Traditional Medicinal Uses of Afeem in Central India
Deepak Acharya
April 17, 2008
Afeem (Papaver somniferum L.) is an important medicinal herb belonging to family Papaveraceae. It has been used by many tribal folk medicine healers in Central India. The vernacular names of the plant include: Pasto (Bengali); Opium Poppy, White Poppy (English); Aphina, Khuskhus, Posta (Gujarati); Afim, Afeem, Afyun, Kashkash, Post (Hindi); Afim, Biligasgase, Khasakhasi (Kannada); Afiun, Kashakhasa (Malayalam); Aphu, Khuskhus, Posta (Marathi); Ahifen, Chosa, Khasa (Sanskrit); Abini, Gashagasha, Kasakasa, Postaka (Tamil); and Abhini, Gasalu, Kasakasa in (Telugu). The annual plant is erect, branched; flowers large, white, with a purple base or scarlet; with white or black, reniform seeds. The plant has been commercially cultivated in various parts of Madhya Pradesh, Utter Pradesh and Rajasthan States in India for narcotic and medicinal purposes under license given by the respective Governments.
Various reports have been published so far on the medicinal importance of this plant. It is used in dyspepsia, cough, pain, as a sedative, gastro-intestinal disorders, in spasm (Giordano and Levine, 1989) and dysentery (Wasuwat, 1967). Afeem fruit is applied in cough (Schramm, 1956; Schmucker, 1969), in guinea worm disease (Joshi, 1991), as an abortifacient (Rao and Jamir, 1982), in insomnia and hiccups (Bellakhdar et al., 1991). Seeds are said to be effective in diabetes (Khan and Singh, 1996), diarrhea (Gupta et al., 1993), wound infections, wound healing (Afyon et al., 1996) and also applied as an analgesic (Schmucker, 1969). Latex of the plant is used as a contraceptive (Hunte et al., 1975), as an abortifacient (Hafez, 1982), in pain (Anderson, 198a6) and as an analgesic (Anderson, 1986a).
Traditional Tribal Formulations
In dysentery and cholera, equal amount of Afeem, Javantri (Myristica fragrans) fruit, Lavang (Syzygium aromaticum), Kesar (Crocus sativus), Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora) is taken and tablets are prepared. Patient is advised to take one tablet everyday with lukewarm water. In constipation, dysentery and bleeding in stool, Afeem, Javantri (Myristica fragrans), Dhatura (Datura fastuosa) seeds are crushed. This mixture is added in leaf juice of Shankhpushpi (Evolvulus alsinoides) and tablets are prepared. One tablet with honey is given to the patient everyday. During the course of medication, patient is advised to take only rice and curd in meals. For curing diarrhea, dysentery and cholera, Tribals in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh prepare a formulation. Afeem, Kuchla (Strychnos nux-vomica), Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum) is taken in an equal amount and crushed in Adrak (Zingiber officinale) juice. Jaggery is supplemented to this and tablets are prepared. One tablet everyday is given to the patient.
In case of excessive urination, Afeem, Javantri (Myristica fragrans), Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are collected in a mortar and crushed. Take 10g of the mixture with Paan Patta (Piper betel) leaves juice. In diarrhea and cholera, healers of Harrai prescribe Afeem and Kesar (Crocus sativus) in equal amounts. They crush it and prepare 5g tablets. One tablet with honey is given to the patient everyday.
According to Patalkot Bhumkas (local healers), 10g Afeem mixed in Goat´s milk is really effective in diarrhea and cholera. In an interesting practice performed by Gond tribals in Bicchua block of Chhindwara, a hole is made in Nariyal (Cocos nucifera) and it is filled with 20g Afeem. Nariyal (Cocos nucifera) is roasted and then taken orally to cure severe diarrhea. In cold, Afeem is wrapped in paper or Palash (Butea monosperma) leaf. It is used as a bidi or cigarette and the smoke is inhaled. To relieve headache, apply the paste of Afeem on head. Afeem oil is mixed in wax and applied on eczema. It is an effective formulation. For the treatment of early orgasm, Bhumkas put Afeem in Javantri (Myristica fragrans) fruit and the latter is placed inside the Babul (Acacia nilotica) wood. The wood is now covered. After 10 days, it is uncovered and Javatri fruit is removed. Tablets are prepared from the fruit and given to the patient at a dose of 1 tablet / day. Healers in Gaildubba of Patalkot valley perform another cure for the same. Flowers of Afeem and Adrak (Zingiber officinale) are taken in equal amounts; decoction is prepared and taken orally. Healers in Patalkot have a very unique formulation to heal wounds. They burn human nails and collect the ash. They add Afeem and mix it thoroughly. The mixture is then spread on the wound.
In diarrhea, tribals of Harrai give curd mixed with Afeem seeds. In joint pain, flower decoction is applied on the body and massage is given to the patient. In swelling of stomach due to gas, flowers and buds of Afeem are boiled in water and applied externally. For sexual strength, seeds, Badaam (Prunus amygdalus) and Chaar (Buchanania lanzan) are taken in equal amount and powdered. Kheer is prepared in Cow´s milk. To this, ghee and sugar is added. Sometimes, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) extract is also added in this formulation. It is one of the most common herbal practices in Patalkot and Pachmarhi areas.
The tribal formulations and dosages mentioned in the article are for information purposes. No clinical or toxicological trials have been carried out so far. Readers should consult their family doctor before any application. Authors should not be held responsible for any matter.
Note: The article is co-authored by Dr Anshu Shrivastava and Devang Patel of Abhumka Herbal Pvt Ltd- Ahmedabad.
Various reports have been published so far on the medicinal importance of this plant. It is used in dyspepsia, cough, pain, as a sedative, gastro-intestinal disorders, in spasm (Giordano and Levine, 1989) and dysentery (Wasuwat, 1967). Afeem fruit is applied in cough (Schramm, 1956; Schmucker, 1969), in guinea worm disease (Joshi, 1991), as an abortifacient (Rao and Jamir, 1982), in insomnia and hiccups (Bellakhdar et al., 1991). Seeds are said to be effective in diabetes (Khan and Singh, 1996), diarrhea (Gupta et al., 1993), wound infections, wound healing (Afyon et al., 1996) and also applied as an analgesic (Schmucker, 1969). Latex of the plant is used as a contraceptive (Hunte et al., 1975), as an abortifacient (Hafez, 1982), in pain (Anderson, 198a6) and as an analgesic (Anderson, 1986a).
Traditional Tribal Formulations
In dysentery and cholera, equal amount of Afeem, Javantri (Myristica fragrans) fruit, Lavang (Syzygium aromaticum), Kesar (Crocus sativus), Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora) is taken and tablets are prepared. Patient is advised to take one tablet everyday with lukewarm water. In constipation, dysentery and bleeding in stool, Afeem, Javantri (Myristica fragrans), Dhatura (Datura fastuosa) seeds are crushed. This mixture is added in leaf juice of Shankhpushpi (Evolvulus alsinoides) and tablets are prepared. One tablet with honey is given to the patient everyday. During the course of medication, patient is advised to take only rice and curd in meals. For curing diarrhea, dysentery and cholera, Tribals in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh prepare a formulation. Afeem, Kuchla (Strychnos nux-vomica), Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum) is taken in an equal amount and crushed in Adrak (Zingiber officinale) juice. Jaggery is supplemented to this and tablets are prepared. One tablet everyday is given to the patient.
In case of excessive urination, Afeem, Javantri (Myristica fragrans), Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are collected in a mortar and crushed. Take 10g of the mixture with Paan Patta (Piper betel) leaves juice. In diarrhea and cholera, healers of Harrai prescribe Afeem and Kesar (Crocus sativus) in equal amounts. They crush it and prepare 5g tablets. One tablet with honey is given to the patient everyday.
According to Patalkot Bhumkas (local healers), 10g Afeem mixed in Goat´s milk is really effective in diarrhea and cholera. In an interesting practice performed by Gond tribals in Bicchua block of Chhindwara, a hole is made in Nariyal (Cocos nucifera) and it is filled with 20g Afeem. Nariyal (Cocos nucifera) is roasted and then taken orally to cure severe diarrhea. In cold, Afeem is wrapped in paper or Palash (Butea monosperma) leaf. It is used as a bidi or cigarette and the smoke is inhaled. To relieve headache, apply the paste of Afeem on head. Afeem oil is mixed in wax and applied on eczema. It is an effective formulation. For the treatment of early orgasm, Bhumkas put Afeem in Javantri (Myristica fragrans) fruit and the latter is placed inside the Babul (Acacia nilotica) wood. The wood is now covered. After 10 days, it is uncovered and Javatri fruit is removed. Tablets are prepared from the fruit and given to the patient at a dose of 1 tablet / day. Healers in Gaildubba of Patalkot valley perform another cure for the same. Flowers of Afeem and Adrak (Zingiber officinale) are taken in equal amounts; decoction is prepared and taken orally. Healers in Patalkot have a very unique formulation to heal wounds. They burn human nails and collect the ash. They add Afeem and mix it thoroughly. The mixture is then spread on the wound.
In diarrhea, tribals of Harrai give curd mixed with Afeem seeds. In joint pain, flower decoction is applied on the body and massage is given to the patient. In swelling of stomach due to gas, flowers and buds of Afeem are boiled in water and applied externally. For sexual strength, seeds, Badaam (Prunus amygdalus) and Chaar (Buchanania lanzan) are taken in equal amount and powdered. Kheer is prepared in Cow´s milk. To this, ghee and sugar is added. Sometimes, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) extract is also added in this formulation. It is one of the most common herbal practices in Patalkot and Pachmarhi areas.
The tribal formulations and dosages mentioned in the article are for information purposes. No clinical or toxicological trials have been carried out so far. Readers should consult their family doctor before any application. Authors should not be held responsible for any matter.
Note: The article is co-authored by Dr Anshu Shrivastava and Devang Patel of Abhumka Herbal Pvt Ltd- Ahmedabad.