Some less known folk claims from candaka tribals of orissa

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Some less known folk claims from candaka tribals of orissa”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Water:
Water is a critical component of life, often used in folk medicine preparations, such as in the applications of herbal remedies mentioned by the Saora tribe. It aids in creating pastes and diluting substances to treat ailments, reflecting its importance in maintaining health and wellness.

2) Botany:
Botany, the study of plants, is foundational to the medicinal practices of the Saora tribe as detailed in the communication. The knowledge of botanical species and their uses illustrates the link between traditional ethnobotanical practices and scientific inquiry.

3) Ulcer:
Ulcers are painful sores that can occur in the mouth or stomach, treated with various remedies by the Saora tribes. For instance, Argemone mexicana is used to create a paste for mouth ulcers, showcasing traditional approaches to managing health issues.

4) Mustard oil:
Mustard oil is commonly used in folk remedies, including its application for boils as mentioned in the document. Its warming properties may facilitate healing and provide symptomatic relief in various skin ailments, reflecting the tribe’s resourceful use of local materials.

5) Swelling:
Swelling is often a sign of inflammation or injury, addressed effectively with local plants by the Saora community. For example, Abrus precatorius leaf paste is applied to alleviate filarial swelling, underscoring the tribe's unique understanding of plant-based treatments.

6) Mustard:
Mustard refers to a group of plants whose seeds are used for oil extraction. In the context of medicinal practices, warm mustard oil is applied for skin conditions, as seen in treatments for boils, indicating its multipurpose use in folk medicine.

7) Castor:
Castor oil, derived from the castor bean, features in various therapeutic practices due to its efficacy in soothing skin irritations. The Saora tribe uses it as a preparatory measure before applying certain herbal pastes, exemplifying traditional healing methods.

8) Cora:
The Saora tribe is an indigenous group from Orissa with rich cultural and medicinal traditions. Their use of local flora for treating ailments reveals extensive ethnobotanical knowledge, emphasizing the value of traditional practices in preserving medicinal plant usage.

9) Rice (Ṛce):
Rice, a staple food, appears in some folk remedies. The combination of dried leaves and old rice cooked together represents the Saora's approach to dietary practices post-delivery, highlighting the interplay between nutrition and health in traditional contexts.

10) Salt (Salty):
Salt is utilized in various therapeutic applications, such as enhancing the efficacy of herbal remedies. It is combined with latex for treating boils, demonstrating the tribe’s use of accessible resources to create effective treatments for common ailments.

11) Drug:
In the tribal context, drugs refer to plant-based substances used for healing purposes. The ethnobotanical claims in the study underscore the potential of folk remedies as sources of pharmacologically active compounds, establishing a bridge between traditional knowledge and modern medicine.

12) Mangifera indica:
Mangifera indica, or mango, is referenced for its medicinal value, particularly in treating burning micturition. Including such a widely recognized fruit showcases the integration of culinary plants into medicinal practices among the Saora tribe, affirming their comprehensive health strategies.

13) Abrus precatorius:
Abrus precatorius, known as Kaincha, is highlighted for its application in breast pain relief and lymphatic swelling. This reflects the tribe's use of local plants, showcasing their botanical knowledge and the therapeutic potential of traditional remedies.

14) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, or castor bean, is employed in treating piles. The Saora's innovative use of its root paste underscores the significance of local flora in addressing gastrointestinal ailments, evidencing their rich traditional medical practices.

15) Substance:
Substance refers to the tangible materials used in remedies, such as plant extracts or oils. The Saora's use of various substances derived from local flora illustrates the diverse applications of natural ingredients in traditional health management.

16) Narahari (Nara-hari):
Narahari is the local name for Euphorbia hirta, known for its application in treating piles. Such naming reflects the tribe's deep-rooted connection to their local ecology and their understanding of medicinal plants available in their surroundings.

17) Vomiting:
Vomiting is a common ailment treated with various herbal remedies within the tribe. The availability of plant-based solutions indicates the tribal reliance on natural resources to manage gastrointestinal distress traditionally.

18) Turmeric:
Turmeric is used extensively in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. Although not directly mentioned, it represents the broader category of spices and plants embraced in tribal healing practices, highlighting their integrative approaches to health.

19) Science (Scientific):
Science, particularly in relation to botany, provides a lens through which traditional practices can be validated and understood. The documentation of folk claims contributes to the scientific discourse on ethnomedicine and the potential of plant-based therapies.

20) Sharman (Śarma, Sarmā, Sarma, Sharma, Śarman):
Sharma, mentioned in the acknowledgements, represents the collaborative aspect of research in documenting traditional knowledge. Such collaborations are vital for preserving ethnobotanical insights, allowing wider recognition of cultural practices related to health and medicine.

21) Amara (Amarā, Amāra):
Amara is the local name for Luffa amara, recognized for its skin benefits. This highlights how the Saora tribe utilizes available natural resources, reflecting their resourcefulness in addressing various dermatological issues through local flora.

22) Rakta (Raktā):
Rakta refers to blood; in the context of traditional medicine, it often pertains to blood-related issues. The Saora’s remedies involving plants like Benkara malabarica for dysentery illustrate their approach to managing blood health through ethnobotanical means.

23) Arati (Arāti, Ārati, Ārāti, Āṟāṭi):
Arati is the author of the document, representing a voice for the preservation of tribal knowledge. Her research contributions highlight the significance of documenting indigenous practices and the valuable insights offered by traditional medicinal systems.

24) Mishra (Miśra):
Misra, mentioned in the references, signifies scholarly contributions in the field of ethnobotany. Such references validate the importance of comprehensive research and documentation in understanding the therapeutic uses of native plants.

25) Kanta (Kānta, Kaṇṭa, Kāntā, Kamta, Kānṭā):
Kanta refers to Bambusa arundinacea, which is used to relieve pain from thorn extractions. Its mention underscores the practical knowledge of the Saora tribe in utilizing specific plants for immediate relief in injuries.

26) Honey:
Honey is often utilized as a sweetener and a medicinal agent due to its antimicrobial properties. Its use in conjunction with herbal preparations underscores the synergy present in traditional medicine among the Saora and similar communities.

27) Blood:
Blood is elemental in understanding health, particularly in traditional medicine. The Saora tribe’s use of plants to manage blood dysentery exemplifies the critical connection between plant-based remedies and the treatment of blood-related ailments.

28) Hara (Hāra):
Hara translates to relief in traditional contexts. The term's relation to remedies signifies the goal of tribal medicine: to alleviate suffering through natural ingredients, demonstrating the holistic view of health in such communities.

29) Amba (Ambā, Aṃbā, Āmba):
Amba refers to Mangifera indica, which underscores the use of familiar edible plants in treating health issues. This reflects the integration of dietary staples into healing practices, emphasizing the multifaceted roles of food in wellness.

30) Pana (Pāṇa, Paṇa, Pāna, Pāṇā):
Pana refers to Piper betle, significant for its cultural and medicinal roles in oral health. The combined use of various local plants for holistic treatments underscores the tribe’s extensive knowledge of their environment.

31) Bala (Bāla, Balā, Bālā):
Bala signifies the knowledge base of the medicinal uses of local flora. This aspect of tribal culture plays a vital role in maintaining health and treating ailments, pointing toward their ecological wisdom.

32) Bora (Bōra):
Bora refers to Ficus benghalensis, applied in the treatment of piles. This exemplifies the use of local trees in health practices, showcasing the relationship between the Saora tribe and their natural surroundings.

33) Pita (Piṭa, Pitā, Pīta, Pītā, Piṭā):
Pita refers to Luffa amara, noted for its use in treating skin conditions. The Saora tribe's incorporation of this plant into their healing routines illustrates the diverse applications of flora in managing health.

34) Curd:
Curd is used in various preparations to enhance the medicinal properties of plants. Its incorporation reflects traditional understanding of food as medicine, aimed at supporting digestive health and strengthening remedies prepared from local flora.

35) Post:
Post denotes the timeframe following childbirth, during which specific dietary and medicinal practices are emphasized. The focus on recovery during this period highlights the community’s attention to maternal health and the use of traditional remedies for support.