Pankaj Oudhia

Hariyar Chiwraphool root for root cause of mild fever

“I am giving root powder. Burn it in patient’s room during evening.” The Traditional Healer having expertise in treatment of different types of fever was suggesting the relatives of patients. Patient was suffering from mild fever from six months. He met tens of modern medical practitioners and this resulted in series of medical tests. He visited to Indian metros for advanced treatment. Finally medicinal experts said that simply ignore this fever and enjoy your life. Stop taking medicines from it. Just ignore it. Initially patient was happy but when fever continues and problems of extreme weakness and loss of appetite started he decided to take the services of Traditional healers.

“Fever whether high or mild, must not be ignored. It must be treated seriously.” The Healer of Chhattisgarh Plains said. Instead of giving herbal combination he suggested the patient to improve his daily schedule. He prepared ten days schedule for patient initially and then 30 days schedule. In this schedule he added many types of wild tubers as well as Medicinal Rice. The root powder mentioned above was also given. “This root powder is very effective. I always suggest the patients with such problems to burn it in room where they stay. It acts in promising ways. This is my Traditional Knowledge and I am proud of it.” He claimed. This root is from Love grass i.e. Eragrostis sp. But it is not common Eragrostis. Locally it is known as Hariyar Chiwraphool.    

“We have to climb on hill to collect it. It is wild relative of Chiwraphool that grows in our crop fields.” The Healers informed.

I am aware of this medicinal grass since long time. The Healers having expertise in treatment of Asthma suggest the patients to burn the root powder of this herb along with other herbs and inhale the fumes. It gives immediate relief. The Healers claim that Hariyar Chiwraphool plays key role in this combination. Much experience is required to decide doses for different patients. We are not in favor of its long term use. We prefer to collect it during rainy season but end of rainy season is best time when it is full of medicinal properties. In general, we avoid using stored roots.

I have mentioned in previous research articles that the Traditional Healers suggest the patients having different types of fever to tie herb root pieces around wrist using red string in order to cure it. The Healers of Durg region use Hariyar Chiwraphool roots in this way.

Through surveys I have collected information about over 300 formulations in which Hariyar Chiwraphool is added as main ingredient. There are hundreds of formulations in which it is added as secondary and tertiary ingredient. Surprisingly the modern reference literatures describe less about its medicinal uses. It is not collected for trade. Also not added in commercial Ayurveda products. In general the Traditional healers not inform about it when they give it to patients. I am feeling proud that I am getting opportunities to document information about its Traditional Medicinal Knowledge. 

The Traditional Healers of Southern Chhattisgarh informed that they use root leachate of Waltheria indica and Trichuriella monsoniae to treat this medicinal grass. The leachate enriches it with desired medicinal properties. The Healers of Gariaband region informed that they use Anisochilus carnosus extract along with other extracts to treat this grass one week before collection of roots. They use it for liver related troubles. The Tradtional Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains name Orthosiphon rubicundus and Olax imbricata for such treatment but many of them are not convinced with it.

Through on-going surveys I am trying to get more information on this medicinal grass.

Jhurga, Tiwra, Zillo, Batra, Batri—never ending list of Tradtional Pulses full of Health

“It looks like Tradtional pulse shop. Why there is no customer? I am seeing this empty shop from one hour.” I asked to the villagers visiting weekly village market (Sunday) of Singpur village. “Doctor Sahab, you are right. It is Tradtional Pulse shop. You will find Jhurga, Desi Urad (Black Gram), Desi Moong (Green Gram), Zillo, Batra, Batri and Tiwra here. As villages are becoming modern, villagers are now less interested in Tradtional crops. You will find the customers in modern food shops in village market. If this trend continues Tradtional pulse shop will become a thing of past.” They said.

I showed interest in Black Gram and Jhurga. “We raise it in Bharri land without use of chemical inputs. You can use Black Gram for making Bada and Jhurga as curry. Both are very tasty as well as nutritious.” Woman shop owner said to me. “Pulses grown without chemical inputs, I must not miss the chance of purchasing these best things.”- I thought and purchased all items in bulk. 

I stayed in shop up to long time and seen many Tradtional pulses never seen in my life. I am Agronomist by education but during study our professors taught much about foreign crops and nothing about crops growing in backyard. By education we are now aware that what Americans grow and how but very less about basic crops of Chhattisgarh. After completing education most of my friends are serving to Chhattisgarh farmers. You can imagine that what they are teaching to the farmers. It is common trend throughout India.

In rural India crops like Kodo, Kutki were under cultivation organically. Initially the planners forced the farmers to change the cropping pattern and adopt new high yielding crops and improved varieties. After much effort farmers changed age old practice, now planners are suggesting them to grow Tradtional crops again. I have heard about multi-million project active in different parts of Chhattisgarh to attract farmers towards traditional crops.

When I was studying in Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, pulse researchers were working on costly project to develop toxin free Lathyrus varieties on the basis of claim that use of this pulse results in paralysis and Lathyrism. The natives of Chhattisgarh are consuming it since time immemorial and not a single case of Lathyrism has been reported in this long time. Ignoring this bare fact, the researchers continued work and got success in developing toxin free varieties. When these varieties were introduced to farmer’s fields they refuse to adopt it. They were happy with Tradtional Lathyrus giving good return without much care. Then researchers took u-turn and accepted publicly that there was no need for such exercise. Farmers are right. 

The natives were aware of this fact from beginning. Such examples clearly explain that why farmers ignore recommendations and suggestion of scientists. Millions wasted in this research but none was held responsible for this academic fraud so far.

“This is your right decision. We are happy that people like you coming from capital city are taking interest in Tradtional Pulses. If you permit, we will prepare two month schedule for you having these Pulses. We promise that these Pulses will keep you disease free up to many months. You will enjoy consuming it if you cook it by adopting Tradtional methods.” When I showed the Pulses to Tradtional Healers they said it open heartedly.

I met the farmers growing these Pulses. The interactions with them motivated me to write about the medicinal importance of these Tradtional Pulses so that people living in urban India can demand for this cheap as well as healthy food items. Only this demand can keep this Tradtional farming alive. Local customers are not enough to do this.

I showed the Pulses to my father. “I am using Jhurga as food material from my childhood but this Jhurga is entirely different. Also Black Gram seeds are small in size but I am sure that it will be full of health.” He said and kept some seeds for this year’s sowing.

I play Table Tennis in nearby health club whenever I stay in Raipur. I requested my mother to cook these Pulses in Tradtional way and then invited my club friends for dinner. They showed surprise and appreciated the change of taste. After dinner I showed them a small film I prepared during visit to village market. Then displayed pictures. After that informed about its medicinal uses. All of them showed eagerness to purchase it for their relatives and family members. I have given the addresses of growers.

My plan is to prepare a small booklet on Tradtional Pulses of Chhattisgarh and publish it in different languages. I will also force the Agricultural colleges to introduce special course on these Pulses.    

© Pankaj Oudhia