Pankaj Oudhia

Bare foot walking in Kukurmutta population

“Let me walk on this land.” Today I was in rural region of Durg, Chhattisgarh and when I saw new flush of Kukurmutta plants these words came from my mouth. I parked my car and after removing shoes started walking in land full of these plants. I felt relaxed. The Traditional Healers suggest patients suffering from different diseases to walk bare foot in land having rich population of this herb. They prefer morning hours when dew drops are present on new plants. Plants at or after flowering are not considered much beneficial for such walk. I was missing the herb Akarkara. For common natives the Healers suggest to walk on this herb after keeping Akarkara in mouth.

“It is here sir.” It was voice of my driver. Akarkara flower heads were in his hand. I kept it in mouth and walked long. After rice harvest fields are empty and new population of Kukurmutta is coming along with other winter weeds.

Through Ethnobotanical surveys I have documented the use of this herb in treatment of over 30 diseases in this special way. The Healers use it at advanced stage. While documenting information about over 35,000 cancer formulations I have mentioned its use in treatment of different types of cancer. Bare foot walking is suggested by keeping different herbs in different days in mouth. Along with this special treatment patents are given both internal as well as external remedies.

Bare foot walking on Kukurmutta population is practiced in treatment of Type II Diabetes also but instead of selecting pure population the Healers select mixed population. Such population always has dominance of Kukurmutta. The Healers as well as patients eagerly wait for winter for this special treatment. Although many Healers use it in dry form in off-season but most of the Healers prefer to use it in winter. They always say that for different seasons Mother Nature has gifted different herbs. So, there is no need of using dry herbs.

In treatment of respiratory troubles Kukurmutta plant parts are used both internally as well as externally. The patients are kept on this single remedy up to many weeks. During this treatment bare foot walking on Kukurmutta population is practiced. After documenting vast knowledge of Bare foot walking whenever I see any one uprooting or applying chemicals to manage weeds in garden lawn I never resist to inform about the importance of its presence in lawn. In most of the cases convinced with my saying lawn owners stop considering useful plants as weed.

In forest, Kukurmutta and Parsa grow at same place. Many years back when I was in forest with Lal Baiga, he informed about the role of Kukurmutta in enriching Parsa with medicinal properties. Before collecting its roots he was treating small plants of Parsa with Kukurmutta extract. “I am not aware about the exact effects but as Traditional practice I am following it. I will collect the roots two days after treatment and then use it for preparation of medicine.” He informed. “As Kukurmutta grows in winter, in case of Parsa root collection in rainy or summer season whether you use other herbs or use Kukurmutta in dry form for preparation of extract?” I asked. “I use Parsa roots for blood related troubles. For it roots are collected only in winter specially after emergence of Kukurmutta.” He replied.

“Parsa grows everywhere but I want to grow it in my farm. I am aware of its medicinal uses and also about methods to treat it with leachate and extracts.” A senior farmer of Patan region informed. I decided to inform about the recommendations of Lal Baiga. After getting information about role of Kukurmutta he thanked and assured me to adopt this method to enrich Parsa with special purpose. He informed that he has started using Parsa plant parts for pest management in combination with other herbs. I have mentioned in previous research articles that the natives of Indian state Chhattisgarh have rich Traditional Agricultural Knowledge about Parsa. “In my next visit I will come with related documents and I am sure it will help in making your formulations more useful.” I assured him.

When I am writing this article late night smell of Kukurmutta is still coming from my cloth. This smell is less powerful than the smell living permanently in my mind.

Carnivores are becoming vegetarian (?), not by wish but by circumstances

“Due to decreasing population of herbivores now Boondi Bagh like carnivores have started consuming many types of herbs.” This statement of Shri Dhani, a senior Traditional Healer surprised me. “Really Dhani!! Are you joking? I know that in case of specific trouble Tiger consumes Doobi i.e. Cynodon dactylon specially during constipation but what you are claiming is beyond my imagination.” This was my reaction.

We were in famous seven hills of Chhattisgarh Plains famous for rich diversity as well as presence of carnivores in large number. I am visiting these hills from long time. Only two years back I observed large population of Deer but they disappeared. Yesterday I walked deep inside forest but found no trace of Deer. Inside forest I observed cow and goat dung. It means that cattle grazing is in progress in dense forest where carnivores live. The carnivores know that if they dare to attack on cattle, the owners will come in group and kill them immediately. That’s why they attack on cattle as last resort. Under such circumstances the claim of Shri Dhani seems believable.

 “Shri Dhani is joking Sahab to some extent but there is some truth in his claim.” Senior villagers traveling with us claimed. During this visit we heard sound of carnivores from surroundings. As usual we were not equipped with any arm. We were in full preparation to climb on tree in case of attack. But the Healers assured that no one is going to attack on us. They were true.

I thought many times before writing the observations of Shri Dhani in this series but finally I decided to put it in original form.  I have requested them to keep view on  this changing behavior (?) of carnivores and enlist the plant species preferred by them as food.

During this visit we found very less population of Kanke tree. I have mentioned in previous research articles that Kanke bark is used for post natal care. Bark decoction is given to women for vitality. Its use protects from infection. “Kanke is cut by Wood Mafia very active in this region.” The villagers informed.

 “As Kanke population is decreasing how you are getting it for post natal care?” I asked. “The natives have stopped its use in most of the region due to its poor availability. Freshly harvested bark is used. The Healers visit to forest on special request. But they have to travel long these days in search of this species. One option is to collect it once for year round use but old bark fails to give the desirable effects.” The villagers further informed. I shocked to know that natives have stopped its use. It is not good sign. The state authorities are investing millions to plant Jatropha and Eucalyptus like exotic species but no one is thinking of this indigenous species. If they are not in position to plant it, they must at least protect the existing population.

Shri Dhani informed that many herbs are added in Kanke decoction for real effect. He named Rohina tree bark and Chhin root. “Rohina is not present in our forest. Chhin is available and we add it in decoction.” The villagers informed. “You can add barks of Beeja in place of Rohina bark for similar effects.” Shri Dhani suggested. In earlier days over 30 herbs were added in this Kanke decoction. The Healers are still using these herbs but natives have limited to only Kanke. I feel that it is necessary to revitalize this knowledge. I took pictures of Kanke and prayed for it.

 In forest it is not possible to provide protection to trees. The Healers plant thorny shrub and put thorny branches around such trees with hope that wood mafia will hesitate to come near. Small herbs are covered with thorn but these are temporary protection measures.  

I am feeling proud to get more and more information about Kanke decoction. Through on-going surveys I am expecting more information.

© Pankaj Oudhia