Interactions with herb traders of Chhattisgarh, India, having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs

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

In articles on herbs, we writers generally blame the herb traders that they are exploiting the tribal and true herb collectors but when we think from their side, we feel that they are doing the business and in business there in no rule or no mercy and the only objective is to earn more and more. As herb expert, I get the opportunities very frequently to meet and interact these herb traders. Beside business, we have family relations with them and we regularly attend different home ceremonies of each other. This is really surprising that the herb traders of Chhattisgarh are having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs useful in treatment of many common diseases. Most of the traders are using these herbs in their families and they have deep faith in traditional medicinal practices. Every time when I meet these traders. I note down all the information provided by them in my personal diary. In the present article, I am describing some of the promising uses of herbs with its botany and other related details.

In Chhattisgarh , Dhamtari is well known herb market. All the herbs collected from Bastar region are purchased by the traders of Dhamtari. From this small city, it is marketed to national and international markets through the agents from metro or mostly directly to international purchases. The traders are engaged in this business from generations and they have strong hold over market. These traders have direct contact with the international dealers and they are well aware of ups and downs in rates. Most of the traders have their own godown and they prefer to store the herbs in order to supply it in off season to get higher prices. During summer months in Chhattisgarh these traders are relatively less busy and they have enough time for discussion. I got information on ethnomedico uses of Lodrh and Samudrashokh from the trader friends of Dhamtari region. According to them, Lodrh is good remedy for female diseases. Its bark is used as medicine. In case of Leucorrhoea (Safed Pani), common problem in women, the bark power is recommended with milk or water. They informed that if any woman take this bark powder, three months regularly in recommended doses, she will be free from any troubles upto one year. The traders are aware of uses of Dasmool (Asparagus racemosus) in these troubles but according to them the use of Dasmool is limited to rich natives whereas Lodrh bark is very cheap and easily available and this is the reason it is very popular in poor natives. They also told me that the bark powder is also useful for pregnant woman. During 6 or 7th month of pregnancy, it is given to pregnant woman in order to avoid abortion and to ensure safe delivery. At this stage, the bark powder is given with honey. According to these traders, Lodrh is popular veterinary medicine in rural areas. During transition season , the natives give the bark powder to their domestic cattle in order to make them enough resistant to fight with diseases. It is good remedy for skin troubles. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the natives wash the wounds or whole animal with the decoction in which Lodrh is an important component. According to these traders, there is regular demand of Lodrh bark in national and international markets. It is one of the important non wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. As the name of this herb is coming for the first time in my articles , I am describing its botany, I have noted from reference literatures. The scientific name of Lodrh is Symplocos crataegoides (Syn. S. paniculata, Lodhra cratagoides). Lodhr is small evergreen tree upto 7 meters in height with thin, smooth , light, grey bark and white wood; leaves simple, alternate, very thick, lanceolate, elliptic or oblong, shortly acuminate at the apex, irregularly crenate or serrate; Flowers yellowish white, fragrant, in close clusters, in axillary spikes; Fruits globose, purple, ribbed drupes; Seeds 1-3, testa thin. The bark is greyish green to slight grey with patches of crustose lichen. The outer bark is thin and the inner greenish or light brown, the cut surface of the thick bark of a mature tree is reddish brown on drying; when broken, short thin fibre tips are seen. In reference literatures, many medicinal properties of Lodhr are described in detail. According to Ayurveda, Lodhr bark is acrid, cooling, digestible, bitter, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, alexiteric, astringent to bowels, tonic for persons of plethoric constitutions, good for all types of eye - disease. It is also useful in treatment of cough, biliousness, bleeding gum, diseases of blood, dysentery, inflammations, vaginal discharges, leprosy and ulcers in vagina. Many traders sell the powdered bark to natives in order to popularise it. It is part of their social services.

The traders of Dhamtari region informed me that Vidhara or Samundra Shokh is also a very useful herb, they use frequently. According to them it is good tonic for patients of all age group. Its roots are used as tonic. The traders use the roots with milk. It is also considered as good memory tonic. For the persons of old age group, it is used to treat rheumatism and gout. According to the traders, there is no regular demand of this herb from the region. As it appears abundantly in natural forests of other parts of India, there is no specific demand. The leaves of Vidhara are used as first aid remedy in case of injuries and wounds. For dressing of wound, the natives use its decoction. In reference literatures, not much has been described about its medicinal uses. Its scientific name is Argyria speciosa (family Convolvulaceae). Vidhara is a very large climber, stems stout, white tomentose; Leaves ovate glabrous above, white - tomentose beneath, base cordate; Flowers in sub-capitate cymes, peduncles stout, white - tomentose, bracts large; Corolla long, tubular, infundibuliform, the bands silky pubescent outside, tube inflated, pubescent outside, rose purple, glabrous inside; Fruit globose apiculate. Flowering time in Chhattisgarh condition varies between August to mid October.

Although natural occurrence of Khamhar is reported in natural forests of Chhattisgarh, but due to its heavy demand as wood, its natural population is decreasing very rapidly. Now seeing its demand many private land owners are planting this tree in hundreds of acres. Their prime objective is to utilise it as timber. It is used to make furniture, musical instruments, frames, artificial limbs, bobbins, bridges, ship building, plywood match-industry and paper making. These multiple uses have increased its popularity and demand. Very few growers are aware of its valuable medicinal properties. Every part of Khamhar possess valuable medicinal properties. It is in list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh and the traders of Raipur region are specialised in this herb and they are supplying it to different traders at national and international level. Although the distance between Dhamtari and Raipur is only 70kms but there is a lot of variations rates of herbs. As the herbs approach towards Raipur its price increases. Khamhar is one of the exceptions. It is marketed through Raipur only. During interactions with the traders of Raipur region, I got lot of information on traditional uses of different parts of Khamhar as medicine. According to them, it is good remedy for sheet -pitti (urticaria). They use the flowers of Khamhar to treat urticaria. The flowers are boiled in cow’s milk and this milk is given to the patients for quick relief. It is common practice in Chhattisgarh that during flowering time (Feb to May in Chhattisgarh conditions), the natives never miss to collect the flowers and they use it in same way. It is general belief that regular intake of Khamhar flowers during flowering time, helps in body maintenance and increase the resistance. Both fresh and dried flowers are used but according to the traders fresh flowers are better and more effective. In case of felon, the natives use the leaves extract for wound dressing. It is one of the promising herbs used for treatment of felon. Many traders informed that the flowers are also used to regulate the bowels. Its fruits are one of the best remedies for Sukhandi (Marasmus). In Chhattisgarh, many villages are named as Khamhardih or Khamharin becasue of heavy natural population of this medicinal herb. The traders informed that in Sanskrit it is known as Gambhari and in India, its trade name is also Gambhari. May reputed pharmaceutical companies regularly purchase different parts of this herb. In timber markets, its trade name is Shivan or Seewan. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, Khamhar as medicinal herb holds a reputed position. According to Ayurveda, root is heating, stomachic, indigestible, laxative, anthelmintic, and useful in treatment of hallucinations, thirst, piles, abdominal pains, burning sensation, fevers, urinary discharges etc. Flowers are astringent, useful in leprosy and blood diseases. Fruits are diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac, alterative and promotes hair growth. Fruits are useful in treatment of thirst, anaemia, leprosy, ulcers, consumption, strangury and vaginal discharges. Botanically Khamhar is a moderate to large, deciduous tree, upto 30 meters height, stem clear bole of 9-15 meters; Bark smooth, whitishgrey, corky, exfoliating in patches when old; Leaf opposite, broadly ovate but usually cordate and glandular; Flower brownish - yellow, in terminal panicles; Fruit fleshy ovoid or oblong drupe, yellow when ripe with leathery, shining, pericarp and sweetish pulp, embedded with 2-3 stones; Seed 300-2600 per kilo grams, dispersed by cattle and deer. The scientific name of Khamhar is Gmelina arborea (family Verbenaceae). Many medicinal uses of Khamhar as reported by the traders have not been mentioned in reference literatures. It is good to see that the natives have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about Khamhar, and they are still using it in treatment of many common diseases.

The trees of Shundi are very common in Chhattisgarh particularly in Bilaspur region. The scientific name of Shundi is Mallotus philippensis (Family Euphorbiaceae). It is also in the list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. The traders of Bilaspur region dealing in this herb have given me these information about traditional medicinal uses of Shundi. According to them its barks and leaves are useful as medicine. They use the bark powder to treat worm troubles. They use the bark powder with gud and ghee. According to them, one dose is sufficient to remove the worms from the intestines. It is also good external remedy in treatment of intense itching in anus common in childhood. This trouble is locally known as "Chinona". In combination with other similar herbs it is used to dress the wound particularly old wounds to enhance the quick healing process. The traders informed me that the traditional healers of Bilaspur region consider this herb as blood purifier and use frequently in treatment of diseases due to blood impurities.

In ancient literature related to different herbs, many types of Moosli are described. The potent roots of Semar are known as Semar moosli in trade and for traditional healers and natives it is very valuable herb. It is equally effective as Safed Moosli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) but Safed Moosli has become more popular. According to the traders of Chhattisgarh, the collection of Semar roots require enough time and specific method, these are the reasons, the healers adopt Safed moosli as cheap and easily collectable alternative. The traders informed that Semar is very common tree in different parts of Chhattisgarh and as medicine all parts are used by the traditional healers and natives of the state. For collection of Semar roots, relatively younger trees are preferred. The soft roots are preferred. According to the traders, they select the soft roots from the lot supplied by the herb collectors and dip it in water whole night. Next morning soften roots are taken with sugar as tonic. It is one of the popular aphrodisiac in Chhattisgarh. The regular intake upto fifty days during winter season is considered best for total health. The traders of Dhamtari region informed me that when they dip the roots in water to soften it, the useful chemicals came out in form of leachate. According to them , this useful chemicals are beneficial for other herbs. It is common practice in the region that the traders apply the leachate in home gardens at the base of ornamental plants particularly the roses. The useful chemicals of this root leachate is considered beneficial for roses. This phenomenon can easily be understood with the help of Allelopathy, a new branch of science.

I am tyring this leachate on different herbs including rose to explain and authenticate this unique traditional medicinal knowledge. According to the traders, regular use of Semar roots as tonic causes constipation, so they advise such users to take the drug under supervision of the traditional healers. The healers are aware of this problem and they suggest the herb to counter this side effects of Semar roots. The traders told me that in general, the healers advise the patients to take Sonth (dried ginger) with milk before sleep, during the use of Semar roots. Sonth is effective to reduce its effects. This is also an unique observation and require scientific attention. The Semar gond (Gum) is used for the treatment of mouth related troubles. According to the traders, regular use of powdered gond as tooth powder makes the teeth healthy, strong and free from all troubles. Its gond is also used to treat diarrhoea by the natives. The traders informed that although the bulbous prickles of young trees are not in demand in national and international markets but the traditional healers and natives are well aware of medicinal uses of bulbous prickles. In case of Apthae (Chhale), they boil these prickles in water and gargle with the decoction for immediate relief. According to the treaders, these prickles are also used for face care. In order to remove black marks from face, the native crush and mix the prickles successfully in face care. In order to make it more effective, they mix the prickles in milk and rose water. Semar flowers are also used as medicine in Chhattisgarh. The traders informed me that there is very erratic demand of these flowers in national markets. The Semar flowers are used in many ways. Its use in case of enlarged spleen is very popular. The flowers are collected and dried in shade. After drying they dip the flowers in water whole night and next morning drink the leachate empty stomach. It is general belief in the region, that alone this treatment is enough to cure this problem successfully. In case of bleeding, both external and internal, for any parts, the natives use the Semar flower with honey under supervision of the traditional healers. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the Semar flowers are used as vegetable (potherb) but unfortunately the natives of these parts are not aware of its unique advantage. In reference literatures, it is mentioned that the use of flowers as vegetable is not only good for normal body health but also it regulates the bowel. It is beneficial for women facing the problem of Safed Pani (Leucorrhoea). The natives are aware that the females must eat this vegetable but they are not aware of its miracle effects. According to them, they have gained the information on use the these flowers as vegetable from their forefathers and since generations they are regularly using it. I have tasted this Bhaji (vegetable) and found it very tasty. The natives adopt special methods of preparation to make this Bhaji more and more delicious. Now I am describing its botany in short. The scientific name of Semar is Bombax ceiba (Family Bombacaceae). Botanically, it is a fast growing, buttressed tree, upto 60 meters height; stem clear bole 24-30 meters, with hard prickles at base, having horizontal branches in more or less whorls; Bark thick, pale ash to silver grey, smooth becoming rough, with irregular cracks; Leaf large, spreading, digitate, with 5-7 , lanceolate, 10-12 cm long leaflets; flower numerous, large, Fleshy bright crimson - yellow or orange. Cluster at the end of branches, rarely unisexual, flowering starts after 8 years of planting; Fruits oblong-ovoid, woody capsule; Seed many, black, irregular obovoid, smooth with dense and silky hairs. The seeds remain viable upto two years.

I will write more on the traditional knowledge of herb traders of Chhattisgarh, in my future articles. The only purpose to write this article to make aware the researchers engaged in ethnomedico surveys that every component of human society is equally important from research point of view.