Interactions with the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh (India) specialized in use of Andi (Ricinus communis, family Euphorbiaceae) as medicinal herb.

Interactions with the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh (India) specialized in use of Andi (Ricinus communis, family Euphorbiaceae) as medicinal herb. 

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

Andi is well known medicinal herb around the world. The oil extracted from seeds, known as Castor oil, is famous purgative. I have written a lot on traditional medicinal uses of Andi oil, in my previous articles. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use all parts of Andi both internally and externally in treatment of over 40 common and complicated diseases. Common names of Castor around the world. Language/Region/Country Names Afganistan Bazanjir, Buzanjir Arabic Charua, Djar, Hurua Assam Eri Bengal Bheranda Myanmar Kesu, Kyekesu Cambodia Lohong preng Canarese Avudala, Chittubaraly, Eranda Brazil Carapateiro Egypt Kharwa, Kiki English Castor-oil plant, Palma, Christi French Avanacoe, Avanacu, carapat, Grand ricin Greek Kiki German Wunderbaum Guam Agaliya Gujarati Divelli, Divelligo, Tirki Hindi Arand, Arandi, Arend, Erand, Erandi, Ind, Rand Iraq Khirwa Italian Caffee Ja olio, Lohong Malyalam Anandam, Avanaka, Chittavanaku, Erandam, Kotta, Panjangulam Marathi Erandi, Yarandicha Mauritius Palma Christi Mexican Tlaplati Mosambique Ambona Nepal Alha, Areta, Orer North America Castor bean, Castor plant Portuguese Carrapateiro, Ricina, Mammona Russian Kleshtshexika Sanskrit Amanda, Amangala, Bhanda, Eranda, Ishta, Kanta, Panjangula, Shukla. Sinhalese Eudaru, Telendary Spanish Higuera deldiablo Tamil Aimugi, Amanakku, Andagam, Asaram, Attagam, Kottai, Erandam Telugu Amudamu, Erandamu, Chittamudamy Urdu Eranda Uriya Bheronta, Chitroko, Erondo, Gobo, Joda, Kalo, Monto Through my Ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have identified 57 traditional healers specialized in use of Andi as medicinal herb. Andi as oil seed crop is under cultivation in different Indian states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Karnataka etc. A lot of information on medicinal properties and uses have been mentioned in different reference literatures but in India Andi is not grown as medicinal crop. The area of Andi as oil seed crop is limited in Chhattisgarh. In rural areas, the natives plant this herb in surroundings and one can easily seethe wild and roadside population of self generated Andi plants, in almost all parts of the state. I am not aware whether Chhattisgarh is its place of origin or not but the in depth traditional knowledge present among the natives and traditional healers clearly indicates that this herb is present in Chhattisgarh since very long time. In my allelopathic studies, I have found the parts of this herb specially the roots, very effective in managing Leguminous weeds particularly the Sole grass (Aeschynomene americana). In my previous articles, I have written that this exotic plant locally known as Soli, is becoming curse for the villagers. Soli is entered in fertile land of Chhattisgarh through the process of endo-zoochory. The sheep keepers who travel in different parts of India, spread this plant through seeds from Rajasthan to other states. Soli has occupied the rice bunds, a r source for grassy weeds used as fodder in Chhattisgarh. Due to encroachments, the natural pastures are not available for cattle. For fodder, the villagers are dependent on rice bunds (in general constructed in 1/10 area of rice fields to hold the water). vigorous grown and smothering effect due to lethal allelochemicals of Soli on germination and growth of grassy weeds; useful as fodder, are becoming curse for the villagers. Through long experiences, the natives have found Andi herb enough potential to smother the growth of Soli. In my laboratory experiment, I have found it enough effective. I am in process of identification of allelochemicals responsible for this effect. The use of Andi to suppress the growth of this problematic weed has not been reported earlier. I am feeling proud to document this unique knowledge. One more thing I would like to mention here is that the traditional healers are not considering Soli as weed and through continuous experiments they are trying to find out its medicinal uses. The traditional healers of Narharpur region informed that when cattle feed on Soli, a leguminous weed, accidentally, it produces bloat and loose motions. According to the healers, as the Andi is dominating and suppressing this weed, then there is a possibility that the diseases resulted due to intake of Soli, may be treated with the help of Andi successfully. On this great hypothesis, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are working and getting new findings for future generations. They are also of opinion that the harmful effects produced by the Soli leaves may be treated by the leaves of Andi and similarly other parts may be used. The innovative herb growers of Chhattisgarh are aware of insecticidal properties of Andi and they use it frequently in herbal combinations used to repel away the insects from organically grown medicinal and aromatic crops. In present article, I am describing some promising traditional medicinal uses of different parts of Andi in Chhattisgarh, noted from my field diaries. At first I am describing its botany reported medicinal and industrial uses. According to reference literatures, Andi is perennial bush or occasionally a soft wooded small tree, upto 6 meters or more. Leaf green or reddish, 30-60 cm in diameter, palmately 5-11 lobed, serrate, long-petiolated with conspicuous glands. Flower monoecious, staminate on the lower part and pistillate on the upper part of 30-60 cm long peduncle. Fruit capsule, covered with soft, like process. Seed oblong, smooth, variously coloured, mottled, varying in size. As medicine, roots, leaves, flowers and seeds are used. Andi as medicinal herb holds a reputed position in different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, root is heating, carminative and useful in inflammations, pains, ascites, fevers, glands, asthma, bronchitis, leprosy, diseases of rectum and head. Leaves are useful in intestinal worms, strangury, night blindness, earache. It increases biliousness. Flowers are useful in glandular tumours, anal troubles and vaginal pains. Fruits are appetizer and useful in pains, tumours, piles, liver and spleen diseases. Seed and oil are cathartic, and aphrodisiac. Oil is anthelmintic, alterative and useful in fevers, ascites, pains, heart diseases, inflammations, leprosy, elephantiasis, convulsions etc. According to Unani system of medicine, root bark is purgative, and alterative and useful in treatment of skin-diseases. Leaves are galactagogue, and good for burns. Seed and oil are purgative , useful in liver troubles, body pains, lumbago, boils, piles, ring-worm, paralysis, inflammations, ascites, asthma, rheumatism, dropsy, amenorrhoea etc. Industrially, Castor oil is used for transparent soap, textile soap, type writer inks, varnishes and paints. It is also employed in ration of phenyls. Other uses are preparation of hair-oils, hair fixers and aromatic perfumes, as an ingredient in hair lotions and lipsticks. It is reported to be used in tanneries. Seed cake is used as organic manure. Writing and printing papers are made for wood pulp. Andi stems are used for straw boards and cheap wrappings. On the basis of appearance, the traditional healers divide Andi herb in two types Lal (Red) and Safed (White). On the basis of seed size, they further divide it into two categories, i. e. small and big. Although in reference literatures, red Andi is considered as medicinally rich but the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, consider both the types equally important. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region specialized in treatment of poisonous bites by the venomous creatures, use this herb commonly. In case of scorpion bite, the healers extract the leaf juice and apply few drops into the ear. If the affected part is in right side, then the oil is applied in left ear and vice-versa. After application of oil, the patients are advised to lay cool and calm. In case of complication, the dose is repeated twice or thrice. With the help of this treatment, the patients get relief in less time. During this treatment, the healers perform special worship and utter Mantras. In case of poisonous snake bite, the healers take four parts of leaf juice and one part of water and give it to the patients. Externally the aqueous paste prepared from Andi leaves is applied in affected part. According to the healers, both treatments if given together, produces vomiting and make the patients healthy in less time. During visit to crop fields and dense forests the farmers and herb collectors of Chhattisgarh keep, fresh root pieces of Andi in shoes or tied it around fingers. It is common belief among them that this application keeps the poisonous creatures away from body. In my previous articles, I ha written a lot on root pieces and Herbal Mala used to hasten the process of delivery. The natives of Andi rich areas in Chhattisgarh, prepare a special Herbal Mala using Andi roots and pregnant women are advised to wear it as the pain starts in order to hasten the process of delivery. After child birth, it is removed without any delay. To prepare the Herbal Mala, red string is used. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains apply the aqueous paste of Andi roots around the umbilicus for same purpose. In treatment of Jaundice, the traditional healers of different parts use Andi parts in different ways. The traditional healer of Bhuthia village informed me that the young twigs can be used successfully with Dahi (curd) internally to cure this trouble within a week. He further informed that this use causes temporary drowsiness and dullness. To root out this associated effects, he uses Andi roots with honey (Shahad). The traditional healer of Mudpar village, use Andi bark in treatment of Jaundice. Four parts of cow milk and two parts of bark juice are mixed and given upto a week as treatment. During this treatment, the patients are advised to avoid the use of salt in any form. The traditional healers of Mahasamund region, use Andi roots as antidote to Dhatra (Datura sp.) poisoning. The roots mixed with the help of water is given internally for immediate relief. In treatment of testis related diseases, for intense pain, the leaf juice of Andi is applied externally. To root out the problem of vaginal pain, the traditional healers of Katghora region, apply the aqueous paste of Andi roots and Sonth (dried ginger) externally. They also give other herbs internally for treatment. In case of stomach ache and diarrhoea in children, the traditional healers of Sarguja region, mix the dried Andi root powder with the excreta of rat and with the help of Lemon (Nimbu) juice, paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally around the umbilicus. This use is not common in other parts of Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, use Andi roots with whole herb juice of Bhengra (Eclipta alba) in treatment of Adhasisi (Migraine). The dried root powder is mixed in juice and paste is prepared. According to the healers, the external application of this paste is one of the promising treatments. The healers of Rajnandgaon region use the decoction of Andi roots internally as cardio-tonic. They use it under their strict supervision. They informed me that it is good remedy for lumbago also. In case of joint pains, the leaves of Andi are applied as the leaves of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea). The lukewarm leaves are tied around the painful joints in order to suppress the intense pain. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the poultice of Andi seeds is also applied. In treatment of Sciatica, the healers of Charama region, use Andi seeds. The seeds are boiled in milk and the concentrated ion is given to the patients. According to the healers, after two or three motions, the patients get rid from the intense pain. The poultice of leaves is also applied externally. To stop the flow of excess milk, the traditional healers of Durg region, use Andi leaves externally. The leaves in paste form are applied externally on breasts of lactating women. This use is popular among the natives also. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh specialized in treatment of Pathri (Renal Calculi) frequently use the roots of Andi. The decoction is prepared by boiling the roots in water and adding Hing (Asafoetida) and common salt. According to these healers, the regular use of this decoction flushes out the stones easily. I personally feel that above mentioned traditional medicinal and allelopathic uses are enough to establish this herb as potential medicinal herb. Through my Ethnobotanical surveys in neighbouring states, where Andi is cultivated as oil seed crop. I got surprising information that most of the Andi growers are not aware of its unique medicinal properties and uses. They are also not aware of its national and international demand in drug industries. By giving sufficient training, we can generate, a new source of income for the Andi growers. In areas where Andi occurs as wasteland plant, this nature's gift can be collected and used more easily. There is a need to identify and demarcate the Andi rich areas in Chhattisgarh, so that Andi based industries can be established in these particular regions. Thank you very much for reading the article.