DOCUMENTATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF JANMAGHUTTI-A TRADITIONAL HERBAL FORMULATION FOR CHILD HEALTHCARE IN THE CHITRAKOOT REGION OF MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

Chitrakoot is a remote region situated in the northern part of Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, India. The tribals (Kol, Gond, Mawasi, Khairwar) of this region have well-developed folklore practices used to maintain basic healthcare needs. A survey was carried out among the tribal community of the Chitrakoot region of Satna district, Madhya Pradesh to explore the traditional knowledge on the use of Janmghutti (a traditional medicinal formulation) using semi-structured interviews among the local healers and elderly women ranging in age group of 45-80 years. A total of 757 interviews conducted in 98 intensive field visits were carried out during 2019-2020, covering almost all the seasons of the years, who have been actively engaged in preparation of Janmaghutti. A total of 11 plant ingredients, belonging to 8 families and 3 other ingredients were found to be used to make Janmaghutti powder. As per the standardization parameters of AYUSH viz. macroscopy, powder microscopy, physicochemical tests, heavy metals test, pesticides residue tests, screening of microbiological species, and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprints of methanolic extract were performed and nutritional value analysis was also done. Macroscopy and microscopy characters establish the internal characteristics of Janmaghutti formulation and its ingredients. Physicochemical parameters, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As & Hg), and 42 types of pesticide residue tests were performed and found as per the limits/absence of WHO guidelines. Microbiological analysis of pathogenic bacteria, viz. Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were done and found that absent in Janmaghutti samples. Nutritional value analysis of two compound formulations of Janmaghutti samples (JI & J2) were done such as total fat % by wt. 11.7%, 16.8%, Protein (N*5.95) % by wt. 6.7%, 9.4%, Crude fibre % by wt. 3.4%, 3.2%, Total dietary fibre % 16.44%, 14.13%, Carbodydrates by difference, % by wt. 44.2%, 43.0%, Energy value K cals/100mg 310, 361, Vitamin D mg/100g 0.01, 0.01, Sodium mg/100gm 3601.30,3239.30, Calcium mg/100gm 478.8, 413.80, Iron mg/100g 19.28, 16.70, Potassium mg/100gm 1070.87 and 1020.50 were found respectively. These findings indicate that Janmaghutti (a traditional formulation) is a very good traditional herbal formulation used by tribal communities of the Chitrakoot region to maintain resistant power and immunity against common ailments of children. In the future, it can be used as a strength promoter and immune modulator and will enhance the healthcare system not only the rural India but also in urban societies.