babat buna (alkusi)

Medicinal values for: malaria

Since the plant is notorious for the extreme itchiness it produces on contact, particularly with the young foliage and the seed (dʒaŋ) pods it is not primarily preferred for medicinal uses. However, it is known to the Birhor from their ancestors that the root (rehet) crushed (kʰeʧaʔ) with water (daʔ) and black pepper (golki) given once or twice in a day is a good medicine for curing malaria.

Interesting fact: To get rid of the itchiness caused by the young foliage and seed (dʒaŋ) pods of babat buna, the person needs to apply cow dung (guriʧ) all over the infected area.