Doomar or Gular (Ficus glomerata) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

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

There are over hundred villages having names due to heavy natural population of Doomar trees in these villages. Doomar, DoomarTarai Doomarpali etc. are some examples. These village names are proof that Doomar is not a new herb for the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. For the natives, it is very important herbs as they use it in many worship ceremonies and festivals. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of important medicinal properties and uses of Doomar. They are using different parts of Doomar as medicine in the treatment of over 50 common diseases both internally and externally. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted many valuable information on traditional uses of Doomar. You will be surprised to know that the traditional healers use the common insects feeding on Doomar fruits, as medicine. According to them the insects with full stomach (after complete feeding) possess more valuable medicinal properties as compared to Doomar fruits on which they feed. The healers use dried insect powder very frequently in different herbal combinations. It is also used as an alternative to Doomar fruits. The use of insects feeding on Doomar fruits as medicine is not reported in reference literatures. I am proud to write that this is the discovery of traditional healers of Chhattisgarh and its most frequent uses in different herbal combinations clearly indicate that the insects have some specific medicinal properties. I personally feel that this is new field and through this article, I would like to request the researchers to start systematic research on this important aspect. Doomar is not under cultivation in Chhattisgarh. As non-wood forest produce, there is no routine demand of different parts. This is the reason , that there is no threat on its natural population. Not much have been done by early workers on ethnobotany of Doomar in Chhattisgarh. Through my ethnobotanical surveys, I have collected many rare and valuable information on traditional medicinal knowledge and uses of this important herb. Before describing these uses, I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. According to reference literatures, Doomar is medium tall tree having height upto 16 meters; Bark reddish grey, often cracked; Leaves dark green, 7.5-10.0 cm long, ovate or elliptic covered with white dots, acute, but little narrowed to the base, 3-nerved, veiny, on the upper side dark-green and shining, on the under very much marked with green dots; petiole half an inch long and more; Fruit racemose, resemble the figs (also known as Foolish’s fig), green when raw, orange, dull reddish or dark crimson on ripening; Seeds innumerable, tiny and grain-like. As medicine, Doomar holds a reputed position in all systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, roots are useful in hydrophobia whereas bark is acrid, cooling, galactagogue and good for gynaecological disorders. Fruits are astringent to bowels, styptic, tonic and useful in treatment of leucorrhoea, blood disorders, burning sensation, fatigue, urinary discharges, leprosy, menorrhagia, epistaxis and intestinal worms. According to Unani system of medicine, leaves are astringent to bowels and good in case of bronchitis, whereas fruits are useful in treatment of dry cough, loss of voice, diseases of kidney and spleen. Bark is useful in Asthma and piles.

Doomar is not recommended for home gardens. It is general belief among natives, the presence of Doomar in home garden may cause harmful effects on family. As researcher, I interpritate this recommendation in other way. Because Doomar is a big tree and like trees of Bar (Ficus benghalensis) and Pipal (Ficus religiosa), its roots can cause damage to structures of house, the forefathers have instructed the natives not to plant this herb in the home gardens. Many natives use the parts of Doomar for Tantra activities. It is really surprising that the natives never root out the spontaneously growing Doomar tree from home gardens. To nullify its harmful effects they plant Sita Ashok (Saraca indica) herb near to Doomar. I am trying to reveal the scientific part of this recommendation. In ancient Indian literatures, it is clearly mentioned that one should plant atleast eight trees of Doomar in life.

The natives of Chhattisgarh are aware of this quote and they are sincerely following it. This is the reason, Doomar is present in Chhattisgarh since generations. In rural areas the natives pierce iron rod or screw in stem of old Doomar trees. According to the natives, this piercing practice is adopted by the natives having mental problem. Also , this piercing protect their families from evil-spirits. The traditional healers of Nandini-Ahiwara region, informed me the although this piercing practice seems to be associated with the faith, but this piercing promotes the growth of Doomar tree, and possibly the forefather were aware of this advantage. This is the reason, they associated the faith with this. The beneficial effects of piercing on Tobacco and Papaya plants have been reported and this is in practice. I am confident that the researchers will try to answer and explain the science of important traditional practices. The orchid growing on Doomar tree is also consider as a sign of good luck by the natives. They always keep this orchid in their cash boxes. The use of Doomar roots in treatment of Diabetes is becoming very popular in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are using this promising treatment since generations. Its positive effects are now motivating the patients, tired of allopathic and other medicines, to try it. The natives are also aware of this use but unfortunately, they are not aware of precautions and care that should be taken during its use. This is the reason, the patients always prefer traditional healers for treatment. The traditional healers informed me that if Doomar roots are cut from the main plant, inside the soil, it exudates water. This water possess valuable medicinal properties. The healers collect this water carefully and use it in different ways. At specific doses it is given to diabetic patients early morning (empty stomach). The healers also dip the dried herbs used in treatment of diabetes, in this medicinal water and after sufficient soaking, dry it in shade. After drying it is given to the patients.

According to the healers, this soaking activates the natural chemicals presence inside the dry herbs and makes it more effective. The researchers working on phytochemistry can better understand the term and process of "Activation". In my previous articles, I mentioned the traditional medicinal knowledge about different herbal glasses in Chhattisgarh. The use of herbal glasses for diabetes is also common and during preparation of these diabetic glasses the traditional healers dip it in different herbal solutions. They also dip it in Doomar root water. The use of Doomar as styptic is reported. Both for external and internal bleeding, the healers use the decoction of Doomar bark. The traditional healers specialised in treatment of gynaecological disorders informed me that Doomar is a valuable herb for them. In case of dysmenorrhoea, they use the decoction of bark internally. One important information, I would like to mention here is that , the healers always use old (at least of ten years age) trees for collection of parts to prepare the drugs. According to them, young trees posses less good natural chemicals and more bad natural chemicals. Unfortunately, the natives and local herb collectors are not aware of this important information , hence they are getting less benefits from Doomar as medicine. After abortion, the healers give the unripe fruits of Doomar with sugar to the patients. The fruits are boiled in milk and used it for same purpose. Like the latex of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) and gel of Dhikuar (Aloe vera), the latex of Doomar is also capable of dissolving the thorns inside the body. In case of painful boils, like the leaves of Bariyara (Sida acuta), the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, apply the latex on boils to suppress it. The milk or latex of Doomar is used in treatment of Sukhandi (Marasmus) very frequently. The healers give five to six drops of milk with cow milk to the child patients having Sukhandi as treatment. According to them, one should be very cautious in counting the drops, because 15-20 drops in cow milk act as sex tonic and recommended for the young patients having poor vitality and sexual desire. In serious cases of dysentery, the traditional healers use the roots of Doomar. The powdered roots are given with water for immediate and long lasting effects. The natives collect the Doomar fruits and dry it in shade. After drying they convert it into powder. The decoction is prepared using this fruit powder and use it as mouth wash. According to them, this is very useful in case of gum and teeth related diseases. They prefer unripe fruits as compared to matured fruits.

Many of above mentioned uses have not been documented by early workers. The uses of Doomar insects as medicine and the beneficial effects of Doomar root water in diabetes management, are unique information. Many such valuable information are available with the traditional healers and natives of Chhattisgarh. This is our responsibility to document all the traditional knowledge and uses before the great loss. Thank you very much for reading the article.