Conservation of traditional knowledge about Indian medicinal plants : A need of the day

[Guest guest]

Conservation of traditional knowledge about Indian medicinal plants : A need of

the day

P. Oudhia

 

Department of Agronomy, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur - 492 001

India

http://herb.com/new-oud.html

 

' I have travelled every part of the world, done deep studies and collected

important informations about the medicinal plants of more than 100 countries but

the most diversity I have seen in medicinal is in the flora of India. You can

even not compare the medicinal flora of India with the flora of whole world'

Writes Dr. J. S. Maiden in one of his famous books on medicinal plants.

 

From ancient time the Indian medicinal flora and traditional knowledge about

these plants have attracted the researchers, herbalists, scientists etc. around

the world. In ancient Indian history it is mentioned that many such researchers

have visited India in search of this valuable knowledge. When the ancient man

has used the medicinal plants for the first time and what was its name ? This

question is still unanswered. Also there is no scientific document available. In

India, Rigveda is most authentic document in this regard. In Rigveda, the

description of Soma is given as first medicinal plant used by ancient man. There

is still a confusion about the scientific name of Soma.

 

In Indian systems of medicine, generally medicines of plant origins are

preferred more than the medicines of animal origins. One possible reason of this

was the presence of natural flora in abundant in surroundings of ancient man.

 

In Ayurveda, it is clearly mentioned that any patient can be cured with the help

of herbs present in surroundings. there is no need to go far in search of

medicines. It is also mentioned that 'Herb talks or expresses'. According to

ancient literatures, by observing a particular herb minutely, you can understand

its utility for different human ailments.

 

By their deep studies, ancient Indian herbalists have found that the shape and

size of different parts of herbs resembling to different human organs, are

useful in treatment of the diseases related to that particular organ.

 

For example the Karela (Momordica charantia) fruits look like the pancrease of

human body. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that Karela is a best remedy for

diabetes meliatus.

 

As you know, diabetes is a result of disturb activities of pancrease. Today the

whole world is recognising the medicinal properties of Karela fruits.

 

Similarly, the seed of Akhrot (Walnut) resembles to the structure of human

brain.

 

Ancient Indian herbalists have already mentioned the use of walnut to increase

the activities of human brain.

 

There are thousands of such examples mentioned in ancient literatures.

 

Here is one more example. Have you ever seen a flower of Aak ( Calotropis

gigantea)? Aak is a valuable medicinal plant and have reputed position in almost

every systems of medicine. Like all herbs , the plant of Aak also talks and

expresses its utility for human beings.

 

If you see the structure of Aak flower carefully, you will see a figure of

patient, bowed down, and whose spinal cord is stiffed. you will be surprised to

know that this figure resembles the patient suffering from rheumatism siting in

front of herbalist and expressing his/her problems.

 

Aak is one of the best remedies for this disease. The figure of patient in Aak

flower also resembles the patient suffering from sex related diseases and due to

guilt, siting with his/her head down in front of herbalist. Yes, Aak is also a

valuable remedy for sex related diseases. Ancient Indian herbalists have

collected, searched and documented these types of uses and Indian literatures

are the treasure of this knowledge.

 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 1 billion people rely

on herbal medicines to some extent. The WHO has listed 21,000 plants have

reported medicinal uses around the world. India has a rich medicinal plant flora

of some 2500 species, of these, 2000 to 3000 at least 150 species are used

commercially on a fairly large scale. Foreign researchers have always

appreciated the traditional Indian healers. In India, traditional healers are

losing their popularty.

 

Due to 'quick relief' (?), by the Western systems of medicine like allopathy,

now the common Indian is shifting away from traditional systems. This is

resulting in poor interest of young generation in traditional knowledge.

 

In India, the existing government policies are also not in favour of traditional

healers. In India, generally the traditional healers are considered as Neem

Hakim, the quack. I have visited many remote areas of India and experienced the

deep studies and surveys conducted by the traditional healers time to time.

 

I have prepared a directory of traditional healers. One British herbalist have

also mention in his famous book that if you want to gain knowledge of Indian

herbs, you have to develop a faith in traditional healers, you have to live with

them, to go in deep forest with them, to climb on high mountains " . Last month I

visited the Bastar region of India. Bastar is rich in diversity.

 

Many valuable medicinal plants grow in this region. I stayed with the

traditional healers continuously for 7 nights. One healer has showed me a plant

named Brahamar-mar that attracts a insects and snakes.

 

Any insects and snakes when come in effective range of the unique plant, they

are alttracted towards this plant and never go back. They lay around this plant

like dead and in two - three days their life ends.

 

The traditional healers is using this valuable plant for the treatment of blood

cancer and related ailments. He want to conduct a systematic research but the

lack of facilities and recognisation, are not encouraging him to do so.

 

Similarly, one traditional healer of my region, is master in 18 Indian herbs. he

is a specialist of dental ailments. If one is suffering from any type of related

problems like pyrrhoea, dental caries, bleeding gums etc, there is one solution

and that is two drops magic potion. This healer puts two drops of this potion

into the nose and you will be free from all complaints. Like the healer from

Bastar, he is also interested to share his experiences and knowledge with

genuine herbalist.

 

Now, who is genuine herbalist ? you will be surprised to know that these healers

treat the patients free of cost. They even not accept any kind of gift. They are

expecting the same behaviour from the genuine herbalists.

In India, it is common belief among the traditional healers that earning money

from the secret formula can make the formula less effective. Also, they,

particularly the older healers, are not in favour of disclosing the formula to

any one (even to their children) and also not at any cost. however, these days

many healers have shown interest in disclosing the formula for the benefit of

human race but strictly to genuine herbalists.

 

The only purpose of this article is to show some glimpses of traditional

medicinal knowledge about Indian medicinal plants and the problems that the

traditional healers are facing.

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html