Pankaj Oudhia

Adusa and Lasun based simple formulations and its variants for bone injuries

“There is severe accident. If you can visit to the spot please be ready.” I got call from one of my friends. Within few minutes I found him standing in front of my home. We started for the spot. Two family members were traveling in bike and during overtaking a truck it collided with another bike. When we reached the spot we found both members with bone injuries. Without any delay they were shifted to hospital in city. ‘We have faith in Traditional Healing. Instead of taking services of modern doctors we want to visit the Traditional Bonesetters. We can tolerate pain.” They said it repeatedly but seeing their condition my friend decided to take the services of modern doctor. After small surgery temporary plaster was tied. They returned to home.

“They are demanding for Kauha bark. They want to prepare tea from it. They believe that it will hasten the process of reunion. Our neighbor visited with Hadjod stem. He is suggesting its use in form of sweet dish “Halwa” When I objected he replied that he has read your article on net. Please guide me.” I got call from my friend very next morning. “There are hundreds of Traditional formulations and home remedies we can suggest to the patients but it will be better to visit to the Traditional bonesetters and take their advice.” I suggested.

With patients we reached to the Traditional Bonesetters of Devbhog region. After examine the injuries they said that everything is OK. They suggested herbal combination. “Take the combination of Lasun (Garlic), Madras (Honey) and Adusa. It will help a lot.” They instructed. It is one of the general recommendations and it is mentioned in ancient Indian literatures. Its external use is also mentioned in same proportion. But as patients were requiring only internal medicine the Healers kept silence on its external use. After getting information about this simple formulation patients were not satisfied. “You are not taking our trouble seriously. Please suggest some strong formulations.” They said. The bonesetters understood the patient’s psychology. They added five placebo herbs in the formulation. Now patients were satisfied.

This simple combination is effective. There is no doubt about it but the Traditional Healers of different parts of Chhattisgarh use it by adding different herbs in it. The Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains add three more herbs in it and name the five herbs as primary ingredient. Honey is used as carrier. They add nine herbs as secondary ingredient and then five herbs as tertiary ingredient. Based on the condition of patients they add or delete secondary and tertiary ingredients. Primary ingredients are kept intact. The Healers of Durg region add Triphala in basic formulation having Lasun and Adusa. In general Triphala is prepared by mixing fruits of Harra, Bahera and Aonla in equal proportion. But in this formulation proportion of Bahera is kept at higher side.

The Healers of North Chhattisgarh avoid adding Adusa in it. With Triphala and Lasun they add Kauha bark and Hadsanghari root. They add different types of wild tuber in order to increase its efficacy. I have seen them adding Dang Kanda, Kadu Kanda and Chepti Kanda. The Healers of Raigarh region prefer the use of Adusa. They add Negur plant parts in it for increasing its efficacy.

The knowledge about these variations is endless. During visit to Niyamgiri I observed the Healers using it with locally available herbs. Through this article I would like to request the research from other states of India to focus their work on this aspect and compile these variations.

My friend’s family members are recovering fast. They are taking the formulation sincerely. They have informed their doctor about it. “Our Doctor is taking interest in it.” They informed.

I see it as good sign.     

Please use Bhata, Kheksi and Karela like herbs judiciously in order to avoid its harmful effects

“These days many patients from urban regions are coming with the typical problem of paralysis specially facial paralysis. Initially we tried our Traditional formulations but when number of such patients increased we decided to check their diet schedules. We wanted to know that what additional they have added in their diet from recent past. We started discussions with patients up to long time. After much hard work we have identified many food materials and herbs responsible for their trouble.” The Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh were discussing with me.

“When we see the patient suffering from facial paralysis we ask for skin related troubles. If they say that they have skin related trouble then we suggest them to stop consuming Bhata (Solanum melongena) in any form.” The Healers continued to say.

 Bhata is one of the popular vegetables in Chhattisgarh. Like potato it is cooked almost daily in many houses. While treating many diseases the Healers restrict its use.

“When we see the patient having facial paralysis is suffering from troubles due to impure blood we suggest stopping use of Kheksi (Momordica dioica). When patient complaint about pain specially severe headache due to unknown causes, without any delay we suggest them to stop use of Karela (Momordica charantia).” They disclosed. The use of Karela has increased in recent past. Patients suffering from Type II Diabetes take it in different forms. It is also taken to prevent Diabetes. Many Modern Yoga Gurus suggest in National Television to take juice of Karela in order to manage Diabetes. Based on their faith the patients take it in different quantity. Last week I was in a health resort where patients were given two glasses of Karela juice twice a day. According to the Traditional Healers Karela juice in this quantity is not a boon but a curse. Its regular use results in many troubles including facial paralysis and severe headache.

“Patients must visit to the health experts and based on the condition of each patient experts should suggest Karela like herbs in specific proportion. Such herbs must not be given as general recommendation. Modern Yoga Gurus try to break the law of Traditional Healing and as result patients start suffering from new troubles unnecessarily.” The Healers said.

“We have listed so many herbs used by modern natives and excess of these herbs results in different troubles. Neem is considered as safe medicine in any dose. It is not true. Its judicious use is required. Many times our medicines fail to respond in patients taking Neem leaf juice up to longtime.” They added.

“Last month I got married. After it I am suffering from severe respiratory troubles. My friends say that it is due to over sexual activities. I am in much trouble. Please guide me.” An urban youth was standing in front of Traditional Healers and describing his trouble." In general over sexual activity is not a cause of respiratory troubles you are suffering from. It is due to some food material or herbs you have started taking in recent past. Please tell us about it.” The Healers replied. After discussing with him up to long time they found the herb recently added in daily schedule. They disclosed its name in front of him. “I am taking Patalkumhda from one month before the marriage. One of my relatives is working in forest department. He suggested me to take this aphrodisiac. He was true. After consuming this herb I got extra strength.” He informed.

“No doubt Patalkumhda gives extra strength but in many cases its excess up to long time results in respiratory troubles. When Traditional Healers recommend its use they suggest taking it with Gur in order to minimize its bad effects. Little knowledge specially of herbs is always dangerous. Now stop taking Patalkumhda alone. Either take it with Gur or stop using it as you have already taken it in sufficient amount.” The Healers instructed. 

The Healers have gained this knowledge through experiments of generations. Whenever I get glimpses of this valuable knowledge I document it.

I feel myself fortunate.                            

© Pankaj Oudhia