Mhadu Ramji Dunde - Session 01, 18-07-2025
Interview Summary
(00:00:00) The interviewee reflects on his childhood and explains how he learned vanaspati (herbal) medicine, receiving training from another Vaidu based in Gujarat. (00:06:51) He outlines his methods for diagnosing diseases. (00:10:15) He discusses medicinal herbs used to treat paralysis and provides detailed information on kidney stones, including their symptoms. (00:16:20) He explains the menstrual cycle of women in relation to the phases of the moon, naming specific medicines and identifying the exact parts of plants used in their preparation. (00:19:40) He describes the correct methods for consuming the medicines and guidelines for their storage. (00:21:04) He explains medicines prepared for treating arthritis, fever, and jaundice. (00:26:36) He describes how he examines and treats both human patients and livestock. (00:30:38) He discusses medicines he prepares for a range of illnesses. (00:32:00) He explains natural birth control medicines prepared from medicinal plant roots for both humans and animals. (00:36:52) He recounts the places he visited to share knowledge of medicinal herbs, including being interviewed in Pune and attending training programs in Jawhar, Silvasa, and Bhorda. (00:42:00) He describes the regions from which patients travel to seek his treatment, such as Thane. (00:45:11) He provides information on herbal medicines used to treat seizures. (00:48:55) He explains how he stores medicinal herbs, how he cultivates them around his house for easy access, and mentions their local names. (00:53:11) He describes the forms in which medicines are administered, such as powders and decoctions. (00:55:40) He compares urban and rural diets and explains how changing food habits have contributed to obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. (01:02:00) He shares an experience of treating a young girl with tuberculosis who had been abandoned by her family. (01:11:24) He explains dosage methods, necessary precautions, and the importance of maintaining a strict diet while taking the medicines. (01:15:10) He discusses the fees he charges for the services he provides. (01:21:16) He explains how he is passing on his knowledge to his daughters and grandchildren, teaching them how to identify and prepare medicines and follow the required rituals for their effectiveness.
Dates
- Creation: 18-07-2025
Creator
- From the Collection: Maharashtra Prabodhan Seva Mandal. MPSM (Processing Archivist, Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Access Level 1: Online. See
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright may not have been assigned to Archives, National Centre for Biological Sciences. Permission for reproduction or distribution must be obtained in writing from the Archives at NCBS (archives@ncbs.res.in). The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of material and material may only be reproduced for academic and non-commercial use.
Biography
Mhadu Dunde is a traditional Vaidu who learned vanaspati (herbal) medicine from an early age under the guidance of an experienced healer from Gujarat. Over the years, he developed methods to diagnose and treat a wide range of ailments using medicinal plants, including paralysis, kidney stones, arthritis, jaundice, seizures, tuberculosis, and women’s health conditions, as well as providing care for livestock.His practice emphasizes correct diagnosis, precise dosage, strict dietary discipline, and the proper preparation and storage of medicines in forms such as powders and decoctions. He cultivates medicinal plants around his home, travels to share and expand his knowledge, and treats patients from various regions. Dedicated to preserving this tradition, he is actively passing on his knowledge and rituals of healing to his daughters and grandchildren. The interview records traditional beliefs about natural cycles, such as lunar influences on menstruation, and taboos on handling certain plants. It describes the medicinal uses of Lokhande (Iron tree) and Morshing (moringa/drumstick tree) for joint pain and stomach ailments, and the use of banyan leaves mixed with turmeric to treat cattle wounds. Alternative remedies, such as feeding cattle rice mixed with jaggery, are also mentioned. The account reflects a deep reliance on forest resources and emphasises the efficacy of plant-based treatments in preventing livestock deaths and addressing community health needs.
Full Extent
84 Minutes
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
From the Collection: Marathi
Repository Details
Part of the Archives at NCBS Repository
National Centre for Biological Sciences - Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Bangalore Karnataka 560065 India
+9180 6717 6010
+9180 6717 6011
archives@ncbs.res.in
