Power of First Rains & Ancient Indian Healing Traditions

07-07-2005, 09:15 AM

Traditional medicinal knowledge about first rain water in
Chhattisgarh, India
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

'Jal Hi Jivan Hai' (Water is Life), we all are aware of this fact.
The purity of Ganga Jal (Water collected from Ganga river) is world
famous. For the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh the
water of first monsoon rains is valuable and important. For the first
time, I got the information on therapeutic value of rain water
through Shri Vishal Bharat, an eminent herb expert of Chhattisgarh.
He was my Guru and specialized in treatment of different types of
cancer. He never missed to collect the rain water in enough quantity
during rainy season. During treatment of cancer patients, he always
instruct the patients to drink more and more rain water. In case of
non-availability, he was suggesting the spring water. The well water
was third preference. For his patients, he was collecting more and
more water for its use round the year.

In reference literatures, related to different systems of
medicine in India the use of rain water for cancer patients has not
been reported. This was new information for me. Later when I
conducted detailed ethnobotanical surveys, in different parts of
Chhattisgarh, I got information that almost all healers specialized
in treatment of cancer recommend this use. The healers prefer the
water from first rains, but in case of poor collection, they collect
water from subsequent rains. For collection of rain water, they
prefer Tamra Patra (Copper vessels). The traditional healers at
interior regions having not enough purchasing capacity to buy Tamra
Patra, use earthen pots (Ghada) to collect rain water. According to
them, the water before reaching to ground surface must be collected.
The rain water coming down through plants are also collected but they
have their specific list of plants that can be used for this purpose.
My grandfather was aware of miracle healing properties of rain water.
My father still remember that during his childhood the grand father
never misses the chance to collect the water from first rain. The
natives take bath with this water. According to them, this water
removes the extra heat from the body and treats the small boils
common in hot summer days in Chhattisgarh. It is common belief in
Chhattisgarh Plains that the hairs should be protected from rain
water as it loosens the hairs.

Last week when I informed Dr. Shinji Takara, an expert from Japan
about traditional medicinal knowledge about first rain water in
Chhattisgarh, he replied that it is not possible in his country,
because due to heavy atmospheric pollution, the first rain falls as
acid rain and no one want to collect this acid. We are fortunate that
in our part of the world, the atmospheric pollution is not a problem
and the natives and traditional healers are getting pure rain water.
During my surveys in Amarkantak region, my field worker informed me
that the first rain water is given in this region, as treatment of
stomach troubles. It is recommended as two to three spoonful daily
empty stomach. The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains are also aware of
this use. During my surveys in Mungeli region, the natives informed
that it should not be given to pregnant woman. They are not aware of
the scientific reason for this restriction. During my surveys in
Bastar region, the healers informed that they use the first rain
water collected from specific herbs, herbal combinations in place of
water. I am explaining it more clearly. When the healers prepare
herbal combinations using Bramhi herb, for instance, and the addition
of water is must, in such cases they use the first rain water
collected from Bramhi herb in place of normal water.

The traditional healers are aware of valuable medicinal
properties of first rain water but the collection in maximum quantity
is the main problem for them. They keep this collection as precious
asset and due to less quantity, they use it in serious troubles only.
In name of first rain water, many local herb shops sell bottled water
but the traditional healers have little faith in this and they use it
only in case of urgency. The healers have no traditional water
testing method to differentiate all types of water, but many healers
claim that by seeing the reaction of patients taking different types
of water, they can simply tell the sources. I have yet not seen it
practically but I have no doubt on their in-depth traditional
knowledge. In my laboratory, I have tried the first rain water on
germination of common seeds. Although all selected species failed to
show the same response. But many species showed significantly higher
germination and vigour. The detailed studies are in progress. Through
my visits to different parts of India, I have collected a lot of
information on medicinal uses of rain water but this is really
surprising that I have yet not found these informations in reference
literatures.

I personally feel that this is an important aspect on which there
is a need for detailed research without any delay. After herbs and
insects, this is a new field for me. This article is the first
written document on the traditional medicinal knowledge about first
rain water in Chhattisgarh, India. I am confident that through my
surveys I will be able to collect more information on this
traditional knowledge.

Thank you very much for reading the article.
http://botanical.com/site/column_pou...rainwater.html