Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. XXXXXIV. Fulbahari (Thysanolaena maxima; family Gramineae)

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

Fulbahari is a perennial grass and its panicles are made into soft brooms (Locally Bahari). The natural forests of Chhattisgarh are rich in natural population of this herb. I have noted its rich population in Bilaspur, Pendra and Bastar region. In Bagbahera region, it is present in abundance. Every year this herb provides employment to thousands families engaged in its collection. Like marketing of other herbs there are many channels in this trade. This is the reason, the true collectors do not get good returns. You will be surprised to know that in many parts of Chhattisgarh, the Fulbahari collectors give the bundles of grass in exchange of equal weight of Namak (Common salt). Although many advanced Brooms are available in markets but the natives still prefer brooms prepared from Fulbahari. I personally feel that if state authorities give sufficient attention on this trade, we can provide real returns to true herb collectors. There is a strong need to break the channels so that herb collectors can sell the produce directly to end purchasers. Like other herbal trades, it seems difficult at this moment. The traders engaged in Fulbahari business informed that the grass collected from the neighboring state Orissa posses more positive properties in terms of strength and durability. I have seen both the species but not found the claims true. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, very less information on the medicinal uses of Fulbahari have been mentioned. Although the healers aware of its medicinal uses are less in number in Chhattisgarh but they use Fulbahari in treatment of many common diseases, as medicinal herb. Through the ethnobotanical surveys, I have collected many important information. The traditional healers of Bastar region use the decoction of whole herb internally for many purposes. It is considered as promising remedy in treatment of fever. The healers use to reduce the high temperature. In case of gum related problem, the healers suggest the patients to gargle with this decoction. In general, the healers suggest the natives to use the decoction for this purpose daily, as it prevents the gum related troubles. The traditional healers of Pendra region suggest the patients having the problem of Bavasir (Piles) to wash the anus with this decoction. The healers of this region collect the herb to prepare decoction before emergence of panicles. According to them, after this stage, the other parts of grass looses its medicinal properties to great extent. The healers of many parts claim that the fresh juice of this herb is styptic but I have yet not seen its practical uses. Botanically, with the help of panicle, one can identify different grass species. I am giving details of its panicle, I have noted from reference literatures. Fulbahari (Thysanolaena maxima syn. T. acrarifera syn. T. agrostis syn. Agrostis maxima) is a tall, reed like perennial grass. Spikelets two flowered, upper flower bisexual, lower male or neuter, rarely both fertile, Spikelets innumerale, very minute, hairy, densely crowded in the capillary branches of a very large panicle. After the end of rainy season every year its collection starts from wild. As its demand is increasing and traders are aware of its natural occurrence, in near future due to over exploitation there is possibly that it may become rare herb in Chhattisgarh. During my ethnobotanical surveys in Bagbahera region, I have noted that many natives are planting this grass in periphery of their crop fields. According to them, its cultivation is very easy. Once planted it spreads naturally at fast speed. Its dense growth helps in suppressing the weed flora that creates problem to their crops. Also, in the time of collection, they have not to go in forest areas for the collection. In this part of Chhattisgarh, the conflicts between human beings and wild bear are increasing. I am satisfied with this observation. The promotion of its commercial cultivation will definitely help to reduce the pressure on its natural population in wild.

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