Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. XXXXIII. Ketki (Agave americana; family : Agavaceae)

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

Although Ketki is a native to South America but the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, living with this herb since generations are aware of its medicinal properties and uses. Ketki is planted as ornamental herb in home gardens. Many natives use it as fence. Although it is not a wild species but during my ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of the state, I have observed the presence of Ketki in dense forests. According to experts, this presence is due to its escapes from crop fields or plantation sites.

It is one of the favorite plants of forest department. It is planted in hill slopes in order to check the soil erosion. You will find this herb planted in periphery of almost all forest plantations as live fence to prevent the entry of wild animals and also of human beings. Its leaf yields a strong fibre and in Chhattisgarh it is in use for making ropes. Many farmers fulfil the annual requirement of ropes with the help of this herb. For ropes, in many parts of Chhattisgarh, Ketki is under commercial cultivation. I have seen hundreds of acres under Ketki in Chhattisgarh. In neighboring state Orissa, it is under cultivation in even more area. Due to fluctuations in market demand, the Ketki growers have yet not got promising returns from this crop. This is the reason, many projects failed particularly in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. In many parts of the world, Ketki is considered as a problematic weed. If you consider it as a weed, it is very difficult to manage this herb. As weed its extensive rooting systems that helps in checking soil-erosion other wise, establish it as obnoxious weed. This is really surprising (rather odd) observation that in one part of the world it is considered as useful herb and people are promoting it and in other parts, it is considered as weed and in the name of eradication, lethal chemicals are in use. No one is ready to understand what the great loss these lethal chemicals are causing to our ecosystem?

Ketki is a valuable medicinal herb. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Ketki both internally and externally in treatment of many common as well as complicated diseases. It is a popular veterinary medicine in the state. Before giving details regarding its traditional uses, I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. According to the reference literature, Ketki is a half-woody stem less, perennial; Leaf erect-patent, with strong, widely patent or recurved marginal spines with longitudinal, white or yellow streaks or bands; Flower yellowish-green, funnel shaped, in large panicles; Fruits oblong, clavate and beaked capsule. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, not much has been written on medicinal uses of this herb. Its laxative and emmenagogue properties and its use in scurvy, syphilis, scrofula and cancer have been mentioned. The roots possess diuretic, diaphoretic and anti-syphilitic properties. The natives of Chhattisgarh use the leaf juice of Ketki as styptic when they get injuries during field work. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the roots of Ketki in treatment of Metrorrhagia. The aqueous extract of root is given with sugar internally. It is used as supplement treatment to main treatment. The roots collected before flowering are preferred. In treatment of Gonorrhoea, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use the decoction of Ketki leaves. The decoction is prepared by boiling the leaves in water. When half quantity (on initial quantity taken) remains, the boiling is stopped. The decoction is used internally. In treatment of throat related troubles, the traditional healers of Narharpur region use the flowering stalk in unique way. They use it in form of Herbal Cigarette. The stalk is dried powdered and burnt. The patients are advised to inhale the fumes to get rid from troubles. Many healers use it in preparation of Herbal Cigarette for treatment of Asthma. The flower pulp is applied externally in case of headache. This use is common in all parts of Chhattisgarh. The flowers are also used in treatment of Epilepsy in combination with other herbs specially Kewda flowers (Pandanus sp.) I have mentioned in pervious articles, about the use of Ketki as veterinary medicine in case of bone fractures. It is used externally. The above mentioned traditional uses are although less in number but enough to establish Ketki as medicinal crop in Chhattisgarh. During survey I have noted that many Ketki growers (growing it for ropes) are not aware of its demand as medicinal crop. When I informed them, they got surprised and showed interest in expanding the area under Ketki. Through the surveys, I am trying to collect more information on this important herb.

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