Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditiona uses. XXXXXVI. Hansraj (Adiantum lunulatum, family Polypodiaceae)

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

Like Bach (Acorus calamus) and Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) rhizome, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the rhizome of Hansraj in treatment of Mirgi (Epilepsy). Hansraj is known as in other names also like Kalibooti, Kalavan, Kalijhant, Kariyarjadi etc. but the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh easily identify it as Hansraj. Although this herb is present in abundance, but very few traditional healers are aware of its medicinal uses and properties. I have collected some important information on its traditional medicinal uses through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh. In present article, I am giving the details. You will be surprised to know that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Hansraj both as hair growth promoter and hair remover. As hair growth promoter its rhizome is used. The rhizome is burnt and ash is collected. This ash is applied externally as hair tonic. The fresh juice of same herb is capable to act as hair remover. The healers take advantage of this unique traditional knowledge in routine practice. The traditional healers of Bastar region use Hansraj rhizome in treatment of Amenorrhoea. It is considered as one of the promising remedies. The natives active in Tantrik activities, use the rhizome to repel away the evil spirits. They burn the rhizome for this purpose; like the Bach (Acorus calamus). The natives of many parts of Chhattisgarh use the fumes of burning rhizomes to repel away the flies in rainy season. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use it as blood purifier and in combination with other herbs give it to the patients having skin troubles. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region, use Hansraj in treatment of respiratory diseases. According to the healers, its internal use provides great relief to the patients having an acute attack of Asthma. Although the official record claims that it is not in trade from Chhattisgarh but I have seen its large scale collection from forests. The herb collectors informed me that its availability in natural forests is decreasing day by day. It prefers moist place and occurs in isolated patches. In reference literatures related to botany, I have found this detail. Rhizome short-creeping, stripes 10-15 cm long, tufted, wiry, naked, polished dark chestnut brown; Fronts 15-30x7.5 cm, simply pinnate, often elongated and rooting at the apex, pinnae subdimidiate, the lower edge in a line or oblique with the petiole, the upper rounded usually more or less lobed; Rachis and both surfaces naked; Texture herbaceous; Sori linear, frequently becoming confluent. According to Ayurveda, the roots of Hansraj (Adianthum lunulatum) are good for strangury and fever due to elephantiasis, Plant is pungent, alterative, alexiteric, indigestible and useful in dysentery, blood diseases, ulcers, erysipelas, burning sensation, epileptic fits etc. In my Allelopathic studies, I have found the aqueous extract of this herb useful to manage many harmful insects from crop fields. With the help of innovative herb growers of Chhattisgarh, we have used it successfully in commercial cultivation of medicinal crop Kasturi Bhendi (Abelmoschus moschatus). The detailed experiments are in progress.

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