Pankaj Oudhia

Kadu Jadi (Indoneesiella longipedunculata) in Traditional Healing

“It is Baap (father) of Bhuineem plant. We tried it and got much success. Thanks for informing about this herb.” The Traditional Healers thanked me during recent visit to Gariaband region. Many years back when we were in forest for surveys we found an herb looking like Bhuineem. The Healers were not aware of it. “It is rare in occurrence but we have seen it. We are not using it as medicinal plant.” They said. Without any delay I shared information about it. “It is very useful medicinal plant and in different parts of Chhattisgarh Healers know it by different names. For example in Bastar it is known as Kadu Jadi. It is used in hundreds of formulations. These formulations are both simple as well as complex. Where the miraculous effect of Bhuineem ends the effects of this herb starts. It is also used with Bhuineem both internally as well as externally.” I disclosed.

The Healers kept leaves in mouth and started chewing it. “Oh my God, it is powerful than Bhuineem. Very, very bitter.” They reacted. “It is not only powerful in taste but also in effect. After listening tens of formulations and its effects they selected five formulations. I shared information about its ingredients as well as method of use. They promised me to try it.

When I was conducting surveys in Sarguja region I got opportunity to see its practical uses. The Healers of this region use this herb in treatment of blood related troubles. “This herb gives good results but judicious use is required. It must be given in smaller doses at first and if it suits, doses can be increased gradually. If patients feel uncomfortable then the use must be stopped.” They commented. The senior Healers of Ajirma region were using it in treatment of Diabetes foot specially at advanced stages. I documented information about 13 formulations the Healers were using at that time.

The Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use it in treatment of skin diseases externally. It is used with other herbs. By crushing freshly harvested herbs thick paste is prepared and applied on affected parts. After drying it is washed. It is applied in this way many times in day. With Neem like ingredients the Healers suggest its use to natives of all age group. It reduces the effect of ageing.

I have mentioned in previous research articles that the Healers having expertise in use of Bar prop roots treat trees with different herbal extracts and leachate in order to enrich the roots with desired medicinal properties. During surveys in Charama region I found Kadu Jadi as main ingredient in herbal solution used by the Healers for this purpose. The Healers collect the plants at flowering and by crushing juice is extracted. Juice of other herbs is added in it and then applied at the base of Bar tree. The Healers apply this solution up to one week daily morning. After fifteen days of last application prop roots are collected. They have deep faith in this Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge. They are practicing it without any modification.

The Healers claim that wild animals specially monkeys are aware of its therapeutic values. This herb is not in trade. I have written a lot on its different aspects in my Type II Diabetes report and also in Cancer report. I feel that detailed research on different aspects of this herb is must. In reference literatures you will find very less information bout this useful plant.

Recently the Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains informed that not less than three variants of this herb are present in forest. They invited me for visit to dense forest. The reference literatures inform about one type of this herb. I am planning to visit with Healers very soon.

Keep reading my research articles for update.  

Unique combination of Saliha, Mahua and Harra and Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about it

‘Look at that tree combination. I think Mahua and Saliha both are present there.” I shouted with excitement. We reached to the spot but found Mahua growing with Senha tree. “Let’s move forward. We have to travel long for search.” The Healers said and we continued our search for tree combination.

We were in mission to collect Saliha, Mahua and Harra plant parts from forest. Mahua and Harra trees can be found easily in forest but it s difficult to get Saliha tree.  We preferred to visit Chendwa Dongar and then seven hills for it. We were in search as per instructions of senior Traditional Healers. They were preparing herbal formulation for blood related diseases.

 “We want Saliha, Mahua and Harra plants parts. By mixing 16 more herbs in it we want to prepare herbal formulation. We have collected these 16 herbs. If you are interested, you can go and bring Saliha, Mahua and Harra plant parts but there is condition. Collect root of Saliha tree growing in combination with Mahua or Harra, similarly collect Mahua bark from tree growing in combination with Saliha or Harra. Similar condition is with Harra.” They instructed. I agreed to proceed with young Healers. We thought it a very simple task and expecting that we will return before given time and then learn about new formulation but in ground even after long search of six hours we failed to get single plant growing with other plants. We realized that the senior Healers were testing our capabilities.

Late night we returned back to village empty hand. We were expecting anger of the senior Healers but they simply smiled and showed the plant parts of Saliha, Mahua and Harra they have collected from nearby forest. “Why you were traveling far in search of these plants parts? You must know that in most of the cases the Traditional Healers use the herbs growing in surroundings. Very rarely they use herbs growing in far places. You ignored the hills near to this village and walked long in search of this combination.” They said.

 We showed interest in seeing such trees growing in combination. “We will go there early morning. We have prepared special decoction for you. Take it and sleep.” They gave hot decoction. After consuming this hot bitter decoction we felt better. Very soon we realized that we can cover same distance again with new energy. I decided to utilize this vigor.

“Please arrange Kandil (Lantern) for me.” I requested. After taking Kandil along with young Healers I reached to nearby forest. After keeping this Kandil in forest we stayed at some distance for one hour. When we returned we found lots of forest insects. Without any delay I started taking pictures of these insects. The young Healers found some medicinal insects in lot and collected it for future use.

Next morning we followed the senior Healers in nearby hill. They stopped at old Saliha tree growing in slope. “See this old tree carefully. You will find many types of epiphytes on it. Now see its base, two plants are growing on it. Mahua and Harra. We use this tree combination for preparation of many formulations. This is unique combination and we are unable to create. It is Gift of the Mother Nature. We take care of this combination. We discuss about its importance rarely in order to keep it far from greedy eyes. On Hareli festival we treat it with Dokri Haldi extracts. These extracts are beneficial for all plants in this combination. Many times we use Genji extracts.” They informed. They requested me to locate such combinations in other parts of Chhattisgarh and inform them so that they can use it for preparations of life saving formulations. I promised them.

After getting this unforgettable experience I returned back. I will search such tree combinations and also inform other Healers about its importance.        

© Pankaj Oudhia