Note: The traditional knowledge examples given below are just an indicative/illustrative sample. Herbal practices similar to the ones given below may also have been received from other people from same/ different parts of the country.

Uses from NIF Database

Dandruff

Put three-four leaves in boiling coconut oil. Filter the medicated oil and apply lukewarm oil on the scalp.- Bezwada Venkateswarlu, Prakasham, Andhra Pradesh

Alopecia

Smear the leaf juice on the head and leave for 30 minutes-Bansi Ghosal, West Midnapur, West Bengal

Headache

Chew and spit the seeds for instant relief- Ganesh Das, Sirohi, Rajasthan

Asthma

Take a seed soaked in water orally initially. Gradually increase a seed every week for five weeks- Rani Farhat, Hazaribag, Jharkhand

Stomachache

Put the warm leaves on the belly- Anil Kumar Mahato, Hazaribag, Jharkhand

Backache

Boil the roots (20g) in mustard oil (250g), filter and massage with the oil- Ramji Chink Badaik, Gumla, Jharkhand

Arthritis

The leaf paste is applied on the aching part- Divakar Pathak, Lohardaga, Jharkhand

Uses described in Literature

One fruit is filled with 10g Piper longum L. and burnt. About 5g of this ash is given with honey, morning and evening, for 5 days to cure malaria84; the thumb is kept inserted within the fruit to treat finger felon85; and the root paste is applied externally on poisonous bites86. ‘Muscles & joint rub’11, is a highly effective medicine for backaches, muscular sprains and joint pains made from the plant. ‘Unicough syrup’24 is used to cure bronchitis, cough/cold and asthma.

News