etc. are used as main ingredients. All ingredients are dried in shad and crushed into powder. This powder is boiled in water to prepare the decoction. This decoction is taken internally as treatment. This decoction is used daily upto a month . Every day fresh decoction is prepared. Stored or old decoction is not used. When I informed the traditional healers of Rajnandgaon region about this decoction, they suggested the addition of more herbs in it . In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India particularly in Ayurveda, I have seen many similar combinations. In these combinations many exotic (to Chhattisgarh) herbs are added. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh avoid the use of exotic herbs in any combination. The small herb traders of Rajnandgaon region informed about another Harra based combination used externally in treatment of conjuctivtis. I have mentioned in previous articles that when any insect enters into the ears accidentally, the native apply Sarson (Mustard) seed oil into the ears. The small herb traders added that Til (Sesame) seed oil can also be used for the same purpose. In case of severe toothache, the small herb traders of this region, mix Isabgol (Plantago sp.) in Sirka (Vinegar) and apply the combination on the affected tooth. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. I am not aware the whether Isabgol acts as carrier or it contributes in treatment of pain. Although Isabgol is not a native to Chhattisgarh but it is not a difficult task to get it. The small herb traders are having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about different herb based tooth powder. They prepare a tooth powder using Sevanti Phool (Chrysanthemum flowers). Anar Phool (Pomegranate flowers), Dhania (Coriander) and Supari (Betel nut). All herb parts are mixed in equal proportion after drying and burnt. After burning, the ash is collected and used as tooth powder. It is considered as a boon for the natives having dental caries. Like the natives of other parts of Chhattisgarh, they are also aware of use of Akarkara (Spilanthes sp.) as tooth powder. They prefer local species of Akarkara for this purpose. The whole herb of Akarakara is dried in shade and crushed into powder. In this powder Kapoor (Camphor) is added and tooth powder is prepared. Its popularity among them clearly indicates its efficacy.
As compared to herb collectors, the small herb traders get equally pure and genuine herbs and they have freedom to collect best herbs for their own use. The long list of the traditional medicinal uses they are having is unique. In general in routine Ethnobotanical surveys, we ignore the importance of this important component. The present series of small herb traders is enough to understand the importance of this component.
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