Pankaj Oudhia

Search for rare hill herbs with Shri Phool Singh

“Although it is evening time but believe me there is no reason to worry. If you want to see Kamraj Booti and other rare herbs you must climb on this hill.”  Our local Kamar guide tried to assure. We were standing in front of hill covered with thick vegetation. From morning we were climbing different Hills and exploring new areas. In return we stopped for tea in roadside shop. The shop owner aware of our interest informed that Shri Phool Singh is available and don’t miss to climb on hill. After initial hesitation we decided to interact with Shri Phool Singh.

“I will show you sloth bear as well as Leopard but you have to pay me for this visit.” He said. “We are not interested in seeing wild animals. We are herb lovers and want to see hill flora. We are ready to give your charges.” We replied. He took his Tangia and suggested us to follow. “Please take bow and arrow with you as this is evening time.” The shop owner suggested. But he ignored it. I instructed my driver to park the car in front of shop and wait for us. From my bag I kept long Jungle torch. “Wait for us till 9 and if we fail to return, consider that wild animals have got their dinner. Then return back to home.” I made joke with the driver and started for hill.

I was wearing Reebok shoes good for forest. Shri Phool Singh was wearing Bhandai i.e. village made footwear whereas two Healers were bare foot. We crossed the crop fields and walked through Celosia population. “Is Traditional Rice still cultivated in your village?” The Healers asked. “No, we grow modern rice. Earlier we were growing it. Kodo and Kutki were also under cultivation till my childhood but now we grow Sarkari dhan i.e. modern varieties.” Shri Phool Singh replied.

At the end of crop fields dense forest started. We crossed dry stream and saw old Kauha tree. Tendu was growing near to it. The Healers found the herb unknown to them. Without any delay they collected its seeds and started guessing about its identity. I was with Shri Phool Singh and when the Healers called me we returned back. I identified the plant. “It is Van Charpari and used as medicine by the Healers of North Chhattisgarh. From Epilepsy to digestive system related troubles they use it. It is rare in occurrence but in hills near Ambikapur city its population was rich ten years back when I was there for surveys.” I informed.

The Healers took interest in it and I started informing about tens of formulations in which it is used as main ingredient. “It must be good remedy for Insomnia.” The Healers said. This statement made my shocked as well as surprised. They were seeing this herb for the first time then how they guessed correctly that it is used in Insomnia? They were true. The Healers of North Chhattisgarh use it for this purpose. The Healers like other Healers failed to explain it in simple words but they gave unique capability to guess the possible medicinal uses of unseen herbs.

“We are still at the base of hill. We must climb now. Stop discussion.” Shri Phool Singh ordered and we moved forward. We observed rich population of Asparagus racemosus plant locally known as Dasmool. “We use this plant once in a year on Hareli festival. The Healers of our village collect it in limited amount and this is the reason it is spreading year by year. Many traders approached for its harvest but we refused to uproot it. This herb protects our women. If they are healthy then entire family as well as village is healthy. Earlier our forest was rich in Bhuineem population. As you know, we were using it throughout rainy season in order to get protection from seasonal diseases and specially Malarial fever but some greedy traders came and offered much money for its harvest. Now it is difficult to find this herb in surroundings. They collect it before flowering and in this way end the chances of seed formation and emergence as new plant in coming year.” Shri Phool Singh informed. We saw deep pain in his face.

“Why the collectors aware of these facts don’t adopt rotational harvesting. Collect from North direction in first year, then in east direction next year and so on. The Gondla collectors of Bagbahera region were adopting this process many years back. In this way, collectors of all directions get chance to earn money.” I suggested. “Rotational harvesting is good concept but collectors of present generation are greedy and want to earn every year. This is the reason we have lost this valuable medicinal herb.” He replied.

Very soon we reached to the point where we have to start climbing. There was steep slope and we have to climb with the help of exposed rocks. It was dangerous. We were many hours far from emergency services and not equipped with safety tools. “It is risky. Let’s go back.” I suggested. “No Sahab, we can climb this hill without any problem. I am climbing it since my childhood even in rainy season when rock surface becomes slippery.” Shri Phool Singh encouraged me. The Healers were ready for climbing. They keenly observed the herbs growing on rock cracks. “See that herb, also the right one, also one at top. You will never find it in ground.” They motivated me and I decided to take risk.

When we reached to one fourth Shri Phool Singh shouted, “We must go back immediately. There are tens of Kevatch (Mucuna pruriens) plants in path and all are in poding stage. If its hairs start spreading no one can protect us from intense itching. Return back.”  We followed his instruction.

He selected another path. It was more dangerous than previous one. “Chew these roots and take deep breathe. You will be free from mental stress and everything will be OK.” The Healers gave me energy roots. Within ten minutes, I felt immense lightness in my mind as well as body.

Shri Phool Singh started climbing and without any fear I followed him.    

Interesting information about “Vagina tree”

“If you are interested we can show you Vagina tree.” The Traditional Healers said. “Vagina tree?” I was surprised. I agreed. After walking few kilometers inside forest they stopped near old Senha tree and showed Vagina like structure in tree trunk. “Oh, this is your Vagina tree.” I reacted and started taking pictures. “Any special importance of this tree?’ I asked. “Nothing, it is like other tree but as you take pictures of such unique trees and plant parts we are showing it to you.” The Healers smiled and replied.

Few years back I was interacting with eminent botanist Prof. M. M. Bhandari at NIF, Ahmedabad. We were there as Research Advisory committee members. Prof. Bhandari informed about unique pictures he took during the surveys. These pictures are related to trees with special structures. Later when he gifted his book titled “Flora of the Indian Desert” I found pictures of such trees in cover page. Encouraged by his enthusiasm I decided to take pictures of such structures during surveys. Many times when the Healers see me taking hundreds of pictures in forest they question about it. “For me every plant is like an individual. Each one looks different to me. That’s why I take as much pictures as possible.” I tried to reply.

“I have noted that the trees having special shape like this Vagina tree are used for treatment of diseases of the particular organ to which its shape belongs. Then why this Vagina tree is not useful for troubles related to Vagina?” I asked to the Healers. “Yes, you are right but we have never used it. Our villages are far from this place. Our forefathers have told nothing specific about this tree.” They replied. I decided to visit nearby forest village and interact with the Healers.

After reaching to nearby village we started searching the Healers. As it was morning time most of the villagers were in crop fields. We reached to crop fields where rice harvesting was in progress. “We want to get information about the tree situated near waterfall having Vagina like structure.” I asked with some hesitation. “You must meet to Baiga, the faith Healer. He will inform you about that tree. The tree is of religious importance for us.” The farmers replied. We returned to village and reached to Baiga’s house.

We introduced ourselves and informed about purpose of visit. After seeing the pictures in my camera he recognized the Vagina tree. “It is old tree. Vagina like structures are common in many forest trees specially in old trees but in case of this tree you will find all parts of Vagina.” He informed and put finger on picture showing clitoris like structure. “As you know, Senha is used for gynecological troubles but we consider this tree more useful as compared to other Senha trees. After child birth village women are taken near to the tree. They worship the tree and give thank for safe delivery. The Traditional remedies for post natal care are kept inside the Vagina like structure for few hours and then given to women. We believe that this process enriches the remedies.” He further informed. The size of this structure is large enough that small boy can sit inside after some adjustment.

“Few years back when one morning we visited this spot for worship we found the tree in flames. We tried all efforts to control fire. We are aware that Wood mafia is not happy with our love towards trees present in forest. We treated injured tree with the help of extracts and leachate and then worshipped it up to one week in order to say it sorry from all villager’s side. After that bad incidence we are keeping this tree in close observation. We visit there many times in a day.” Baiga disclosed.

We thanked him and shared the information about Senha tree we collected from other regions. “You can visit in summer for seeing more trees with unique structures.” He invited us.

We accepted his invitation. 

© Pankaj Oudhia