Traditional medicinal knowledge about common weeds used as potherbs (Bhaji) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Besides its unique bio-diversity, Chhattisgarh is also known as "Land of potherbs'. Almost every common weed is used as potherb by the tribals of Chhattisgarh. They are using these herbs since ancient time. The old tribals are still aware of the medicinal properties of these common potherbs. In urban areas, the natives are giving more preference to cultivated herbs as compared to traditional potherbs. Unfortunately, most of them are not aware of unique healing properties of these potherbs. The series of surveys conducted by me as a researcher at Department of Agronomy, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) during 1992-98, I have listed over 150 herbs (mostly weeds) as potherbs in Chhattigarh. It was also observed (as mentioned earlier), The use of these potherbs is decreasing day by day as most of people think that these are waste plants which generally grow in polluted areas and can cause harmful diseases. Many respondents said that the decreasing use of these potherbs in daily diet is that reason why the villagers, specially rural youths are loosing their natural resistance. In this article, I am describing some most popular potherbs, its medicinal properties, botany and other uses. Some important potherbs are Charota (Cassia tora), Muscaini (Ipomoea reniformis), Karmatta (Ipomoea aquatica), Barra (Launea aspleni flia), Tinpania (Oxalis corniculata), Gumma (Leucas cephalotes), Bathua (Chenopodium album), Macharia (Corchorus sp.), etc.

In both rural and urban areas, Charota is a very popular potherb. Young leaves and tender shoots are used for potherb. The delicious potherb is prepared using mustard oil. This potherb is taken in lunch in very small quantity. Larger doses causes loose motions. Young leaves are preferred as compared to matured leaves. In India, it is used between June to August. Every year I never miss the chance of taking this useful potherb. In Chhattisgarh, Charota is available in plenty. It grow as wasteland weed. According to traditional healers of the state, Charota is useful for patients suffering from gout and rheumatism. It is common belief that eating Charota as pot herb in rainy season, prevents the attack of gout and rheumatism whole year. In urban areas of Chhattisgarh, Ayurvedic practitioner and in rural areas, traditional healers still recommend this herb to their patients. In scientific literatures, use of Charota in skin diseases have been mentioned, but its use in prevention and cure of gout and rheumatism has yet not been reported. In other parts of India, Charota occur as weed but the people are not aware of its use as potherb and also about its unique medicinal properties. In many parts of India, the leaves are used to prepare a herbal tea. In Hindi, it is known as Dadmari (Dad-ring worm; Mari - to kill) because its ability to destroy ringworm in few days. Botanically Charota is described as foetid, annual herb up to 1.2 height. Leaf 6.0 - 12.5 cm long; leaflets 3 pairs, membranous, ovate oblong with glands in the last two pairs, showing sleeping movements. Flower bright yellow, axillary peduncles, fruits stout pod, 15-20 cm long, seed green, 25-30 in numbers. In English Charota is known as Foetid Cassia, The Sickle Senna or Wild Senna. I personally feel, that the systemic research is needed to give benefits of the unique properties of Charota as potherbs to patients around the world.

Common and popular names of Leucas around the world.
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Bengal	Chotahalkusa
2) Hindi	Chotahalkusa
3) La Reunian	Herbe Tombe, Tombe
4) Mauritius	Madame Tombe, Couma, Poualla toumi
5) Tamil	Tumbai
6) Telugu	Tummachettu

Ipomoeo aquatica is not a native herb, it was introduced in the region for unknown reason centuries back. It is locally known as Karmatta. The potherb prepared from its fresh leaves is very popular both in rural and urban regions. In English it is known as Swamp cabbage , as it grow naturally in swampy areas. In big cities of Chhattisgarh, Karmatta is cultivated in swampy places nearer to railway tracks. In almost every part of India, it is used as potherb. According to traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, it is best remedy for chronic constipation. It is also a good tonic for lactating woman. Very few people are aware of this unique property of this potherb. It is one of the most frequently recommended potherbs by traditional healers specially the specialist of female diseases. These medicinal properties have also not been reported in scientific literatures. Over 60 species of Ipomoea are reported in scientific literatures. Over 60 species of Ipomoea are reported in India but very few are used as potherb. In Chhattisgarh, popular potherb Muscaini bhaji is also Ipomoea species. It is Ipomoea reniformis. It leaves resemble the ear of mouse (Musa - Mouse; Caini- Ear). Muscaini is rainy season weed. It is a common weed of paddy fields. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, recommend this potherb specially to anaemic woman. Among rural people it is popular potherb. In scientific literatures, I have found this botanical description about Ipomoea aquatica. Ipomoea aquatica (Syn. Ipomoea repens) is a very fast growing, aquatic, trailing, herbaceous perennial herb. Stem long, hollow, rooting at nodes, leaf elliptic or ovate-oblong, cordate or hastate at base. Flower infundibuliform, white or pale purple with a dark - purple eye. Fruit ovoid, and smooth . Seeds densely pubescent.

The problem of leucoderma is increasing very rapidly in India . Very few patients of this non-contagious but odd looking diseases have been observed in Chhattisgarh particularly in tribal belts. In tribal belts, traditional healers use many herbs for the treatment of this skin problem like Bemchi (Psoralea corylifolia). But in traditions of Chhattisgarh, these are many common diseases. The example of Bathua is the promising example. According to traditional healers of Chhatisgarh, leucoderma is associated with worm problem, and Bathua as potherb kill these worms particularly the hook worm and make the leucoderma patient disease free. Bathua grow as winter (rabi) weed with wheat, chickpea and other winter season field crops. In winter season, you can get this herb in vegetable market easily. According to weed scientists, Bathua is a trouble sum weed for winter crop. By selling Bathua to local markets, farmers not only get rid of this troublesome weed also earn additional income. This is known as "Chhattisgarhi Ways of weed management (more appropriately weed utilisation) among weed scientist's community all over the world. The scientific name of Bathua is Chenopodium album. It medicinal properties have been well documented in scientific literatures. Chenopodium oil for hookworm is world famous. In many parts of India, special chapati (paratha) is almost every part of India. But day by day its popularity is decreasing due to lack of awareness about its unique medicinal properties. I have not found much literature on use of Bathua as pot herb for the treatment of leucoderma.