Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. 80. Gandhraj (Gardenia jasminoides, family Rubiaceae).
Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. 80. Gandhraj (Gardenia jasminoides, family Rubiaceae).
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Although Gandhraj is planted as ornamental herb for its attractive and fragrant flowers but the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of its medicinal properties and uses. It is popular among the traditional healers specialized in treatment of snake bites. According to them it is one of the promising herbs that can be used successfully at any stage. The healers use Gandhraj alone or in combination with other herbs internally. Externally the aqueous paste of Gandhraj roots are applied on affected parts. Internally it is used most commonly with Reetha (Sapindus emarginatus). Both herbs are mixed in equal proportion and aqueous extract in prepared. This extract is given in every hour according to the intensity of the problem. The traditional healers also claim that this herb possess snake repelling properties but I have yet not seen its practical uses. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use Gandhraj both internally as well as externally in treatment of headache specially in case of intense headache in pregnant woman. The aqueous paste prepared by rubbing the fresh roots in stone with the help of water is applied externally on affected parts. In order to get more powerful effects, the healers mix Bharangi (Clerodendron sp.) Roots with Gandhraj roots and use the aqueous paste in same manner. The aqueous extract of Gandhraj roots is also given internally. In case of severe headache, the healers suggest the patients to apply the aqueous paste of Gandhraj roots on the palate (Talu), inside the mouth. It is considered as one of the promising treatments. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are also aware of many other medicinal uses of Gandhraj but as other promising and cheap alternatives are available, they do not use this herb for these purposes. According to reference literatures, Gandhraj (Gardenia jasminoides syn. Varneria augusta syn. G. florida syn. G. radicans, G. augusta), is a variable evergreen shrub; leaves lanceolate or obovate, short acuminate, thick, sometimes variegated; Flowers often double, waxy, fragrant, Corolla tube cylindric; Fruits fleshy, orange-coloured, ribbed. Gandhraj is not in trade. Also, it is not under cultivation as medicinal herb. In many parts of India, its fragrant flowers are used to extract the perfumes but the natives of Chhattisgarh are not aware of this use. The growth of Gandhraj in Chhattisgarh is good. It indicates that the climate of Chhattisgarh is suitable for its commercial cultivation. Through the on-going ethnobotanical surveys, I am trying to gather more information on traditional uses of this medicinal herb. I am confident that these uses will help us a lot to establish Gandhraj as promising herb in Chhattisgarh.
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