Pankaj Oudhia

Medicinal Tree Gindhol for everyone

“Let me collect the fallen leaves of Gindhol as soon as possible.” Senior natives traveling with us said and started collecting the leaves. “We will spread these leaves in cattle shed. Its presence will repel the harmful insects and kill germs harmful to cattle. If we get it in bulk we will burn it at night with other leaves in order to repel mosquitoes.” They further informed.

I helped them in collection of leaves. “Don’t collect all the leaves. Leave some leaves for soil. When these leaves decay they enrich soil with certain medicinal properties. Traditional healers collect this soil and use it in treatment of different diseases. We must leave some leaves for them. In early days our forefathers were using this soil with farmyard manure in order to delay the germination of some rice weeds. At that time, this forest was rich in its natural population. Now we have very few trees and most of them are injured by gum collectors. We are trying our best to collect this valuable species.” They said.

I remembered the use of Gindhol leaves in treatment of cattle diseases by the Healers of Bastar region while documenting Ethnoveterinary formulations. They were using it in treatment of respiratory troubles. “We never miss to give it during winter. It helps the cattle to fight with cold effectively.” They informed.

“If you want to give new look to your skin then you must take bath with the help of Gindhol soil.” The Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains disclosed. “If I am not wrong soil collected at the base of Desi Aonla tree is having same potential and if you use it with Aonla fruit powder it enhances the performances.” I said. “Yes, you are right but Gindhol soil is more powerful than Aonla. In early days we were suggesting the patients having poor vitality to pass as much as time possible under this tree and use its leaves as bed during night. Take bath with its soil and rub your body on its smooth trunk. It acts in miraculous way.” I thanked them and asked “Whether it is possible to use it in combination of Aonla soil and fruits powder?” They openly said that they have not tried it in combination but assured that they will try it.

I have mentioned in previous research articles that Gindhol gum is used during summer in order to get protection from sunstroke. The bonesetters informed during recent surveys that in case of serious cases of fractures we suggest patients to take gum internally in order to hasten the process of healing.

“Yes, it helps in bone reunion but use of gum in this way results in constipation in many cases. As patient’s movement is restricted this problem creates much problem. If this gum is given in rainy season we suggest the patients to consume Charota curry as much as possible to regulate the bowels. If it is taken in winter season consume Bathua curry with it for the same purpose. During its use in winter many patients develop cough and cold. In such cases we suggest its use with Tulsi and other associated herbs.” The Healers in nearby village added.

Due to this reason I never believe in standard method of Ethnobotanical surveys based on randomized survey. In such method the researchers talk to first group of Healers and return back to publish the paper. After its publication they shift to another topic. Although it is time taking job but I have kept entire life to add new information in basic articles. I am not going to waste precious time for publishing the findings as edited document. I have already wasted much time in publication of over 120 research papers in over 50 journals of national and international repute. 

Let’s return back to Gindhol. During recent surveys I found Healers collecting liquid oozing out of trunk. This liquid is given to the patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia as part of treatment. For the first time I got information about it.

I am trying to get more information on this aspect.

Few important information related to Human-Elephant conflicts

“Earlier this forest was having rich population of Elephants. In this area we have a place named Hathi Duban. It shows that earlier Elephants were here. From our forefathers we have learnt many methods to manage Elephant menace but as they are not here these methods are of no use for us.” The Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains were informing me about wild Elephants.

While documenting traditional medicinal knowledge about animal parts I collected much information about different medicinal uses of Elephant body parts. I was amazed to know the rich information natives and Healers was having. As there is no wild Elephant in this region such information is of no use. It is limited to seniors. The Healers of young generation are not much aware of it.

In villages of North Chhattisgarh, wild Elephants attack on human population and destroy mud houses in search of Mahua and other liquor. The villagers are tired by adopting all measures. Due to decreasing forest, human-elephant conflicts are increasing day by day. This has resulted in loss of many lives. Local newspapers publish the news related to attacks of wild Elephants daily. The authorities are trying hard, as they claim time to time, to manage this menace. They invite experts and conduct meetings in air-conditioned rooms. After that common public hear about costly project to manage Elephants. 

When I was in Niyamgiri hills the natives of Alabeli village informed that we use powerful battery operated torches to keep Elephants at bay. The street dogs give alarm and all villagers come out with torches. After all effort they are not totally safe from these wild creatures. During visit to Oodlabari region of West Bengal my nights were sleepless due to regular sound of firecrackers used by natives of far villages. Wild Elephants were big problem there.

Local newspapers say that head of wild Elephants surveys the new region and if he finds place having plenty of food round the year, he brings other members. Recently the natives of Pithora region saw the head in their region. The forest authorities followed this head. Elephants are worshipped in India. A devoted senior native in one village reached near to wild Elephant and started worshipping it. Without any delay wild Elephant attacked and killed him at the spot.

Where ever the Head goes large number of villagers follows him. This disturbs him and adds fuel in human-elephant conflicts.

“I have heard from my grandmother about traditional way to manage wild Elephants attacking rural houses for Mahua and other liquor. Collect Matra ants from trees and put it inside the packet made up of leaves. After it intentionally keep these packets in top of each vessel. At the time of attack when wild Elephants will try to break the vessel these ants will start biting. Matra ants are great enemy of wild Elephants. My grandmother was claiming that this method must be followed up to at least three attacks and in all houses of village. After getting same lesson again and again, believe me, wild Elephants will never visit to that place.” The Healers of Talesar region informed where wild Elephants are not present. He is having no experience of using this method. “It is of no use for me. You discussed about it, that’s why I informed you about it.” He said. I thanked him as it was very important information for me.

I am aware that for time being this method is of some use but when this method will be used in large scale Elephants will search new solution for it. After all they have very little choice. They attack on villages as last resort when they fail to find food in forest.

“We have rich Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Kaitha but we have very few Kaitha trees in forest. All trees are old and less effective  as medicine. New plants are not coming from seeds in Nature. Due to this reason our knowledge is going waste.” The Traditional Healers complained.

“Kaitha fruits are much liked by Elephants. It is mentioned in ancient Indian literatures that Kaitha seed germinates only when it passes through digestive tract of Elephant. As no Elephant is present in your region, Kaitha population is not increasing.” I tried to explain the reason.

In Chhattisgarh Plains few trees exists in isolated patches. When I ask about it to the young natives, for most of them Kaitha seems as name heard for the first time. I have searched the reference literature and noted that efforts were made to germinate Kaitha seed in laboratory conditions but not sure whether it is mere academic research or this method is reaching to interested people through extension workers. If germination is easy then I request the researchers to inform about it to the Traditional Healers without any delay. It will save millions of lives and also valuable Traditional knowledge for generations.  

© Pankaj Oudhia