haser kapu, bawla

The bulbils (haser kapu) and tubers (bawla) are both traditionally used as food by the Birhor community. However, these also serve medicinal benefits and are considered for the treatment of ailments.

Medicinal values for: skin diseases, cuts, wounds, dysentery, abdominal pains, ulcers, cough

• Leaf: Paste prepared from the leaves (sakam) is used as an antiseptic for various skin diseases and for cuts and wounds.
• Tuber: Despite known toxicity, the bawla is cooked with salt (buluŋ), chili (marʧej) and other spices according to taste and is used as curry by the community people. It is considered beneficial by the community elders for treatment of ailments related to pain and wounds.
• The tuber (da) used with salt (buluŋ) helps to cure cough (kʰuʔ).
• These act as cooling agents and a soup prepared with the tubers (da) is used for the treatment of dysentery, abdominal pains and ulcers.
• The tubers (da) are taken in case of abdominal spasms and colic.