Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. XXXXXIX. Utran (Pergularia daemia, family Asclepiadaceae)

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

Utran is popular among the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh as a medicinal herb useful in treatment of snake-bites. They use it both alone and in combination with other herbs. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted many traditional medicinal uses of this common herb. In general, Utran is considered as wasteland weed and the reference literatures are full of information having research reports to manage this weed. Although very few traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of its medicinal properties and uses but this is good sign that they are using it in their routine practice successfully. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh use the aqueous extract of leaves in combination with other herbs in treatment of diarrhoea common in small children. The natives of many parts of Chhattisgarh eat its leaves and fruits with taste. The healers of Narharpur region, collect the leaves and dry it in shade. The shade dried leaves are burnt and the patients having the problem of Asthma are advised to inhale the fumes. It is considered very promising during acute attack. You will be surprised to know that the healers of Bagbahera region, also burn the leaves and the patients having the problem of Bleeding Piles are advised to expose the piles in fumes. The healers of Bilaspur region, apply the soften leaves after boiling the leaves in water, externally in treatment of joint pains. The soften leaves are applied painful parts. Utran is not in the list of medicinal herbs having regular demand in national and international markets. I am giving the details of its botany I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically, Utran (Pergularia daemia syn. Daemia extensa syn. P. extensa) is a perennial twining herb, foetid when bruised and with much milky juice, stem hairy; leaves thin, broadly ovate or suborbicular, glabrous above, velvety pubescent beneath; Flowers in lateral cymes which are at first corymbose, afterwards racemose, greenish yellow or dull-white; Corolla tubular, lobes spreading, ciliate; Corona outer and inner, outer truncate, inner curved high over the staminal column, spur acute; Fruits follicle, reflexed, beak long, soft spiny; seeds densely pubescent on both sides with coma; Flowering time August to February in Chhattisgarh conditions. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, its use in gynecological troubles is mentioned. It is described as good uterine tonic and sedative. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are not much aware of its use in gynecological troubles. Its successful use in treatment of snake bite, has established it as promising herb among the traditional healers. But its uses are not enough to establish it as potential medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh. I personally feel that there is a strong need to collect more information on this herb in Chhattisgarh. Also in other parts of the world where is grows.

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