Pankaj Oudhia

Less known Hepatoprotective herb Bijgol from Chhattisgarh and neighboring states

“This plant is used in treatment of Jaundice. Mama (Maternal uncle) of children affected by Jaundice come to forest and collect woody parts. Small pieces are used to prepare Mala. On specific day mostly on Sunday, this Mala is tied around neck. It acts in miraculous way and patients get rid from this trouble.” The Traditional Healers climbing in steep hill with me stopped for showing this plant. They named it as Bijgol. I identified the plant and realized that it is rare in occurrence and therefore Mamas have to travel far for the collection.

I remembered the Healers of North Chhattisgarh using this plant as internal remedy for liver related troubles. “May I include it in the list of Hepatoprotective herbs?’ I asked. “Yes, add it and keep its name in top herbs.” They replied. For preparation of Mala they use single herb but internally it is used in combination of other herbs in form of herbal formulations. Through surveys I have collected information about hundreds of formulations in which it is used as primary, secondary and tertiary ingredients. Although the herb is rare in occurrence in Chhattisgarh but with the help of herb vendors coming from neighboring states specially from Orissa Healers get it in sufficient amount.

Few years back I was discussing about it with the Healers of Raigarh region. They informed that for real effect Herbal Mala must remain in touch with skin. When patients get relief it must be collected and buried in far places. I have observed its use more or less in almost all parts of Chhattisgarh.

We continued climbing on the hill. “See all the ingredients used in our formulations for liver related troubles are present in surrounding of this Bijgol plant. It is arrangement of Mother Nature. We add eighteen herbs in our formulations and all are present here. It is right time to harvest these herbs as some are at flowering and others are at vegetative stage.” They explained. I noted all the contents in my mind.

Suddenly I saw Kamraj Booti growing near to this group. I asked, “This Booti is not a part of formulation then why Mother Nature has kept it here?” Without any delay they replied that many times its long term use results in disturbances in digestive system. To manage this trouble we use Kamraj Booti. When we visit for collection of liver herbs we collect this herb with it. As you know, Kamraj booti is used for other purposes also.

In hill top we found Gursukri plants loaded with sweet fruits. The Healers started eating the fruits. “It is also good for liver. We suggest the patients consuming alcoholic drinks in large amount and having liver related troubles to climb in this hill and eat these fruits as much as possible. After eating it search for Van Kapsa plants. Chew leaves of this plant. Van Kapsa is effective as single herb but when taken after Gursukri fruits its effect increases.” They disclosed. It was new information for me. 

“As you know, different types of Bhuiaonla are used as Hepatoprotective herbs by most of the Healers. Whether Bijgol can be used as Bhuiaonla or in combinations with it for same purpose?” I asked. “Bijgol is used in many formulations with Bhuiaonla but we consider both as Raja Van i.e. King plants. Hence, we prefer to use it separately. In most of the cases at first we try Bhuiaonla based formulations but when we fail to get the desirable effects we try Bijgol and other herbs.” They replied.

The Healers of different regions use different herbal extracts and leachate to enrich Bijgol with desired medicinal properties. The Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use Genji and Beeja root extracts whereas the Healers of South Chhattisgarh specially from Kanker region use different types of orchid extracts and leachate. I have documented this Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge in detail.

I tried many times to raise this useful herb in my home garden but failed. I tried Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge and treated the plants with different extracts but still got no success. Recently I brought new plants. This time I have given it to my farmers.

Recently I received many messages from young researchers interested in Hepatoprotective herbs. I am sure that they will come forward to conduct research on less known herbs like Bijgol.  

Discussion on various aspects of Barha (Wild Boar) with Traditional Healers

“Is it monkey skull or any thing else?” The Healers shouted with excitement when they saw heap of skull in far distance. When we reached to the spot we found that heap is of wild boar skull. This heap surprised the Healers as well as villagers traveling with us. We were far from human population in forest where human activity is very low. “Is it due to natural death or poachers have done it?” I asked. “It seems that wild boars were killed for meat. This is not a work of poachers. They carry skull with them. It fetches good price.” The Healers gave their opinion.

“May be it is activity of tourists coming to see nearby waterfall. They enter in forest without any fear and then poison wild boars and other animals.” The local guide said. We examined the area carefully and found cans of beer and used condoms. It means local guide was saying right. In India killing of wild animals including wild boar is illegal.

I have mentioned in previous research articles that how wild boar reached to my village Khudmudi and started destroying rice crop. When villagers tried to kill it, the authorities took immediate action.

In Chhattisgarh wild boar skull is used as medicine. The Healers convert it into fine powder and use it as medicine. Very few Healers are using it for this purpose due to strict rules. They prefer to use herbal alternatives. The natives engage in Tantra activities keep this skull in home in order to keep evil spirits at bay. I have observed wild boar body parts available for sell in weekly village markets and Mela. These parts are used in form of Tabiz also.

“See this skull carefully and try to remember the wild tubers we have seen earlier.” The Healers said. I remembered many types of wild tubers having similar shape and appearance. Varahi Kand is one of these tubers. “It seems that wild boar population is present in surrounding. Who knows that they are planning to attack on us as revenge. It is better to move forward.” Our local guide said. I instructed him to inform the forest authorities about it.

We moved forward and stopped by seeing very long snake. “No, it is not a snake. It confused us from distance. It is Kenchuli, the snake skin.” Our local guide said. The Healers examined it and said that it is very old skin. They collected it. As mentioned in previous research articles, Kenchuli of different snakes are used as medicine both internally as well as externally. The Healers search all parts of forest for it. Many times they travel with snake experts. In treatment of nervous system related diseases Kenchuli is used externally alone and in combination with other herbs. The natives engaged in Tantra activities keep it in home for different purposes. They claim that there is special method for keeping. Otherwise it acts as snake attractant.

“It must be Asodhia, very long snake. I have rarely seen Kenchuli of such long snake.” The Healers said. Our local guide informed that many species of rare snakes are still present in this forest instead of regular forest fire initiated by Tendu patta collectors and tourists. We worship them and avoid killing it in forest.” 

“We traveled deep inside forest but not seen any snake. Where are these snakes?” I asked. The local guide said, “They are present everywhere. They must be seeing us but without any reason they don’t harm any one. We are walking in less dense path only to avoid disturbance to them”

Before returning to survey vehicle I visited once again to take pictures of skull heap. The visit was very short as local guide observed wild boar population nearby. I took pictures. I remembered the traditional practice in many parts of Chhattisgarh to bury this skull in crop fields in order to keep monkeys at bay. Many times skull is put in midfield with the help of bamboo stick for same purpose.

Wild boar locally known as Barha is considered as great enemy to farmers. It attacks on crops specially on tuber crops every night and destroys every thing. Farmers sleep in fields for protection of crop. Many times it raids in day time also. According to the Traditional Healers wild boar plays important role in forest and its presence is must for forest health. The authorities must do something so that it can stay in forest and never visit to crop fields. The Healers have long list of herbs more preferred by wild boar as compare to crops. By promoting or planting these herbs in forest or in buffer zone, wild boar attack can be avoided.

Through my writings I am trying to convince the authorities. 

© Pankaj Oudhia