Ganna or Kushiar (Saccharum officinarum) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Many species of Saccharum are reported from Chhattisgarh. Saccharum spontaneum (Kans) and S. munja (Sarkanda) occur naturally in Chhattisgarh. Sugar cane (S. Officinarum) is under cultivation as cash crop. It is cultivation in scattered patches. Now the state government is promoting its commercial cultivation in large scale. In Kavardha region, advanced sugar mill is under construction. The agricultural experts have found Kavardha region suitable for its commercial production. The farmers of other region are also showing interest in this cash crop. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations are engaged in development of new improved varieties through tissue culture method.

Common names of Ganna (Saccharum officinarum) around the world.
S.No.	Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1	Annam	Mia
2	Arabic	Kasabishakar, Qasabussakar
3	Bengal	Ak, Ganna, Ik, Kajuli, UK, Ukyo
4	Brazil	Canna, Canna de assucar, Viba
5	Myanmar	Keyan, Kyan
6	Cambodia	Ampeou, Ampon
7	Canarese	Ikshu, Ikshudanda, Ingolu, Kabbu, Kantara
8	Sri Lanka	karambu
9	Chinese	kan Che, Sha T'ang, Shih Mi
10	Dutch	Suiker riet
11	Egypt	Ghah, Qassab sukkar
12	English	Sugarcane
13	Fiji	Dovu, Vico
14	French	Pofongu, Bogleng
15	French Guiana	Canne a sucre
16	German	Zuckerrohr
17	Guam	Tupo, Tupu
18	Gujarati	Naisakar, Sheradi, Sherdi
19	Hindi	Ganna, Ikh, Ukh, UK, Naishakar
20	Iraq	Qussab sukkari
21	Japanese	Kansia
22	Java	Tebu
23	Kurdish	Gamish-i-shikir
24	La Reunion	Canne
25	Madagascar	Fary
26	Malay	Tebu, Tubu
27	Marathi	Aos, Kabbo, US, Usa
28	Persian	naishakar
29	Philippines	Tubo
30	Portuguese	Cannade assucar
31	Samoa	Tolo
32	Roumanian	Trestie de zahar
33	Sanskrit	Adhipatra, Asipatra, Bhurirassa, Gandidi, Gudada, Gudadaru, Madhutrina, Rasala, Rasaly, Sastra, Sukumasaka, Maharasa, Ikshu, Ikshura, Vansha
34	Spanish	Canade azucar
35	Tamil	Angarigai, Ikku, Kalai, Karambu
36	Telugu	Cheraku, cherakubodi, Ikshupu, Inju, Kantaramu
37	Urdu	Canade azucar
38	Uriya	Aku, Ikhyo, Gudodaru

The research institutions are conducting field trials and engaged in development of standard package of practice for its commercial cultivation in different parts of Chhattisgarh. For the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, Ganna is a valuable medicinal herb. But unfortunately, its cultivation is not under promotion for its medicinal properties and uses. Many experts reply that they are producing Ganna and now it is upon the natives, how they use it, as sugar source or as medicine. But the natives and traditional healers are aware that how the use of chemical inputs in commercial production decreases its medicinal properties. Unfortunately, the organic farming of Ganna is not under promotion. The produces of organic farming can be used as medicine without any problem. During my ethnobotanical surveys in Southern parts of Chhattisgarh, I have observed wild species of Ganna in forest areas. The traditional healers of this region prefer this species in treatment. This species is less rich in sweetness. As the reference literatures are full of information on the commercial production of Ganna and its various industrial uses, I am not giving these details in this article. Before giving details on its traditional medicinal uses, I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. According to reference literatures, the stems of Ganna are solid, yellow, purple, red or striped, having height from 6 to 12 feet; Leaves flat; Panicle terminal, Spreading, erect, oblong, from one to three feet long, gray from the quantity of long use hairs that surround the florets; the branches alternate and spreading, and very spreading; Rachis striated, Glumes smooth Palea smooth, membranous, pink. In cultivated species, lots of variations can be seen. Ganna holds a reputed position as medicinal herb in different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, Ganna is sweet, oleaginous, indigestible, diuretic, tonic, cooling, aphrodisiac and useful in fatigue, thirst, leprosy, intestinal trouble, anaemia, erysipelas, inflammations, ulcers etc. According to Unani system of medicine, Ganna is sweet, laxative, diuretic, fattening, aphrodisiac and good for lungs. It is bad of liver (I would like to mention here that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh consider it beneficial to liver and the patients having Jaundice are advised by the healers to take more and more Ganna juice.) The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the Ganna juice in treatment of Renal Calculi (Pathri) very frequently. According to them, the consumption of cane helps in flushing out the Pathri efficiently in very less time. In general, healers suggest the patients to use and extract the juice, with the help of mouth directly. The juice extracted with the help of machine is not preferred. They reject the stored juice. According to the healers, mouth sucked juice is coolest in nature, machine extracted is relatively hotter whereas stored juice (changes black in colour) is hottest in nature, relatively.

The rural and forest areas of Chhattisgarh, the natives still consume raw cane without the help of machine. In urban areas where natives having no time (?) Are preferring the juice extracted with the help of machine. The natives add Adrak (Ginger) and Nimbu (Lemon) juice in Ganna juice to make it more nutritive. The farmers are aware about the styptic properties of Ganna and in case of injuries during field work, they never miss the chance to utilize this traditional knowledge. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, suggest the patients having skin troubles to take more and more Ganna. It is considered as promising blood purifier. Gud (Jaggery) prepared from juice have wide medicinal uses. I have written a lot about Gud in my previous articles, I am not repeating it here. In many parts of Chhattisgarh the natives suggests the newly wed couples to increase the intake of Ganna. It is considered as aphrodisiac and also good health tonic. I personally feel that there is a need to establish Ganna as potential medicinal crop in Chhattisgarh and to popularize its traditional medicinal uses. Through the on-going ethnobotanical surveys I am trying my best to gather more information on this aspect.

Thank you very much for reading the article.