Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. XXXXXII. Khapribela (Ichnocarpus frutescens, family Apocynaceae)

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

The natural forests of Chhattisgarh are rich in population of Khapribela. In different parts of Chhattisgarh it is known in different names. In plains, it is known as Karia Bela. In Bagbahera region it is known as Duddhi Bela. But by Khapribela and little introduction, the healers of almost all parts recognize this herb. When last week I asked Shri Munna Netam of Narharpur region about its medicinal uses, he simply replied there is no medicinal use of this herb. It is really surprising that instead of its rich occurrence in Chhattisgarh, the healers and herb collectors are less aware of its medicinal uses and properties. This is the reason I have kept this herb in "Less known traditional uses' category. The traditional healer of Tilda region uses the leaves of Khapribela in treatment of fevers. Its decoction is used internally as treatment. According to him, the stalk can also be used with leaves. The traditional healers of Bilaspur region informed me that the decoction of whole herb is promising in treatment of skin troubles. They suggest the patients to wash the affected parts with the decoction. They use it in combination with other herbs also. The natives of Bastar region informed me that in early days they were using its stem to prepare the ropes for domestic use. Now a days this use is becoming obsolete. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region informed me that they use its root in combination with other herbs as aphrodisiac. Khapribela is not in the list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh having regular demand. It is not under cultivation as medicinal crop also. According to reference literatures, Khapribela (Ichnocarpus frutescens syn. Apocynum frutescens) is a large twining shrub; young branches finely fulvous tomentose; Leaves elliptic oblong, glabrous above, slightly pubescent and pale beneath, base rounded; Flowers in axillary and terminal, rusty pubescent, trichotomous cymes, greenish white, numerous, corolla tube with narrow portion below, middle portion much inflated, upper constricted, lobes with white hairs on the upper side; Fruits follicle, straight or slightly curved, very slender, cylindrical; seeds linear, black with white scanty coma; Flowering time Nov. to January in Chhattisgarh conditions. Khapibela holds a reputed position as medicinal herb in different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, its root is sweetish, cooling, aphrodisiac and useful in treatment of thirst, vomiting, fever, biliousness, blood diseases etc. In other respects it behaves like the root of Anantmool Hemidesmus indicus. I am expecting more information on its traditional medicinal uses through on-going ethnobotanical surveys in Bhopalpatnam region of Chhattisgarh.

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