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Traditional Wellness/ Medicine Ecosystem - the foolish path of its destruction

 As a person born in this country, we all naturally and intuitively perceive the power of traditional systems - be it healthcare or education or governance. 

Yet, decade on decade, and now year on year, it has moved from a well practiced, well understood  "power" to a folklore, even derided by newly western educated masses as wodoo in many cases. 

Coming from an economist viewpoint, and that too with a technology background, I too had similar starting point of views- a blank slate unaware of thousands of years of passed on wisdom and natural assets. 

As time passed, and my own efforts to grow forests graduated to a one of surrendering to nature and let it grow or perish by itself, it was inevitable that all the previously held notions were going to be under my own scrutiny. 

First very obvious observations were that wild animals, and to some extent tribals and mountain folks were so much healthier, and bodily powerful , compared to those living modern urban lifestyle. The Bliss of a healthy body was an irrefutable evidence that most humans were trapped by their minds into giving up this bliss for fear of losing out on benefits of scientific progress. 

But could science leave out such powerful observations, and bring them to destruction? As I spoke to many scientists, it was evident that science was not to blame. It was a devilish combination of unreal or mayavi forces of business, economics with its facade currency that were using science and its face, to gain power over a well organised natural system. Education, healthcare and their periodical threats and solutions and isolated success stories, were the entry points. 

Science exists at many levels. At the very top, or in its purity, it acknowledges that even Relativity or Quantum theories will not suffice. It tries to interpret complex multivariable, multi outcome theories, and is ready to even test against proof.  Such scientists are ever aware of how termites are critical to human existence. 

On mediocre level, it becomes a one input one positive result, kind of science. This was the zone of businesses, medical systems, etc. They called it magic, and hid or never imagined all the negative outcomes of each input. This mediocre layer of educated folks, in pursuit of its own greatness, was the best ally of exploitative forces.  

At lower level, science or development had found utility. Rapidly, that utility transformed to a path to avoid or come out of poverty. Few could see that poverty was a monetary term, and entirely artificial concept that can be directed by allocation of resources through equally artificial laws, and baseless printing of money. 

Looking outside this edifice, it was clear that a lot of human knowledge had been ignored to support the above structure.

When I looked at the state of such knowledge and associated assets, it was clear that it was not just left to languish. It was being plundered at no cost, since the custodians and the practitioners , themselves had been compromised to believe its insignificance. 

( I have written other brief articles in the same blog site, on Tragedy of Ayurveda, and Wealth transfer thru education and healthcare, and list of Medicinal plants found in central India, that may also add here.)

Most intellectuals and social activists, who could care, were busy fighting for socialism, democracy, human rights, education , etc. Their minds could not see the larger picture of plunder, despite folks like Rabindra Nath Tagore, Gandhi, warning about it. And so the discourse too was lost for a very long time, till loot started reaching a boundary barrier (Read Kardashev's limit to this exploitation).

Coming back the traditional wellness system in the backdrop of this system, I first had lost hope. 

For one, I realized that the loss of ecosystem also meant loss of herbal wealth. I assumed that would take decades to bring it back to sustainable levels.  

Second, the loss of ecosystem meant that skills and knowledge were not being practiced even in remote forested areas. A system that had formed the primary and secondary wellness and healthcare system, at no cost to planet or to country, and one which had formed over a long period of civilization, had been lost in quick time.

It looked like a doomed situation. 

Yet as it is said, if you have true quest, a guru appears. So gurus after gurus started appearing. In Another article, I have written how a Peepal tree was my first guru. That immediately told me that massive wealth not only still exists, but it can come back in quick time. 

More masters appeared, some holding just enough knowledge of a functional traditional therapy e.g. Marma chikitsa. But more than enough for a demo of it vast power. 

The some scientists shared that DNA structures of a medicinal plant getting rare and another one still abundant are almost identical, and so are their ability to benefit other bodies like humans. I have written another article on biological currencies that allow exchanges between nature. 

Replenished with such knowledge, and a quest across societies to find a sustainable answer to livelihoods and survival, it appears that the rejuvenation of traditional wellness systems is not only possible in quick time, but also inevitable. 



 










Treasure trove of herbs found in Central India

 1. Abrus precatorius (Ghumachi): Seeds are used as purgative and abortifacient.

2. Abutilon indicum (Kanghi): seeds are used as laxative and in piles. The leaves are locally applied on ulcer and boils.

3. Acanthospermum hispidum (Bichiya Kanta): Plant is used in scorpion sting.

4. Acacia catechu (Khair): The bark of the tree is used in chronic diarrhea.

5. Acacia nilotica (Babul): The twig of the plant is used as natural tooth brush. The extract of fresh bark is used as tonic, and gum is used as powerful tonic after delivery.

6. Acorus calamus (Bach): The paste of rhizome is given to cure stammering in children at least up to 90 days.

7. Achyranthes aspera (Apamarg): Twigs are used for tooth pain. Roots of the plant tied to women for easy delivery of baby. Leaves are used in scorpion sting and in skin eruptions.

8. Adhatoda vasica (Vasaka): The decoction of leaves are given to cure asthma and other bronchial troubles.

9. Aegle marmelos (Bel): Fruits are used in dysentery and diarrhea. Bark for intermittent fever.

10. Aloe vera (Gwarpatha): The peelings of the leaves are used in skin burn. The gel of the plant is given orally in ulcers. the fleshy part is also used in facial creams.

11. Alpinia galanga (Kulanjan): Rhizomes used in bronchial troubles, cough and cold.

12. Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh): The plant is used for malarial fever (fever with chills) and as liver tonic.

13. Anisomelos indica (Bhandari): The leaves of the plant are used in cough and cold.

14. Annona squamosa (Sitaphal): The leaves are used to reduce blood sugar. The oil of seed is used to kill lice.

15. Anogeissus latifolia (Dhawra): Leaves are used in diarrhea. Gum is used as tonic.

16. Argemone mexicana (Pili Katari): The extract is used in various skin diseases. The latex is applied in eyes in case of conjunctivitis.

17. Argyreia speciosa (Samudrasokh): Leaves are used in boils. Roots are used as tonic.

18. Asparagus racemosus (Satavar): The root powder is used to increase vigour and strength. The root powder is also used to increase lactation.

19. Azadirachta indica (Neem): Seed oil is used in skin diseases and in lice. Bark is useful in malarial fever. Tender twigs are used as tooth brush.

20. Bauhinia variegata (Kachnar): Bark is used in skin diseases. Pod is used in diarrhea.

21. Berberis aristata (Daruhaldi): Root is used as purgative and tonic. Plant is used in abdominal disorders.

22. Boerhaavia diffusa (Punarnava): Plant used in jaundice, urinary troubles and in skin diseases.

23. Boswellia serrata (Salai): Gum used as tonic. It is considered as diuretic and useful in skin diseases.

24. Bryonia laciniosa (Shivlingi): Seeds are used to cure sterility in women.

25. Butea monosperma (Palas): Seeds are used to cure ringworms and skin diseases.

26. Caesalpinia crista (Gataran): The seed powder is used in stomach disorders.

27. Calotropis procera (Aak): The latex of plant is applied to remove thorn from the body and also in boils.

28. Cassia tora (Chakoda): The seed paste is applied on skin diseases. The powder of dry seeds are used to cure asthma.

29. Catharanthus roseus (Sadabahar): The leaves and white flowers are used to reduce sugar level.2-3 leaves/flowers per day early morning.

30. Celastrus paniculatus (Malkangni): Massage of the seed oil is done on joints to relieve pain.

31. Centella asiatica (Bramhi): The leaves are used to improve memory.

32. Chlorophytum spp. (Safed Musli): The roots of the plant are used for general weakness, as tonic and aphrodisiac..

33. Cissampelos pariera (Karu Pahad): The root of the plant is used in snakebite. The root decoction is also used in diarrhea and urinary troubles.

34. Cissus quadrangularis (Harjori): The paste of the stem is used to join bone fractures.

35. Citrullus colocynthis (Indrayan): Fruits and seeds are purgative, used in jaundice, piles, urinary diseases and in rheumatism.

36. Clitoria ternata (Aprajita): The root of the plant is used to remove stone in gall bladder.

37. Costus speciosus (Keokand): Rhizomes are used in rheumatic pains.

38. Curculigo orchoides (Kali Musli): Roots are used as tonic and aphrodisiac; in leucorrhoea and menstrual irregularities.

39. Curcuma amada (Amahaldi): Used in sprains and brusies.

40. Curcuma angustifolia (Tikhur): The tubers are considered as good source of starch.

41. Curcuma aromatica (Jangli haldi): The rhizome id used in common cold and digestion.

42. Curcuma caesia (Kali Haldi): Rhizomes are used in sprains, bruises and internal injuries.

43. Cuscuta reflexa (Amarbel): The extract of the plant is used in white spots and in dandruff.

44. Cyperus scariosus (Nagarmotha): The tubers are used in urinary and heart troubles.

45. Datura metal (Dhatura): Smoke of seeds inhaled in bronchial troubles.

46. Dioscorea daemia (Bechandi): The tribals eat the tubers and considered as tonic and aphrodisiac.

47. Diospyros melanoxylon (Tendu): Bark of the tree is used in diarrhea. Dried flowers are useful in skin and urinary diseases.

48. Eclipta alba (Bhringraj): Applied with oil to reduce graying of hairs and hair loss.

49. Embelia ribes (Baividang): Seeds are used in round worms and as antidote to snake bite.

50. Emblica officinalis (Amla): Fruits are used in digestion and as tonic. It is considered to be a good blood purifier.

51. Evolvulus alsinoides (Sankhpuspi): The plant is used to improve memory and in mental diseases.

52. Gloriosa superba (Kalihari): The rhizome of the plant are used in scorpion sting and snake bite. It is also used as abortifacient.

53. Gymnema sylvestre (Gurmar): The leaves of the plant are used in diabetics.

54. Hedychium spicatum (Kapur Kachri): Rhizome is used in pain in stomach. It is also used in cough and diarrhea.

55. Hemidesmus indicus (Anantmool): Roots are used in urinary troubles and in ulcers.

56. Helicteres isora (Marodphalli): Used in dysentery and stomach pains, diabetes and in skin diseases.

57. Hollarrhena antidysentrica (Kutaj): Seeds and bark: anthelmintic, antidysentric, astringent, bitter, carminative and used in bleeding piles. Bark is used in colitis.

58. Hyptis suaveolens (Ban Tulsi): Seed oil applied on chest in cold.

59. Mallotus philippensis (Kamla): The powder from the exterior of the fruits is used for roundworms.

60. Mitragyna parviflora (Mundi): Bark of the tree is used in fever and cold.

61. Moringa oleifera (Sanjana): The paste of the leaves is applied externally on wounds.

62. Mucuna pruriens (Kewanch): The seeds are used as aphrodisiac and in male sterility.

63. Nyctanthus arbortistis (Harsingar): The leaves are used in fever and rheumatism.

64. Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi): The leaves are used to cure cough and cold and also to cure boils and ulcers. The seeds are used as aphrodisiac.

65. Phyllanthus amarus (Bhuiamla): It is a common household remedy for the treatment of Jaundice.

66. Plumbago zeylanica (Chitrak): The seed powder is applied on boils and ulcers.

67. Pongamia pinnata (Karanj): The seed oil is applied on skin eruptions and eczema.

68. Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi): The seeds are used to cure skin diseases and leucoderma.

69. Pterocarpus marsupium (Bija Sal): The water extract of the wood of the tree is used in diabetics.

70. Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha): It is a reputed house hold medicine for the treatment of sanity insomnia and snakebite.

71. Ruta graveolens (Sitab): The juice of leaves is used as carminative. The herb is planted near the houses to repel snakes.

72. Semecarpus anacardium (Bhilawa): The oil is used in rheumatic pains. The seed oil is applied with the help of pointed needle in case of pain in joints.

73. Sida acuta (Mahabala): The plant is used in treatment of snakebite, rheumatism, fever and as tonic.

74. Sida cordifolia (Bala): The plant is used as anti-rheumatic and antipyretic drugs.

75. Sida rhombifolia (Atibala): Used in tuberculosis, rheumatism and as antidote to snake venom.

76. Smilax macrophylla (Ramdatun): In seminal emissions the powder of roots is used.

77. Solanum nigrum (Makoy): The leaves are used in skin diseases and jaundice.

78. Sphaeranthus indicus (Gorkha Mundi): The pant is used as aphrodisiac.

79. Spilanthus acmela (Akarkara): the flowers of the plant are chewed in tooth pain.

80. Syzygium cumini (Jamun): Seed-powder is useful in diarrhea, dysentery and diabetics.

81. Terminalia arjuna (Arjun or Kahua): The decoction of the bark is used in heart troubles. the bark gives strength to the heart.

82. Terminalia bellirica (Baheda): Epicarp of the fruit mixed with Harra (Terminalia Chebula) and Amla (Emblica officinalis) is useful in digestion.

83. Terminalia chebula (Harra): Used in preparation of digestive powder. Useful in bronchial troubles.

84. Tinospora cordifolia (Amrita or Giloe): the juice of stem is taken orally as tonic. After long illness, the juice of the plant removes the weakness along with side effects of antibiotics.

85. Tribulus terrestris (Chota Gokhru): The fruits are used as aphrodisiac.

86. Tridax procumbens (Barahmasi): The juice of the plant applied on cuts as antiseptic.

87. Tylophora indica (Antamool): The leaves are taken orally in asthma.

88. Urginea indica (Jangli pyaj): The juice of the bulb is used in respiratory disorders.

89. Ventilago caliculata (Keoti): The bark of the plant is used in diabetics. Seed oil is used in rheumatic pain.

90. Vitex negundo (Nirgundi): The extract of the leaves is used in body pain and in skin diseases.

91. Withania somnifera (Aswagandha): The root powder is taken with milk to remove weakness and improve vigour.

साक्षात्कार : संदीप भैया (Sandeep Saxena) - अद्भुत अनुभव, भारत और प्रकृति की समझ |

 

 यात्रा :-



अरण्यानी, प्रकृतिया, खाद्यवन :-


Sandeep Saxena - profile

 संदीप सक्सेना , पिछले 16 साल से म .प्र. के होशंगाबाद में एक छोटे से वनग्राम में रहे हैं। उससे पहले 1992-96 मे iit कानपुर व iim लखनऊ से शिक्षा ली। मा. स्व. अटल विहारी बाजपेयी जी ने शैक्षणिक उपलब्धियों के लिये पुरुस्कृत भी किया।

10 साल देश विदेश में काम किया जिसमें indian oil, infosys, Franklin templeton शामिल हैं। 2005 में Franklin templeton ने इनको Asia business का V.P.बनाया।  


अर्थशास्त्र व वैश्विक व्यापार व संसाधनों की समझ ऐसी बनी कि 2007 में एक दिन सब छोढ़ एक गांव ही कर्मभूमि बना ली जो होशंगाबाद जिले में है। 


एक हाशिये पर रह रहे गरीब की तरह संघर्ष करने का अनुभव लिया। फिर वहीं से सोच शुरू की कि कैसे एक हाशिये पर रह रहा व्यक्ति या समाज, बिना शोषण किये,  वापस संपन्न हो सकता है। यह अनुभव भी एक अच्छी व गहरी किताब "the diary of a snake charmer" में सावर्जनिक किया। 


अपने खाद्यवन के साथ ही उ . प्र. , हिमाचल व उत्तरांचल के सुदूर व मौलिक जीवन वाले गावों मे भी प्रयोगिक कार्य करते रहे । उनके कार्य का उद्देश्य रहा कि प्रकृति को समझकर व गांव में खाद्यवन उगाकर, नैसर्गिक उत्पाद व ज्ञान के  माध्यम से ही समपन्नता लायी जा सके।  मूल दर्शन् व प्रकृति व सामाजिक समस्याओं से भी अच्छा अनुभव होता रहा। पिछले 15 साल से अपना कार्य व संघर्ष भी साझा करता रहे। 


कहते हैं यहां तक चल पाने के पीछे बहुत लोगों की भावना है। हिमालय के सुदूर गांवों से लेकर अरावली के नीचे तक; रेगिस्तान, सतपुडा, विंध्य से लेकर छत्तीसगढ के जंगलों तक;  गंगा जी , दोआब, नर्मदा जी के क्षेत्र; पश्चीमी घाट, विदर्भ, इत्यादि अनेक क्षेत्रों में प्रकृति व संस्कृति सहेजने के अथक प्रयास का अनुभव लगा है। अरण्यानी, अवनी, सहजीवन, मालसेन  हिमालय एकात्म, अनेकों जैविक विक्रेता, आदि अनेकों संस्थानों ने अपने स्तर पर हमारी समझ बनायी। 


संदीप के अनुसार जब सत्यपूर्वक हमारी संपदा और परंपरागत ज्ञान का उपयोग होगा, तब ही प्राकृतिक व परंपरागत उत्पाद व सेवाओं को सही मूल्य मिलेगा व उनकी संपत्ति का बोध देगा जो वर्तमान व्यवसायिक ढांचे में संभव नहीं है। 


वैसे तो सरल सहज, मायाजाल से बचकर आनंद लेने को ही असली जीवन शैली मानते हैं। परन्तु छह महीने पहले ऐसी घटना हुई जिसने इनकी कमर कस दी। 


एक बढ़े संपन्न व्यक्ति से मिलने गये आग्रह करने को कि किसी योजना पर वह जो करने जा रहे है, वह न करें और प्रकृति के प्रति दूरगामी सोच रखें। सुनने की जगह उन्होंने दो टूक सुना दी। बोले, अगर पैसा आज नहीं हाथ में लेंगे तो चलायेंगे कैसे? और यदि तुमको इतना ही भरोसा है पीपल, बरगद, नदी के अमूल्य होने पर तो उसका कुछ अंश तो दिखाकर बताओ। 


बात ऐसी चुभी कि तुरंत अपना अनुभव जोढ़ा। लगा कि जब संपन्न व्यक्ति ही नहीं सुनेंगे तो फिर कुछ नहीं बचेगा। भगवान को स्मरण किया और फिर Ganga Project  की योजना बनाई।  अपने वृहद नेटवर्क व ज्ञान को पिरोया। 


अपने मित्रों से गहन चर्चा की कि प्राकृतिक, पारदर्शिता, परंपरागत, अंत्योदय, और स्थानीय को हम पैसे की होड़ में खोते जा रहे हैं। लेन देन को इनके शोषण की जगह उत्थान का माध्यम बनाना होगा। 

उसको कैसे पारंपरिक ज्ञान, सामूहिक उद्यम, तकनीकी, ब्लाकचेन, ई-कामर्स,  सोशल मीडिया आदि को जोढ़कर ताकत दी जाये। 


 reactjs, nodejs, react-native और अपने aligntogether live platform  को इस्तेमाल कर और algorand पर अपने टोकन GEBT से जोढ़कर ,  गंगा प्रोजेक्ट की संरचना गंगा के अनुरूप ही बनायी गयी - यानि पूर्ण पारदर्शिता, प्रकृति से समन्वय,  सामूहिक अर्थव्यवस्था के सभी पक्ष यहां तक कि एक प्रतिनिधि टोकन, परंपरागत ज्ञान व वैद्य,  व सबसे कमजोर वर्गों को  शामिल करना। 


आधुनिकतम Ecommerce  तकनीक के साथ , यह Blockchain की पारदर्शिता भी ला रहा है। इसलिए इससे अनुबंधित blockchain token,  ब्रिटेन के Dex-trade पर एक अरब डॉलर के मूल्यांकन से शुरूआत के साथ ही यह एल्गोरेंड ब्लाकचेन का सबसे मूल्यवान टोकन बन गया है। 


संदीप का मानना है कि यह तो सिर्फ शुरुआत है। दुनिया को ऐसे माॅडलों की सख्त जरूरत आ गयी है जो तकनीक और प्रकृति का सामंजस्य बिठा सकें।  समझने की बात यह है कि पूरे खरीद बेच के संवाद को लेकर एक नया प्रयोग है। अब विश्व भी इसका मूल्य समझ रहा है।