Along with the resurgence of Ayurveda in India tribal medicine, which was kept as a secret treatment method by the tribal people of India, has also attained a newly thrust importance. The tribal people living in the forest areas of Kerala’s southern part have their own treatment methods and herbals which can heal several diseases, which does not have a remedy in Allopathic medicine. The Kani tribals of Thiruvananthapuram District are famous for their tribal medicine. Our correspondent who traveled more than 60 kilometers into the dense forests of the eastern hilly areas of the Thiruvananthapuram district met Chellappan Kani who is the third generation ‘physician’ of a tribal Kani family. He inherits the wisdom of Kani tribals with regard to the rare medicine and plants of the forests. In Njaraneeli near Peringanmala Chellappan Kani treats patients at his home. Diabetes Ulcer, Back pain , Headache, Yellow-fever etc are treated here. Those who suffer from disc problems also get treatment with herbs. Many of these herbs are collected from the forest and re-planted in his own farm. But he is not ready to reveal the exact formula. Chellappan’s father Sreerangan Kani taught him the treatments methods. As a belt near to forest area many of his patients are those who suffer from snake bites. Chellappan Kani uses the juices of certain wild plants to defeat snake venom. Chellappan Kani uses a ‘stone’ which is made using various herbal pastes to neutralize snake venom.This stone sits attached to the wound till all the venom is taken out. Once the poisons effect entire the stone and the patient is relived stone falls down. According to tribal medicine venom has to be tackled with another poison or venom says Chellappan. There are certain areas of the body vulnerable to snake poison. Forehead, face, eyes ,certain nerves behind the leg etc are places where it is most dangerous. Chellappan treats people who got bitten by spiders and other creatures .Steam bath is the main treatment method of Chellappan Kani. Its a unique herbal treatment. The patient is made to sit in a cage made out of wood and subjected to the steam coming out of a tube which is connected to a pot in which 64 herbs are kept and boiled. This medicinal steam in which the patient takes bath is a ready remedy to several diseases. All the toxic elements from the body is eliminated through the medicinal steam bath. Chellappan rates only Rs .100 for a steam bath which he prescribes 3 times for a patient. Although his methods are crude ones, a lot of patients including foreigners reach this place for his treatment. He arranges accommodation for outstations patients near to his place. But keeps his medicinal formula secret.
Ayurveda, the science of life, is India’s healing gift to the world. It is the world’s most ancient, yet uniquely futuristic system of healing and good health. This is the most eco-friendly system of treatment with no harmful side effects which relies completely on herbs and natural substances to heal.
The Ashta Vaidya Tradition in Kerala Ayurveda In Kerala, Ashtavaidyas who were famous for their skills since time immemorial were previously known as Ashtangavaidyas which means they were proficient in all the eight branches of Ayurveda. In the beginning there were 18 families practicing Ayurveda which indicates that Ashtavaidyas doesn’t mean just 8 families. ‘Vaghbhada’ who was a native of ‘Sindhudesh’, migrated to South and reached Kerala. He had lot of disciples there and breathed his last at the then famous Ashtavaidya family Pulamanthol Mooss. Kerala was divided into 18 districts for convenience to rule in ancient times and it is believed that all these districts had Ashtavaidya families. Each district had a Vaidya family. Gradually the number of Vaidya families decreased. Among them Eledath Thaikkattu, Vaidyamadam, Kuttancheri, Pulamanthol, Vayaskara, Alathiyoor, Thrissur Thaikkattu, Karanthol, Choondal, Parappur, Chirattaman and Velladu were the prominent families. Among them the 8 families that exist now are Eledath Thaikkattu, Vayaskara, Chirattamannu, Thrissur Thaikkattu, Alathiyoor, Kuttancheri, Pulamanthol & Vaidyamadam. There are no Vaidyas in Kuttancheri family now.
