Sauf (Foeniculum vulgare) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Although Saunf is not a native to Chhattisgarh, but for the natives and traditional healers it is a valuable herb. Among the natives, it is popular as condiment and spice. Also they use it as home remedy in treatment of many common diseases. The traditional healers aware of its valuable medicinal properties and uses, use this herbs very commonly. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have listed out over 35 common as well complicated diseases in which Saunf is used as medicine alone or in combination with other herbs. Almost all the healers are aware of its medicinal uses. Although Saunf is not under cultivation as commercial crop but I have found this herb in many home gardens. Many healers also plant this herb in their surroundings. The natives informed me that its plantation is not permitted because it is use to prepare alcoholic drinks. That is why authorities have banned its plantation. I have yet not seen any official document on this aspect but since childhood I am hearing this so-called official notification. The reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India are full of information on medicinal uses of Saunf. All parts of Saunf all are used as medicine but roots, leaves and seeds are used most commonly. According to Ayurveda, seeds are hot in nature, laxative, aphrodisiac, stomachic, appetizer, anthelmintic, alexiteric and useful in treatment of eye diseases, burning sensation, fever, thirsts, wounds, dysentery, biliousness, leprosy etc. According to Unani system of medicine, leaves improve eyesight whereas seeds are carminative, galactagoggue, diuretic, stimulant, cure intestinal troubles and useful in treatment of diseases of chest, spleen, kidney, in headache, amenorrhoea, cough, asthma etc. According to reference literatures related to botany, Saunf is a tall glabrous, dark green annual herb; Leaves decompound, ultimate segments linear; Flower in large umbels, bracts and bracteolate absent, yellow; Fruit ellipsoid, ridges prominent, furrows vittate, carpophore two - partite. Although in reference literature the use of Saunf leaves for better eye sight is mentioned but he traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the seeds for this purpose. In general it is common belief in Chhattisgarh that chewing of Saunf after meals helps in improving the eyesight. The traditional healers prepare a herbal combination by mixing 100 gms of Saunf with equal quantity of sugar and ten Elaichi (Elatteria sp.). This combination is taken twice a day with lukewarm milk. One teaspoonful at a time is normal dose. This combination is consider as promising in improving the eye sight. The chewing of Saunf after meals is also considered good for digestion. According to the traditional healers it is a boon for the patients having the problem of constipation. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh use Saunf in treatment of many common troubles. The healers use it internally to solve the problem of issue-less couples. The females are advised to take Saunf seed powder with cow ghee upto 3 months atleast. According to the healers in most of the cases, this simple combination cures the trouble. I would like to mention here that the healers do not want to disclose in what ratio they add the Saunf and ghee. This is the reason, the greedy drug manufactures when try to use this combination by own, they get little success. In reference literatures, different ratios are given but practically very few are effective. The healers specialized in use are aware that this combination is not for all females. In case of failure, they add more herbs in this combination . The healers of Bastar region informed me that the combination is useful only for fat females but the healers of other regions have not confirmed it. As home remedy the natives of Chhattisgarh plains use Saunf in treatment of diarrhoea common in small children. A decoction is prepared by boiling the seeds in water and given to the children. This use is common in other parts also. I have mentioned in previous articles, that how the natives manage the problem of stomach disorder by mixing a pinch of Sonth, Saunf and Shakkar each.. During dentition, the natives of Chhattisgarh give the children Saunf with lukewarm cow milk. They also give it after boiling it in milk. The traditional healers of Narharpur region consider Saunf Seeds a boon for the patients having bleeding piles. The seed powder is given internally with cold water. Also they prepare a decoction by boiling whole herb in water and advise the patients to wash the anus with this decoction. In treatment of skin troubles, along with main treatment, the healers suggest the patients to use the herbal combination of Saunf and Dhania. Both herb are mixed in equal proportion. In this combination double amount of cow ghee and sugar are added. One teaspoonful of combination is given twice a day as supplement.

The natives use Saunf seeds to welcome the guest and also it is served in trays during farewell, in Chhattisgarh. It is used as mouth freshener. It is one of the essential components of Paan, (Piper betle)used as masticatory. Many cottage industries are engaged in manufacturing of different types of flavored Saunf seeds useful in these products. Saunf is providing employment to many natives in Chhattisgarh. Through on-going surveys. I am trying to gather more information on its traditional medicinal uses in Chhattisgarh, India.

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