Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. X. Reetha ( Sapindus trifoliatus, family : Sapindaceae)

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

The natives of Chhattisgarh prepare a special Herbal Mala by the seeds of Reetha, for small children, in order to protect them from evil spirits. In time of severe infestation of foot and mouth disease in cattle, the natives use this Herbal Mala for cattle, It is common belief among them that presence of this Mala, stops the further spread of diseases. This traditional use has not been reported in available literatures. I am not sure about its effectiveness but as it is in use since very long time, it seems there must be some scientific reasons for this use. Reetha, the Soapnut tree, is a tree commonly occurring in all parts of India particularly in South India. In Chhattisgarh. It occurs naturally. The natives also plant this tree in their home gardens. The reference literatures are full of information about its use as detergent. According to these literatures, the use of the pericarp of the Reetha in anti-parasitic and has detergent effect on the skin and promotes its best function. The pericarp is used for clearing textile materials and also in form of hair wash. The volatile acid contained in the fruit which irritates eye is the formic acid, in the event of a few drops of decoction finding its way into it. A very small quantity is used by goldsmiths for washing gold and silver ornament. Although the pericarp is rich in Saponin but it is accompanied with a dark coloured matter possessing a disagreeable taste. The Saponin extracted from it could be use in brewery for which purpose quillai and other similar material are employed. The uses of Reetha as detergent and as natural soap were also popular among natives in early days but now the young generation is using synthetic material for the same purposes. Many leading pharmaceutical companies are using Reetha and its various extracts, in their hair care products. As mentioned early, the natural forests of Chhattisgarh are rich in Reetha but it is sad that there is not a single pharmaceutical company or processing unit in Chhattisgarh engaged in utilizing this relatively cheap raw material. Reetha is in the list of non-wood forest produces having regular demand. The natives and traditional healers are aware of its natural occurrence. You can heard the word Reetha frequently in the popular folk songs of Chhattisgarh. The tradition of Godna (Tattoo) making is still very popular in Chhattisgarh. After completion of Godna, the Reetha fruits are rubbed on skin to make it cool and fresh. The natives told me about this use. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use all parts of Reetha herb as medicine both internally as well as externally, but these use are less and not much popular among young generation. In present article, I am describing these traditional medicinal uses.

Common Indian names of Reetha
Languages	Names
Gujarati	Aritha, Arithan
Hindi	Ritha, Reetha
Kanarese	Antharalo, Anthuvela, Kugale, Phenily
Marathi	Ritha, Ringhi
Sanskrit	Arishtaka, Kumbalbijak, Rishta, Phenila
English	Soap - Nut tree
Tamil	Nitha vanji,
Telugu	Kukudu

At first, I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. According to reference literatures, Reetha (Sapindus trifoliatus syn. S. emarginatus) is a tree up to 12 meters high. Young parts tomentose. Leaves upto 15 cm long. Leaflets opposite, glabrous above, tomentose beneath, oblong or elliptic-oblanceolate, apex obtuse to emarginated. Flowers white, in terminal upto15 cm long pubescent panicles. Drupes yellowish brown, 3-lobed, rusty pubescent, glabrescent, Seeds 5-7 mm in diam. Flowering and fruiting October to January. According to Ayurveda, Reetha fruit is digestible, emetic, abortifacient, alexipharmic and sedative to uterus. According to Unani system of medicine, root is expectorant, used as a collyrium in sore-eyes and ophthalmia. Fruit bitter tonic. stomachic, alexiteric, aphrodisiac and useful in chronic dysentery, diarrhoea, cholera, hemicrania, tubercular glands, paralysis, lumbago, epileptic fits of children. It allays uterine pains. Seeds are used to stimulate uterus in child birth and to increase menstruation.

Botanical differences among Major Sapindus species
Characteristics	Sapindus trifoliatus	Sapindus laurifolia	Sapindus mukorossi
Habit	Trees upto 12 meters high	Trees, upto 20 meters high	Trees upto 20 meters high
Leaves	Upto 15cm long	Leaves upto 20 cm long	Leaves 15-40 cm long.
Leaflets	Opposite, 4.5-11 x 2-2.6 cm, globrous above,tomenase beneath, oblong or elliptic-oblanceolate, apex obtuse to emarginate.	5.5 x 15 x 3.5 - 5.0 cm, elliptic - lanceolate, glabrous, apex acute or sub acuminate, base oblique	Subsessile, subopposite, 5-15x 3-5.5 cm, lanceolate oblong, apex acute or acuminate, base oblique
Flowers	White, in terminal upto 15cm long pubescent panicles	White, in terminal upto 20 cm long, tomentose panicles	Flowers white or purple, subsessile, in teminal and lateral upto 25cm long, pubescent panicles.
Drupes	1-1.5 x 1.5cm, yellowish-brown, 3-lobed, rusty pubescent, glabrescent, one or two cocci underdeveloped	1.5-2.0 cm, 2-3 lobed, ferrugineous-velvety, at length glabrescent.	Yellowish-brown, 1.5-2.5cm long, globose, one seeded with two small, undeveloped carpels at the base.
Seeds	5-7mm in diameter	6-8 mm long	seeds 1.5 cm in diameter.
Flowering and fruiting	October - January	November to April	May to February

The herb collector of Chhattisgarh always keep Reetha with them. The paddy growers of Reetha rich areas also plant this herb near their fields. They are aware of its anti-venom properties. All parts of Reetha are used to treat the patients having poisonous bites. It is common belief among paddy growers that presence of this tree repel away the venomous snakes, not all the snakes, as presence of snake is essential to protect the crop from notorius rats. In case of snake bite, the juice of Reetha fruits is used both internally and externally. Externally it is applied inside the eyes where as internally the juice is given to the patients. The traditional healers are aware of the presence of irritation causing acid in Reetha fruit. This is the reason they apply cow's ghee with juice into the eyes. The fresh leaf juice is rubbed on patients body. According to the healers, this different uses cures the patients in very less time and effectively. In case of scorpion bite, the Retha fruit juice is extracted and with the help of gud (Jaggery) small globules are prepared. The patients having scorpion bite are advised to take a globule with cold water. After fifteen minutes, another globule is given with hot water and five minutes after this dose, last dose is given with again cold water. The treatment cures the patients effectively. The traditional healers of Narharpur region, suggest the patients to use Reetha fruit rind in place of tobacco in popular smokes in order to get early relief from pain. They informed me that regular uses of Reetha fruit rind in place of tobacco, upto few weeks, reduces the crave for tobacco. This was new information for me. The herb collectors of Chhattisgah, who meet snakes frequently during forest visits, informed that they can treat the patients having snake bite only with the help of fruits and for this, fresh as well as dried fruits can be used successfully.

I personally feel that there is a need for scientific evaluation in this regard. The Reetha fruits are also used as veterinary medicine for poisonous bites in same ways. The traditional healers of Tilda region, use Reetha in treatment of gynaecological troubles. To regularize the menses, the patients are advised to keep the Reetha bark inside the vagina. In treatment of hysteria (in Chhattisgarh many times natives consider the patients are in control of evil spirits), during attack, the healers burn the Reetha fruits and suggest the patients to inhale the fumes. The treatment is also practised in epilepsy. By seeing the treatment and its effect, the natives understand that the fumes have repelled away the evil spirit. The healers aware of its actual effect, do not say anything against this belief. According to the healers, it is one of most promising treatments for this trouble.
The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains use Reetha in treatment of intestinal worms and stomach ache. For intestinal worms, Reetha bark is given with gud (Jaggery) where as for any type of stomach ache, Reetha seeds and Karanj seeds (Pongamia sp. ) are mixed in equal proportions, then half quantity of Hing (Asafoetida) is added and globules are prepared. Two globules one at morning and other at night are given to the patients till complete cure . To make the chest clear, the natives use Reetha bark under supervision of traditional healers whereas in treatment of cough, the seeds are given with Sonth. (dried ginger) internally.

Many of the above mentioned uses have not been reported in available literatures. I am proud to write that although the natives and healers of Chhattisgarh have less known traditional uses of Reetha but the uses they have, are promising and its popularity among them, proves it. Although this is too late but last week, the members of state government, got information about my articles from google search and surprised to know that I am from their own state. They have appreciated me and my work. I am expecting some positive and constructive supports from them, to make my dreams true. I am thankful to Botanical.com and thousands readers of my articles around the globe for their best wishes, support and encouragement, as their best wishes encourage me to write more and more and speedily.

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