Major Ocimum species (Tulsi) of Chhattisgarh, India : Natural Occurrence, Traditional Medicinal Knowledge and Trade

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

I have evaluated the allelopathic potential of all the major Ocimum species viz. Ocimum canum (Memri), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Ocimum kilimandscharicum ( Kapuri tulsi) and Ocimum basilicum (Van tulsa) of Chhattisgarh, India. I have tested allelopathic potential of these species on germination and seedling vigour of common crops like rice, wheat, linseed, chickpea, Pigeonpea, mustard etc. And observed stimulatory (negative) allelopathic effects of different plant parts particularly the leaves and roots. The aqueous extract and leachate of all species possess valuable allelochemicals that can be utilized as Green growth promoters. I have also tried these extracts and leachate on medicinal crops of Chhattisgarh viz. Kasturibhendi (Abelmoschus moschatus), Safed Musli (Chlorophyum borivilianum), Sarphgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina), Dhikuar (Aloe vera), Bach (Acorus calamus), Chandrashoor (Lepidium sativum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) etc. Many herb growers of Chhattisgarh are utilizing these extracts and leachate in order to treat the seeds and planting material. For farmer’s use, we have developed a very simple method and with the help of this farmer’s friendly method, farmers are preparing the desired extracts and leachate at their own farms without sophisticated instruments. For seed treatment, these are used in place of fungicide. Out of all these species, Ocimum sanctum is used most frequently to treat the seeds. These growers spray the aqueous extracts and leachate of different parts on standing crops in order to repel away the harmful insects. We have not observed any harmful effects of this spray on standing crops. The growers use Ocimum basilicum (Van tulsa) most frequently for spray.

Common and popular names of Tulsi (Ocimum species) around the world
Languages/regions/countries	Ocimum	Ocimum	Ocimum	Ocimum
	basilicum	canum	gratissimum	sanctum
1) Arabic	Asaba-ul-feteyat, Badarwaj, Badruj, Baklut-ul-zub, Habaq, Habbok, Hebak, Hibag, Rihan, Schogar, Schachasfaram	------------------	Furanjmishk	Dohsh, Schadjant, Vasub
2) Bengali	Babuitulsi, Debunsha, Khubkalam	Bharbari	Ramtulsi, Ramtulshi	Kalatulsi, Kural, Tulshi, Tulsi
3) Kanarese	Kamkusturi, Ramkasturi, Sajjebiya	Nagitulasi, Ramatulasi		Kalatulsi, Karitulasi, Sritulasi, Tulasi
4) Chinese	Hsan Ts'ao, Lo le		Tzeu Sou
5) English	Basil, Common Basil, Common Sweet Basil, Garden Basil, Roman Basil	American Basil, Hairy Basil, Hoary Basil, White Basil, Hoary Tulsi	Large Basil, Lemon Basil, Shrubby Basil	Holy Basil, Monk's Basil, Rough Basil, Sacred Basil
6) Gujarati	Damaro, Damro, Nasabo, Sabje	-------------------	Avachibavachi, Ramtulasi	Tulsi, Talasi
7) Hindi	Babuitulsi, Babul, Bahari, Barbar, Kalitulsi, Rihan	---------------------	Bantulsi, Malatulsi, Ramtulsi	Baranda, Kalatulsi, Krishnatulsi, Tulsi, Varanda
8) Malyalam	Paccha, Truinitru	Katturamatulasi	Kattutrittavu, Ramtulasi	Krishnatulasi, Kunnakam, Punya, Shivatulasi, Trittavu, Tulasi
9) Sanskrit	Ajaganothika, Surabhi, Tulasidevesha, Tungi, Manjarika	Ajaka, Arjaka, Gambhitra	Ramatulsi, Sukshmaputraka, Vanabarbarika, Vriddhatulasi	Ajaka, Arjaka, Gauri, Gramya, Haripriya, Krishnamula, Krishnatulasi, Laxmi, Madhavi, Tulsi, Vaishnavi, Madurutala, Mudura tulla
10) Sinhalese	Hintala, Sawandalata, Suwandutala	Hintalla	Tankay	Madurutala, Mudura tulla
11) Tamil	Tirunitru	Ganjam Korai, Kanjan Korai, Naitulasi	Elumicha tulasi, Peruntulasi	Alungai, Karut tulasi, Kullai
12) Telugu	Rudrajada, Bhutulasi	Kukkatulasi	Nimmatulasi, Ramatulsi	Brynda, Gaggera, Krishnatulsi

In my studies, I have found the Kapuri tulsi (Ocimum kilimandscharium) more effective as compared to Van tulsa but due to poor availability, the growers are using Van Tulsa. Since centuries, the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of insecticidal properties of different species of Ocimum. The dried leaves are mixed with stored grain in order to repel away to harmful insects. In many parts of Chhattisgarh the natives use Tulsi leaves mixed with Neem leaves for the same purpose. In general the researchers question the practical utility of allelopathic experiments, as most of the experiments are conducted at laboratory level and after publication of research findings in form of nice research papers with sufficient and attractive data, the researchers shift to other studies. As allelopath, I have also published many research papers in national and international journals, but as most of the journals are published in English, my people are unable to get benefit from these research findings. After knowing this fact, I decided to publish less papers and started for practical utilisation of my research findings. Initially at university level, I demonstrated my experimental findings and after getting good responses from innovative herb growers of Chhattisgarh like Mr. Deen Dayal Verma, I started experimentation at farmers fields, with the objectives of solving their burning problems. As the use of chemical inputs is not permitted in herb farming, this was the great challenge for us to protect our medicinal crops from insects and other harmful invaders. With the help of promising tool Allelopathy, we got success in our mission and today I am glad to see, the Chhattisgarh farmers are adopting the research findings in their routine farming. Many friends advise me to go for isolation of allelochemicals responsible for stimulatory allelopathic effects, but due to lack of advanced laboratory facilities, I am unable to fulfil this dream. I have satisfaction that although it is very crude method but farmers are taking advantage of our research findings. The herb growers plant different species of Ocimum around the fields in order to protect the crop. The natives are also aware of this fact and from crop fields they never try to uproot the wild species of Ocimum, grow as weed. In reference literatures, I have read that many species of Ocimum prevents the entry of mosquitoes in area where it is grown. I have tried many native species but not got the success. As per suggestions of traditional healers, I tried different species of Ocimum in combination with Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) but this combination is also not resulted in prevention of mosquito attacks.

This is a fact that both herbs are useful in treatment of malaria (caused by mosquitos) and the natives and traditional healers are using these herbs since generations. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is well known sacred plant of the Indians and is an essential part of their home gardens and temples. Since my childhood, I am listening about the importance of Tulsi herb from my grandmother and mother. Daily they worship the Tulsi herb planted in campus and at evening put a diya (earthen candle) near to this herb. During worship, they offer water near to the base of herb. In general, daily half litre of water is applied during worship process in Tulsi herb. Tulsi is not a water loving herb. Over irrigation make this herb weak and unhealthy. This is the reason in home gardens of Chhattisgarh, you will never find the healthy Tulsi herb and due to over irrigation, many insects and pathogens attack the herb and make the herb more prone to death. In reference literatures, the detailed information on various medicinal properties and use of all species of Ocimum are described. In this article. I am describing some promising and existing traditional medicinal knowledge and uses of Ocimum species particularly the Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi). The use of Herbal Mala prepared from the stem pieces of Tulsi is very popular and common in Chhattisgarh. According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, this Herbal Mala is useful for all age groups but specially useful for children. The presence of this Mala, saves the children from diseases. It is also recommended for persons having poor vitality. The natives use one Mala whole life and there is no provision for changing the old Mala into new in any specific occasion or time. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, natives use the root pieces to prepare Herbal Mala. According to them, this Mala prevents the soul from ill spirits. For preparation of Mala, Ocimum sanctum is preferred. There is no specific recommendation as how long stem should be used or how many pieces should be used to prepare the Herbal Mala. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the powdered seeds as sex tonic alone or in combination with other herbs. In general, they suggests the patient to take six pinches of powdered seeds with cow’s fresh milk twice in a day. For normal person the half dose is recommended. The overdose can cause adverse effects. The traditional healers of Bastar region mix the equal parts of seeds and roots, in order to prepare a sex tonic. In Dalli - Rajhara region, equal proportion of roots, seeds and leaves are mixed and used as sex tonic.

Many healers recommend it with gud (Jaggery) in place of cow’s milk. The healers warn the patients to avoid its regular use. In general, they suggests the patient to take it upto two months. When I interviewed the patients taking this sex tonic, they informed that this combination is very effective and capable of producing desire effects within a week. The fresh juice of Tulsi seeds is applied by the natives into the eyes. According to them, this juice keeps the eye healthy and free from diseases. The herbal tea prepared from Tulsi leaves is also very common in Chhattisgarh. During attack of flu, corza and cough, this tea is used. The leaves are boiled in water and after adding sugar, the natives use this herbal tea. The hot decoction is also used. To prepare a decoction leaves are boiled in water till half (of initial quantity) of water is remained. The patients suffering from skin trouble are advised by the traditional healers to apply the fresh juice of Tulsi herb in affected part and if possible, take special bath using Tulsi. In my previous article on Kadu Pani, I have described the use of Memri (Ocimum canum) in combination with other herbs for special bath. In mosquito infested areas, the natives rub the leaves of Tulsi in body in order to prevent the mosquito bites. In many parts, whole herb in burnt to repel away the flies. Although I have yet not seen the practical use, but according to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, every part of Tulsi is useful in case of snake bite. It is used both internally and externally. The healers apply the white paste of Tulsi root, makkhan and ghee in affected part. According to them as this paste cleans the affected part, its colour changes from white to black. The black paste is removed and fresh white paste is applied. This process is repeated till the complete treatment of patient.

I personally feel that scientific evaluation of this use is essential to prove its efficiency and efficacy. In case of vomiting, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, use the fresh juice of Tulsi as first aid measure. If problem persists, they use other herbs accordingly. As mentioned earlier, Tulsi holds a reputed position in different systems of Medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, the herb is pungent, bitter, heating, stomachic Cholagogue, anthelmintic, alexiteric, antipyretic and useful in treatment of heart and blood diseases, leucoderma, asthma, bronchitis, vomiting, foul smells, lumbago pains, hiccup, painful eyes, purulent discharge of ear etc. I am describing its botany in short. According to reference literatures, it is annual plant, having 30-60 cm height, stems and branches sub quadrangular, purplish in colour, covered with soft hairs, leaves elliptic-oblong, obtuse or acute, entire or serrate, pubescent, minutely gland-dotted; Flowers in racemes, 15-20 cm long in close whorls; Corolla two lipped, purplish in colour, upper lip pubescent on the back; fruits nutlets, smooth and yellow with black marking. The family is Labiateae. As mentioned earlier, Tulsi is grown as garden herb in Chhattisgarh, it is not reported in wild. Also it is not under cultivation as medicinal crop. There is not a single pharmacy using Tulsi herb in bulk to prepare herbal drugs.

Van Tulsa (Ocimum basilicum) is well known non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh. There is a routine demand of this herb in national and international drug markets. Van Tulsa occurs as wasteland plant in the state. All parts of Van Tulsa are collected and delivered to nearby metro. As its popularity, in the field of organic farming is increasing, its demand is also increasing. Van Tulsa is not under cultivation in Chhattisgarh. Many herb growers have tried the commercial cultivation in early days but due to lack of distillation unit for extraction of oil and marketing infrastructure, they stopped this cultivation. Through my articles, I always suggest the herb growers of Chhattisgarh to utilize this wasteland herb There is good demand of Van Tulsa oil in national and international markets. During my ethnobotanical surveys I have identified many villages having dense population of Van Tulsa herb. I am confident that the establishment of distillation units in these rich villages can generate enormous employment opportunities among rural youths. As all villages are not having the rich population of Van Tulsa, it clearly indicated that mother nature has selected these villages for this particular herb, I am sure that commercial cultivation of Van Tulsa will be successful in these villages. You will be surprised to know that many traditional healers are extracting Van Tulsa oil for their own patients but it is not produced commercially.

These healers adopt indigenous method to extract the oil. I have seen the practical use of this indigenous method. As the cost of imported distillation units is very high, I am sure that this indigenous method can play a vital role and after small modification this method can be used to extract the quality oil in bulk. In my experiments on Allelopathy, I have found Van Tulsa very effective against obnoxious weed Gajar ghas (Parthenium hysterophorus) harmful to human beings, crops and animals and a real curse for the biodiversity. In nature, Van Tulsa successfully competes with Parthenium and smother its growth to greater extent. This natural observation motivated me to evaluate the allelopathic potential of different parts of Van Tulsa on different stages of Parthenium plant. As my experiments are completing, I am planning for the patent. Like Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Van Tulsa also holds a reputed position as medicine in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. In many parts of India, this herb is under cultivation in fairly large areas. According to reference literatures, Van Tulsa herb as medicine is pungent, dry, stomachic, alexipharmic, anthelmintic, antipyretic and useful in treatment of heart and blood diseases, biliousness, leucoderma, itch, joint pains, inflammations, enlarged spleen etc. I am describing its botany, I have noted from reference literatures. Van tulsa is an erect herb having height upto one meter; glabrous or hispid pubescent; Stem and branches green or purplish; Leaves ovate, acute, entire, toothed or lobed; Flower in whorled racemes; terminal raceme longer than the lateral; bracts stalked; corolla two-lipped, white, pink or purplish, glabrous or pubescent; Fruits nutlets about 2mm long, ellipsoid, black and pitted.

Memri (Ocimum canum) is also occur as wasteland plant in Chhattisgarh and used similarly as Ocimum basilicum by the traditional healers and natives. It is most frequently used Ocimum species for special herbal bath performed in different worship ceremonies. Kapuri Tulsi (Ocimum kilimandscharium) is not a common herb in Chhattisgarh, I have seen it in isolated patches in natural habitat. According to reference literatures, the leaves are source of camphor (Kapuri - Camphor). Like Kapuri Tulsi, Ram Tulsi (Ocimum grattissimum) is also rare in Chhattisgarh. RamTulsi is planted as garden herb in Chhattisgarh. And used as other Ocimum species for the treatment of common diseases.

The presence of different species of Ocimum in Chhattisgarh since generations clearly indicate that the climate and soil are suitable for its commercial cultivation. At present, there is no pressure on natural population of Ocimum species but as its demand is increasing, there is a need to take timely step in order to promote the commercial cultivation of desired species.