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Pankaj
Oudhia
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Medicinal herbs of
Chhattisgarh,
India
having less known traditional uses. 120. Phang
(Rivea hypocrateriformis, family Convolvulaceae).
(New comments and results of recent [year 2005
onwards] Ethnobotanical surveys): [Updated
document, year
2009]
Pankaj
Oudhia
According to the
reference literatures, Phang is a climber
distributed throughout India.
Its roots are used for hastening the process of
child birth. Phang is well known herb in
Chhattisgarh particularly among the traditional
healers. They use it frequently in treatment of
gynaecological troubles. Its leaves are edible.
The healers suggest the natives particularly the
female natives to consume its leaves in form of
curry. It is considered as a boon for the patients
having the problem of Leucorrhoea. The young
shoots are also added in the curry. The healers
informed me that the internal use of this curry by
normal females helps them to get protection from
gynaecological troubles. Many healers recommend
this curry for the patients having the problem of
piles. They use the leaves externally in treatment
also. The leaves are boiled and decoction is
prepared. The patients having the piles are
advised to sit on tub full of this decoction.
According to the traditional healers both internal
as well as external use of leaves cures the
trouble effectively. Externally the boil the
leaves of Phang and after cooling the softened
leaves are converted into paste. This paste is
used as pain killer and applied on painful joints.
The healers also add more herbs to make the paste
more useful. The use of its root in childbirth is
not practiced by the healers of Chhattisgarh.
Phang is not its local name. The
healers of different regions have named in
differently according to the growth habit and
appearance of this herb. Officially the name of
Phang is not present in the list of medicinal
herbs, having any demand in national markets. The
herb collectors and traders confirmed it. The
above mentioned traditional medicinal uses are not
enough to establish this herb as potential
medicinal herb. I am trying my best to gather more
information on different utility aspect of this
climber in Chhattisgarh through the on-going
ethnobotanical surveys. You will find more details
in coming articles.
Thank you very
much for reading the article.
New comments
added on November 11,
2009
The
Traditional Healers having expertise in treatment
of Type II Diabetes use roots of this herb in
treatment both alone as well as in combination
with other herbs. I have documented information on
over 250 formulations used for this purpose. This
herb is added as main ingredient and without it
formulations are considered incomplete. It is
rarely used as single herb. As you know, while
treating Type II Diabetes the Healers give
emphasis on general health. The leaves of this
herb play vital role in this regard. The leaves
are given in combination with Bramhi, Dongari
Bhaji, Pithodabhaji, Chanori Bhaji, Chench Bhaji,
Muscaini, Bambi Bhaji, Musacani, Munga and Bohar
Bhaji. Based on the condition of the patients
these herbs are mixed with Phang leaves and
curries are prepared. The combinations of
different leaves are not used by common natives,
in general. The Healers are in favor of its long
term use.
During recent surveys
they informed that patients must raise and care
this wild climber. It must be treated with
different extracts and leachate round the year in
order to enrich it with desired medicinal
properties. They use Pipal, Bar, Pakar, Kathpipal,
Airi, Aithi and other extracts and leachate for
this purpose. They never suggest patients to buy
it from local herb shops as they are aware of
adulteration. Many Ipomoea species are given in
place of Phang root and as result patients suffer
unnecessarily.
For
real effects one must use Phang root with other
roots having capacity to enhance its performance.
They are aware of tens of such herbs.
During recent surveys
the Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains informed that
in treatment of Piles for more promising effects
Blumea leaves can be added. Based on the condition
of patients both leaves are added in different
proportions. As Blumea is available in winter only
for other parts of year they suggest different
herbs. Recently I met a Healer in Chhura region
using Laungphool in combination with Blumea and
Phang. This combination is not mentioned in
reference literatures. He presented me this
formulation for comments. I suggested him to add
Musacani leaves in it in order to increase its
efficacy. He is using it with much success.
When I was collecting
information about Medicinal Rice Laha Gondi the
Traditional Healers informed that in early days
they were adding Phang plant parts to manage aphid
in vegetable crops. They suggested that it can
also be used in rice pest management. I have noted
this Traditional Agricultural Knowledge and
planning to conduct small field trial to see its
efficacy.
The
Healers of Southern
Chhattisgarh informed that they are
aware of its use in treatment of joint pain with
Cissus quadrangularis and with Kake decoction as
post natal drink. But they are not practicing this
knowledge. I am aware that from documentation
point of view it is very important
information.
The
Healers of Gariaband region use Phang root and
leaves in tens of formulation with Dasmool (Not
Asparagus racemosus as Asparagus is also known as
Dasmool in many parts of Chhattisgarh locally).
They want to keep information about these
formulations secret.
As
mentioned in previous version of this document,
this herb is not in trade, it is growing well in
forest. In places where trees are cut, it finds
difficult to get support to climb. In such places
its population is decreasing. During recent
surveys I collected much roots from this climber
growing on Mahua tree. Its combination with Mahua
is considered useful by the Healers.
Original
Research Document:
http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleView&earticleId=2438&page=-1
How to Cite
this Research Document
Oudhia, P. (2009).
Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh,
India
having less known traditional uses. 120. Phang
(Rivea hypocrateriformis, family Convolvulaceae).
(New comments and results of recent [year 2005
onwards] Ethnobotanical surveys): [Updated
document, year 2009].
http://www.pankajoudhia.com
© Pankaj
Oudhia
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