Head Master's cure for vanishing medicinal herbs

Raghunath S, the head master of the Government Upgraded Higher Primary School at Kashettipalli in the taluk, has extended his service beyond school, to sensitise village residents for conserving precious medicinal herbs.

He dons the role of a traditional practitioner as well by treating the patients for their several illness. Conserving ‘Tangadi’ (Tanner’s Cassia: Cassia auriculata, Senna auriculata L.) is given priority in his conservation project.

He assigns children the task of collecting the medicinal plant available aplenty in the region.

He said flowers, leaves, stems and roots of ‘Tangadi’  are used in treating different diseases. In Kannada it has different names in different regions: avaragida, avarike, olletangadi, Sakusina, Tangadi, Tangadigida, Tangedi, Taravadagida, Bobbade, Chakoosinagida, Charmahada aavarike, Honnavarigida. Avartaki is its name in Sanskrit.

Its tiny green leaves, pasted along with egg white (albumin) are applied to treat the broken/ fractured bones. The juice of the leaves are applied on eyes for treating conjunctivitis and other problems that are due malnutrition. The powdered leaves mixed with the ash of peacock feathers and oil are used as cure for wounds and burns.

The  plant along with its root is dried and powdered for consumption with honey to treat diabetes. It is useful to treat irregular menstrual cycle and to check excessive menstrual flow.

Tangadi also has laxative properties and acts as revitaliser. The herb is non-toxic and reduces excess body heat. Women apply it as shampoo along with curd to wash their hair.

The leaves are used to treat not only humans but also for treating injured oxen. Its logs are used as firewood. Colour prepared by using the skin of the plant is applied on dolls.

The head master strives to create awareness on conserving such medicinal herbs and imbibing knowledge of these indigenous medicinal herbs is integral to educational activities of the children in this school.