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Pankaj
Oudhia
Think thousand
times at least before cutting any old
tree
My
village is not situated in forest now but earlier
it was inside forest. Presence of wild trees is
one of evidences. Parsa, Mahua, Kumhi and Bhelwa
are still present in village. Kauha and Bambri
dominate the tree population. Bambri plant parts
are used for every work in village from cleaning
of teeth to manufacturing of agricultural
implements. Although Australian experts claim that
Bambri is harmful for native flora but villagers
are not convinced with it. Few years back one such
expert visited to village and surprised to see the
multiple uses of this tree. Kauha is used as
Traditional medicine but in village it is used
less commonly. It is considered as ground water
indicator. Its wood is used for different
purposes.
While taking pictures
of herbs used by shepherd in village I found Modey
tree in field bund. It was matter of surprise for
me to see this old forest tree growing in village.
I collected gum from it and kept it for future
use. The villagers informed that we are not aware
of this tree even its name. I shared knowledge
related to its traditional medicinal uses. When I
reached to village home I found a youth waiting
for me.
“My
father’s condition is serious. After paralysis he
was recovering well but from the start of winter
his condition is becoming serious. Modern doctors
are saying nothing positive. When I heard that you
are here, I decided to meet you.” He informed.
I
suggested him to meet the expert Healers of
South
Chhattisgarh. “I will try to arrange
the meetings with them and don’t worry about the
charges. If possible, you can travel with me.” I
assured. “Thanks a lot but situation is very
serious. Please visit to my house and see him.”
The youth forced me. I decided to visit.
I
was known to his father. When Indira Gandhi Agricultural
University
decided to organize front line demonstration for
newly introduced Mahamaya rice I extended my
support. Many farmers showed keen interest in it.
Youth’s father was one of them.
His
condition was really serious and he was not in
condition to travel far. I deiced to use my
experience. I presented the gum collected from
Modey tree to the youth and suggested to make
special Laddu using pure cow ghee. “Give this
Laddu twice a day with a glassful of cow milk.” I
instructed. I returned back.
After one month, I
found the youth standing in front of my home in
Raipur waiting
for me. “My father’s condition has improved much.
Now he is in condition to travel but I think that
there is no need for this.” He thanked.
Encouraged with his
response I decided to re-introduce forest trees in
village. As first species I tried Char (Buchanania
lanzan). The Traditional Healers presented me
seeds and without any delay I started raising new
seedlings. Germination was very poor. After all
efforts I got only one health plant. This plant is
flourishing well in my field. Plans to raise more
seedlings are on.
Matia and Matasi
regions of village are having rich population of
Butea monosperma trees, locally known as Parsa.
But when farmers tried to raise it in nursery they
got weak Parsa seedlings. “Don’t provide much care
to such plants. They are wild plants and enough
tough to survive. If you treat it as garden rose
you will never get seedlings with good growth.” I
remembered the sayings of Traditional Healers.
Recently I visited to
village again and shocked to know that old Modey
tree has been cut down by owner. Why? To use its
wood for domestic purpose. I decided to meet the
owner. Big surprise was waiting for me. The owner
was same old man who suffered from paralysis and
the youth, who visited to me, has cut it.
“What you have done
dear? I was the life saving tree. I used gum of
this tree to save your father’s life. You have cut
it without any mercy. I am really shocked.” I said
and tried to hold my tears eager to come out from
eyes. “Oh!! We have done great crime. Really great
crime.” They replied. They were not aware of this
bare fact.
I
am aware that I have also done great mistake by
not sharing information on the source of gum with
them. I requested the youth to help me in planting
at least 25 plants of Modey in village. “Please
join me in this campaign and spread the words
about its life saving medicinal properties.” I
said.
“Why only my boy, we
all will participate in this campaign.” His father
assured.
Merremia
species in Traditional Healing in Indian state
Chhattisgarh
“As
sixth ingredient, we use specific herb. We have
yet not named it. It grows in forest just outside
the village. If you want to see this herb, please
come with us.” The Traditional Healers of Charama
region said and started walking toward forest. I
followed them. They showed me a climber having
white flower. I identified it as Merremia but not
sure about its species. It was not a new herb for
me. The Healers of this region add it in herbal
formulations used to treat different types of skin
diseases. It is used both internally as well as
externally. “As internal remedy it acts in
promising ways.
“We
rarely use it as single remedy. In combination
with Gudaria and Neem it gives good results.” They
informed. I documented this formulation. It was
128th formulation on use of this herb
in treatment of skin diseases. For the first time
I got information about its use in skin diseases
from the Healers of Ajirma village. They were
adding it in herbal formulations useful in
treatment of Psoriasis.
Many species of
Merremia exist in Chhattisgarh and all are used in
Traditional Healing. Merremia aegyptia is used
most commonly. When I search the world literatures
I found very less information about medicinal uses
of different Merremia species. Such type of
reporting makes me proud but also create fear in
mind that whether I am identifying the species
correctly or not. I am in touch with taxonomists
and fortunate enough to establish the correct
identity of this species.
I
have mentioned in previous research articles that
Sphaeranthus indicus is used as Traditional
medicine in Chhattisgarh. The Healers of different
region use it in different ways. During recent
surveys the Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains
informed that use of this herb as single remedy
creates stomach as well as blood related problems
in many cases. In such cases we give this herb
with other herbs having capacity to remove its
harmful effects. Merremia is one of these herbs.
We use its roots for this purpose.
The
Healers using Bhuineem as remedy for treatment of
malarial fever informed that the patients having
problem of respiratory troubles when take this
decoction many times they feel uncomfortable. So
to solve this problem many herbs are added in this
decoction. Merremia is one of these herbs.
Merremia is used in treatment of different types
of fever as single remedy also. I have documented
information about plus 150 such formulations in
which it is used as main ingredient.
The
Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh use Merremia
aegyptia in complex herbal formulations as primary
ingredient. As you know, hundreds of ingredients
are added in such formulations. Use of Merremia
roots and flowers are preferred in such
formulations. The Healers of different regions
practice Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge to
enrich Merremia plant parts with desired medicinal
properties. They use over 55 different herbs alone
and in combination to treat Merremia plants.
Merremia plant parts
are not in trade. Traditional medicinal knowledge
about it is limited to senior Healers. It is
really a matter of surprise that the Healers as
well as natives have yet not coined its name. I
have tried different plant parts of this herb in
my Allelopathic experiments and found positive
effects of its extracts on germination of many
forest species.
Through on-going
surveys I am trying to collect more information on
this useful herb.
Bar prop root
for AIDS patient and unique concept of adding
herbs in Traditional combination
“To
complete this formulation we require Prop root of
Bar (Ficus benghalensis) tree. It is not difficult
to get the roots in surroundings but if you want
real effect then go to specific village for it.
Village Tonhidabri is not far from it.” The
Healers of Rasela region was interacting with the
patient of neighboring state Orissa suffering from
AIDS. I was there for survey. “Please don’t worry
about distance. You can go with me.” I proposed. I
was eager to see the old Bar tree again. I have
passed through the road near to it many times and
taken so many pictures but not aware of honor the
Healers of this region give to it.
Within half an hour we
reached to the tree. The road condition was very
bad specially after rains. The Traditional
Healer’s assistant was with us. He worshipped the
tree and took a round of this large tree. Finally
he selected old prop root. He was keeping herbal
solution with him. After collection of roots he
applied the herbal solution in injured part. With
roots we returned back.
“Are you aware that
you are trying to treat the diseases declared
incurable by the modern experts? Are you sure that
your formulation will work against AIDS?” I asked
to the Traditional Healers. “We are treating this
patient on the basis of symptoms. We are not aware
of AIDS. Our main objective is to provide relief
to them in any case. We will use best knowledge
for it.” They replied calmly and started making
combination. They added 25 herbs one by one and
then from wooden box collected another
combination. “This is basic combination having
five herbs. It can be kept up to one year. Another
combination you are seeing is having 25 herbs. It
is required to add these herbs as fresh as
possible. Now we will mix both combinations and
give it to the patient.” They explained.
In
my Type II Diabetes report I have tried to write
all basic details with much care. As you have read
above Traditional Diabetologists mix different
herbs at different times while preparation of
combination. This is very complex process. For
example in one formulation they add 8 herbs as
basic herbs. One herb i.e. ninth, is added at
night, another (i.e. tenth) at morning and then in
evening when patients visit to them, they add
three herbs and give it to patients with
instruction to take it immediately. Why all
ingredients are not added at a time, is still a
mystery for me.
I
am sure that it is not possible to adopt this
procedure in big companies engaged in harvesting
the benefit of Commercial Ayurveda. When I use
simple Triphala powder (Prepared by mixing
Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and
Emblica officinalis fruits in equal proportion)
purchased from market and collected from
Traditional Healers I clearly feel the difference.
I am aware that modern world will not accept this
unique concept without systematic clinical trials.
Through this research article I would like to
request the young researchers to focus on this
less known but very important aspect of
Traditional Healing.
Let’s return to the
AIDS patients. The Healers gave them combination
for one week with instruction to take it regularly
without any break. “These days such patients are
coming in large number for treatment. May be it is
due to mouth publicity but every one wants quick
relief. Many modern experts are also visiting to
get some clue about herbal formulations. They send
false patient and when get the combination, test
it in laboratory to get information about its
ingredients. In many cases they identify the
ingredients but it seems that they have little
faith in machines. They came to us for
confirmation. We remain silent. Many times they
say about police complaints. “All you are doing is
fake healing, against the law. If you keep the
formulation secret we will file case against you.”
They try to warn. But most of the Traditional
Healers have good reputation in villages. In any
such case villagers gather in large number to
protest. “Days were not golden always. Earlier we
were practicing our knowledge with fear but now as
the patients from far places are coming and
experiencing relief, we are getting much support.”
They informed.
Very recently a modern
doctor published a report in local newspaper that
he has developed special herbal combination for
broken bone. When I read the ingredients I found
that formulation having these ingredients is
already in use since time immemorial. There is
nothing new in it. I decided to become a voice of
Traditional Healers and sent my objection to the
editor. Next day the newspaper published the
truth.
I
received many phone calls as well as letters in
support. This is good sign.
© Pankaj
Oudhia
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