Interactions with the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh, India specialised in use of some promising herbal oils

 

Greetings to the Group,
I invite you all to read the article titled Interactions with
the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh, India specialised in use of
some promising herbal oils.
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regards
P.OUDHIA
http://www.celestine-india.com/pankajoudhia


Interactions with the Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh, India
specialised in use of some promising herbal oils

Research Note - P.Oudhia


The traditional healers and natives have rich traditional medicinal
knowledge about useful herbal oil. Through my ethnobotanical surveys,
I have collected information regarding over 4000 types of herbal
oils. Besides these, the traditional healers and natives also prepare
special oils from different insects, mites and other creatures. In
these oils, single herb or combination of different herbs are used.
The healers and natives adopt special method for preparation of these
oils. On the basis of stages of diseases and nature of patients, they
prepare oils of different potency. These observations clearly
indicate that they have deep traditional medicinal knowledge. Since
my grandfather's time, we are preparing over 50 types of herbal oils
useful in treatment of common troubles like headache to complicated
troubles like gout. This traditional knowledge is saving our medical
expenses to the greater extent. The procedure for preparation of
these oils is very complicated but my mother still adopt all the
procedure described by my grandfather sincerely and as per strict
instruction, we never charge money or fees for these herbal oils. Our
special oils for gout and hair care are very popular among family
friends. As native of Chhattisgarh, I have special respect towards
this herbal oils because from my childhood I am seeing and
experiencing its miracle healing effects. As mentioned earlier, over
4000 types of herbal oils are in use in the state, the description of
each oil requires a complete detailed article. In my previous
articles, I have mentioned some herbal oils in detail. Here I am
describing some unique herbal oils useful in treatment of many common
diseases. I have collected these information from my surveys in
different parts of Chhattisgarh.

In Gandai region of Chhattisgarh, Dasmool is very common herb in
dense forests. The traditional healers and natives use the roots of
Dasmool to prepare a specific oil for the treatment of hemicrania or
migraine. The healers and natives prefer to collect the roots early
morning. Although Dasmool root is very common non-wood forest produce
in Gandai region but they never use the roots collected by the herb
collectors. As the colour of roots (inside) is white, it is general
belief that its collection during full moon night (i.e. on Poornima)
is best in terms of quality of herb. There is a strong need to find
out the science behind this general belief. In general, the
traditional healers and natives prefer dark nights or time of solar
or lunar eclipse for the collection of herbs but in case of Dasmool
it is totally different. In other parts of Chhattisgarh, the healers
are also aware of this fact and they are practising this collection
procedure since time immemorial. The healers prefer to wear white
cloths during the collection of this herb and like other herbs, they
perform special ceremony before uprooting the herb. As it is deep
rooted herb, the healers visit in group of four or five. For digging
the roots they avoid the use of equipment built from iron, although
these equipment save much time and effort. For the healers and
natives, every part of Dasmool is of great use and this is the reason
they dig whole herb. After uprooting the herb, they fill the spot
with fertile soil. It is common observation that the healers collect
this herb from all directions and each time it is collected from
different direction. This is really interesting. Although the healers
have no answer why they collect same herb from different direction ?
But I think there is a reason behind this. In order to conserve the
herb and to give them enough time to re establish this rotational
harvesting is essential. In early days, when there were less
healers., and less patients, there was no pressure on natural
population, but now when the use and demand of this herb are
increasing, the knowledge coming through generations is helping to
conserve the natural population of Dasmool in Gandai region. This is
good to see that the healers are still adopting the instructions of
forefathers. I would like to mention the same observation I have
noted during my ethnomedico surveys in Bagbahera region of
Chhattisgarh, where the natives collect the Gondla herb (Cyperus
rotundus) adopting rotational harvesting method and the herb
collector of Tendukona village knows that if this year Gondla is
coming from north direction it means it will never come from same
direction upto 2-3 years.

These observations are very important for the researchers engaged in
research works on scientific exploitation of herbs. I feel that the
ethnomedico surveys can play a vital role for collection of
information in this important aspect also. After collecting the fresh
herb of Dasmool the healers separate the root parts and extract the
juice. After extraction, the healers add equal quantity of Til oil
(Sesamum) in juice and start boiling this combination. When all water
evaporates, the healers collect this oil and keep it in bottle for
future use. The healers use this oil for many diseases. Its use in
treatment of migraine is very popular and common. The patients are
advised to apply this oil on forehead in order to get quick relief
from intense pain. Very few are aware of this fact that this oil is
very good hair tonic. In case of insomnia, the healers rub the oil in
sole of both legs. This oil is also useful for malnourished diseased
children. As mentioned earlier, its use in migraine is common, the
healers avoid to disclose its other benefits and generally use this
oil for specific purposes when the patients visit to them for
treatment. The healers use this oil in combination with other oils
also. In all these oils, Til oil is used as base oil. Til is under
cultivation in Chhattisgarh and the healers extract the oil for their
own use.. Most of the healers specialised in treatment of migraine
prefer to use this herbal oil but there is difference in opinion that
whether alone this oil is capable to cure migraine or it is for
temporary relief or it is just supplement to main treatment ? My
interactions with natives revealed that this oil have enough
potential to cure initial trouble and natives use it regularly but
when this problem (very few cases) still persist, they consult the
healers. Many natives informed me that home made oil is less
effective as compared to healer's oil. This is true to great extent
because natives living far from natural habitat of Dasmool, are
dependent on herb collectors for roots. The natives living nearer to
the natural habitat do not follow the specific procedure for
collection and most of the times, they collect immature roots. For
verification when I compared the efficacy of homemade and healer's
oil with the help of local Ayurveda expert and my biochemist friend,
we have found great difference in its effect. Although my biochemist
friend failed to prove it chemically but practically we have observed
miracles of healer's oil on targeted patients. In other parts of
India and some parts of Chhattisgarh, Dasmool is commonly known as
Satavari or Shatavari. In Gandai region, the natives and healers are
not aware of this name. Dasmool holds a reputed position in different
system of medicine in India. It is one of the frequently used herbs
in India. It is an essential component of over 250 popular herbal
formulations. The traditional healers of Amarkantak hills informed me
that Shatavari is named as Shatavari because its regular and
prescribed use make the woman enough potent to satisfy hundred
(Shata) brides (Vara). It is popular tonic for female and reputed
aphrodisiac.

According to Ayurveda, root possess valuable medicinal properties and
root is sweet, oleaginous, cooling, indigestible, appetiser,
alterative, tonic, aphrodisiac, stomachic, galactagogue, and
astringent to bowels and useful in treatment of dysentery, tumours,
inflammation, biliousness, blood and eye related diseases, throat
troubles, leprosy, night blindness, scalding of urine, gleet,
gonorrhoea, diseases of kidney and liver, tubeculosis etc. The
scientific name of Dasmool is Asparagus racemosus (family Liliaceae).
In many parts of world, the young shoots of many species, known as
spears are used as vegetable. The natives are not aware of it use as
vegetable. As mentioned earlier, in reference literatures, the
medicinal properties of roots are described only. I am proud to write
that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of the
medicinal properties of Dasmool leaves and they are still using it
for treatment. The leaves of Dasmool are an integral part of herbs
used to prepare a special solution for herbal bath. In this solution,
Neem, Dasmool and Chirchita are used as main components. The patients
suffering from skin disease are advised to take bath using this
solution. The aqueous juice from leaves are applied on eye brows to
make the eyes tension free and healthy. The healers prepare a special
hut using Dasmool leaves for pregnant woman suffering from habitual
abortion. The aqueous paste of leaves is also used for face care in
combination with other herbs. These uses of Dasmool leaves have not
been mentioned in reference literatures. Many healers use the leaves
for preparation of oil, like roots. In many cases, they use the juice
of leaves and roots in equal proportion to prepare specific oil.
According to the traditional healers, the leaf oil act as sex
stimulant when applied externally on male genital regularly. As other
promising and cheap alternatives are available, the natives and
healers less frequently use this oil But from documentation point of
view, it is an important information. Although only one species of
Dasmool is reported from Chhattisgarh by previous workers but I have
noted many biotypes in different parts of the state. These biotypes
can be identified clearly on the basis of their growth habit, rooting
pattern, appearance and also from medicinal properties. The healers
clearly identify and distinguish the different biotypes. Only after
seeing the dried roots, they can identify the origin and they have
given it names like Gandai type, Sihawa type etc. I am immature as
far as specific identification is considered but I am under training.
I am describing its botany in short, I have noted from reference
literatures. Dasmool is extremely scandent, spinous, undershrub;
spines recurved ; root stock tuberous; Leaves linear with a stout
spinous spur (spineless varieties are also reported) ; Cladodes in
tuft, curved; Flowers in simple raceme,2.5-5.0 cm , white, fragrant;
segments, linear, oblong; fruits berry, globose, red when ripe. The
flowering times varies between May to August in Chhattisgarh
conditions.

Dasmool is one of the high valued non-wood forest produces of
Chhattisgarh. The buyers from national and international markets are
aware of its natural occurrence in different parts of Chhattisgarh.
They are also aware of rich pockets having good quality of Dasmool.
As the new research findings related to medicinal properties and use
of Dasmool are coming, its demand and collection are increasing
rapidly. Unfortunately, the greedy traders do not follow the
rotational collection of herbs. Last year when I visited the Gandai
Salewara forests, I was shocked to see the empty pits in every cornet
of the forest. The empty pits clearly show that these activities and
diggings are by the traders, not by the healers because as mentioned
earlier healers fill up the pit after uprooting the herbs. The
traditional healers informed me that the greedy traders are
collecting both mature and immature roots and it seems that they are
in hurry as after exploiting this potential zone, they have to shift
to other region. This is really sad and shocking. As Dasmool is
multiplied through vegetative propagation (in majority) in
Chhattisgarh conditions one time harvest of this herb result in
elimination of the herb forever from that spot. There is an urgent
need of strict action against this destructive harvesting of this
valuable herb. The traders informed me that there is no pressure on
Chhattisgarh forests and they can supply this herb upto 10 more
years. But traditional healers are aware that 10 years are very short
time and government must take immediate action to stop this. Many
herb growers have started commercial cultivation of Dasmool in
Chhattisgarh but they are very few in numbers, and most of them are
practising chemical farming. As the herb is available in plenty in
forests, the traders are not showing interest in purchasing the roots
of cultivated origin. In absence of suitable markets, the farmers are
planning to stop the commercial cultivation. I personally feel that
the government should promote the cultivation of this herb in order
to reduce the pressure on natural population. The ban on exploitation
may serve the purpose. For promotion of commercial cultivation it is
necessary to develop improved package of practices for different agro-
climatic regions of Chhattisgarh based on financial status of
farmers, with emphasis on quality not the production (i.e. quantity).
In my experiments at farmer's field, I have found that many biotypes
can be propagate through seeds successfully after adoption of
specific seed treatment methods.

For wound dressing, the traditional healers and natives of
Chhattisgarh prepare many special oils. Among these oils, Bhelwa oil,
Kuchla oil and Kevatch oil are very popular. These oils are also used
as veterinary medicine. As all these herbs are common in forest
areas, these combinations are very popular. In areas where these
herbs are not available. The natives purchase these oils from the
traditional healers and always keep it with them during field work,
journey and when they are at home. According to the traditional
healers these oils have miracle healing effects. It is good external
remedy for carbuncles also. Bhelwa oil is prepared from its fruits.
The healers take ten fruits and boil it in about 125 grams. of Til
Oil. This oil is applied externally on wounds. In order to make
strong oil the healers increase the numbers of fruits during the
preparation of oil but they never use more than fifteen fruits. Many
healers use this oil for rheumatism and gout also. But as the use of
this oil require special attention, most of healers prefer other safe
alternatives. In reference literatures related to different systems
of medicine, Bhelwa holds a reputed position. According to Ayurveda,
the Bhelwa fruits is hot, digestible, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic,
carminative and useful in treatment of skin and nervous system
diseases, fever, piles, dysentery , tumours, loss of appetite,
urinary discharges, leprosy, bronchitis, asthma, in sanity, coryza
and Safed Dag (Leucoderma). The scientific name of Bhelwa is
Semecarpus anacardium (family Anacardiaceae). As the name and use of
Bhelwa are coming for the first time in my articles. I am describing
its botany mentioned in reference literatures. Bhelwa is deciduous
tree upto 10 meters tall; Young branches, petiole, under surface of
leaves and inflorescence tomentose; Leaves coriaceous above margin
entire, base rounded or cordate; Petioles 1-4.5 cm long; Flowers
greenish yellow, sub sessile, in erect, terminal panicles; Drupes
black on ripening, ovoid or oblong. Bhelwa is common forest herb and
it is in list of non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh. According
to the traders, there is a routine demand of Bhelwa in national and
international market. In English, it is named as Marking nut. In
Chhattisgarh, you will find that many villages are named on Bhelwa
like Bhelwadih. I have noted about fifteen villages are named on
Bhelwa like Bhelwadih. These villages named on the basis of herbs
found in abundance in past, are good indicator for bio-diversity
studies. Due to increasing population, now most of the Bhelwadih
villages have not a single tree of Bhelwa. For wound dressing, the
traditional healers also prepare oil from different parts of Kevatch
(Mucuna prurines). The roots, leaves, seeds, seed cover are mostly
used to prepare the oil. The healers use many other herbs like neem
leaves to prepare herbal oil. I have written a lot about Mucuna in my
previous articles. Hence, I am not describing its botany and other
details. The traditional healers prepare a special herbal oil from
the black flowered variety of Dhatra (Datura sp.). The fruits are
used for preparation of oil. To prepare the oil, the healers collect
the fruits and boil it in Til oil. This oil is used for external
application on piles. There are multiple uses of this oil. This oil
is also useful for skin troubles and kidney pain. It is also a
popular veterinary medicine.
I will write more on this important aspect in my future articles.
Thank you very much for reading the article.


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About The Author

P. Oudhia
Herb Expert and Convenor,
Society for Parthenium Management (SOPAM)
28-A, College Road, Geeta Nagar, Raipur - 492 001 India
Email : pankajoudhia@usa.net
Homepage : http://www.celestine-india.com/pankajoudhia

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