Chirpoti (Physalis minima) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India.

Chirpoti (Physalis minima) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India.

Pankaj Oudhia

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© Pankaj Oudhia

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Chirpoti or Kapaltodi is a common wasteland and field weed in Chhattisgarh. Its name is present in the list of problematic weeds of Chhattisgarh. Every year many institutes invest much money in research to develop control methods for eradication of this weed. For the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, Chirpoti is a valuable medicinal herb. The farmers have kept this so called weed in the category of medicinal weeds. They are aware of its medicinal uses. They are also aware that many herb collectors purchase the uprooted plants and give good payment for this waste plant. You will be surprised to know that the name of Chirpoti is present in the list of medicinal herbs, the traders supply to the buyers at national markets. The traders informed me that dry whole herb is supplied in bulk. There is a fair demand of its roots also. According to the traders its demand increases suddenly. It indicates that it is used as substitute to any specific herb and when the supply of that specific herb decreases, the demand of Chirpoti increases. Its utilization in form of patent drug is not in existence in Chhattisgarh. The lands of Chhattisgarh are rich in natural population of Chirpoti. It is really an odd observation that no pharmaceutical company of the state is utilizing this cheap raw material. As mentioned earlier, every year tons of Agrochemicals are dumped in crop fields to manage this weed. The concept of 'Management through Utilization' is giving returns to the farmers. As more farmers are learning this concept, I am sure in future very few farmers will select the option of Agrochemicals. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected the information on few but valuable traditional medicinal uses of this herb. I am giving the details in present article.

At last stage, when all herbs and herbal combinations fail to give relief, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Chirpoti in treatment of carbuncle. The healers use its roots for this purpose. Due to its miraculous effects, it holds a reputed position as valuable herb among the healers. They adopt special traditional collection method to harvest the roots. The fresh roots are preferred. The roots collected before flowering are used only. In off-season, the roots are stored in combination with other herbs. According to the healers this combination helps the roots to retain its medicinal properties. The roots are used externally. The roots are rubbed in stone with the help of water to prepare an aqueous paste. This paste is applied many time a day. The use is continued till complete cure. The healers of many parts of Chhattisgarh use the dry root ash in treatment. The roots are burnt and ash is collected. This ash is used externally alone or in combination with other herbs. The traditional healers of almost every part of Chhattisgarh are aware of its unique use in treatment of carbuncle. The traditional healers of southern Chhattisgarh use its leaves alone or in combination with other herbs in treatment of swellings. It is used externally in form of aqueous paste. I have seen only one species of Physalis in Chhattisgarh. In other states of India, many species including Physalis alkekengi (Winter Cherry) have been reported. Many of these species are under cultivation also. The good growth of Physalis minima clearly indicates that the climatic and edaphic factors of Chhattisgarh are suitable for commercial cultivation of Physalis species of commercial importance.

In my Allelopathic studies, I have identified this herb as potential herb having stimulatory Allelopathic effects on many medicinal herbs. With the help of innovative herb growers of Chhattisgarh, we are using the herbal extract of Chirpoti for seed soaking. We have got encouraging results in case of Kasturibhendi (Abelmoschus moschatus) and Ratanjot (Jatropha curcas) germination. Our experiments have revealed that the aqueous extract of Chirpoti possess insect repelling properties also.

I have not found much details regarding its medicinal properties and uses in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. I am trying my best to search the information on end users of this herb. At present, it is popular among the traditional healers for its roots but I am sure that the future surveys on this herb, will result in more information and we will be able to establish this herb as potential medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh.