Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses, IV Gorakh Booti (Aerva lanata, family:Amaranthaceae

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

Aerva is one of most common weeds in Chhattisgarh. It is reported in both crop fields and waste lands. Gorakh Booti is its Hindi name. In Chhattisgarh, it is known as Van Kachra (Van-Forest, Kachra-waste). In general, the natives name the unidentified species as Van Kachra. As medicinal herb, it is used less frequently. The natives belonging to farming communities, come in contact with this herb daily as weed, are aware of its medicinal uses. Very few traditional healers are aware of its medicinal uses. According to senior natives, this herb is a new herb for Chhattisgarh and possibly this is the reason, the natives and healers are not aware of its medicinal properties. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, it is mentioned that Aerva is present since generations in India. The documents on its availability and natural distribution in different parts of Chhattisgarh are not available. This is really surprising that the weed researchers have also not reported its occurrence as weed in Chhattisgarh. The true to the species identification was, possibly the reason. When I interacted the senior weed scientists, they confirmed that they have kept it in unidentified herb's category, due to lack of identification facilities. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have seen it as waste land herb in almost every corner. My surveys revealed that it is one of herbs having less known traditional uses. In present article; I am describing these uses but at first I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. Botanically, Aerva is a herb erect or prostrate, with a long tap-root, branched from near the base, branches many, woolly tomentose, striate; Leaves alternate 2-2.5 x 1-1.6 cm on the main stem, 6-10 x 3-6 mm on the branches, elliptic or obovate, pubescent above, white with cottony hairs beneath; Flowers bisexual, very small, sessile, in small axillary heads or spikes, often forming globose clusters, greenish white, perianth silky, hairy on the back; Fruit utricle, broadly ovoid, acute; Seeds smooth, polished, black. Flowering time August to October. In reference literatures, not much has been written on medicinal properties and uses of Aerva. According to Ayurveda, the plant is diuertic, and useful in lithiasis. Aerva roots are demulcent, diuertic and used in strangury.

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use, Aerva externally in treatment of joint pains externally with other herbs. In case of acute asthmatic attack, the natives collect the herb and dry it. After drying, they put it in fire and suggest the patients to inhale it. I have experienced its miracle effect. It is also used with Kukronda (Blumea) leaves in order to make the effects stronger. Like the leaves of Doob (Cynodon dactylon), Kukronda (Blumea lacera), Ek dandi (Tridax procumbens) etc., the farmers use the leaves of Aerva as styptic to stop bleeding resulted during field work. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, use it externally in treatment of Bavasir (Piles). The aqueous paste is applied externally.

The surveys to list out more ethnobotanical uses are in progress, but we are getting less information on this common herb. As it occurs in abundance, any promising traditional uses can be the potential source of income generation for the natives.
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