Pankaj
Oudhia
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Results of Ethnobotanical
surveys conducted from January to August 2006 in
Indian state Chhattisgarh. 53. Additional
information on Ramphal. [Updated document, year
2009]
Pankaj
Oudhia
Abstract
This research article
is a part of series titled Results of
Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from January to
August 2006 in Indian state Chhattisgarh by the
author.
Table of Contents
Traditional
Healing
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Traditional
Healing
Although reference
literatures related to different systems of
medicine in India
write more about Seetaphal and less about Ramphal
but the natives as well as Traditional Healers of
Chhattisgarh are aware of hundreds of uses of both
herbs. They use Seetaphal plant parts to increase
the performance of Ramphal plant parts and
vice-versa. Also many times both are used to
nullify each other's harmful effects. I have
mentioned in previous research articles that the
farmers engaged in organic faming of medicinal and
aromatic crops use Seetaphal plant parts specially
leaves as promising tool. In form of extract
diluted with water it is sprayed on medicinal
crops like Kevatch and Kasturi Bhindi. This
treatment protects the crops from insects. Many
times when weather conditions are favorable for
insects and obviously unfavorable for farmers then
alone Seetaphal leaves fail to give the desired
effects. Many farmers add other herbs like Datura
and Fudhar but they have found in their
experiments that these options are not useful for
every crop. Addition of Datura and Fudhar manage
the insects but many times affect growth of main
crops. The farmers of Southern Chhattisgarh prefer
use of Ramphal leaves in place of these options
and most of the times they get success in
management of insects without damaging main crops.
Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops is
recent development. They are using this
combination since time immemorial on their
traditional crops like Rice and Kodo. The farmers
of Bastar region use Ramphal leaves with Karra for
the same purpose. In general farmers engaged in
organic farming are suggested by experts to plant
Seetaphal plants in periphery of fields as guard
crop. The name of Ramphal is not present in their
recommendation. But the farmers of many regions
consider it equally important. Through recent
surveys in different parts of Indian state
Chhattisgarh I have collected many interesting
information on Ramphal. I am giving details in
present article.
In
general presence of Seetaphal in residential areas
is not considered good. It is also not planted in
home garden. It grows in wasteland as well as
forest land. The natives collect it in bulk from
there for their families as well as to sell it in
local markets. Now many advanced farmers have
started cultivation of improved varieties.
Opposite to it Ramphal is planted in home garden.
During recent visit to Lohandiguda region of
Bastar I found this tree in home garden. It is
planted mainly for fruits but the natives are
aware of its health benefits. The Healers of
Southern
Chhattisgarh support its presence in
house. According to them its shade is beneficial
for the natives having poor vitality. Such natives
are suggested to pass much time under shade of old
tree of Ramphal. In general its shade is
beneficial for the natives of all age group. Many
Healers suggest its worship regularly so that
natives can get chance to pass much time under it
and also teach the coming generation about its
importance specially as tree of religious
importance. In Chhattisgarh trees having religious
importance are relatively much safer than common
trees.
In
order to kill lice in hair natives of Chhattisgarh
use Seetaphal leaves as well as seeds. During this
use they take special precaution to avoid entry of
solution inside eyes. In order to increase the
efficacy of leaves many Healers add Neem leaves
with it. Neem seed oil is also used but due its
odd smell many natives hesitate to use it. For
such natives the Healers of Durg region suggest
the addition of Ramphal leaves with Seetaphal
leaves. Its addition is having many other
advantages also. The most important is that it
reduces the chance of eye infection.
The
Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh are having
rich traditional medicinal knowledge about
Ramphal. The Healers of Bastar region informed
that they use Seetaphal leaves in many herbal
combinations. Many times the use of matured leaves
results in harmful effects. In such condition they
use the young as well as old leaves of Ramphal in
order to nullify the bad effects of Seetaphal
leaves. It was new information for me. In general
the Healers use bark of Ramphal as medicine. Many
times this use causes upset in stomach. They treat
this problem in many ways. They use green fruits
internally during fruiting season. During
off-season leaves of Seetaphal are used for this
purpose.
The
reference literatures write about unique property
of green fruits of Ramphal to flush out intestinal
worms. The Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are also
aware of it. Taking advantage of this property the
Healers of Raigarh, Durg and Bagbahera regions
suggest its use in treatment of patients having
Leucoderma. It is given internally as supplement
treatment along with main treatment of this
trouble.
The
Healers of Narharpur region informed that Ramphal
bark is used alone and in combination with other
herbs in treatment of internal wounds. It holds a
reputed position among them as wound healer. Inner
bark is preferred and in general it is given in
form of decoction. Fresh bark is preferred but dry
bark is also used specially during off- season.
Winter is considered best season for collection of
bark. The Healers of different region treat
Ramphal trees with different herbal solutions and
through this Traditional Allelopathic Knowledge
enrich its parts with medicinal properties.
The
Healers of Bastar region are aware of use of its
flowers in treatment of respiratory troubles but
as other promising alternatives are available they
use it less commonly. Seeds are used in case of
poisoning of unknown origin in order to induce
vomiting but like flowers it is also used rarely.
I am aware that from documentation point of view
it is important information.
The
above-mentioned information is valuable and
deserves place in reference literatures on
Ramphal. I am expecting more information through
on-going surveys.
Keep reading my
research articles at Ecoport for updates.
|
Green EC (1999)
Engaging Indigenous African Healers in the
Prevention of AIDS and STDs
Bastien JW (1989)
Healers of the Andes: Kallawaya Herbalists and
Their Medicinal Plants
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Bridging the gap: potential for a health care
partnership between African traditional healers
and biomedical personnel in South Africa
Green EC (1985)
Traditional healers, mothers and childhood
diarrhoeal disease in Swaziland: the interface
of anthropology and health education
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Traditional healers and childhood in
Zimbabwe
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Traditional Medicine in Botswana: traditional
healers
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Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of
Women Healers
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African traditional healers: incentives and
skill in health care delivery
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as Healers: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Sargent C. (1989)
Women¹s Roles and Women Healers in Contemporary
Rural and Urban Benin
Oudhia P. (2006)
Paramparik Chikitsak Kya Dilwa Payenge Mukti Bird
Flu Se?(Can Traditional
Healers give freedom from Bird Flu?). — Article
in Hindi.
Oudhia P. (2006) Working with the real health
experts : traditional healers of Chhattisgarh.
Oudhia P. (2006) Jameen
aasman ka antar hai jhola chhap Doctor aur
Paramparik Chikitsak main. (There is much
difference between Quacks and Traditional
Healers.)- Hindi
Article. |
New
Comments added on December 31,
2009
Through recent
Ethnobotanical surveys more information related to
Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Ramphal has
been collected. In CGBD database information on
over 750 Ramphal based formulations has been
added. Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about this
herb is integral part of Type II Diabetes, Heart
Diseases and Cancer reports prepared by the
author.
The
efforts are in progress to make CGBD database
online.
Original Research
Document
http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleView&earticleId=1763&page=-2
How
to Cite this Research Document
Oudhia, P. (2009).
Results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted from
January to August 2006 in Indian state
Chhattisgarh. 53. Additional information on
Ramphal. [Updated document, year 2009] http://www.pankajoudhia.com
©
Pankaj Oudhia
