Pankaj
Oudhia
Updated versions of
old research documents
For
basic details about this series please visit this
link
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/newwork12.html
Traditional medicinal
knowledge about first rain water in Chhattisgarh,
India:
New comments. [Updated document, year
2009]
Pankaj
Oudhia
Traditional
Healing
'Jal Hi Jivan Hai'
(Water is Life), we all are aware of this fact.
The purity of Ganga Jal (Water collected from
Ganga River) is
world famous. For the natives and traditional
healers of Chhattisgarh the water of first monsoon
rains is valuable and important. For the first
time, I got the information on therapeutic value
of rain water through Shri Vishal Bharat, an
eminent herb expert of Chhattisgarh. He was my
Guru and specialized in treatment of different
types of cancer. He never missed to collect the
rain water in enough quantity during rainy season.
During treatment of cancer patients, he was always
instructing the patients to drink more and more
rain water. In case of non-availability, he was
suggesting the spring water. The well water was
third preference. For his patients, he was
collecting more and more water for its use round
the year.
In
reference literatures, related to different
systems of medicine in India
the use of rain water for cancer patients has not
been reported. This was new information for me.
Later when I conducted detailed ethnobotanical
surveys, in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I got
information that almost all healers specialized in
treatment of cancer recommend this use. The
healers prefer the water from first rains, but in
case of poor collection, they collect water from
subsequent rains. For collection of rain water,
they prefer Tamra Patra (Copper vessels). The
traditional healers at interior regions having not
enough purchasing capacity to buy Tamra Patra, use
earthen pots (Ghada) to collect rain water.
According to them, the water before reaching to
ground surface must be collected. The rain water
coming down through plants are also collected but
they have their specific list of plants that can
be used for this purpose. My grandfather was aware
of miracle healing properties of rain water. My
father still remember that during his childhood
the grand father never misses the chance to
collect the water from first rain. The natives
take bath with this water. According to them, this
water removes the extra heat from the body and
treats the small boils common in hot summer days
in Chhattisgarh. It is common belief in
Chhattisgarh Plains that the hairs should be
protected from rain water as it loosens the
hairs.
Last week when I
informed Dr. Shinji Takara, an expert from
Japan
about traditional medicinal knowledge about first
rain water in Chhattisgarh, he replied that it is
not possible in his country, because due to heavy
atmospheric pollution, the first rain falls as
acid rain and no one want to collect this acid. We
are fortunate that in our part of the world, the
atmospheric pollution is not a problem and the
natives and traditional healers are getting pure
rain water. During my surveys in Amarkantak
region, my field worker informed me that the first
rain water is given in this region, as treatment
of stomach troubles. It is recommended as two to
three spoonful daily empty stomach. The natives of
Chhattisgarh Plains are also aware of this use.
During my surveys in Mungeli region, the natives
informed that it should not be given to pregnant
woman. They are not aware of the scientific reason
for this restriction. During my surveys in Bastar
region, the healers informed that they use the
first rain water collected from specific herbs,
herbal combinations in place of water. I am
explaining it more clearly. When the healers
prepare herbal combinations using Bramhi herb, for
instance, and the addition of water is must, in
such cases they use the first rain water collected
from Bramhi herb in place of normal water.
The
traditional healers are aware of valuable
medicinal properties of first rain water but the
collection in maximum quantity is the main problem
for them. They keep this collection as precious
asset and due to less quantity, they use it in
serious troubles only. In name of first rain
water, many local herb shops sell bottled water
but the traditional healers have little faith in
this and they use it only in case of urgency. The
healers have no traditional water testing method
to differentiate all types of water, but many
healers claim that by seeing the reaction of
patients taking different types of water, they can
simply tell the sources. I have yet not seen it
practically but I have no doubt on their in-depth
traditional knowledge. In my laboratory, I have
tried the first rain water on germination of
common seeds. Although all selected species failed
to show the same response. But many species showed
significantly higher germination and vigour. The
detailed studies are in progress.
Through my visits to
different parts of India,
I have collected a lot of information on medicinal
uses of rain water but this is really surprising
that I have yet not found these informations in
reference literatures.
I
personally feel that this is an important aspect
on which there is a need for detailed research
without any delay. After herbs and insects, this
is a new field for me. This article is the first
written document on the traditional medicinal
knowledge about first rain water in Chhattisgarh,
India.
I am confident that through my surveys I will be
able to collect more information on this
traditional knowledge.
New
comments added on March 31, 2007
Through recent surveys
I have collected additional information on this
aspect. Please see this Interactive Table for more
details. In Raigarh region the Traditional Healers
are now avoiding use of first rain water due to
increased level of pollution specially by Sponge
Iron Units. Similarly the Healers living near
Raipur and Durg
cities are not getting pure Rain water. The
Healers of Bastar region are getting pure rain
water but they are aware of new steel plant in the
region. It is not wrong to say that this steel
plant will restrict the Healers to practice this
unique Traditional Medicinal Knowledge.
Thank you very much
for reading the article.
Traditional Medicinal
Knowledge about First Rain Water collected from
different species and its uses in Indian state
Chhattisgarh.
New
comments added on December 17,
2009
It
seems that Traditional Knowledge about First Rain
Water is endless. The recent Ethnobotanical
surveys revealed that the senior Healers mix first
rain water collected from different trees and use
it in form of combinations. I have collected
information about over 300 such combinations.
In
Raigarh region where sponge iron units are
polluting air, soil and water, the Healers have
stopped using this Traditional Knowledge. This is
great loss for Traditional Healing. They say that
it is hard to get clean water as trees are
permanently covered with black dust. Also water
coming from sky is of black color. It is like
poison for us. This is the reason we have stopped
using this water.
The
situation in capital city Raipur and
Bilaspur are same. The Healers as well as their
patients are paying the cost of development.
The
Healers collect first rain water through crude
method. I am planning to design small units so
that they can collect it in large quantity in pure
form. I showed some designs to the Healers. They
are using it. I am waiting for their feedback.
The
young Healers are taking keen interest in this
Traditional Knowledge. They feel that everyone
must get benefit from this knowledge. For
achieving this target first rain water is required
in bulk.
With the Healers of
Chhattisgarh Plains I have prepared 30 to 90 days
schedule for using it with medicinal herbs, in
order to remain disease free round the year.
Original Research
Document
http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleView&earticleId=1191&page=7036
How
to Cite this Research Document
Oudhia, P. (2009).
Traditional medicinal knowledge about first rain
water in Chhattisgarh,
India:
New comments. [Updated document, year 2009]
http://www.pankajoudhia.com
©
Pankaj Oudhia
