TITEPATI : one of the most used plants by Kirati Khambu people

Titepati (खुक्पावा पाती/ सल्वा ) is one of the most widely used plants by the Kirati Khambu Rai people. It is used for purification purpose and also for its many medicinal uses.This plant has been mentioned even in the Mundhum and all our rituals demand the use of tite pati. Let us know the scientific uses of tite pati and understand why our forefathers used this plant. Titepati, the scientific name is Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort ).Found in hilly regions the whole part of the plant is used as medicine. Apart from the medicinal properties, we Khambu Rai people know Titepati to have magical protective power. Hindusim promotes the use of Gau mutra for purification and we Khambus use Titepati for the same. It is said that the use of this plant helps ward off evil spirits and diseases. Now let us see this with a scientific perspective. The smell of Titepati is rather strong and actually wards off insects and germs which causes various diseases. Tite pati can be used as a stimulant and its effect can be seen on all the organs and the systems functioning in the body such as circulation, secretion of hormones and enzymes from endocrinal glands, discharge of bile and other gastric juices into the stomach.

It also stimulates nervous response, neurons in the brain, palpitations, respiration, peristaltic motion of the intestines and also stimulates menstrual discharges and production and secretion of milk in the breasts, due to its stimulating effects of certain hormones. Titepati's use cleanses us from germs and insects and foliage of this plant are kept in the room to get rid of fleas and is effective in protecting from leeches. People who have to walk or work in leech-prone areas rub its leaves on their skin. If they find leeches biting on their body, they simply squeeze the leaves and drop the extract on the bite-spot. Then the leech immediately ceases biting and vomits blood. Titepati has also been used from ancient times as a remedy against fatigue and to protect travelers against evil spirits.People who have encountered evil spirit describe the effect to be cold and chilling and the use of Titepati oil has a warming effect on the body which can be used to counter effect of cold and moisture in the air. Titepati is said to be useful in inducing lucid dreaming and astral travel. Consumption of the plant prior to sleeping is said to increase the intensity of dreams and to aid in recalling the dreams upon waking.Tite pati, Mugwort is one of the nine herbs invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm, recorded in the 10th century.

Medical uses.

1. Known as a blood cleanser, it is believed to have different medicinal properties depending on the region it is collected.
2.It helps in digestion and is used as digestive tonic
3. Tite pat (iखुक्पावा पाती/ सल्वा ) was easily available medicine for emergency hemostatic and antiseptic treatments on cuts, soft leaves of tite pati is picked, crushed them and is pressed on the affected parts,
4.. . It is boiled and used in the joint to reduce joint pain and hence is used as Anti-rheumatic medicine.
5.It is Emmenagogue which means it stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus and helps Uses also include aiding the transition into menopause.
6.It is used to treat cold as well.
7.Some eye diseases were treated with leaves of tite pati plant. Boiled leaves of the plant used to be attached to the eyelid of the affected eyes.
8.Tite pati is also said to be appropriate for relieving from dental problems. The leaves used to be grounded and mixed with salt, then applied to the root of the aching tooth/teeth. Sometimes boiled leaves were chewed with aching tooth/teeth.
9. It is also used to relieve eye pain and to prevent bad smell of foot.