Dr. Pankaj Oudhia ji,
Please share your research works on Medicinal Plant Hiptage benghalensis.
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for your message. Best way is to search through Google by adding the subject
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one.
Medicinal
herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses 77. Vasanti
(Hiptage benghalensis, family Malpighiaceae).
Pankaj Oudhia
Vasanti is known for its white and yellow
fragrant flowers. It is planted as ornamental herb in home gardens, also in
public gardens. In Chhattisgarh, new borne are named on this herb. Vasanti or
Basanti is one of the popular names in Chhattisgarh. Its flowering time is
between January to March (or even later). As the flowering continue till the start
the Basant (spring), many experts consider this, a reason for its name Vasanti
or Basanti. I have observed this shrub in natural forests near the cities. The
experts consider it as escape from garden. When I started ethnobotanical
surveys focused on this ornamental herb. I got very little information of its
traditional uses. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh are more
aware of the traditional uses of this herb. The healers frequently use it in
treatment of skin diseases. It is also added in herbal combinations used in
treatment of Kodh (Leprosy). In general, its leaves and barks are used for this
purpose, but the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use its flowers
externally, in form of aqueous paste, in treatment of eye troubles. The
traditional healers of Narharpur region use the bark both internally as well as
externally in treatment of Asthma. Internally, it is given in form of decoction
whereas externally its bark is put on fire and patients are advised to inhale
the fumes coming. According to the healers, both internal and external use
provides great relief to the patients but as many other promising alternatives
are available, the healers use it less frequently. Vasanti is not in the list
of medicinal herbs having regular demand in national and international drug
markets. It is also not under cultivation. In reference literatures related to
different systems of medicine in India, many valuable medicinal properties and
uses of Vasanti have been mentioned. According to Ayurveda, its leaves and bark
are hot, acrid, bitter, vulnerary and useful in treatment of biliousness,
cough, burning sensation, thirst and inflammation. Botanically, Vasanti
(Hiptage benghalensis syn. H. madablota Syn. Banisteria benghalensis) is a
large woody much branched climbing shrub with silky young parts; Leaves
coriaceous, elliptic-oblong, acuminate, entire-glabrous, petioles silky;
Flowers in erect racemes, fragrant white, Corolla with 5 petals, orbicular,
clawed, fringed on the margins, uppermost petal broader, fifth petal yellow at
the base; Fruits 1-3, Three winged; Seeds solitary, globose.
When I
wrote popular articles detailing the medicinal properties and traditional
medicinal uses of Vasanti in local news paper, the natives showed surprise
after knowing the medicinal utilities of this ornamental herb. Now they are
eager to know more about this garden herb. I am expecting more information on
traditional uses from on-going ethnobotanical surveys.
[Excerpts of
the research document.]
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