Some useful information on common herbs and animals from Bhopalpatnam region, Chhattisgarh, India

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

With the help of Shri B. Rao Godbole of Bhopalpatnam region, I conducted a detailed ethnobotanical survey in surrounding areas to list out the local names of common herbs and animals. During this survey, I got many unique information about the practice of traditional healers, specific behaviour of animals, and about herbs. In first stage, we have collected information on over 90 herbs and animals. Few months after this survey, when the ground flora will change, we are planning for next stage of survey. We have found the mixture of Telugu, Marathi, Marari, Gondi, Muria, Halbi, Chhattisgarhi etc. languages and dialects in local names of herbs and animals. I have noted during my studies on flora, that in reference literatures, it is very hard to get the local names of herbs in the area surveyed. If any one has surveyed any area sincerely, he must be aware of its local names. This is bitter fact but I have found that most of new surveys coming are just a copy of early works and when we ask, the concerned researchers to tell the local names, they show ignorance. The local names change in every kilometer. But I personally feel that without local names any survey is incomplete. In present article, I am giving details of new information collect, in form of points.

Local names of common herbs and animals in Bhopalpatnam region, Chhattisgarh, India.
S.No.	Hindi Names	Scientific/English Names	Local Names
1	Safed Musli	Chlorophytum sp.	Tella Gadda
2	Kali Musli	Curculigo orchioides	Phandi Gadda
3	Satavar	Asparagus racemosus	Muslamma Gadda
4	Keukand	Costus speciosus	Beske Gadda
5	Arjun	Terminalia arjuna	Arra Meddi Chettu
6	Tendu	Diospyros sp.	Toonki Chettu
7	Pipal	Ficus religiosa	Rai Chettu
8	Neem	Azadirachta indica	Yapa Chettu
9	Doomar	Ficus glomerata	Adhi Chettu
10	Babool	Acacia nilotica	Tumma Chettu
11	Bel	Aegle marmelos	Marud Chettu
12	Nimbu	Citrus medica	Neema Kaya
13	Aam	Magnifera Indica	Mamdi Chettu
14	Palash	Butea monosperma	Motka Chettu
15	Sarpgandha	Rauvolfia serpentina	Patal Gardi
16	Asgandh	Withania somnifera	Pilli Anga
17	Hadjod	Cissus quadrangularis	Nalled Tiga
18	Semal	Bombax ceiba	Burka Chettu
19	Dhan	Oryza sativa	Vodlu
20	Gahun	Triticum sp.	Godmal
21	Charota	Cassia tora	Tagras Porka
22	Fudhar	Calotropis gigantea	Jilled Chettu
23	Patal Kumhda	Pueraria tuberosa	Nela Gummad Kaya
24	Imli	Tamarindus indica	Chinta Chettu
25	Charota	Buchanania lanzan	Morli Chettu
26	Mahua	Madhuca sp.	Ippa Chettu
27	Nagarmotha	Cyperus rotundus	Tung must
28	Jangli Piaz	Urginea indica	Advi Uli gadda
29	Chirchita	Achyranthes aspera	Drucchinke
30	Vajradanti	Barleria sp.	Alpal Chettu
31	Doob	Cynodon dactylon	Garka Gaddi
32	Ashok	Saraca asoca	Ashokemanu
33	Anar	Punica granatum	Danimm Chettu
34	Aonla	Phyllanthus emblica	Usrik Chetty
35	Harra	Phyllanthus chebula	karka Chetty
36	Beeja	Pterocarpus marsupium	Agi Chetty
37	Munga	Moringa sp.	Munge Chetty
38	Termite	Termite	Sedal
39	Gulab	Rosa indica	Gulaba Puvu
40	Gobhi	Brassica sp.	Gobhi Kura
41	Patta Gobhi	Brassica sp.(Cabbage)	Aku Gobhi
42	Mooli	Radish	Mooli Gudda
43	Papita	Carica papaya	Pupdup Chettu
44	Sitaphal	annona squamosa	Sita Chettu
45	Kathal	Atrocarpus sp.	Pundsa Chettu
46	Kuchla	Strychnos nux-vomica	Isamushti Chettu
47	Tikhur	Curcuma angustifulia	Tikhur
48	Haldi	Curcuma longa	Paspu
49	Ama Haldi	Curcuma amada	Mamedi Paspu
50	Kali Haldi	Curcuma caesia	Malla Paspu
51	Santra	Orange	Santar kaya
52	Chana	Cicer arietinum	Changal
53	Moongphali	Arachis hyogaea	Moongphalli kaya
54	Urad	Vigna mungo	Minmool
55	Moung	Vigna radiata	Pesal
56	SuryaMukhi	Helianthus annuus	Podde Tirge Phool
57	Mal kangni	Celastrus paniculatus	Maner Tiga
58	Semal	Dolichus lablab	Chikud Kaya
59	Karela	Momordica charantia	Kaker kaya
60	Nariyal	Cocus nucifera	Khobber kaya
61	Ram dataun	Smilax zeylenica	Jeerti
62	Gunja	Abrus precatorius	Gurja Ittul
63	Shahad	Honey	Tene
64	Kaju	Anacardium occidentole	Kaju
65	Angoor	Vitis vinifera	Draksha
66	Bimbhora	Termitarium	Cheda Phutta
67	Bhalu	Bear	Guddelagu
68	Baichandi	Dioscorea hispida	Baichandi
69	Kalmegh	Andrographis paniculata	Nelema
70	Bhoolan Jadi		Mati Marsedu Tiga
71	Amarbel	Cuscuta reflexa	Indrajal
72	Bans	Bambusa sp.	Bongu
73	Gokhru	Tribulus terrestris	Pallekh
74	Jangli Moong	Phaseolus trilobus	Advi Pesal
75	Indrayan	Citrullus colocynthis	Advi Dondakaya
76	Amaltas	Cassia fistula	Rela Chettu
77	Nirgundi	Vitex regundo	Vaili Chettu
78	Adusa	Adhatoda vasica	Adasar
79	Chitrak	Plumbago sp.	Chitramulam Chettu
80	Hiran	Dear	Duppi
81	Jangli Suar	Wild Boar	Advi Pandi
82	Chota Bhalu	Burdi, Munnur	Guddelagu
83	Jangli Machhli	Menis sp.	Advi Algu
84	Bandar	Money -Red face	Koti
		Money -Black face	Kondamucchu
85	Bagh	Tiger	Pechhapooli
86	Sher	Lion	Singh
87	Chita	Leopard	Chitta pooli
88	Khargosh	Rabbit	Kundel
89	Jangli Murga	Wild Cock	Advi Punju
90	Mayor	Peacock	Numli Pittya
91	Sarp	Snake	Pamu
92	Jangli Batakh	Wild Duck	Bat Advi
93	Jangli Bhaisa	Bison	Advi Barre

1) The natives informed that they have found the herbal tea prepared with the help of Sarphonk roots (Tephrosia purpurea) is a boon for the Asthma patients. This herb is common wasteland plant in almost all parts of Chhattisgarh. The educated natives claimed that it is promising alternative to common inhalers available in market. The roots are collected and boiled in water, after washing. After boiling, sugar, Tea leaves and milk are added and by routine method tea is prepared. The patients having the trouble of Asthma in winter season are suggested by the natives to take this tasty tea regularly during the season. In case of acute attack, it acts fastly and effectively. The use of Sarphonka roots as tea to treat Asthma is not reported in reference literatures. I am proud to write that the natives are not only aware of this use but also taking benefit from it.

2) The traditional healers informed that they use different animals and its parts very frequently like herbs in treatment of common troubles. Bhopalpatnam region is surrounded by dense forests and full of wild flora and fauna. The healers take maximum advantage of these flora and fauna.

3) In general, the Ayurveda practitioners restrict the use of Imli (Tamarind) during the treatment through herbs. In Bhopalpatnam region, the healers pose no restriction on use of Imli. According to them, in many cases the use of Imli increases the effectiveness of many common herbs.

4) The herb collectors who visit the forest frequently, informed that a typical small Bhalu (small Bear locally known as Munnur or Burdi Guddelagu) is fond of eating Safed Musli (Chlorophytum sp.) Roots. The collectors informed me that it taste like roasted groundnut and as you are aware, that the common bear is fond of groundnut. For herb collectors, this Bear is a competitor because in Bear infested areas, it is very hard to find this valuable herb. They further informed me that June is a breeding month of this species and they have noted increased consumption of Musli by the species in this particular month. This observation indicates that it is more than the taste of groundnut that attaracts the Bear to consume it.

5) Traditionally the natives, put the roots of Safed Musli and Satavar (Asparagus sp.) In hot ash and after roasting eat it as such. This is only the processing method they adopt. In reference literatures, this processing method is not described. Many researchers believe that roasting can destroy the medicinal properties of these herbs but the healers are not agreed with this hypothesis.

6) The consumption of alcoholic liquor prepared by indigenous methods is very common in this region. In general the healers, recommend the herbal formulations or mixture with Desi Daru (liquor).

7) The healers, like the healers of other parts of Chhattisgarh, always keep distance from the strangers because they are very cautious about the loss of their traditional medicinal knowledge.

8) The natives informed me that to keep the digestive system active, the dear (Hiran) eat special type of salty soil. The traditional healers aware of this fact, collect the soil from the specific locations and use it in different diseases. The poachers take advantage of this specific behaviour. They mix the lethal herbal extracts in soil and when dear visit to this place, due to extracts, they lose their lives. The poachers easily capture these dear.

9) The survey confirmed the natural occurrence of Sal Khapri (Advi Algu; Manis sp.) In Bhopalpatnam region, Also confirmed that the healers are using its meat and scale as medicine in treatment of many common diseases. But as it is not used very frequently, there is no threat on its natural population.

10) Shri Godbole requested me to introduce his family members to the world community through my article at Botanical.com. I accepted it. His wife's name is Mrs. Vimalka Karm. He is a father of two son Subodh Rao (14 years) and Bhavik (9 years). His whole family is dedicated for herbs. They have planted common herbs in the home garden. Shri Subodhrao is taking keen interest in father's work. Shri Godbole is happy to see that his traditional knowledge will help the natives upto long time through his son. His wife and two sons place active role in processing of herbs. Thank you very much for reading the article.