Interactions with the farm workers of Kondagaon region Chhattisgarh, India, having traditional medicinal knowledge about useful herb Bhatkatiya (Solanum xanthocarpum)

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

In Chhattisgarh, the white flowered Bhatkatiya herb is rare in occurrence. The purple flowered species is most common. The traditional healers and natives specialised in medicinal uses of Bhatkatiya give preference to white flowered species. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, not much has been written on this white flowered species. Also, in reference literatures on botany, very little information is available. It is common belief among natives that the presence of white flowered species in wild indicates the presence of secret treasure around it. Many old natives informed that one can see this species in old forts and palaces, where according to belief, the secret treasures still exist. The natives involved in Tantra activities, consider the white flowered species most valuable. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have seen this specific species rarely and in isolated patches. I always prefer to collect the seeds of this rare species for my personal collection.

Common names of Bhatkatiya
Languages / regions	Names
1.Hindi	Kateli, Ringani, Katai
2. Gujarati	Bhayaringni
3. Marathi	Bhuirungani
4. Malyalam & Tamil	Kandan Kathiri
5. Sanskrit	Kantakari, Nidigadhika, Brihati
6. Telugu	Nelamulaka, Vankuda.
8. Kanarese	Chikkasande, Nele Rama-gulla

From experience, I have noted that the germination percentage of white flowered species is far less as compared to the germination of purple flowered species. Possibly this is the reason of its rare natural occurrence. The newly emerged plant of this species require special care in nursery. The purple flowered species grow as wasteland weed in almost every corner of Chhattisgarh. As it is prickly herb, the weed scientists consider it as harmful weed because it causes problems in movement of farmers and their livestock during field work. A lot of works have been done in search of promising herbicides to root out this herb from crop fields. This is good sign that the farmers of Chhattisgarh do not consider it as unwanted herb. They are aware of its unique medicinal properties and uses. During my surveys in Kondagaon region, I have noted remarkably high natural population of this herb in wasteland and crop fields. This observation has motivated me to conduct a small survey in order to list out the traditional medicinal uses of this herb with the help of farm workers. For this survey, I selected 150 farm workers from different parts. The workers having traditional knowledge were selected for the survey. In present article, I am describing the result of this survey, but at first I am describing the botany and reported medicinal uses of Bhatkatiya. According to reference literatures, Bhatkatiya is very prickly diffuse, bright green perennial herb; stem zig-zag, prickles compressed, straight, yellow and shining, often exceeding 1.3 cm long; leaves 5-10x2.5-5.7 cm, ovate or elliptic, sinuate or sub pinnatifid, hairy on both sides, armed on midrib and nerves with long yellow prickles, base unequal sided, petiole prickly; flowers in extra-axillary few flowered cymes; calyx purple, lobes deltoid, hairy outside; fruits berry, 3.2 cm diameter. Yellow or white with green veins, surrounded by enlarged calyx. According to Ayurveda, Bhatkatiya is bitter, heating, appetiser, laxative, stomachic, anthelmintic and useful in bronchitis, asthma, fever, ozoena, strangury, lumbago, pains, piles, thirst, urinary concretions, heart troubles, prurites, etc. According to Unani system of medicine, fruit is laxative, good in inflammations, chronic bronchitis, asthma, biliousness, fevers, muscular pains, dysuria, stone in bladder, sterlity in women etc. Seeds are considered good for boils and scabies.

The selected farm workers informed me that there is a special procedure for digging the Bhatkatiya herb. The collectors stand in front of herb facing north and with the help of white string the herb is pulled out of the soil. The use of metallic instruments for digging is restricted. Like other herbs, the collectors perform special worship before digging it and take permission from the herb. In general the collectors prefer to dig whole herb but at specific occasion they also collect herb at vegetative stage i.e. without flowers and fruits. As mentioned early, it is prickly herb, the use of string for digging can be explained, as uprooting by hands is not possible. Why the collectors use white coloured string and also why the use of metallic instruments is restricted ? are the questions needing scientific explanation. Although not aware of reasons, the farm workers of Kondagaon region are adopting this special digging procedure for collection of Bhatkatiya. This is positive sign. These workers consider the roots of Bhatkatiya very useful. It is common belief among them, that by keeping the dried root pieces with them always, they can protect themselves from evil-spirits. The patients having mental troubles are advised to wear the specially prepared Herbal Mala having root pieces of Bhatkatiya. In general, the farm workers purchase the Herbal Mala from the traditional healers of the region because the healers collect this herb taking full precaution of time and method. The female patients having the problem of habitual abortion are advised to tie the root pieces around the waist with the help of black coloured string. The use is continued till complete cure. After this, it is removed and buried inside the soil, near the Neem leaves. The farm workers use the dried roots as well as fresh roots in treatment of scorpion bite during field work. It is among major first aid remedies. I have observed its successful use in many cases. During fields works, the poison bites specially due to snakes and scorpions are common in Chhattisgarh region. As mentioned earlier, the workers prefer to keep root pieces with them in order to protect themselves from evil-spirits, these venomous insects, snakes and scorpions are also among evil-spirits, as I feel and our forefathers were aware of the miracle effects of Bhatkatiya against these venomous creatures. Possibly, due to this reason, they have associated the information of its effects against evil-spirits. The farm workers of Kondagaon region informed that when they exhausted due to heavy work, they rub the root pieces in Shahad (Honey) and inhale it. According to them, this combination, make them refreshed. The night watchmen also use this combination to get rid from sleep. This combination is very popular among them. In reference literatures, this unique use is not mentioned.

I am proud to write that this is a discovery of our people and more important is the fact that they are still using it. Its regular and popular use clearly indicates its effectiveness. Although the natives of Chhattisgarh are aware of its unique medicinal properties and uses but they hesitate to plant Bhatkatiya in home gardens. As it is prickly herb, possibly this is the reason they avoid to plant this herb. Also as it is growing abundantly in wastelands, no one is having any kind of shortage. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted that the traditional healers specialised in use of Bhatkatiya as medicine, plant the rare white flowered species in their home gardens with other medicinal herbs. In case of the attack of hysteria, during field works, as first aid remedy the farm workers of Kondagaon, burn the dried fruits, Neem leaves and Kali Mirch (Black pepper) and suggests the patients to inhale the fumes. The workers associated with Tantra activities, use this combination to treat the patients affected with evil-spirits. The farm workers further informed me that they prepare special decoction from whole herb and use it in treatment of many common diseases. According to them, this decoction can be stored upto long time without loss of its unique medicinal properties. The method of preparation is very simple. The whole herb is collected by adopting the special procedure and boiled in two litres of water. When the quantity of water remains half of initial quantity, the brown or dark brown coloured decoction is collected and stored for future use. In my previous article on Kadu Pani, I have described the use of Bhatkatiya herb as body wash. After completing exhaustive field works, when these workers return home, they take bath using this decoction. According to them, this bath cleans the body and reduces the chance of infections. It also reduces the body ache. They also wash their livestock with this decoction at least once in a week. They apply this decoction near the roots of common trees as a part of worship. Many old natives of this region informed me that this application increases the growth and vigour of these trees. I am again repeating it that although the science of Allelopathy is new for the world but the natives of Chhattisgarh are well aware of this science since time immemorial. The decoction is considered as a boon for the patients having dental troubles. The patients are advised to gargle with this decoction. The workers also add mustard seeds in decoction to make it more effective. It is one of sure cure for the problem of tonsillitis also. For treatment of Dama (Asthma), the workers use Bhatkatiya both internally and externally. The fumes coming out during the preparation of decoction are considered beneficial for the patients, Internally the seeds with Shahad (Honey) are given under supervision of specialist traditional healers. The decoction is also considered as promising liver and heart tonic, by these farm workers. In case of conjunctivitis, they apply few drops of decoction inside the eyes for treatment. The farm workers use the special oil prepared from Bhatkatiya as aphrodisiac. They mix the equal quantity of fruits and the rind of Anar and boil it in base oil. Til oil is used most frequently, when all water contents evaporate, the oil is collected and stored for future use. This oil is applied externally on male genitals just before intercourse.

The reason responsible for the name of Kondagaon is not the Anaconda but the Konda (Rice bran). This small survey among selected farm workers clearly indicated that they have in depth traditional knowledge about this so called weed species. This is the information provided by selected 150 workers, the population of Chhattisgarh is around two crores. One can simply imagine, the task ahead to document the traditional knowledge present with this large population. As you are not getting tired with my articles and still encouraging me, I am also not in mood to retire from these important enthnobotanical surveys.

Thank you very much for reading the article.