Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Herbs used in Treatment of Cancer in Chhattisgarh, India. 95. Uses of Dhania (Coriandrum sativum).

Dhania is well known condiment all around the world. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India Dhania holds a reputed position as medicinal herb. Its all parts mainly leaves are used as medicine. Dhania is well known herb in Chhattisgarh also. It is under cultivation. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about this herb. The natives use it as home remedy and in this way they save much of their medical expenses. The traditional healers use its all parts both internally as well as externally in treatment of common and complicated diseases. The healers are aware that in commercial farming Dhania is raised through chemical methods. They don't consider the Dhania herb growing in such fields safe to prepare medicine. They grow it in their home gardens for year round use. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh having expertise in treatment of different types of cancer use it in treatment. Through meetings and interactions with these traditional healers I have collected few but important information on traditional medicinal uses of Dhania in cancer. I am giving the details in this article.

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh consider the seed powder useful in treatment of mouth cancer. Different healers use it in different ways. In general the healers boil the seed powder in water to prepare concentrate decoction. The patients are advised to gargle with this decoction. The healers informed that at initial stages of mouth cancer it acts in promising ways. It stops the spread of cancer to great extent. The healers use it as supplement treatment along with main treatment of cancer. The healers have deep faith in this use. Many healers use the dry powder. The powder is applied on affected part externally. The use of decoction is considered much promising.

At advanced stages of cancer when all remedies fail to give the desirable effects as last hope the traditional healers of Bastar region use few remedies. Among these remedies the use of Dhania whole herb juice is one of them. The patients are advised to take it internally in every hour. On the basis of the conditions of the patients the healers decide the dose. Before collecting Dhania whole herb for the extraction of juice the traditional healers irrigate it with certain herbal extracts. These extracts make it rich in medicinal properties. The senior healers informed that in many cases it acts in miraculous way but not in every case. The healers give it under their strict supervision. In general they don't use it at initial stages.

The traditional healers use aromatic Dhania leaves externally in treatment of cancerous wound. It is used at initial stages. It is used as supplement treatment along with main treatment of cancer. The leaf juice is used but many healers use the leaves in form of decoction. Many other herbs are also added in it in order to make it more useful. The leaves are also used internally in treatment of cancer specially blood cancer. The healers use it in combination with other herbs. The uses of dried leave are preferred. Leaves are not used as single remedy.

The traditional healers of Bilaspur region collect the new roots and boil it in base oil. When all watery contents evaporate the boiling is stopped and the special oil is collected. This special soil is considered boon for the patients having cancerous wounds especially at advanced stages. The patients are advised to apply the oil on wound many times in a day. The healers prepare it by adopting traditional methods. This oil is available in market as commercial product. Many healers add more herbs in it but most of the healers are satisfied with the performance of roots alone.

The cancer patients having Insomnia problem are advised by the traditional healers of Durg region to take Dhania leaf juice internally. I have mentioned in previous articles that leaf juice is useful for all the patients but especially beneficial for the cancer patients.

The traditional healers of Rajnandgaon region use the whole herb in treatment of lung cancer. The whole herb is dried in shade and burnt. The patients are advised to inhale the fumes. These fumes are considered beneficial for the patients .It reduces the pain to great extent. The healers are not in favor of its long-term use.

In rural and forest regions of Chhattisgarh the natives prepare Dhania Chutney using Dhania herb and spices. It is consumed for taste. The traditional healers consider the chutney useful in treatment of cancer. This is the reason they suggest all the patients to take it daily during the meals. The healers are not in favor of making it much spicy.

In order to enrich Dhania plant parts with medicinal properties the traditional healers use many herbal extracts and leachates .I have written a lot on this Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge in my previous articles. I am not repeating it here.

The above mentioned uses of Dhania are very important for the cancer researchers around the world. The healers are eager to share their knowledge with the modern researchers .I feel that it is best time to start clinical trials with the support of both in order to provide scientific base to this knowledge.





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