Traditional Medicinal knowledge about useful herb Doobi (Cynodon dactylon) in Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Doobi is considered as one of the ten worst weeds of the world. The reference literatures of weed science describe the Doobi (Bermuda Grass) as "It is a serious menance in irrigated fields and plantations of tropical and sub-tropical areas as an escape from pasture lands. Bermuda grass is a perennial weed growing largely from root stocks and stolons. Although it produces seeds, yet these are not important in its dispersal. Bermuda grass root stocks form dense sod inside the soil and its stolons creep over the land extensively. The grass grows round the year in tropical areas, but it is particularly vigorous under warm and moist conditions." For the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Doobi is a valuable herb. The farmers of Chhattisgarh consider it as weed because it completes with their crops for light, moisture and nutrient and for them it is hard to eradicate. The weed scientists of the state have evaluated many herbicides and they are recommending it to the farmers. The natives and traditional healers use this herb very frequently in treatment of over 55 common diseases both internally and externally. It occur as common herb in almost every corner of Chhattisgarh. As it is wide spread, and easily available, there is no need for its cultivation and the concept of "Management through utilisation" cannot fit in this case. In my previous article, I have written a lot on traditional medicinal uses of Doobi in Chhattisgarh. The healers also use the diseased leaves of Doobi herb in treatment of many diseases. I have also written about its use by wild animals of Chhattisgarh, for various purposes. Doobi is a valuable forage plant. Due to illegal encroachments, the pasture lands are diminishing very rapidly in Chhattisgarh. The rice bunds (in general covers about ten percent of individual rice field) are utilized as alternative to pasture lands by the natives. Since last few decades, due to invasion of obnoxious weeds like Soli (Aeschynomene sp.) and Gajar ghas (Parthenium hysterophorus), the bunds are totally covered with these obnoxious weeds and natives are facing problems in getting the forage. These weed species are suppressing the growth of other herbs in bunds, commonly used as forage, Fortunately, they have not enough potential to suppress the natural population of Doobi. Doobi is the only herb available in bunds infested with exotic weeds. Although I have yet not found the explanation, but the natives frequently complaint that Doobi growing with (or under) the Soli and Gajar ghas become toxic and its overdose harms their cattle. Possibly this may be due to lethal allelochemicals of Soli and Gajar ghas. The detailed and systematic scientific research can explain these effects.

Common and popular names of Doob (Cynodon dactylon) around the world.
Languages/Regions/Countries	Common Names
1) Arabic	Nagil
2) Bengal	Dub, Dubla, Durba
3) Kanarese	Garikehullu, Karkesihullu
4) Chinese	Ko Oung
5) Cuba	Grama
6) Egypt	Nediil, Negil, Nishil, Nisiil
7) English	Bahama grass, Bermuda grass, Couch grass, Creeping panic grass, Devil's grass, Doab Grass, Dog's tooth grass
8) French	Chiendent pied de poule, gros chiendent
9) Greek	Agria, Agriada
10) Gujarat	Dhra, Dhrokad, Ghara, Khabbal
11) Hindi	Doob grass, Dub, Dubra, Hariyali, Ramgas
12) Iraq	Thaiyil
13) Marathi	Dhurva, Durva, Hariyali, Karala
14) Sanskrit	Amari, Amrita, Ananta, Asitalota, Bahuvirya, Bhargavi, Dhurta, Dhurva, Gauri, Hasita, Hasitali, Vamini, Vijaya, Tiktapatra
15) Telugu	Ghericha, Guka Haripilla
16) Tamil	Arugampillu, Haridi
17) Spanish	Grama comun
18) Tasmania	Indian Couch
19) Urdu	Dub
20) Uriya	Dubbula ghanso
21) Zulu	isi Nandi, umfulwane

As herb expert, it is odd to accept the fact that Doobi is a weed in Chhattigarh. In order to remove the name of Doobi from the weed list, I am trying to gather more and more information on traditional uses of this herb through my ethnobotanical surveys. I am also conducting detailed allelopathic studies to identity the stimulatory allelopathic effects of different parts of Doobi on selected crops. I am confident that one day, it will become a source of an additional income for the farmers of Chhattisgarh. In this article, at first I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. After this I will write the results of my ethnobotanical surveys in Chhattisgarh. Botanically, it is a perennial grass; Stem slender, prostate, widely creeping, forming matted tufts, with erect flowering branches 7.5-3.0 cm high; Leaves 2-10 cm long, narrowly linear, finely acute, soft, smooth distichous in the barren shoots and the base of stems; sheaths tight; Flowers- spikes 2-6 radiating from the top of a slender peduncle, 2.5-5.0 cm long, green or purplish; Fruits grain one mm long. Flowering throughout the year. As medicine Doobi holds a reputed position in all systems of medicine in India. According to the Ayurveda, Doobi is acrid, sweet, cooling and useful in biliousness, thirst, vomiting, burning sensation, bad taste in the mouth, hallucinations, epileptic fits, fatigue, leprosy, scabies, skin diseases, dysentery, fever, erysipelas, epistaxis etc. According to Unani system of medicine, Doobi is bitterish, vulnerary, expectorant and useful in vomiting, diarrhoea, burning sensation, blood disorders, stomatitis, biliousness and hiccup. The Chhattisgarh farmers use Doobi to stop bleeding, as styptic. In case of injury, the farmers use many herbs viz. Tridax procumbens, Commelina benghalensis, Psoralea corylifolia, Achyranthes aspera etc. Doobi is among these herbs. With the help of stone, the herb is crushed and juice is extracted. This juice is applied externally on injured portion. This juice is also effective against burns. The patients having skin troubles are advised by the traditional healers to wash the affected parts with this juice for early cure. They are also advised to take bath using decoction of Doobi leaves. Many healers add Neem leaves in this decoction to make it more effective. The juice of Doobi herb is also considered best to stop hair falling. In case of Alopecia, the healers suggest the patients to prepare a paste by mixing Doobi herb in clay soil and apply the paste on head and sit under the open sky (in sun) for atleast one hour. The soil on which Doobi grows is normally used in this process. I have seen the miracle effect of this paste. According to the traditional healers, it is also good for the patients having the problem of migraine.

During winter season, when the Kuthua herb (Xanthium strumarium) is in flowering and fruiting stage, the healers collect the green spiny fruits and convert it in this paste to make it more potential against migraine. The juice of leaves is also applied and used as eye tonic. It is considered good to prevent the problem of Motiabind (Cataract). In case of conjuctivitis, the juice is applied externally on eyelids in order to provide cooling effect of eyes. The use of Doobi as aphrodisiac is not mentioned in reference literatures. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Doobi as aphrodisiac in combination with other herbs, like roots of Kush (Desmostactya bipinnata), Urai (Vetiver) and Semal (Bombax ceiba). All herbs are used in equal proportions (by weight). After intercourse, the healers always suggest the natives to wash the genitals with fresh juice of Doobi. According to them, its juice is capable of removing harmful pathogens from the genitals. This use is also not reported by the early workers. I personally feel that there is a need for scientific confirmation. In case of urine troubles, the healers prepare a decoction from whole herb and give to the patients. As other promising alternatives are available, the healers use this decoction in rare cases. In case of Sujak (Gonorrhoea) the healers recommend the decoction with curd or fresh milk. In order to avoid the abortion, the healers prepare different herbal combinations. In most of the combinations, Doobi is used as integral parts. In case of dysmenorrhoea, the traditional healers give the Doobi with the flower bud of Anar (Pomegranate). The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh specialised in treatment of diabetes informed me that the roots of Doobi possess anti-diabetic properties. They use it with pure honey. It is used as supplement to main treatment. In Ambikapur region, the natives use the Doobi roots for special purpose. They collect the Doobi roots growing in hilly cool areas and with the help of red coloured string tie it in wrist of the patients having chronic fever. It is common believe that this use reduces the intensity of fever in very short time. The use of Sonth, Saunf and Shakkar in treatment of diarrhoea is common in Chhattisgarh. To make this combination more useful the traditional healers add Doobi leaf powder. For the treatment of piles, the healers use Doobi both internally and externally. The juice of leaves is applied externally on piles. Many healers consider the decoction of leaves more effective as compared to raw juice. It is also common practice to burn the dried herb and expose the anus in fumes. As internal application, the healers suggest the patients to take the leaves of Doobi with Dahi (Curd) . According to the healers, both internal and external use of same herb simultaneously root out the troubles within no time.

During ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, the natives informed me that the problem of Doobi as weed is not same in all agricultural fields. The other weed species present in the fields and soils play a vital role in Doobi infestation. The traditional healers of Ambikapur region also pointed out the fact that Doobi do not flourishes in shade of all trees. This fact has motivated me to list out the tree having harmful shading effects on Doobi. I am observing the nature’s observation carefully. I am aware the trees having no under growth of Doobi can be utilised for developing natural herbicide to suppress the growth of Doobi in crop fields. This in interesting field of research. During visits, I keep various objectives in my mind and a single visit, solve many purposes. My detailed surveys to list out the traditional uses of Doobi are in good progress. I will write more on future articles. Thank you every much for reading the article.