Karanj (Pongamia pinnata syn. P. glabra, family : Papilionaceae) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Karanj is among the herbs, the natives of Chhattisgarh are using since generations in traditional farming as natural pesticide. It is used like Neem, Dhatura, Fudhar and other related herbs. In old days, when the use of pesticides was not common, the farmers were using different parts of this tree to protect their paddy crop. It was also common practice to plant Karanj tree near to paddy fields. According to the old natives, the presence of these trees near to paddy fields help in repelling the harmful insects. In order to check the spread of Green leaf hoppers in paddy fields, the natives were using the aqueous extract of Karanj leaves as foliar spray. The natives of Chhattisgarh were also using this herb as veterinary medicine. In rainy season, it was in use to repel away flies and mosquitoes from homes. As the introduction and popularity of pesticides increased in Chhattisgarh, these natural pesticides lost their popularity and for present generation, it is a tool of past. Many decades after the stop of use of Karanj plant parts as natural pesticide, when medicinal and aromatic crops introduced in Chhattisgarh as new crops, the innovative herb growers started hunt for natural pesticides with the help of traditional knowledge and as result, got information about Karanj. This is good sign that at present the herb growers are not only aware of insecticidal properties of Karanj, but also using it in their farming. The tool of past is becoming the tool for future.

In my allelopathic studies, I have found the aqueous extracts of different parts of Karanj as promising natural herbicide. It suppresses the germination of many obnoxious weeds. We are continuing our research on its practical utility in farmer's fields. We are getting encouraging results. We have also noted the stimulatory allelopathic effects of Karanj extracts on germination and initial growth of many agricultural crops. With Green spray prepared by mixing cow urine, cow dung and herbs, we are using Karanj successfully for Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) production. There is tremendous scope for its utilization as post emergence natural herbicide in Safed Musli production. Karanj is common tree in Chhattisgarh. It is nearly evergreen tree. In hot summer months when there is less vegetation, the Golden Flowers of Dhanbaher (Cassia fistula) and dark green eye soothing leaves of Karanj, provide great relief. Karanj is not under commercial plantation in Chhattisgarh. Now as the results of new research on possible petrocrops having seed oil, substitute to diesel are coming, the popularity of Karanj and Ratanjot (Jatropha curcas) is increasing. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of various uses of Karanj seed oil. Karanj seeds yield a bitter, non-edible (24-40%) oil with odd odour. This oil is used for illumination, leather dressing, soap making, lubrication and in other related purposes. This oil possess insecticidal properties. The scientists have isolated Karanjin from seed oil and according to them, it is responsible for its action. The oil is also used as medicinal oil, both internally and externally. The herb traders of Chhattisgarh are aware of multi-useful Karanj seed oil. They informed me that there is a fair demand of this oil in national market. They are not aware of its various uses, but they are aware of its medicinal properties and always they keep some oil from a lot for their own use. They further informed me that from past two-three years its demand has increased many folds. Now, as Karanj is establishing as potential petro-crop, I am expecting that the area under this species will increase in near future. From research point of view, not much work has been done for commercial production of this tree in Chhattisgarh. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, when I got information of traditional uses of Karanj as medicine, I decided to note these uses and to write a separate article on this important aspect.

This article is possibly a first written document on traditional medicinal uses of Karanj in Chhattisgarh. At first I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses and later, I will write on traditional uses. According to reference literatures, Karanj is a moderate-size (height upto 15 meters), nearly evergreen tree with spreading crown and usually short, crooked bole. It becomes leafless towards the end of March (In Chhattisgarh conditions) and starts leafing almost immediately with a cloak of rich, bright green leaves. For a few days, when the buds develop into new leaves, the whole tree is tinted crimson. As the leaves grow, they become a vivid lime green. Bark about 0.8 cm thick, light grey to grayish brown, yellowish inside. Leaves imparipinnate, rachis 5-15 cm long, leaflets 5-9, opposite, 5-10 cm long, ovate-oblong, abruptly acuminate, bright green above. Flowers white, tinged with violet or pinkish, in pedunculate axillary racemes shorter than the leaves. Pod 4-5 x 2-2.5 cm, woody, pointed both ends, indehiscent, yellowish-grey when ripe, one or two seeded. Seed reddish brown, compressed, elliptical or reniform, wrinkled, 1.7-2.0 cm x 12-1.8 cm viable upto one year. As mentioned earlier, it is the plant having multi-uses, I am describing some of these uses. The bark of Karanj yields a fibre. Leaves are rich in nitrogen and in many parts of India, utilized for green manuring. The use of young shoot of Karanj as Herbal tooth brush (Dataun) is also popular. I have written a lot on this aspect in my previous articles. The use of flowers and seed cake as manure is also mentioned in reference literatures. Flower is a source of pollen for honey bee. As medicine, Karanj holds a reputed position in all systems of medicine in India. All parts viz. roots, barks, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds etc. are used as medicine. According to Ayurveda, Karanj is anthelmintic, alexipharmic and useful in diseases of eye, vagina, skin. It is good for tumour, wounds, ulcers, itching, ascites, enlargement of spleen and abdomen, urinary discharges. It also cures biliousness, piles, head pains, leucoderma, skin diseases and wounds. According to Unani system of medicine, seeds are acrid and carminative, purify and enrich blood, relieves inflammations, cure earache, chest complaints, lumbago, chronic fever and hydrocele. Oil is styptic and anthelmintic. It is good in scabies, leprosy, piles, lumbago, chronic fever, liver pain etc.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use different parts of Karanj as medicine very frequently. In case of joint pains, they use Karanj roots and barks externally. These parts are powdered and with the help of water, aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on painful joints. According to them, the roots are more effective as compared to barks. In order to stop, the vomiting, the natives use the roasted seeds of Karanj internally. It is used under supervision of traditional healers because overdose can create problems. The healers suggest the patients to take the pieces of seeds in place of whole seeds. To check intense pain of hydrocele, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use Karanj in many ways. They apply the aqueous paste of Karanj, seeds externally on hydrocele for quick relief. They also use the aqueous paste prepared from Karanj roots by mixing it in rice water. The healers informed me that they prefer the second combination, as its use is safe as well as effective. As mentioned earlier, the seed oil possess valuable medicinal properties, the natives use the oil externally in treatment of skin troubles. The traditional healers are also aware of this use. They add one or more herbal oils or herbs in this oil, in order to make it more effective. Although during field works, there is less chance of poisonous bites due to rats, but in such cases the field workers immediately apply the aqueous paste prepared by mixing equal quantity of Karanj bark and seeds in affected parts. The healers always keep the seeds with them for its use in off-seasons. I have experienced its practical uses many times. The traditional healers specialized in treatment of liver related troubles, use different parts of Karanj as medicine, alone or in combination with other herbs. They suggest the patients to take fresh juice of bark or take bark powder with water. It is considered as good liver tonic. In treatment of Leprosy and leucoderma, the traditional healers of Pendra region, use aqueous paste of bark and seed oil externally as treatment. The traditional healer of Mudpar village uses the poultice of Karanj, Neem, and Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) leaves, to destroy the harmful worms present in wounds. It is frequently used as veterinary medicine. In treatment of Adhasisi (Migraine), the healer, suggests the patients to burn the seeds and inhale the fumes during attack, for quick and long lasting relief. As mentioned in previous articles that the problem of Filaria is increasing in Chhattisgarh, the traditional healers specialized in treatment of filaria, suggest the patients to take fresh juice of leaves daily as it acts as both preventive and curative. I personally feel that there is a need for dissemination of this knowledge in Chhattisgarh in order to check, the further spread of this problematic disease. The traditional healers of Narharpur region use the flower buds of Karanj in treatment of acidity. They suggest the patients to roast the buds in ghee and take it internally after lunch. This intake induces vomiting and after one or two vomiting, the patients get complete relief from acidity. The use of Karanj seeds in treatment of Jalodari is already described in previous article on Jalodari. The traditional healers of Kondagaon region, informed me that Karanj is a boon for the patients having the problem of Bavasir (Piles). It is used both internally and externally. Internally, the leaves are roasted in ghee and given with whey (Mattha). Externally, the leaves and seeds are burnt, the patients are suggested to expose the piles in fumes. The healers claim that both treatments, if taken simultaneously, can root out the problem of piles within no time. The traditional healers of other parts of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this use. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, advise the patient to apply aqueous paste of Karanj leaves externally on piles. The healers of Janjgir region, prepare a herbal combination using Karanj seeds and use it very commonly in treatment of stomach ache. According to them this combination is capable of checking the pain in most of the cases. The healers of Nagri - Sihawa region, specialized in treatment of fevers, use the leaves of Karanj with Kali Mirch (Black Pipper). But as other promising alternatives are available, they use this combination less frequently.

The indepth traditional knowledge about Karanj as medicine and as natural pesticide, is the reason that there is no threat on natural population of Karanj in Chhattisgarh. The natives and traditional healers are aware that the presence of Karanj in their surrounding is must, in order to live safe and healthy life. New uses of Karanj can create the pressure on its natural population but large scale commercial plantation can help us in reducing the pressure. For this, timely step is essential.

Thank you very much for reading the article.