dʰatur

The use of this plant as an indigenous cure in the traditional Birhor system of medicine has been established for a very long time.

Medicinal values for: headache, cough, wounds, stomach problems.

• Leaf: The leaves (sakam) are used for relief from headache and the vapour (uhak) of the leaf infusion is used to relieve pain of rheumatism and gout.
• The smoke (dʰuŋga) of the burning leaf (dʒuluʔ sakam) is inhaled for relief from continuous cough (kʰuʔ). Roasted leaves (sakam) are used as ointment and applied externally on the wounds to relieve pain and encourage the healing process.
• Seed: The seed (dʒaŋ) of the plant are used in the treatment of stomach problems.

Interesting fact: They prepare bhang (an intoxicating drink)–an edible mixture made from the buds, leaves (sakam), and flowers (baha) of dʰatur*.* The buds, leaves (sakam) and flowers (baha) are dried (rohoɽ) and turned into powder (lubuʔ) and mixed (mesa) with palm tree liquor (taɽi). It is consumed during the festival of Holi (the festival of colours).

Santali: dom jatra