Interactions with the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, India specialized in use of Bar (Ficus benghalensis, family : Moraceae) as medicinal herb

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

Bar or Bargad is a large spreading evergreen tree extending laterally by sending down aerial roots, which grow in thickness and form pillars supporting the branches. It is sacred in India. It is planted mostly for its nice shady canopy and its religious connotations. Bar is present in Chhattisgarh since generations. The villages named due to heavy natural population of this herb, viz. Bargaon, Bargarh, etc. clearly proves this. It is one of the most common trees found in typical Chhattisgarh village. Without this tree in any painting competitions, the judges reject the paintings. Last week, when I was attending a painting competition, as judge, at Mahakaushal Kala Vithika, Raipur, the well known art gallery of Chhattisgarh, Mr. Rajesh Ganodwale from media, attracted by attention towards decreasing natural population of Bar trees in Chhattisgarh and requested me to organize a special photography competition focused on Bar trees in Chhattisgarh. I am convinced with him and now planning seriously for this competition. Although the aerial roots of Bar can cause damage to homes, but the natives are aware of that the presence of Bar tree in their home gardens is beneficial for them. It is common belive among the natives, that this presence brings happiness and prosperity. It is mentioned in ancient Indian literatures that trees like Bar, Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Neem etc. purifies the atmosphere and now modern research have also confirmed this important fact. The villages of Chhattisgarh are still free from industrial and other populations, like urban areas. In villages, old Bar trees are still present but in urban areas due to urbanization and other development activities, it is very hard to find this herb. In fact, its presence in large number is essential in heavily polluted urban areas, as air purifier. Although now all of us are aware of Bar’s unique enviro qualities but it is realised that local administration is planting exotic trees under social and agroforestry schemes. I have yet not heard about any programme in my country, in which the plantation of Bar is under promotion. Through this article, I would like to request the concerned officials to think on this important aspect also. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about this herb. As our fore fathers were aware of air purifying, and medicinal properties as well as uses of this herb, they associated the information of happiness and prosperity with this herb. This is the result of their experiences and blessings that today Bar is still an important and sacred tree for the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. The natives informed that one must not plant the Bar tree in west direction. Like Bar, Pipal on east, and Gular (Ficus glomerata) on North are restricted. The natives have no scientific explanation for this belief but they are strictly following this rule since generation. I am trying my best to find scientific explanation.

I feel that this scientific explanation will motivate the present and upcoming generation to respect these beliefs with confidence. In urban areas, the natives living in small homes and at crowded streets, have found Bonsai culture very useful to maintain the Bar tree in there small home gardens. Although the traditional healers are not happy with this practice but I feel that seeing their problems, a little bit modification can be adopted. As sacred tree and also for ornamental purpose, one can plant this Bonsai version of Bar in home gardens but the traditional healers warns the natives to not to use different parts of Bonsai Bar as medicine, as according to them, it may cause more harmful effects as compared to natural Bar tree. This is a matter of scientific investigation. I have not compared the medicinal properties of both versions, but I am convinced with the healers that by disturbing the natural growth, we can loose its medicinal properties. In reference literature, I have yet not been found any clarifications. This is new field on which the young herb researchers can focus their studies. In ancient literatures, it is also mentioned that one must plant atleast two new plants of Bar in his or her life in order to get free from Apradh (crimes) done in this life. The Bar trees presence in Chhattisgarh, clearly indicate that the native have followed the instructions sincerely. But the number of strict followers are decreasing with alarming rates. The natives collect the aerial roots on Thursdays and after small worship, keep it in their cash lockers. It is common belief among them, that the presence of these roots, increases the cash in flow. I have found these roots as insect repellent. How the presence of these roots increases the cash inflow, is a matter of scientific investigation. The natives associated with Tantra activities, collect the orchids of Bar tree at special occasion and keep it with them. It is common belief that its presence repels away all evil-spirits. The Bar plant growing under the shade of big Bar tree is also considered as thing of good luck and prosperity. The natives visit to this small plant and after giving invitation through worship, that ‘I am collecting you, please take place in my home garden, where I will take all cares life long.’ Next day, early morning before sun rise, they again visit same place and dig out the new plant carefully and plant it at home gardens. This practice is still in good shape and in existence in rural and forest areas. The traditional healers use the wood pieces of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea), Bar and Pipal in treatment of patients suffering from mental troubles. During attack, the healers burn all the wood pieces, and suggests the patients to inhale the fumes. They also utter Mantras during this treatment. They also advise them to take bath with water having fresh young leaves of Bar in it. The natives offer the latex of Bar to different Gods, during worship. On every Saturday, the natives offer cow milk nearer the roots of Bar and worship the trees. The traditional healers informed that the cow milk is good for the growth and development of Bar tree. So, when the natives offer cow milk, the trees grow vigorously and as trees look healthy, the natives think that now their bad days are over and the time of happiness is near, I am really fortunate to document this unique information. In present article, I am describing the results of my ethnobotanical surveys conducted among the selected traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains. As Bar is present in almost every corner of Chhattisgarh, a lot of ethno information are available. In other parts, my surveys are in progress and I will write about the results in my future articles. At first I am describing the botany and reported medicinal uses of Bar.

According to reference literatures, Bar is a large evergreen tree, spreading horizontal branches from which numerous thick, fibrous aerial roots descent. When they reach the ground, they take root and develop into new trunks, helping to spread the crown, Crown upto 150 meters in diameter supported by more than 100 root-drop trunks, height 24-27 meters; Bark smooth, thick, green when young, grayish white when mature, turning pink when cut, exfoliating in sheaths; Leaves alternate, glabrous when mature, approximate hear the end of branches, ovate, mostly obtuse, base cordate or rounded, thickly coriaceous, basal nerves 3-7, the midrib with 4-6 pairs of secondary nerves, blade 10-20 cm, petiole 2-5 cm long, shoot pubescent, 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter, sessile, scarlet, red when ripe, male flowers crowded near the mouth of the receptacle, female flowers with shorter perianth, style long, male and female in the same receptacle; Fruits globose, sessile in axillary pairs, 1.5-2.0 cm diameter, red to dark purple when ripe; seeds tiny. Bar holds a reputed position in different systems of medicine in India. As medicine all parts viz. bark, root fibres, leaves, seeds, milky juice etc. are used. According to Ayurveda, Bar is astringent to bowels and useful in treatment of biliousness, ulcers, erysipelas, vomiting, vaginal complaints, fever, inflammations, leprosy etc. According to Unani system of medicine, milky juice is aphrodisiac, tonic, vulnerary, maturant, lessens inflammations and useful in treatment of piles, nose diseases, gonorrhea, etc. The aerial roots are styptic and useful in syphilis, biliousness, dysentery, and liver complaints.

Through my surveys, I have identified forty traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains specialized in use of Bar as medicine. There are more healers using this Bar with other herbs or herbal combinations. As mentioned earlier, the natives are also aware of medicinal uses of different parts of Bar. Here I am describing some traditional uses. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the fruits of Bar as medicine for diabetes. According to them, it is good for treatment and they have not found it as preventive to diabetes. The fruits are collected and after drying converted into powder. A teaspoon full of this powder is given daily with water to the patients as treatment. On the basis of severity and age of the patients, the traditional healers decide the duration of treatment. But they informed that one must not use it whole life considering it as herbal produce having no side-effect. The traditional healers of Basna region, prefer the young leaves in place of fruits. According to them, one can use the leaves more safely as compared to the fruits. The leaves are collected and patients are instructed to swallow it daily. I interviewed the patients using this herb. They were satisfied with the treatment. I have written a lot on traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in treatment of diabetes in Chhattisgarh. Every traditional healer have their own specific herb or herbal combination and they have reason to give preference to specific herbs among other herbs. I am now realizing that one life is not enough to gather in depth traditional knowledge of even one traditional healer, in true sense. Although as compared to other articles and research notes, my articles are many informative and close to the reality but I want to write more specifically on various issues. Here I would like to request the other researchers to help me in documentation of this knowledge by writing articles on important aspects. As the Bar fruits and leaves, both are used in treatment of diabetes, and both are available free of cost in surroundings (also in abundance); there is a scope of establishing Bar based pharmacies in Chhattisgarh with the joint efforts of governmental and non governmental organisations. During survey, I got an interesting information on use of Bar latex in bird hunting by the hunting tribe, Pardhi of Chhattisgarh. They simply collect the latex and smear it on the branches, where desired bird species visit frequently. When birds come, the sticky latex fix it at branches so effectively as the hunters simply collect it from branches. They have other promising alternatives but Bar latex is used specially to capture the bird species sitting on branches spread over water and where it is very difficult to reach by hiding themselves. This traditional knowledge is still in practice and they are earning from this unique traditional knowledge. The traditional healers also use Bar in treatment of skin troubles. The aerial roots are used very frequently. The dried roots are mixed with fresh cow urine and paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on affected parts as treatment. In many parts, healers also use goat’s urine in place of cow urine. The healers of Bagbahera region prefer the latex for application. The use of latex in treatment of dental troubles is very popular among the natives. They simply apply the latex on painful teeth in order to get immediate relief. The latex is also applied on joints to reduce the joint pains. The traditional healer of Kapsi, prepare a special herbal oil using Bar leaves and use it in treatment of joint pains. The leaves are boiled in base oil and lason buds (Garlic) are added. After evaporation of all watery contents, oil is collected for future use. As base oil, Til oil is used commonly. The healers of other parts are also aware of this oil. Many of them add Mitti ka Tel (Karosene oil) in this oil to make it more effective. In treatment of urinary troubles particularly the polyuria, the healers use to decoction of Bar Chhal (barks) as treatment. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh also use the latex of Bar as aphrodisiac. It is given alone or in combination with other herbs. But as other promising alternatives are available, it is used less frequently by them.

The above mentioned traditional uses, clearly indicates the importance of Bar tree among the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh.

Thank you very much for reading the article.