Traditional medicinal knowledge about Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi; family : Velerianaceae) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Jatamansi or Balchhar is not a native to Chhattisgarh. It occurs naturally in alpine Himalayas, Kumaon and Sikkim. During the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh when the traditional healers informed me about the traditional medicinal uses of Jatamansi, I got surprised. These observations motivated me to write a separate article on Jatamansi. The healers purchase this herb from local herb shops and the owners of local herb shops bring it from neighboring states.

The traditional healers are aware that in the name of Jatamansi, they are cheated often and they have to pay high prices for false materials. Many healers have developed testing methods to get genuine material. The traditional healer of Mudpar village informed me various medicinal uses of Jatamansi, he is practicing. He informed me that he frequently uses this herb in treatment of mental troubles. According to him, it is a boon for the patients having the problem of Mirgi (Epilepsy). The herb is dried and dipped in half litre of water, at night. Next morning, the leachate is given to the patients. The doses depend upon the vitality of patients. In case of complications, he boils the herbal solution at night and next day use it in same way. The traditional healers of Bastar region, use Jatamansi herb in combination with Bach (Acorus calamus) root powder internally in treatment of hysteria. The healers of this region use Jatamansi herb as hair tonic externally. The herb is boiled in base oil and when all watery contents evaporate, boiling is stopped and herbal oil is stored for future use. As base oil, Til (Sesame) oil is used mostly. The healers consider it effective against dandruff and lice. It promotes new hair growth and stops premature graying of hairs. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, use this herb in famous herbal formulations used for hair growth promotion. The traditional healer of Bastar region Shri Vishal Bharat was using Jatamansi internally in combination with other herbs in treatment of rheumatism. The natives engaged in Tantra activities use the rhizomes of Jatamansi as the rhizomes of Bach. It is not wrong to say that for these natives Bach is promising alternative to Jatamansi. The natives engaged in manufacturing of incense stick use the Jatamansi in combination with other aromatic herbs including Bach.

It is popularly used in herbal coil used to repel away the mosquitoes. But as its price is high, it is used in special formulations only. The traditional healer of Gunderdehi informed me about the use of Jatamansi internally in treatment of Renal calculi but according to him, many other promising herbs are available it is used less frequently. Many traditional healers of Chhattisgarh claim that Jatamansi occurs naturally in dense forests of neighboring state Orissa, but I have yet not seen it in forests. According to reference literatures, Jatamansi is a dwarf herbaceous plant with a long hairy top root; stems perennial, very short, simply divided into a number of shaggy scaly crown from which the leaves proceed; Branches erect, a few inches high, downy; Leaves obovate-lanceolate, 3-ribbed, downy; those next the root acute, the upper ones obtuse; flowers pale pink, clustered in the axils of the upper leaves, which form a kind of involucre to them. According to reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, Jatamansi is used as sedative, anti-spasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue and stomachic. This is really surprising and matter of proud that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of many valuable medicinal uses of this herbs and the important observation is that they are using it in routine practice.

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