Gulabbas (Mirabilis jalapa, family Nyctaginaceae) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India.
Gulabbas (Mirabilis jalapa, family Nyctaginaceae) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Gulabbas is not native to Chhattisgarh. It is introduced in Chhattisgarh for its beautiful flowers. The natives plant it in home gardens. From the home gardens it has escaped to wastelands in many parts of Chhattisgarh. This escape helped the traditional healers to discover its new medicinal uses and properties. Gulabbas is not its local name. In different parts of Chhattisgarh it is known in different names but natives identify it easily in the name of Gulabbas. In fact Gulabbas is its Urdu name. The flower lovers know this herb as Four-O-clock plant, as the blooming occurs in the noon (Dupahar in Hindi). Due to this reason, it is known as Dupharia Jadi in many parts of Chhattisgarh. According to the reference literatures, its powdered seeds are used in cosmetic and the flowers are the source of crimson dye. It leaves are edible but the natives and healers are not aware of these uses. Botanically, Gulabbas is a herbaceous plant, 30-75 cm (or more) high with large perennial roots and rather fleshy stems; Leaves membranous, cordate; Flowers large, clustered on the branches of leafy panicles, each one surrounded by an involucre, brightly coloured (dark crimson, yellow, white or crimson striped with white yellow); Nuts ellipsoid or obpyramidal, often ribbed or rugose, blackish. The medicinal properties and uses of roots and leaves have been reported in reference literatures. According to Unani system of medicine, root is aphrodisiac, good for syphilitic sores; Leaves are maturant, lessen inflammations. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh. I have noted that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are aware of many traditional medicinal uses of Gulabbas.
This is really surprising that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are not aware of medicinal properties and uses of root and leaves. They use Gulabbas flowers in treatment both internally as well as externally. According to them, the internal use of flower is a boon for the patients having liver related troubles. The flowers are dipped in water overnight and next morning, the patients are advised to take the leachate empty stomach. The healers informed that internally the flowers must be used carefully because its overdose result in constipation. The patients having the problem of Adhasisi (Migraine) are advised by the healers to inhale the aroma coming from fresh flowers of Gulabbas. This simple treatment helps the patients a lot to get rid from this trouble. The healers suggest the patients having the problem of Insomnia to massage the aqueous paste of Gulabbas flowers in sole before sleep. This application also helps the patients having the trouble of nocturnal emissions. Many of these traditional uses have yet not been reported in reference literatures. I am feeling proud to document this unique traditional knowledge.
Through my courses of plant breeding and genetics, I was aware of this herb since student life. I was not aware that one day I will get the opportunity to document the unique traditional medicinal uses of this herb.
Thank you very much for reading the article.
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