Folklores and Plants
Dewangan Khushi, V.K. Kanungo, V. Acharya and A.K. Girolkar
1Research scholar, Govt. Science P.G. College, Raipur (C.G.) (India) 2Asst. Prof. Botany, Govt. Nagarjun P.G. College of Science, Raipur (C.G.) (India) 3Asst. Prof. Botany, Govt.D.B.Girl's P.G. College, Raipur (C.G.) (India) 4Principal, Govt.D.B.Girl's P.G. College, Raipur (C.G.) (India)
ABSTRACT
The natural geographical condition of Chhattisgarh state helps diverse plants to flourish. Many plants are used as medicine and the people here come to know about through word of mouth. This may be through folklore, folk songs, folk tales, taboos, omens, totem, totka, similies and metaphors, myth, proverb, sacred groves, etc. Folk stands for a group of people or a particular tribe or region. Folk lore stands for the unwritten literature expressed by a group of people of folk. It indicates useful and important knowledge about medicines, food, customs, cereals, spices, wood, gum, cloth, fibers, etc. The word folklore was first used by the English antiquarian William Thomas in a letter published in the London journal 'The Athenaeum' in 1846. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), a holy basil is one of the common example which is planted in almost all Indian house. It is related with folk belief as well as scientifically beneficial to human health. The plants such as Munaga (Moringa oleifera), Bel (Aegle marmelos), Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Chandan (Santalum album), Gooler (Ficus glomerata), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Dauna (Ocimum basilicum), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Bahera (Terminalia bellirica), Mehandi (Lawsonia inermis) etc. are mentioned in folk proverbs, songs. Folk-proverbs: Asman se gira, khajoor pe atka – many obstacles while working hard. Ek phool se mala nahi banti – One flower makes no garland. Folk-medicines: i. Acacia catechu – Mimosoidae (Khair) – Decoction of bark- 10 ml given in stomachache. ii. Achyranthus aspera – Amaranthaceae (Arua) – Grinded leaves- in wounds. – Powder of seeds – in bleeding piles. Dadariya song for peepal is- “pipar pal dolat naiye, Mouni bhoye baithe ; bolat naiye.”