Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herb Dhaincha (Sesbania sp.) in Chhattisgarh, India
Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herb
Dhaincha (Sesbania sp.) in Chhattisgarh, India
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved
For present generation, Dhaincha is a green manure crop useful in paddy cultivation. For older generation, Dhaincha is one the most valuable medicinal herb. The regional research stations and Agriculture University, are promoting Dhaincha as green manure crop, through front line demonstrations. Dhaincha is leguminous plant and ideally suitable as green manure crop. Many studies conducted in different parts of India have proved that it is a boon for rice farmers of India. Due to poor irrigation network and uncertain rainfall, the farmers particularly the farmers dependent on rains, hesitate to adopt green manure crops. The farmers having irrigation facilities are very few in number. This is the reason the area under green manure crop is decreasing in Chhattisgarh. Recently an eminent rice scientist of Chhattisgarh Dr. S. K. Patil and his dedicated team have introduced potential new species of Dhaincha in Chhattisgarh. The old species possess nodules only on roots. This new species possess nodules both on roots and stems. The nodules are homes of nitrogen fixing symbiotic bacteria. The nitrogen fixing capacity of new species is very high and even in case of waterlogging, it performs well. Botanical differences among major Sesbania species Characteristics Sesbania Sesbania Sesbania Sesbania aculeata grandiflora sesban speciosa 1) Habit A tall, fast growing, succulent, erect, suffruiticose, shrubby annual A short lived, quickgrowing tree, 6-9 meters. A soft-wooded, quickgrowing, short lived shrub, upto 6 m. A perennial shrub, with pubescent branches, 3.6 meters. 2) Stem Smooth, sparingly prickly, green, with red stripes, branching from base, producing lateral roots in stagnant water for firm grip. Straight, cylindrical and deeply furrowed. 3) Leaf Alternate, abruptly pinnate, leaflets numerous, linear, oblong, glabrous. 15-30 cm long, abrubtly pinnate, leaflets 41-61, linear oblong, glabrous Paripinnate, 7.5-15.0 cm long, leaflets 8-20 pairs, linear-oblong, glabrous, entire. Densely pubescent, pinnate, 30-35 cm long, leaflets 40-60 4) Flower Yellow, motled, with brown or red to black, 1.2 cm long, in 3-4 flowered racemes. White, pink or crimson, showy, fleshy, sweet 6.0- 10.0 cm long, in short, axillary, 2-4 flowered racemes. Yellow, yellow spotted to red-purple, standard petal coloured purple to brown from outside, in 8-10 flowered, lax, axillary, racemes. Large, yellow spotted with purple, in axillary pendent, 6-20 flowered racemes. 5) Fruit Straight or slightly curved, torulose, 15-25 cm long pod. Pendulous, fourarmed, non-torulase, septate, 15-20 seeded, with swollen margins. Dinstinctly tortulose, weak, pendulous, twisted, sharply beaked 20-30 seeded pod. Light brown, with thickened sutures, many seeded. 6) Seed 1000-1600 /kg. Pale coloured, 15-50 in each pod. Does not possess dormancy. Few years back I got opportunity to work with Dr. Patil when front line demonstration was laid out in my village Khudmudi with the help of Agrocrat’s Society for Rural Development. Seeing the miracle effects of Dhaincha on soil fertility, I decided to study more about this herb. During field visit when a senior villager disclose the fact that Dhaincha also possess valuable medicinal properties, I surprised and later after confirmation, decided to conduct a detailed Ethnobotanical surveys in order to list out the traditional medicinal knowledge and uses of this useful herb. In first two years, I got very little information. When I read the finding of this two year survey, I noted that only old natives and senior traditional healers living in different parts of Chhattisgarh are aware of its traditional uses. During my visit, I have seen many species of Dhaincha in natural forests. All were growing luxuriantly. I have not seen a single damaged plant. The traders as well as the herb collectors ignore this herb as they are unaware of its traditional uses and also it is not in the list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. As herb expert, I was not in favour of introducing new species of Dhaincha in Chhattisgarh. Many such introduced species have became obnoxious weeds in the state (please refer to my previous articles). I was in favour of testing the efficacies of indigenous species and I personally feel that the indigenous or local species can perform more efficiently as compared to exotic species in any specific ecosystem. But at that time I was not in strong position to oppose this introduction. The indigenous species of Chhattisgarh can play a vital role in development of improved varieties through breeding in order to fulfill the requirement of green manure crops for farmers. Through detailed Ethnobotanical surveys, I have collected many valuable and rare uses of Dhaincha as medicine. Unfortunately, this unique knowledge is not transferred to present generation. Very few natives of present generation are aware. As result the young and coming generation is having know knowledge. This is really shocking for me. According to natives and healers belonging to older generation, the medicinal uses of Dhaincha are promising and a single herb is capable of curing many complicated diseases. The herb is also present in native forests. This is subject of in depth research, why these promising uses have not reached to the present generation ? I have also searched the reference literatures in order to find out the results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted by early workers in Chhattisgarh (after and before independence of India) but unfortunately, I have not got any detailed information. On the basis of this search (of references literatures), I can say that this article is first written document on traditional medicinal knowledge about common herb Dhaincha in Chhattisgarh. I am hopping that this article will motivate the researchers, specially Chhattisgarh, to write more and more on this useful herb. Most of the healers and natives who have given this valuable information to me, are not present with us. The remaining are at very old age. These healers and natives are from different corners of Chhattisgarh and they have no association or communication among them. I was dreaming to form a "Dhaincha Forum" with the objective to bring all these healers and natives to gather but financial constraint was among the main constraints. I have communicated and explained my findings collected from north, to the natives and healers of south and viceversa. I am writing all these unique knowledge in form of article, for the young generation. Before describing these traditional uses, I am giving details regarding its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically it is soft-wooded unarmed tree having height upto 7 meters, with slender terete branches; Leaves paripinnate, 8-15 cm long, rachis 5-13 cm long; leaflets 10-15 airs, linear-oblong, obtuse, apiculate, glabrous, 1.8-2.8 cm long; stipules 5-7 mm long; Flowers in 10-15 cm long lax 3-20 flowered axillary racemes; Calyx 3-4mmlong; teeth broadly triangular; Corolla exserted, yellow; Pods torulose, thickened along sutures, twisted, 15-25cm long, 20-40 seeded. Flowering time February to December in Chhattisgarh conditions. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine, not much have been written about Dhaincha. According to Ayurveda, root is hot, carminative, alterative, anthelmintic and useful in treatment of biliousness, inflammations, tuberculous glands, fevers, ulcers, diabetes, leucoderma and throat troubles whereas bark is reported as astringent. Leaves are useful in treatment of hydrocele whereas seeds remove small - pox eruptions. Seeds are considered as emmenagogue, stimulant and stringent. The flower of Dhaincha is the popular vegetable of Chhattisgarh. According to the natives, it is good in taste as well as full of unique medicinal properties. It is considered good for eyes. It is common belief that regular use of this vegetable improves eye sight and prevents the attack of harmful diseases. The natives also use it for anaemic patients. According to the healers, as medicine, this vegetable is good for patients suffering from dysmenorrhoea. The vegetable eaten in large quantities upto long time is considered good for treatment of dysmenorrhoea. The use of flowers during flowering season is recommended. Its off-season use is not considered good. In Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, the juice of fresh flowers is applied inside the eyes as eye tonic. The natives of this region collect the flowers early morning and dry it in shade. The dried flowers are used in treatment of skin troubles. After converting the dried flower into powder, the natives prepare a decoction and advise the patients to wash the parts having skin troubles with this decoction. In another method powder is boiled in milk and Makkhan is prepared. This Makkhan is applied as cream in affected parts. The traditional healers of this region, use the flowers in combination with other herbs in treatment of diabetes. They also prepare herbal combination using Dhaincha flower as main ingredient for young natives having the habit of masturbation. The regular use of this combination stops this habit. I have seen its practical uses and found it as effective as Homoeopathic medicine Agnus. In my detailed survey, I have never observed and noted information of this important aspect. According to healers, the use on this combination never harms the sexual potential of young natives. The natives of Chhattisgarh plains are also aware of this uses but they use only flowers. The roost the flower and one flower is given daily to the patients. This use do not cause any permanent change. This is the reason, it is given daily. And at the time of marriage, the young natives are advised to stop its use. The healers informed me that it is strictly for males but the natives use it for both male and female. Scientific investigation is essential to answer this question that whether it is only for male or for both male and female. The healers use the seeds of Dhaincha as ingredient in memory tonic. In case of weak memory due to sexual abuse, they give seeds with lukewarm milk. But it is given only for a week. In case of tonsillitis, its barks, flowers and leaves are collected by the natives and decoction is prepared. Equal amount of all parts (dried) are used. The patients are advised to gargle with this decoction. Many traditional healers use the fresh bark externally in treatment of Safed Pani (leucorrhoea). For the treatment of Adhasisi (migraine), the natives and traditional healers use its flowers and leaves in different ways. The juice is extracted mixed with Kali Mitti (Black Soil) and with the help of water aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied on painful parts during attack of migraine. As the paste dries ,it is replaced by fresh paste. In Sarguja region, the leaves and flowers are dried and burnt. The patients are advised to inhale the fumes for quick relief. In other method, the juice of fresh leaves and flowers is mixed in equal proportion and applied inside the nostrils (few drops). The juice of leaves is also used in treatment of Epilepsy). Its leaves are used as styptic in order to stop the bleeding. In case of injury, like Tridax procumbens, Cynodon dactylon, Achyranthes aspera, Blumea lacera etc. The natives also use the leaves to stop the bleeding. The decoction prepared by using leaves is used to dress the wounds. During my surveys, many natives informed that Dhaincha is useful in treatment of fevers but unfortunately I have yet not got detailed method of use. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, the uses of different parts of Dhaincha is treatment of all types of fever are described but I am interested in methods adopted by the natives because in most of the cases in differs from reported methods. In case of gout, the roots are used alone or in combination with other roots. The roots are collected and with the help of water, aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on painful joints. The traditional healers of different parts of Chhattisgarh, add more herbs with Dhaincha roots in order to make it more potential. In Mahasamund region, the Datura roots are mixed in equal proportion. The black flowered species of Datura is preferred. In Saraipali region, the healers add Bariyara (Sida acuta) roots during rainy season and Kukronda roots (Blumea lacera) during winter season. In many parts, the healers use the Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) roots in Dhaincha roots. This is interesting to note these uses. The healers are unable to explain the reason why different roots are added in different regions, as all herbs used are common in all regions. As mentioned earlier, most of the above mentioned traditional uses are not in use in Chhattisgarh. I am not satisfied with these surveys. I am trying hard to get more information on different aspects of Dhaincha as medicinal herb. During my visit, I never miss the chance to stop at village market and ask the natives about the availability of Dhaincha flower as vegetable. In general, they laugh on me, saying they are listening the use of Dhaincha flower as vegetable for the first time. I feel sad. There are many traditional uses related to common herbs, insects, soil etc. of Chhattisgarh, which require immediate attention in form of scientific documentation, without any further delay.
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved
For present generation, Dhaincha is a green manure crop useful in paddy cultivation. For older generation, Dhaincha is one the most valuable medicinal herb. The regional research stations and Agriculture University, are promoting Dhaincha as green manure crop, through front line demonstrations. Dhaincha is leguminous plant and ideally suitable as green manure crop. Many studies conducted in different parts of India have proved that it is a boon for rice farmers of India. Due to poor irrigation network and uncertain rainfall, the farmers particularly the farmers dependent on rains, hesitate to adopt green manure crops. The farmers having irrigation facilities are very few in number. This is the reason the area under green manure crop is decreasing in Chhattisgarh. Recently an eminent rice scientist of Chhattisgarh Dr. S. K. Patil and his dedicated team have introduced potential new species of Dhaincha in Chhattisgarh. The old species possess nodules only on roots. This new species possess nodules both on roots and stems. The nodules are homes of nitrogen fixing symbiotic bacteria. The nitrogen fixing capacity of new species is very high and even in case of waterlogging, it performs well. Botanical differences among major Sesbania species Characteristics Sesbania Sesbania Sesbania Sesbania aculeata grandiflora sesban speciosa 1) Habit A tall, fast growing, succulent, erect, suffruiticose, shrubby annual A short lived, quickgrowing tree, 6-9 meters. A soft-wooded, quickgrowing, short lived shrub, upto 6 m. A perennial shrub, with pubescent branches, 3.6 meters. 2) Stem Smooth, sparingly prickly, green, with red stripes, branching from base, producing lateral roots in stagnant water for firm grip. Straight, cylindrical and deeply furrowed. 3) Leaf Alternate, abruptly pinnate, leaflets numerous, linear, oblong, glabrous. 15-30 cm long, abrubtly pinnate, leaflets 41-61, linear oblong, glabrous Paripinnate, 7.5-15.0 cm long, leaflets 8-20 pairs, linear-oblong, glabrous, entire. Densely pubescent, pinnate, 30-35 cm long, leaflets 40-60 4) Flower Yellow, motled, with brown or red to black, 1.2 cm long, in 3-4 flowered racemes. White, pink or crimson, showy, fleshy, sweet 6.0- 10.0 cm long, in short, axillary, 2-4 flowered racemes. Yellow, yellow spotted to red-purple, standard petal coloured purple to brown from outside, in 8-10 flowered, lax, axillary, racemes. Large, yellow spotted with purple, in axillary pendent, 6-20 flowered racemes. 5) Fruit Straight or slightly curved, torulose, 15-25 cm long pod. Pendulous, fourarmed, non-torulase, septate, 15-20 seeded, with swollen margins. Dinstinctly tortulose, weak, pendulous, twisted, sharply beaked 20-30 seeded pod. Light brown, with thickened sutures, many seeded. 6) Seed 1000-1600 /kg. Pale coloured, 15-50 in each pod. Does not possess dormancy. Few years back I got opportunity to work with Dr. Patil when front line demonstration was laid out in my village Khudmudi with the help of Agrocrat’s Society for Rural Development. Seeing the miracle effects of Dhaincha on soil fertility, I decided to study more about this herb. During field visit when a senior villager disclose the fact that Dhaincha also possess valuable medicinal properties, I surprised and later after confirmation, decided to conduct a detailed Ethnobotanical surveys in order to list out the traditional medicinal knowledge and uses of this useful herb. In first two years, I got very little information. When I read the finding of this two year survey, I noted that only old natives and senior traditional healers living in different parts of Chhattisgarh are aware of its traditional uses. During my visit, I have seen many species of Dhaincha in natural forests. All were growing luxuriantly. I have not seen a single damaged plant. The traders as well as the herb collectors ignore this herb as they are unaware of its traditional uses and also it is not in the list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. As herb expert, I was not in favour of introducing new species of Dhaincha in Chhattisgarh. Many such introduced species have became obnoxious weeds in the state (please refer to my previous articles). I was in favour of testing the efficacies of indigenous species and I personally feel that the indigenous or local species can perform more efficiently as compared to exotic species in any specific ecosystem. But at that time I was not in strong position to oppose this introduction. The indigenous species of Chhattisgarh can play a vital role in development of improved varieties through breeding in order to fulfill the requirement of green manure crops for farmers. Through detailed Ethnobotanical surveys, I have collected many valuable and rare uses of Dhaincha as medicine. Unfortunately, this unique knowledge is not transferred to present generation. Very few natives of present generation are aware. As result the young and coming generation is having know knowledge. This is really shocking for me. According to natives and healers belonging to older generation, the medicinal uses of Dhaincha are promising and a single herb is capable of curing many complicated diseases. The herb is also present in native forests. This is subject of in depth research, why these promising uses have not reached to the present generation ? I have also searched the reference literatures in order to find out the results of Ethnobotanical surveys conducted by early workers in Chhattisgarh (after and before independence of India) but unfortunately, I have not got any detailed information. On the basis of this search (of references literatures), I can say that this article is first written document on traditional medicinal knowledge about common herb Dhaincha in Chhattisgarh. I am hopping that this article will motivate the researchers, specially Chhattisgarh, to write more and more on this useful herb. Most of the healers and natives who have given this valuable information to me, are not present with us. The remaining are at very old age. These healers and natives are from different corners of Chhattisgarh and they have no association or communication among them. I was dreaming to form a "Dhaincha Forum" with the objective to bring all these healers and natives to gather but financial constraint was among the main constraints. I have communicated and explained my findings collected from north, to the natives and healers of south and viceversa. I am writing all these unique knowledge in form of article, for the young generation. Before describing these traditional uses, I am giving details regarding its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically it is soft-wooded unarmed tree having height upto 7 meters, with slender terete branches; Leaves paripinnate, 8-15 cm long, rachis 5-13 cm long; leaflets 10-15 airs, linear-oblong, obtuse, apiculate, glabrous, 1.8-2.8 cm long; stipules 5-7 mm long; Flowers in 10-15 cm long lax 3-20 flowered axillary racemes; Calyx 3-4mmlong; teeth broadly triangular; Corolla exserted, yellow; Pods torulose, thickened along sutures, twisted, 15-25cm long, 20-40 seeded. Flowering time February to December in Chhattisgarh conditions. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine, not much have been written about Dhaincha. According to Ayurveda, root is hot, carminative, alterative, anthelmintic and useful in treatment of biliousness, inflammations, tuberculous glands, fevers, ulcers, diabetes, leucoderma and throat troubles whereas bark is reported as astringent. Leaves are useful in treatment of hydrocele whereas seeds remove small - pox eruptions. Seeds are considered as emmenagogue, stimulant and stringent. The flower of Dhaincha is the popular vegetable of Chhattisgarh. According to the natives, it is good in taste as well as full of unique medicinal properties. It is considered good for eyes. It is common belief that regular use of this vegetable improves eye sight and prevents the attack of harmful diseases. The natives also use it for anaemic patients. According to the healers, as medicine, this vegetable is good for patients suffering from dysmenorrhoea. The vegetable eaten in large quantities upto long time is considered good for treatment of dysmenorrhoea. The use of flowers during flowering season is recommended. Its off-season use is not considered good. In Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, the juice of fresh flowers is applied inside the eyes as eye tonic. The natives of this region collect the flowers early morning and dry it in shade. The dried flowers are used in treatment of skin troubles. After converting the dried flower into powder, the natives prepare a decoction and advise the patients to wash the parts having skin troubles with this decoction. In another method powder is boiled in milk and Makkhan is prepared. This Makkhan is applied as cream in affected parts. The traditional healers of this region, use the flowers in combination with other herbs in treatment of diabetes. They also prepare herbal combination using Dhaincha flower as main ingredient for young natives having the habit of masturbation. The regular use of this combination stops this habit. I have seen its practical uses and found it as effective as Homoeopathic medicine Agnus. In my detailed survey, I have never observed and noted information of this important aspect. According to healers, the use on this combination never harms the sexual potential of young natives. The natives of Chhattisgarh plains are also aware of this uses but they use only flowers. The roost the flower and one flower is given daily to the patients. This use do not cause any permanent change. This is the reason, it is given daily. And at the time of marriage, the young natives are advised to stop its use. The healers informed me that it is strictly for males but the natives use it for both male and female. Scientific investigation is essential to answer this question that whether it is only for male or for both male and female. The healers use the seeds of Dhaincha as ingredient in memory tonic. In case of weak memory due to sexual abuse, they give seeds with lukewarm milk. But it is given only for a week. In case of tonsillitis, its barks, flowers and leaves are collected by the natives and decoction is prepared. Equal amount of all parts (dried) are used. The patients are advised to gargle with this decoction. Many traditional healers use the fresh bark externally in treatment of Safed Pani (leucorrhoea). For the treatment of Adhasisi (migraine), the natives and traditional healers use its flowers and leaves in different ways. The juice is extracted mixed with Kali Mitti (Black Soil) and with the help of water aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied on painful parts during attack of migraine. As the paste dries ,it is replaced by fresh paste. In Sarguja region, the leaves and flowers are dried and burnt. The patients are advised to inhale the fumes for quick relief. In other method, the juice of fresh leaves and flowers is mixed in equal proportion and applied inside the nostrils (few drops). The juice of leaves is also used in treatment of Epilepsy). Its leaves are used as styptic in order to stop the bleeding. In case of injury, like Tridax procumbens, Cynodon dactylon, Achyranthes aspera, Blumea lacera etc. The natives also use the leaves to stop the bleeding. The decoction prepared by using leaves is used to dress the wounds. During my surveys, many natives informed that Dhaincha is useful in treatment of fevers but unfortunately I have yet not got detailed method of use. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, the uses of different parts of Dhaincha is treatment of all types of fever are described but I am interested in methods adopted by the natives because in most of the cases in differs from reported methods. In case of gout, the roots are used alone or in combination with other roots. The roots are collected and with the help of water, aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on painful joints. The traditional healers of different parts of Chhattisgarh, add more herbs with Dhaincha roots in order to make it more potential. In Mahasamund region, the Datura roots are mixed in equal proportion. The black flowered species of Datura is preferred. In Saraipali region, the healers add Bariyara (Sida acuta) roots during rainy season and Kukronda roots (Blumea lacera) during winter season. In many parts, the healers use the Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) roots in Dhaincha roots. This is interesting to note these uses. The healers are unable to explain the reason why different roots are added in different regions, as all herbs used are common in all regions. As mentioned earlier, most of the above mentioned traditional uses are not in use in Chhattisgarh. I am not satisfied with these surveys. I am trying hard to get more information on different aspects of Dhaincha as medicinal herb. During my visit, I never miss the chance to stop at village market and ask the natives about the availability of Dhaincha flower as vegetable. In general, they laugh on me, saying they are listening the use of Dhaincha flower as vegetable for the first time. I feel sad. There are many traditional uses related to common herbs, insects, soil etc. of Chhattisgarh, which require immediate attention in form of scientific documentation, without any further delay.
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