Pankaj Oudhia's Research Documents on Biodiversity and Traditional Healing. Part-7

Original Link http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf

Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about popular pulse crop Arhar (Pigeon pea) in Chhattisgarh, India Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved Arhar [Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp. Syn. Cytisus cajan L.] is popular pulse crop, native to Africa and is now grown in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka states of India. Seeds are eaten as pulse whereas husk of pods and leaves provide valuable cattle feed and twigs are used as green manure. In India, it is also grown as cover crop in plantations. The thin straight branches of Arhar are used for making baskets, and as thatching material. Arhar is also a good host for lac insect. (Singh et al 1996). In different systems of medicine, Arhar holds a reputed position as medicine. In many countries including India, the natives are still using Arhar to treat their health problems. According to Ayurveda, leaves are astringent, sweet, diuretic, laxative, cooling, anti-inflammatory and anodyne. It is useful in oral ulcers, odontalgia, gingivitis, stangury and inflammations. The seeds are astringent, acrid, sweet, anthelmintic, cooling, pectoral, constipating, resolvent, alexeteric, febrifuge and expectorant. The seeds are useful in tumors, oral ulcers, cough, vomiting, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, fever and cardiac diseases (Warrier et al 1994). In French Guiana, the starch obtained from the seeds is employed as a resolutive. The shoots, green pods and flowers as an infusion for pectoral affections. (Caius, 1989). The natives of Chhattisgarh, a newly borne state of India, have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs, insects, mites and other animals (Oudhia, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002). Many ethnomedicines are still in use in different parts of the state. Arhar is grown as Kharif season crop in Chhattisgarh and used mainly as pulse but in rural and forest areas, the natives specially the traditional healers use different parts of Arhar shrub as medicine. To list out the traditional medicinal uses of different parts of Arhar in Chhattisgarh, a detailed survey was conducted during 1996-2001. The survey was focused on traditional healers of the state. From the list of over 1500 traditional healers of state, 203 traditional healers using Arhar as medicine were selected for the survey. These healers are from all (i.e. sixteen) districts of Chhattisgarh. With the help of regular visit and specially prepared questionnaire, these healers were interviewed. For further confirmation, the author visited to the healers and practically observed the uses and methods adopted to prepare medicine from Arhar. The help of reference literatures was also taken. The survey revealed that the selected traditional healers use different parts of Arhar in treatment of over 50 common diseases. Arhar is used both internally and externally by the traditional healers. Some of important uses are described below. In case of painful ulcers on tongue, due to indigestion, the traditional healers of Sarguja region, advise the patients to gargle with the fresh juice of Arhar leaves. The leaves prior to flowering are preferred. According to the healers, after flowering the medicinal properties of leaves decrease. In case of acute tonsillitis and other related throat problems, the traditional healers advise the patients to mix Arhar leaf juice in hot water in ratio of 1:5 (one part juice and 5 part water) and use it as gargle. The traditional healers of Bastar region, the southern part of Chhattisgarh, recommends the use of Arhar roots in place of leaves. According to them, roots are more potential as compared to leaves. Arhar leaves are popularly used as medicine for eye diseases. The traditional healers use the leaf juice with lemon fruit and neem leaf juice externally, on eyes. In case of poor eye sight, the traditional healer of Pendra region, recommend the patients to use the aqueous paste of roots of old Arhar tree on eyes externally . In case of severe hiccup, the traditional healers suggest the patients to burn the pod husk of Arhar and inhale the fumes to get quick relief. Many mix the pod husk of Chickpea (in equal proportion) in pod husk of Arhar to increase its efficacy. The juice of Arhar leaves are also recommended in lead poisoning. The use of Arhar roots as medicine is not mentioned in reference literatures. During the survey the traditional healers complained about the new high yielding varieties of Arhar and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers on Arhar. It was observed during the survey that most of the traditional healers avoid to buy or collect the different parts of Arhar from markets or fields. They prefer the organic or low input farming and according to their need they grow Arhar in home gardens. The young generation is not taking interest in traditional medicinal knowledge and this is the reason, the number of healers having knowledge is decreasing in the state. The survey suggested that there is a strong need for documentation and scientific evaluation of this traditional medicinal knowledge about Arhar so that it can be utilized for the benefit of human beings around the globe. References Caius, J.F. 1989. The medicinal and poisonous legumes of India. Jodhpur, India : Scientific Publishers pp. 23-24. Oudhia, P. 1998. Medicinal insects and spiders. Insect Environment 4(2):57-58. Oudhia, P. 1999. Studies on Allelopathy and medicinal weeds in chickpea fields. International Chickpea and Pigeonpea Newsletter 6 : 29-33. Oudhia, P. 2001. Traditional medicinal knowledge about Pod borer Helicoverpa armigera in Chhattisgarh, India, International Chickpea and Pigeonpea Newsletter 8:14-15. Oudhia, P. 2002. Traditional medicinal knowledge about Chickpea in India with special reference to Chhattisgarh. International Chickpea and Pigeonpea Newsletter 9:32-34. Singh, U., Wadhwani, A.M. and Johri, B.M. 1996. Dictionary of economic plants of India. New Delhi, India : Indian Council of Agricultural Research p. 36-37. Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about flowers of indigenous herbs used to treat common diseases by natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, India Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved In Gandai region of Chhattisgarh, the traditional healers very frequently use the flowers of Dhawai to treat acute and chronic troubles of piles specially the bleeding piles. During my visit to this forest region, I have noted abundance of Dhawai plants. Dhawai is an important non-timber forest produce of Chhattisgarh and like Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), it is also exported to other countries from Gandai region. For piles, traditional healers use Dhawai flowers both internally and externally. During my ethnomedico survey. I noted that many natives are also aware of its use in piles. It is common recommendation to put Dhawai flower in water whole night and next morning patients are advised to drink the leachate (i.e. presence in water). According to the traditional healers, use of Dhawai flower in this way is beneficial for all even to the person having no problem of piles. This is good remedy for constipation. The traditional healers informed me although they recommend it to every one having constipation but in Gandai area generally normal person avoid to take it regularly. When I talked to the natives, they informed that regular use of Dhawai as preventive is beneficial for constipation but produces dizziness and anxiety. But it is not common symptom found in every case When I discussed this problem, with the traditional healer of Raipur region, he told me that the natives of Gandai region are adopting incomplete process. According to him, after taking the leachate, one must take a teaspoonful of sugar, in order to suppress or liminate the harmful effects. I informed the traditional healers of Gandai, about sugar intake, they readily adopted this and today they are using it without any after effects. Dhawai flower with leaves of Rahar (Cajanus cajan), Sirsa (Albizia lebbeck) and Lodrh (Symplocos paniculata) is put on fire and the patients suffering from piles are advised to keep the affected part (i.e. anus) in fumes for quick relief. Many traditional healers use the leaves of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) and Kukronda (Blumea lacera) in this combination. During by train journey from Raipur to Delhi, a senior Ayurved practioner of Bhopal informed me that in this combination one can use the Bhang leaves (Cannabis sativa) successful. According to him, Dhawai flower is an essential component in this combination and there is no substitute. Other herbs can be added or replaced according to the availability of herbs. Now I am studying the number of combinations in use in different parts of India. Common and popular names of Hulhul (Cleome viscosa) around the world. Languages/Regions/Countries Names 1) Arabic Bantakalan, Oddar 2) Bengal Hurhuria 3) Kanarese Huchassavi, Nayibela 4) French Herbe puante 5) Gujarati Talvani, Tilwan, Tinmani 6) Hindi Hulhul, Hurhur, Jangliharror 7) Marathi Kanphodi, Harhuria, Kanphuti 8) Portuguese Bredo mamma 9) Sanskrit Adityabhakta, Arkabhakta, Arkakanta, Manduki, Mandukparni, Raviprita, Suteja, Tilpatri 10) Sinhalese Ranmanissa, Walaba 11) Tamil Nayikudagu, Nayivelai 12) Telugu Kukhavavulu, Kukhavaminta 13) Urdu Hulhul The flowering and Fruting Time of Some Indian Herbs Name Flowering & Fruiting Time Cocculus hirsutus Sept.-Dec. Cocculus pendulus Nov.-Dec. Tinospora cordifolia Feb.-Apr. Nymphaea nouchali Oct. Nymphaea pubescens Oct. Argemone mexicana Nov.-May Fumaria indica Nov.-Feb. Coronopus didymus Sept.-Feb. Eruca vesicaria Dec.-Feb. Farsetia hamiltonii Mostly Aug.-Jan. or throughout when perennating. Farsetia macrantha Aug.-Jan. Lepidium sativum Jan.-March Raphanus sativus Oct.-Feb. Sisymbrium irio Nov.-Feb. Cadaba fruticosa Nov.-March; Fr. April-Aug. Capparis decidua Mar.-Apr. and also Sept.-Oct. Fr. : May-June or Nov. Cleome gracilis Aug.-Dec. Cleome gynandra July-Dec. Cleome gynandra Oct.-Nov. C. vahliana Almost througout the year. Cleome viscosa July-Oct. Dipterygium glaucum Sept.-Nov. Mareua oblongifolia Nov.-Dec. Fr. : Dec.-Jan. Viola cinerea Sept.-Nov. Polygala erioptera Aug.-Oct. Polygala erioptera Sept. Polygala irregularis Sept.-Dec. Polycarpaea corymbosa Sept.-Dec. Spergula fallax Nov.-Mar. Stellaria media Jan.-Apr. Portulaca meridiana July-Feb. Portulaca oleracea Aug.-Dec. Portulaca quadrifida Sept.-Dec. (rarely throughout the year) Portulaca tuberosa Sept.-Nov. Talinum protulacifolium Aug.-Oct. Tamarix aphylla Dec.-April Tamarix dioica Nov.-Feb. Tamarix ericoides Nov.-Feb. Tamarix troupii Aug.-Nov.; Fr. Dec.-Feb. Bergia ammannioides Sept.-Dec. Bergia suffruticosa Oct.-Dec. Abelmoschus moschatus Fl.:Nov. : Fr. : Nov.-Jan. Abutilon bidentatum Oct.-Nov. A bidentatum Abutilon fruticosum Sept.-Jan. Abutilon indicum Oct.-April. Abutilon indicum Oct.-Nov. Abutilon pakistanicum Abutilon pannosum Oct.-May. Abutilon ramosum Aug.-Oct. Alhthaea ludwigii Jan.-March. Hibiscus caesius Aug.-Oct. Hibiscus cannabinus Aug.-Oct. Hibiscus lobatus Aug.-Oct. Hibiscus obtusilobus Sept.-Oct. Hibiscus ovalifolius Aug.-Nov. Hibiscus palmatus Malva parviflora Dec.-March Malvasatrum coromandelianum Aug.-Jan. Pavonia arabica Aug.-Oct. P. arabica glutinosa Sept.-Nov. P. arabica var. massuriensis Aug. Pavonia odorata Oct. (BH) Pavonia procumbens Sept.-Nov. Pavonia zeylanica Sept.-Nov. Sida acuta Sept.-Oct. Sida alba Sept.-Jan. Sida cordata Almost througout the year but mainly at the end of rainy season. Sida cordifolia Sept.-Dec. Sida ovata Oct.-Jan. Sida rhombifolia Aug.-Oct. Sida tiagii Aug.-Dec. Bombbax malabaricum Feb.- March. Helectres isora Sept.-Nov. Melhania denhamii Sept.-Nov. Melhania futteyporensis Aug.-Feb. Melhania futteyporensis Nov.(BH) Malhania magnifolia Aug.-Dec. Sterculia urens Nov.-April Waltheria indica Sept.-Feb. Corchorus aestuans Aug.-Dec. Corchorus depressus Almost throughout the year. Corchorus fascicularis Oct.-Nov. Corchorus olitorius Aug.-Oct. Corchous tridens Sept.-Dec. Corchorus trilocularis Oct.-Nov. Corchorus Sept.-Nov. Grewia abutilifolia July-Oct. Grewia damine Sept.-Nov. Grewia tenax Aug.-Oct.; Fr. Sept.-Dec. Grewia villosa July-Oct. Triumfetta pentandra Aug.-Oct. Fagonia bruguieri Sept.-March rechingeri Sept.-March Fagonia indica Sept.-March Fagonia schweinfurthii Almost throughout the year. Peganum harmala March-Oct. Seetzenia lanata Aug.-Nov. Tribulus lanuginosus Almost throughout the year. Tribulus pentandrus Aug.-Nov. macropterus Aug.-Oct. pterophorus Aug.-Oct. Tribulus rajasthanensis Tribulus terrestris Aug.-Dec. Zygophyllum simplex Oct.-Nov. Erodium cicutarium Sept.-Oct. Monsonia heliotropioides Sept.-Nov. Monsonia senegalensis Sept.-Nov. Oxalis corniculata More or less throughout the year Oxalis corymbosa Nov.-Jan. Oxalis latifolia Sept.-Oct. Limonia elephantum Fl. : Mar.-April, Fr. L June-Oct. Ailanthus excelsa Fl.:Dec.-Feb.; Fr. : Feb.-April Balanites aegyptiaca October (BH) Boswellia serrata Commiphora wightii Azadirachta indica Mar.-May Maytenus emarginata Oct.-Feb. Ziziphus glabrata Fl.:Sept.-Oct.; Fr.: Dec.-Jan. Ziziphus mauritiana Sept.-Dec. Ziziphus nummularia Fl. : Aug.-Oct.; Fr. : Oct.-Dec. Ziziphus truncata Oct.-Nov. Ziziphus xylopyrus Oct.-(BH) Cardiospermum halicacabum Sept.-Nov. Rhus mysorensis July-Sept. Moringa concanesis Nov.-Jan. Moringa oleifera Abrus precatorius Oct.-Nov. Aeschynonene indica Aug.-Nov. Alhagi maurorum Alysicarpus glumaceus Fl.: Aug.-Oct.; Fr. : Oct.-Nov. Alysicarpus heterophyllus Sept.-Feb. Alysicarpus longifolius Sept. Alysicarpus monilifer Aug.-Oct. Alysicarpus monilifer Nov. Alysicarpus procumbens Oct.-Nov.(BH) Alysicarpus styracifolius Oct.(BH) Alysicarpus vaginalis Oct.-Nov. Atylosia scarabaeoides Aug.-Nov. Butea monosperma Fl.:Feb.-April; Fr.: April-June. Clitoria ternatea Fl. : July-Nov.; Fr. : Apr.-June Crotalaria burhia Aug.-Jan. Crotalaria medicaginea Aug.-Dec. Crotalaria retusa Oct. (BH) Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Sept.-Nov. Dalbergia sissoo Feb.-May Derris indica Nov.-June Goniogyna hirta Aug.-Nov. Indigofera argentea Almost throughout the year. Indigofera astragalina Sept.-Nov. Indigofera caerulea Aug.-Nov. Indigofera cordifolia Aug.-Nov. Indigofera hochstetteri Aug.-Oct. Indigofera linifolia Aug.-Oct. Indigofera linnaei Sept.-Dec. Indigofera oblongifolia Sept.-March Indigofera sessiliflora Sept.-Nov. Indigofera tinctoria Sept.-Nov. Lathyrus aphaca Feb.-March Lathyrus sativus Jan.-March Macrotyloma uniflorum Oct.-Nov. Medivago laciniata March-April. Medicago sativa July-Dec. Melilotus alba Jan.-March Melilotus indica Dec.-March Psoralea odorata Nov.-March Rhynchosia aurea Aug.-Oct. Rhynchosia minima Aug.-Oct. Rhynchosia pulverulenta Sept.-Dec. Rhynchosia schimperi Aug.-Sept. Sesbania bispinosa Sept.-Nov. Sesbania sesban Oct. Taverniera cuneifolia Sept.-Oct. Tephrosia falciformis Aug.-Oct. Tephrosia leptostachya Aug.-Oct. Tephrosia purpurea July-Dec. Tephrosia strigosa Aug.-Oct. Tephrosia subtriflora Aug.-Nov. Tephrosia uniflora Sept.-Nov. Tephrosia villosa Nov.-Feb. Tephrosia wallichii Aug.-Dec. Trigonella corniculata Feb.-April. Trigonella foenum-graecum Jan.-April Trigonells hamosa Jan.-March Trigonella monantha Feb.-March Trigonella occulta Feb.-March Vicia sativa Jan.-April Vigna aconitifolia Aug.-Nov. Vigna mungo Sept.-Oct. Vigna radiata Sept.-Oct. Vigna trilobata Sept.-Nov. Zornia gibbosa July-Oct. Bauhinia racemosa Fl.:May-June; Fr.:Aug.-Nov. Cassia auriculata Almost throughout the year. Cassia italica Aug.-Jan. Cassia obtusifolia Oct.Dec. Cassia occidentalis Oct.-Dec. Cassia pumila Aug.-Dec. Cassia sophera Sept.-Jan. Delonix elata Fl.:Mar.-July; Fr.:Upto Nov. Parkinsonia aculeata Fl.:Dec.-March;Fr.: Apr.-June. Acacia jacquemontii Fl.:Dec.-Feb.; Fr.: Mar.-May. Acacia leucophloea Ft.:Sept.-Nov.; Fr.: Nov.-March. Acacia nilotica Fl.:May-Oct.; Fr.: Dec.-April Acacia pennata Sept.-Nov. Acacia senegal July-Jan. Dichrostachys cinerea Aug.-Nov. Leucaena latisiliqua Feb.-May Albizia lebbeck Fl.:June-Aug.; Fr.: Aug.-Nov. Mimosa hamata Fl.:Aug.-Nov.; Fr.:Dec.-Feb. Pithecellobium dulce Nov.-April Prsopis chilensis Almost throughout the year. Prosopis cineraria Fl.:Dec.-Apr.; Fr.:Mar.-June. Prosopis glandulosa Aug.-Oct. Neurada procumbens Oct.-Dec. Potentilla supina Jan.-March Anogeissus caronata Aug.-Nov. Anogeissus pendula Fl.:Sept.; Fr.: Oct.-Nov. Anogeissus rotundifolia Fl.:Sept.-Oct.; Fr.: Dec.-Jan. Ammannia baccifera Aug.-Nov. Ammannia desertorum Sept.-Oct. Ammannia multiflora Oct.-Nov. Bistella digyna Oct.-Jan. Ludwigia perennis Aug.-Sept. Trapa natans Sept.-Nov. Citrullus colocythis Almost throughout the year. Citrullus fistulosus July-Nov. Citrullua lanatus Aug.-Dec. Coccinia grandis Almost throughout the year. Corallocarpus conocarpus Oct.-Dec. Corallocarpus epigaeus Aug.-Nov. Ctenolepis cerasiformis Oct.-Dec.; Fr.: Nov.-Feb. Cucumis callosus Aug.-Nov. Cucumis melo Fl.:Aug.-Nov.; Fr.: Nov.-Jan. Cucumis melo var. momordica Fl.:Aug.-Nov.; Fr.: Nov.-Dec. Cucumis prophetarum Aug.-Jan. Dactyliandra welwitschii Aug.-Nov. Luffa acutangula Aug.-Oct. Luffa echinata Aug.-Oct. Momordica balsamina Almost throughout the year, but more profusely Aug.-Nov. Momordica Charantia July-Nov. Momordica dioica Sept.-Dec. Mukia leiosperma Nov. Mukia maderaspatana Aug.-Dec. Opuntia elatior Fl.:Apr.-June; Fr.:May-July. Corbichonia decumbens Aug.-Oct. Gisekia pharnacioides Aug.-Nov. Glinus lotoides Fl.:Nov.-Feb.; Fr.: Dec.-March. Limeum indicum Aug.-Oct. Mollugo cerviana Sept.-Nov. Mollugo nudicaulis Sept.-Nov. Sesuvium sesuvioides Oct.-Dec. Trianthema portulacastrum Aug.-Dec. Trinathema triquetra Oct.-Dec. Adina cordifolia Sept.-Nov. Borreria articularis Aug.-Nov. Borreria pusilla Aug.-Oct. Dentella repens Nov.-May. Hedyotis corymbosa Aug.-Nov. Kohautia aspera Aug.-Nov. Mitragyna parvifolia June-Aug. Acanthospermum hispidum Sept.-Dec. Ageratum conyzoides Almost throughout the good year. Ageratum houstonianum Dec.-April Bidens biternata Aug.-Oct. Blainvillea acmella Aug.-Nov. Blumea lacera Dec.-March Blumea obliqua Almost throughout the year. Caesulia axillaris Aug.-Oct. Carthamus oxycantha May-July. Cotula hemisperica Oct.-Feb. Dicoma tomentosa Oct.-Dec. Echinops echinatus Dec.-April. Eclipta prostrata Almost throughout the year in suitable habitats; otherwise Sept.-Dec. Glossocardia setosa Oct.-Nov. Gnaphalium luteo-album Dec.-Feb. Gnaphalium polycaulon Nov.-march Gnaphalium pulvinatum Dec.-Feb. Ghaphalium pensylvanicum Jan.-March. Grangea maderaspatana Almost throughout the year. Lactuca runcinata Oct.-Dec. Lagascea mollis Oct.-Jan. Launaea procumbens Oct.-March. Launaea remotiflora Sept.-Nov. Launaea resedifolia Almost throughout the year. Oligochaeta ramosa Oct.-March. Pentanema indicum Sept.-Nov. Pegolettia senegalensis Sept.-Oct. Pluchea lanceolata Oct.-March. Pluchea wallichiana Nov.-March Pulicaria angustifolia Sept.-Nov. Pulicaria crispa Sept.-Mar. Pulicaria rajputanae Oct.-Jan. Pulicaria wightiana Aug.-Dec. Sonchus asper Nov.-Jan. Sonchus oleraceus Dec.-March. Sphaeranthus senegalensis Jan.-March. Tridax procumbens Oct.-Nov. Verbesina encelioides Oct.-Feb. Vernonia cinerascens Oct.-Jan. Vernonia cinerea Sept.-Nov. Xanthium strumarium Sept.-Dec. Anagallis arvensis Dec.-April. Dyerophytum indicum Nov.-Feb. Plumbago zeylanica Nov. Salvadora oleoides Fl.:Mar.-April; Fr.: May-June. Cathaeanthus pusillus July-Oct. Wrightia tinctoria Fl.:Mar.-April; Fr.: Aug.-Dec. Calotropis gigantea Oct.-July. Calotropis procera Almost throughout the year. Caralluma edulis Fl.:Feb.-Sept.; Fr.: March-May. Ceropegia bulbosa July-Oct. Glossonema varians Aug.-Nov. Leptadenia pyrotechnica Fl.: Agu.-Dec.; Fr. : Nov.-March. Pentatropis spiralis Fl.: Oct.-Jan.; Fr.: Dec.-Feb. Pergularia daemia Aug.-Dec. Sarcostemma acidum Aug.-Nov. Wattakaka volubilis Fl.:Apr.-July.; Fr. : Aug.-Feb. Cryptostegia grandiflora Fl.:July-Jan.; Fr.: Jan.-April. Enicostema axillare June-Dec. Hoppea dichotoma Sept.-Dec. Arnebia hispidissima Sept.-March Coldenia procumbens Mar.-June. Heliotropium bacciferum Aug.-May. Heliotropium curassavicum March-Dec. Heliotropium ellipticum Nov.-April Heliotropium marifolium Throughout the year. Heliotropium ovalifolium Nov.-April. Heliotropium paniculatum Sept.-Nov. Heliotropium rariflorum Sept.-Dec. Heliotropium strigosum Oct.-Dec. Heliotropium subulatum Oct.-April. Heliotropium supinum Feb.-April. Nonea edgeworthii Jan.-March. Sericostoma pauciflorum Almost throughout the year. Trichodesma ampelxicaule Aug.-Dec. Cordia gharaf Fl.:Mar.-April; Fr.: May-June. Ehretia aspera Mar.-May. Argyreia nervosa Aug.-Nov. Convolvulus arvensis Sept.-March. Convolvulus auricomus Oct.-Nov. C. auricomus Oct.-Nov. C. auticomus Sept.-Oct. Convolvulus blatteri Oct.-Nov. Convolvulus deserti Aug.-Nov. Convolvulus microphyllus Aug.-Dec. Convolvulus rhyniospermus Aug.-Nov. Concolvulus rottletianus Oct.-Nov. Convolvulus scindicus Feb. Convolvulus stocksii Sept.-Nov. Cressa cretica Nov.-March. Evolvulus alsinoides Aug.-Nov. Ipomoea aquatica Oct.-Dec. Ipomoea carica Throughout the year. Ipomoea carica Sept.-Nov. Ipomoea carnea Sept.-Jan. Ipomoea coptica July-Sept. Ipomoea dichroa Sept.-Nov. Ipomoea eriocarpa Aug.-Nov. Ipomoea hederifolia Sept.-Oct. Ipomoea indica Oct.-Nov. Ipomoea nil Aug.-Nov. Ipomoea obscura Oct.-Jan. Ipomoea pescaprae Aug.-March. Ipomoea pestigridis Sept.-Nov. Ipomoea quamoclit Aug.-Oct. Ipomoea sindica Aug.-Nov. Ipomoea turbinata Sept.-Nov. Ipomoea verticillata July-Aug. Merremia aegyptia Sept.-Nov. Merremia dissecta Almost throughout the year. Merremia emarginata Oct.-Feb. Merremia quinquefolia Aug.-Dec. Merremia rajasthnensis Aug.-Sept. Rivea hypocrateriformis Aug.-Dec. Seddera latifolia Oct.-March. Cuscuta chinensis Aug.-Oct. Cuscuta hyalina Aug.-Nov. Cuscuta reflexa Fl.: Nov.-Jan; Fr.: Jan.-March. Datura ferox Sept.-Dec. Datura innoxia Sept.-March. Datura metel Sept.-Jan. Datura stramonium Sept.-Dec. Lycium barbarum Oct.-Jan. Nicotiana plumbaginifolia March-Oct. Lycopersicon lycopersicum Nov.-Feb. Physalis minima Aug.-Nov. Physalis minima Oct.-march. Physalis peruviana Sept.-Nov. Solanum albicaule Aug.-Dec. Solanum incanum Sept.-Dec. Solanum indicum Oct.-Nov. Solanum nigrum More or less throughout the year Solanum surattense Almost throughout the year. Withania coagulans Nov.-March. Withania somnifera Almost throughout the year. Anticharis glandulosa Sept.-Nov. Antichris senegalensis Aug.-Oct. Bacopa monnieri Jan.-June. Dopatrium junceum Aug.-Oct. Glossostigma diandrum Nov.-Feb. Kickxia ramosissima Sept.-Nov. Lindenbergia muraria Sept.-Feb. Lindernia parviflora Nov. Peplidium maritimum Oct.-Dec. Schweinfurthia papilionacea Oct.-Dec. Scoparia dulcis Almost throughout the year. Sopubia delphiniifolia Oct. Striga angustifolia Aug.-Oct. Striga gesnerioides Aug.-Oct. Striga gesnerioides Oct.-Jan. Verbascum chinense Jan.-April Veronica agrestis Jan.-March. Veronica anagallis-aquatica Dec.-March. Cistanche tubulosa Oct.-March. Orobranche aegyptiaca Jan.-March Orobanche cernua Dec.-April. Tecomella undulata Jan.-April Pedalium murex Aug.-Dec. Sesamum indicum Aug.-Nov. Sesamum mulayanum Aug.-Oct. Martynia annua Aug.-Sept. Proboscidea louisiana Aug.-Nov. Adhatoda zeylanica Almost throughout the year. Barleria acanthoides Sept.-Nov. Barleria cristata Oct.-Jan. Barleria hochstetteri Nov.-Oct. Barleria prionitis Sept.-Dec. Blepharis repens Feb.-April. Blepharis sindica Aug.-Nov. Dicliptera verticillata Aug.-Nov. Dipteracanthus patulus July-Oct. Hemiadelphis polyspermus Jan.-March. Hygrophila auriculata Sept.-Dec. Indoneesiella echioides Sept.-Nov. Justicia heterocarpa Aug.-Nov. Justicia procumbens July-Oct. Justicia quinqueangularis July-Oct. Justicia simplex Oct.-Nov. Justicia vahlii July-Oct. Lepidagathis bandraensis Almost throughout the year, but more profuse during monsoon. Lepodagathiss cristata Oct.-Jan. Lepidagathis trivervis Almost throughout the year. Peristrophe paniculata Sept.-Dec. Ruellia tuberosa Oct.-Dec. Bouchea marrubifolia Sept.-Dec. Clerodendrum phlomidis Oct.-Nov. Phyla nodiflora Almos all the year round. Lantana indica Oct.-Dec. Lavandula bipinnata Nov.-Feb. Leucas aspera Oct.-Nov. Leucas cephalotes Oct.-Dec. Leucas nutans Oct. Leucas stricta Oct. Leucass urticaefolia Oct.-Nov. Ocimum americanum Aug.-Oct. Salvia aegyptiaca Aug.-Dec. Salvia santolinifolia Sept.-Nov. Plantago exiqua Nov.-March. Plantago ovata Jan.-March. Boerhavia diffusa Almos throughout the year. Boerhavia elegans Sept.-Dec. Commicarpus verticillatus Aug.-Feb. Achyranthes aspera Aug.-Dec. Achyrathes aspera Sept.-Dec. Aerva persica Aug.-Jan. Aerva pseudotomentosa Oct.-Feb. Aerva sanguinolenta Oct.-Nov. Alternathera pungens Almost throughout the year. Alternanthera sessilis Throughout the year. Amaranthus blitum Oct.-Nov. Amaranthus graecizans Aug.-Nov. Amaranthus hybridus Oct.-Dec. Amaranthus spinosus Aug.-Nov. Amaranthus tricolor Oct. Amaranthus viridis Almost throughout the year. Celosia argentia Fl.:Aug.-Nov.; Fr.: Oct.-Jan. Digera muricata Aug.-Dec. Gomphrena celosioides Almost throughout the year. Nothosaerva brachiata Oct.-Nov. Pupalia lappacea Aug.-Jan. Pupalia orbiculata Oct.-Nov. Chenopodium album Oct.-Feb. Chenopodium ambrosioides July-Oct. Chenopodium murale Oct.-Feb. Haloxylon recurvum Oct.-Nov. Haloxylon salicornicum Aug.-Dec. Salsola baryosma Nov.-Feb. Suaeda fruticosa Nov.-Jan. Suaeda nudiflora Nov.-Dec. Calligonum polygonoides Apr.-May. Emex spinosa Jan.-March. Polygonum plebeium Oct.-march. Polygonum plebeium Oct.-Nov. Rumex dentatus Sept.-Dec. Aristolochia bracteolata Sept.-Feb. Grevillea robusta Mar.-Apr.; May-July. Peperomia pellucida Sept.-Dec. Acalypha ciliata Aug.-Oct. Andrachne telephioides Dec.-Mar. Chorozophora prostrata Feb.-May. Chrozophora rottleri March-May. Euphorbia caducifolia Fl.:Jan.-Feb.; Fr.: Feb.-April. Auphorbia chamaesyce Almost throughout the year. Euphorbia clarkeana Oct.-Dec. Euphorbia dracunculoides Sept.-Jan. Euphorbia elegans Oct. Euphorbia geniculata Sept.-Nov. Euphorbia granulata Sept.-Dec. Euphorbia heyneana Aug.-Dec. Euphorbia hirta Almost throughout the year. Euphorbia indica Sept.-Nov. Euphorbia jodhpurensis Sept.-Nov. Euphorbia thymifolia Oct.-Nov. Micrococca mercurialis Aug.-Oct. Phyllanthus amarus Almost throughout the year but more profusely during rains. Phyllanthus debilis Oct.-march. Phyllanthus fraternus July-Oct. Phyllanthus maderaspatensis Aug.-Nov. Securinega leucopyrus May-July. Ficus arnottiana Feb.-April. Ficus bengalensis June-Sept. Ficus drupacea Apr.-June. Ficus religiosa Apr.-June. Hydrilla verticillata Oct.-Feb. Vallisneria spiralis Nov.-Feb. Crinum pratense Oct.-Nov. Asparagus racemosus Nov.-Dec. Asphodeluss tenuifolius Nov.-Feb. Dipcadi erythraeum Aug.-Sept. Eichhornia crassipes Oct.-May. Amischophacelus axillaris Aug.-Oct. Commelina albescens Aug.-Nov. Commelina benghalensis Aug.-Dec. Commelina diffusa Aug.-Dec. Commelina erecta Oct.-Nov. Commelina forskalaei Aug.-Nov. Commelina paludosa Sept. Cyanotis cristata Nov. Najas australis Oct.-Jan. Najas welwitschii Oct.-Dec. Jancus bufonius Nov.-March. Typha angustata Aug.-Dec. Lemna perpusila Not seen Wilffia arrhiza Not seen Potaamogeton crispus Oct.-Jan. Potamogeton nodosus Mar.-Aug. Potamogeton pectinatus Aug.-Nov. Cyperus alopecuroides Oct.-march. Cyperus alulatus Aug.-Nov. Cyperus arenarius Sept.-Dec. Cyperuss atkinsonii Sept.-Nov. Cyperus bulbosus Aug.-Oct. Cyperus clarkei Aug.-Oct. Cyperus compressus July-Oct. Cyperuss conglomeratus Sept.-Nov. Cyperuss cuspidatus Oct.-march. Cyperus difformis Oct.-Nov. Cyperus flavidus Aug.-Sept. Cyperus iria Sept.-Dec. Cyperuss laevigatus Oct.-Dec. Cyperus michelianus Oct.-Nov. Cyperuss niveus Nov. Cyperus nutans Oct. Cyperus pangorei Aug.-Nov. Cyperus pumilus Sept.-Nov. Cyperus rotundus Sept.-Dec. Cyperus rotundus Oct.-Nov. Cyperus triceps Sept.-Oct. Eleocharis atripurpurea Oct.-Nov. Eleocharis geniculata Aug.-Feb. Fimbristylis barbata Sept.-Nov. Fimbristylis bisumbellata Oct.-Nov. Fimbristyliss ferruginea Oct.-Nov. Fimbristylis quinquangularis Oct.-Nov. Fimbristylis spathacea Aug.-Sept. Fimbristyliss tenera Oct.-Nov. Mariscus squarrosus Spet.-Dec. Mariscus sumatrensis Almost throughout the year. Scirpus affinis Sept.-Oct. Scirpus littoralis Oct.-Nov. Scirpus roylei Sept.-Nov. Scirpus supinus Oct. Scirpus tuberosus Oct.-Jan. Aeluropus lagopoides Sept.-Dec. Andropogon pumilus Sept. Apluda mutica Sept.-Nov. Aristida adscensionis Aug.-Oct. Aristida adscensionis Oct.-Dec. Aristida funiculata Sept.-Nov. Aristida hystricula Sept.-Oct. Aristida mutabilis Sept.-Dec. Aristida royleana Sept.-Oct. Aristida setacea Almost throughout the year. Arthraxon lanceolatus Oct.-Feb. Bothriochloa pertusa Oct.-Dec. Brachiaria ramosa Aug.-Oct. Brachiaria reptans July-Sept. Cenchrus biflorus Aug.-Dec. Cenchrus ciliaris Aug.-Dec. Cenchrus pennisetiformis Aug.-Dec. Cenchrus prieurii Sept.-Nov. Cenchrus prieurii Oct.-Dec. Cenchrus rajasthanensis Aug.-Jan. Cenchrus setigerus Aug.-Nov. Chloris barbata Aug.-Dec. Chloris prieurii Aug.-Oct. Chloris quinquesetica Aug.-Dec. Chloris virgata July-Oct. Chrysopogon fulvus Aug.-Nov. Crypsis schoenoides Nov.-Jan. Cymbopogon jwarancusa Aug.-Dec. Cymbopogon martinii Aug.-Dec. Cymbopogon parkeri July-Nov. Cymbopogon schoenanthus Aug.-Dec. Cynodon dactylon Throughout the year. Dactyloctenium aegyptium Sept.-Jan. Dactyloctenium sindicum Sept.-Jan. Desmostychya bipinnata Oct.-Jan. Dichanthium annulatum Aug.-Dec. Digitaria bicornis July-Nov. Digitaria biformis July-Nov. Digitaria ciliaris Sept.-Nov. Digitaria pennuta Sept.-Dec. Dignathia hirtella Aug.-Sept. Echinochloa colonum Sept.-Nov. Echinochola crusgalli Almost throughout the year. Eleusine coracana Sept.-Nov. Elyonurus royleanus Oct.-Nov. Enneapogon brachystachyus Aug.-Dec. Enneapogon cenchroides Oct.-Nov. Enneapogon persicus Sept.-Dec. Enneapogon schimperanus Oct.-Dec. Eragrostiella bifaria Aug.-Oct. Eragrostis cilianensis Aug.-Dec. Eragrostis ciliaris Oct.-Feb. Eragrosis diarrhena Oct.-Dec. Eragrostis gangetica Oct.-Nov. Eragrostis minor Oct.-Nov. Eragrostis pilosa Oct.-Dec. Eragrostis tenella Sept.-Dec. Eragrostis tenella Oct.-march. Eragrostis tremula Nov.-Jan. Eragrostis unioloides Nov.-Jan. Eragrostis viscosa Aug.-Feb. Eremopogon foveolatus Sept.-Dec. Eriochloa nubica Sept. Hackelochloa granularis Sept.-Dec. Heteropogon controtus Sept.-Nov. Iseilema prostratum Aug.-Oct. Lasiurus esaudatus Oct.-Nov. Lasiurus sindicus Almost throughout the year. Latipes senegalensis Aug.-Oct. Melanocenchris abyssinica Aug.-Oct. Melanocenchris jacquemontii Aug.-Oct. Ochthochloa compressa Sept.-Dec. Oropetium roxburghianus Aug.-Oct. Oropetium thomaeum Aug.-Oct. Panicum antidotale Oct.-Dec. Panicum trypheron Aug.-Oct. Panicum psilopodium July-Dec. Panicum repens July. Panicum turgidum July-Nov. Paspalidium geminatum July-Oct. Paspalum paspaloides Sept.-Jan. Paspalum scrobiculatum Aug.-Oct. Paspalam vaginatum July-Oct. Perotis hordeiformis Aug.-Oct. Perotis indica July-Oct. Phragmitess karka Almost throughout the year. Polypogon monspeliensis Dec.-Mar. Rhynchelytrum villosum Aug.-Oct. Saccharum bengalense Almost throughout the year. Saccharum spontaneum Oct.-Feb. Schoenefeldia gracilis Aug.-Oct. Sehima nervosum Sept.-Oct. Setaria intermedia Aug.-Nov. Setaria verticillata Sept.-Nov. Sorghum halepense Oct.-Jan. Sorghum verticilliflorum Aug.-Oct. Sporobolus coromandelianus Aug.-Nov. Sporobolus diander Aug.-Nov. Sporoboluss helvolus Oct.-Nov. Sporobolus ioclades Aug.-Nov. Sporoboluss maderaspatanus Oct. Sporobolus tenuissimus July-Aug. Sporobolus tremulus Oct.-Dec. Stipagrotis hirtigluma Oct.-Dec. Stipatrostis pogonoptila Oct.-march. Tetrapogon tenellus Sept.-Nov. Tetrapogon villosus Aug.-Nov. Targus roxburghii Aug.-Nov. Tripogon jacquemontti Sept.-Dec. Urochloa panicoides Aug.-Sept. Urochondra setulosa Nov. Vetiveria zizanioides Nov.-Jan. The flowering and Fruiting Time of Some Indian Herbs. would like to mention here that freshly collected Dhawai flower is preferred by the traditional healers of Gandai region. They avoid the use of old and stored flowers, commonly available with local traders. In urban areas, far from natural habitat of Dhawai, the patients have no option and they purchase it from local herb shop. Many of them complained me that Dhawai flowers purchased from local herb shops, are not showing or giving desired effects. To solve their problems, we have decided to encourage the local people to plant the desired and useful herbs in home gardens. For this mission, we have prepared a special questionnaire and with the help of traditional healers, herb experts and Ayurvedic practitioners of the state, we are planning and recommending different herbs to patients suffering from different diseases. For patients having no space for home garden are advised to collect the herbs from nearby forest plantation. As Chhattisgarh is declared as "Herbal state" the forest officers are taking keen interest in herbal plantation. The process of forming traditional healers forum is in progress and I am sure that to gather we can achieve the target of conservation and propagation of traditional medicinal knowledge successfully. Many allopaths, taking herbs for their treatment unofficially, are opposing our mission officially saying the traditional healers quack or neem-hakim. Possibly the pressure of multinational drug companies active in our country is the responsible factor. In forest villages, the Dhawai flowers are used in same manner as Aloe gel in case of burns and scalds. You will find the special oil prepared from Dhawai flowers in every house specially in kitchen. In case of burns, this oil is applied externally. The traditional healers of Bastar informed me that in general the Dhawai flowers are burned in Sarson Ka Tel (i.e. Mustard oil) and oil is prepared. Again there is a lot of variations in methods of preparation. Many traditional healers use the leaf juice of Arandi (Castor) in place of Dhawai Flower whereas the traditional healers of Dhamtari use both Castor leaf juice and Dhawai flower in equal proportion. I personally feel that there is a strong need, for scientific evaluation of these special oils having different herbs. In many parts of Chhattisgarh , Dhawai flowers with the gum of Semar is used to treat diarrhoea also. As Ayurvedic medicine, many medicinal properties of Dhawai are well mentioned in reference literatures. According to Ayurveda, it is pungent, acrid, cooling, alexiteric, uterine sedative, anthelmintic and useful in treatment of leprosy, erysipelas, blood disorders, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, dysentery, thirst and toothache. Many Ethnobotanical uses of Dhawai have been documented by early workers from different parts of India. Along with flower, the use of bark as medicine is also mentioned but unfortunately I have not got any such information in my ethnomedico surveys in Chhattisgarh. In Northern parts of India,, the natives use Dried flowers with curdled milk for dysentery and with honey for menorrhagia. From reference literatures of botany, I have noted the botanical description of this useful herb. The scientific name of Dhawai is Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz. Syn. Lythrum fruticosum L. Syn. Woodfordia floribunda Salisb. (Family Lythraceae). It is large deciduous straggling shrub. Bark pale-brown, peeling off in fibres, young parts with small black glands. Leaves sub sessile, linear-lanceolate, 3-10 cm long, flowers in fascicled axillary racemes. Calyx tube long and red. Petals small red. Stamens much exserted; filaments filiform, red, ovary 2-celled. Fruits ellipsoid and enclosed by persistent calyx-tube. Seeds numerous, wedge-shaped, brown and smooth. In Chhattisgarh conditions, flowering time varied between December to May. As mentioned earlier, Dhawai flower is an important non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh. The traders of Dhamtari informed me that it is always in high demand. According to them, beside medicinal uses it is also exported for tannins (from the leaves) and dye (from the flowers). Parsa, Dhak or Tesu (Butea monosperma) is well known tree for beautiful flowers and multiple uses. Since centuries the natives are living with these important trees. It is well known in other parts of India, also. In the festival Holi (the festival of colours), from generations, the colour (or dye) of Butea is in use from generations. Now the synthetic colours are taking place of the natural Butea colour and the cases of skin allergies during the festival are increasing year by year. Few years back, the prestigious organization National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (India) started a mission to reintroduce the colours of natural herbs like Butea among Indians and they launched " Herbal Gulal and Colours" Like Dhawai flower, Butea is also an important non-wood forest produce, and almost every plant part is in heavy demand in national and international markets. The traditional healers and natives both are well aware of traditional medicinal uses of different parts of Butea, in Chhattisgarh. Working as herb expert in state level biodiversity action plan, last month I got one shocking information about decreasing tion of Butea in some parts of state due to unscientific exploitation and collection of useful roots. During the festival of Deepawali (the festival of light) it is common practice to white wash the home. In India, whitewashing is done with the help of hand made brushes. These brushes are prepared by the roots of trees and according to rural youths engaged in white washing , the Butea root is best for preparing ideal brush. As the Butea is in abundance and easily available, the youths collect it and this destructive collection is creating problems in survival of Butea trees. In early days, when the population is less there was no problem but today the increasing population pressure is becoming a curse for not only Butea trees but also for many other herbs. When I talked to some rural youths, they informed me that they are aware of this destructive collection but they have no alternative. Many of them told me that they are not aware of decreasing Butea population in the state. I feel that there is a strong need to take timely steps. The most important step is to provide a promising alternative to rural youths so that they can reduce the pressure on Butea. The governmental and non-governmental organizations can take this responsibility. The second step must be o aware the common people to avoid the workers using Butea brushes. This target is also achievable. There is also a need of strict supervision and monitoring on natural habitat of Butea trees. During my surveys to different parts of the state, I have noted two important uses of Butea flowers as ethnomedicine. Like Dhawai Flower, the traditional healers advise the patients suffering from Gonorrhoea to drink the leachate of Butea flower. In severe and chronic cases, they recommend this leachate twice a day. Many healers add gram or wheat seeds with Butea flower. According to the healers, the only purpose of adding the gram or wheat seeds is to provide strength to the patients and the addition of these seeds do not alter the miracle effects of Butea flowers. In case of urine retention, the traditional healers of state recommend the patients to apply the fresh juice of Butea flower externally for quick relief. From the natives living in urban areas. I have heard that Butea flowers are useful in diabetes but I have still not got confirmation from any of traditional healers. In reference literatures related to Ayurveda, Butea flowers hold a reputed position as medicine. According to Ayurveda, the flowers are useful in leprosy, stangury, gout, skin troubles, thirst, inflammations and burning sensations. Although in Chhattisgarh occurrence of Hulhul is reported everywhere by early workers but in my surveys I have seen isolated patches of Hulhul plants. In reference books on weeds, Hulhul is reported as harmful weed but in Chhattisgarh, it is considered as most valuable medicinal herb. The natives and traditional healers are well aware of medicinal properties and uses of Hulhul and I am proud to say that it is still in use. According to the natives and traditional healers, every part of Hulhul is useful. During my visits to Bagbahera region, I have noted specific use of Hulhul flowers. The traditional healers of this region, advise the youths to use the leachate of Hulhul flower daily morning in order to get extra h and to maintain good sexual health. The flowers are collected and dried it in shade and after drying it is crushed in to powder. The traditional healers advise the patients to dip a teaspoonful of this powder in water and next morning take the leachate. You will be surprised to know that the rural youths are adopting this practice sincerely from generations. The natives serve special sweet dish prepared with Hulhul flowers to newly married couples. The purpose is to give them extra strength. The flowering time of Hulhul in Chhattisgarh condition is between September to June. The traditional healers collect the flowers in these months and used it round the year. Botanically it is an annual erect herb (height 30-90 cm); stems grooved and glandular, hairy’ Leaves 3-5 foliate; petioles of lower leaves longer, gradually becoming shorter upwards, leaflets elliptic -oblong, terminal the largest,; flowers axillary in lax racemes, yellow; petals four, oblong-obovate, veined. Fruits capsule, erect, hairy, obliquely striate, tapering towards both ends; seeds brownish black, transversely striate, sub globose. According to Ayurveda, it is useful in the treatment of malaria, poor digestion, skin diseases and blood disorders, piles, lumbago etc. The traditional healer of Bagbahera told me about the use of Bajra flowers in case of dog-bite. Bajra (Pearl millet) is not under cultivation in this region. According to the healer, he has gained this knowledge from his forefathers but due to unavailability of Bajra flowers,, he is not using it. In Chhattisgarh, Chameli (Jasminum arborescens) is common ornamental plant in home gardens. The natives are well aware of medicinal uses of herbal oil prepared from different parts of Chameli herb. Specific oils to increase sexual desire are prepared using leaves and flowers of this fragrant herb. The oil is applied externally on male genitals. According to the traditional healer of Durg region the oil prepared from flower is more potential as compared to oil prepared from leaves. Many traditional healers of state advise the patients suffering from Jaundice to take Babool (Acacia nilotica) flowers with sugar, empty stomach daily morning. Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea) and Dhatra (Datura stramonium) are common roadside plants in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healer of Charama region, uses the flowers of both herbs with other herbs in treatment of sex related diseases. In case of night blindness, the traditional healer of Bastar, recommend his patients to apply the fresh juice of Kasaundi flowers (Cassia sophera). He also uses the shade dried Neem flowers for the treatment of eye diseases. He claims that by using his drugs one can get rid from glasses for ever. The traditional healers of Nagri-Sihawa region recommend their patients suffering from the problem of chronic constipation and piles, to take the juice of Kusum flower (Schleichera oleosa; family Sapindaceae), commonly found in this region. Many traditional healers use it externally also. Besides, flowers of wild herbs, the flowers of different fruit and ornamental herbs, essential parts of home gardens in Chhattisgarh, are also used as medicines by the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. I will describe these uses in separate article. I have noted that many of the uses described above, are not mentioned in available literatures. Also , the traditional healers have modified the old formulas according to their need and ease. There is a strong need to document the information related to these newly developed formulas. My experiences and interactions with growers and traders of medicinal herbs Sarpgandha (Rauwolfia serpentina) and Chandrashoor (Lepidium sativum) in India with special reference to Chhattisgarh Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved In between two rows of Aloe, the Chhattisgarh farmers prefer to plant Sarpgandha herb in order to repel away the venomous creatures particularly the snakes. Yes, since centuries, in Chhattisgarh natives are using this useful herb as snake repellent successfully. Its common name Sarpgandha (Sarp-Snake and Gandha - the smell) reflects its properties to repel away the snakes. As dense plantation and typical smell of Aloe and also common aromatic crops attract the snakes, the farmers use Sarpgandha not only for protection but also to earn additional income by selling its important and valuable roots. In forest areas the natives still plant this herb in their home gardens to keep the snakes away. Early Ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of India clearly indicates that Indians are well aware of medicinal and repelling properties of Sarpgandha. Many workers have reported that traditional healers use this herb for the treatment of snake and dog bite but many scientific studies conducted in India and abroad have shown that this herb is ineffective against snake and dog bite. The traditional healers of Raigarh region informed me that the Sarpgandha is effective in case of snake and dog bite but only in combination with other herbs. Raigarh region of Chhattisgarh is known as ‘Nag Loke’ (Snake Kingdom) and every year there are many cases of deaths due to this venomous creatures. During my ethnomedico surveys since 1994, I have met over 200 traditional healers practicing and using local herbs in case of snake and dog bite and also I have seen the uses practically. But these healers never disclose the ‘secret formula’. In order to list out the common herbs used in these cases, I always ask one important component of the mixture used by the traditional healers, and they never hesitate to disclose the name of important component. In majority of cases, I have noted the name of Sarpgandha herb. In reference literatures, the use of roots for the treatment of snake bite is reported but the traditional healers use whole plant or individual parts, including roots for treatment. I feel reinvestigation on medicinal properties of Sarpgandha herbs against snake and dog bite is essential. Common and popular names of Chandrashoor (Lepidium sativum) around the world Languages/Regions/Countries Common Names 1) Afganistan Tara tezak 2) Arabic Habb-er-reshad, Habrasjot, Half, Hurf, Harfulabaz, Jarjir, Reschad 3) Bengal Alevarie, Alleevree, Halim 4) Myanmar Mongnyin, Samungni 5) Kanarese Allibija, Kurutige 6) Egypt Habb-er-reshad, 7) English Common cress, Garden cress, Passerage, Pepperwort, Town cress 8) French Anitor, Cresson alenois, Cresson des jardins, Cresson de terre, Nasitar, Nasitor, Nasit art, Passerage cultivee 9) German Gartenkresse, Kresse, Pfefferkraut 10) Gujarati Asalio, Halim, 11) Hindi Chansur, Chandrashoor, Halim, Chaunsar, Halor, Hurf, Malavam, Tara, Tezac 12) Iraq Rashad 13) Italian Lepidio, Nasturzio 14) Marathi Ahliva 15) Pakistan Halang, Halim 16) Persian Rukhame-ispanda, Tereh tizec 17) Portuguese Mastruco 18) Punjabi Halim, Halon, Shargundai, Tezak 19) Sanskrit Ashalika, Chandrashura, Raktabija, Raktaraji 20) Sindh Ahree, Ahreo, Assaria 21) Spanish Berro de jardin, Malpica, Mastuezo 22) Tamil Aliverai 23) Telugu Adalavitulu, Adeli, Adityalu, Adiyalu 24) Urdu Halim Due to heavy demand of Sarpgandha roots in national and international drug markets, the natural occurrence of this herbs decreasing with alarming rates in Chhattisgarh. Although the collection and trading of Sarpgandha roots are banned in state but it is bitter fact that for buyers it is more easy to get the banned items than the regular items. The traditional healers are worried due to their decreasing treasure. You will be surprised to know that the Sarpgandha roots are traded in name of Turmeric roots. The collection and trading of Turmeric roots are not banned and in name of these, we are loosing Sarpgandha roots. During my ethnomedico surveys. I have seen many rich and untouched spots in dense forests having rich population of Sarpgandha. Regular letters and phone calls from the natives and traditional healers are increasing my worries. In general, the officers blame local people for illegal trades but all people are not involved in this game. I have observed and noted that natives have deep respect towards their natural resources and they want to keep it forever. They are well aware of sustainable management and non-destructive methods of harvesting, but our intellectuals do not want to learn from these real scientists, and when we pressurize them to adopt our methods, then the problems begin. As the germination capacity of Sarpgandha seed is very poor, one herb is uprooted from any place, it is lost forever from that particular place. I have complaints of traditional healers from human beings, but the traditional healers from wild animals group have no way to make complaint against decreasing population of this useful herb. Many traditional healers and herb collectors, who invest most of their time in dense forests, told me that many times they have seen wild animals eating different parts of Sarpgandha herbs. They further told me that the specific animals eat a very little amount and among all species, they have noted frequent visits of monkeys and wild bears I personally feel that a close observation on these species can help us a lot to get more benefits from their traditional (?) knowledge. In absence of this herb in natural habitat, may encourage these species to use another herb having similar properties as substitute and close view on this search can save the cost of our expensive R&D activities, and also valuable time. As the Sarpgandha roots from cultivated origin are free from ban, many local traders are taking advantage of this rule. They establish a small nursery, adjacent to forest areas and show that they are growing this herb in fairly large areas. In name of this nursery, they collect the Sarpgandha from forest (which is banned) and show the authorities that these are from cultivated origin. No one can differentiate between the roots of herbs from cultivated and forest origin visually. As advanced laboratories have yet not been established in the state, for sincere officers it is impossible to go for chemical analysis. This is the common observation not only in Chhattisgarh, but also in other parts of the country. There is a strong need to keep close vigilance on activities of these herbal nurseries, particularly those situated nearer to forest areas. I am hoping that this bare fact will help the key persons associated with policy making process to suggest new ways to stop these activities. Common and popular names of Sarpgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) Languages/Regions/Countries Names 1) Assamese Arachoritita 2) Bengali Chandra 3) Hindi Chandrabhaga, Chota-chand, Sarpagandha 4) Kanarese Sarpagandhi, Shivanabhiballi, Sutranovi, Patal Gandhi 5) Khasi Todong-paint-parao 6) Malyalam Churannavilpori, Suvapaval poriyan 7) Marathi Harkaya, Harki 8) Oriya Patalagarur, Sanochado 9) Sanskrit Sarpagandha, Chandrika, Patalogaruda 10) Marathi Harkaya, Harki 11) Tamil Chevanamalpodi 12) Telugu Patalaguni, Patalgaruda, Sarpagandha The increasing demand of Sarpgandha in national and international markets and decreasing availability have encouraged many innovative herb growers of Chhattisgarh (and also of other states) to cultivate this useful herb, but the farmers are facing many problems. The main problem is the duration of crop. According to Agronomical studies conducted in India, the good crop of Sarpgandha requires 18 months and for best crop, one have to wait for 28months. No one wants to engage his land under one crop. If crop is extra profit giving then only one can be ready to wait for this long duration. Unfortunately, the Sarpgandha growers are not getting good prices of their produces. In these regions, the cost of planting material is very high and as the forests are still supplying the herb, no one want to buy the costly roots of cultivated origin. As high cost of cultivation is involved, the cost of roots of cultivated origin automatically increases. Many farmers are cultivating Sarpgandha under my technical guidance and with the help of organic inputs, we are getting nearly same alkaloid content as compared to natural roots. This is really surprising and depressing that national buyers prefer the roots of bigger size and they have nothing to do with the alkaloid contents. According to farmers, the use of Chemical inputs can increase the size of roots but I am against this use and the traditional healers also believe that use of chemical inputs can alter the unique medicinal properties of Sarpgandha. The traders of Bastar region told me that from last five years the size of roots they are getting from collectors is decreasing. Possibly the increasing demand is the responsible factor and it is encouraging the collectors to go for destructive harvesting and to collect premature roots. The traders of Bastar also informed that as the size is decreasing, the rates and demand are also decreasing. The trader and exporter from Kolkata city told that the Sarpgandha roots collected from Chhattisgarh are not true to the species. According to him, it is not Rauwolfia serpentina and may be Rauwolfia tetraphylla or other related species. I am not agree with him. I personally feel that there is a strong need to encourage the farmers, particularly the farmers engaged in organic farming, in order to reduce the pressure on natural forests. With the help of strict legal power, the state authorities can do a lot in this field. In order to root out the problem of poor germination, the scientific studies are essential. With my farmers, I am trying to get some organic ways to increase the germination percentage. The problem of poor germination is forcing the farmers to use cuttings for propagation. The increasing demand of cuttings is again becoming a problem for natural population. In Indian systems of medicine, Sarpgandha holds a prestigious position. According to Ayurveda, the roots are bitter, acrid, heating, sharp, pungent and anthelmintic. It is used as medicine from centuries but the herb came into limelight only after the isolation of reserpine, an alkaloid, in 1952 by Muller. In reference literatures, related to botany, I have noted this detailed description about Sarpgandha. It is an erect perennial shrub, with a long, irregularly nodular, yellowish root stock (Serpentina refers to snake like structure of roots); Leaves in whorls of 3, thin, lanceolate, acute, bright green above and pale beneath; Flowers in irregular corymbose cymes, white, often tinged with violet; bright red; corolla tubular, swollen a little above the middle, Fruits drupe, single or didymous, black shining; the inflorescence of this herb with red pedicels and calyx and white corolla is striking. Seeds resemble the excreta of dog (in Chhattisgarh it is known as Kukurledi; - dog and ledi - excreta). During my Ethnobotanical surveys I have observed many biotypes (over 3) and at present with the help of natives and traditional healers, studying different aspects of these biotypes. Although natural occurrence of Chandrashoor is reported in Chhattisgarh but I have yet not found it in natural forests. Many farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states are cultivating this medicinal herbs as rabi (winter) season crop. Most of these farmers are cultivating Chandrashoor for their own use. The natives and traditional healers of these states are well aware of medicinal properties of Chandrashoor. According to them it is good cattle feed and they give the produce to milch animals in order to increase the milk production. Many reputed cattle feed companies use Chandrashoor as main ingredient in their formulations. In Chhattisgarh, very few farmers are engaged in commercial cultivation of Chandrashoor. Mr. Hemant Verma, a school teacher and farmer of Siliyari village, near to Raipur city, is among them. He is qualified Homoeopathic practitioner and also lover of herbs. The credit of introduction and promotion of Chandrashoor in Chhattisgarh goes to him only. About four years back, he started the cultivation of Chandrashoor for the first time in state. According to the soil conditions and climatic factors, he has developed farming practices and today all Chandrashoor growers are adopting his practices. There is no package of practice available from regional research institutes. This is the reason all Chandrashoor growers are practicing organic farming practices in Chhattisgarh. I have noted and reported heavy attack of many common insects and diseases on Chandrashoor crop. Mr. Verma uses the cow urine to repel away the insects successfully. The market of this medicinal crop has yet not been established. According to the growers, the Chandrashoor crop suits in existing cropping system in the state and they are eager to increase the area under cultivation. The traders active in state are not showing much interest in this crop. According to them, there is scope in future because most of buyers at metros are not aware of Chandrashoor cultivation in Chhattisgarh. The farmers of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are getting fair prices for this crop and according to them it is poor man’s crop. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of medicinal properties of Chandrashoor but it less frequently used herb. They informed me that poor availability of fresh herb for preparation of drugs is main reason for less frequent use and according to them, the commercial production can root out their problems effectively. In my allelopathic studies, I have identified many leachates and extracts of Chandrashoor beneficial for the germination and growth of common agricultural crops. cientific name of Chandrashoor is Lepidium sativum (Common English name : - Garden cress). According to Ayurveda, it is hot bitter, tonic, galactagogue, aphrodisiac and useful in treatment of dysentery, pain in abdomen, blood and skin disorders, injuries and tumours and eye diseases. In many parts of India, Chandrashoor is a popular pot herb. Chandrashoor is erect, 30-70 cm tall, branched annual herb. Lower leaves petiolated, pinnatipartile with pinnatifid segments, upper ones linear, sessile, nearly entire glabrous. Racemes lax, 20-30 flowered. Flowers 3-3.5 mm across, white; pedicels sub erect, 2-3 mm long, scarcely as long as the pods. Sepals about 15 mm long, oblong, obtuse. Petals about 3mm long. Stamens 6, broadly elliptic, winged at the top and notched at the apex with short style seeds small. The flowering time in Chhattisgarh condition varies between February to May. Both Sarpgandha and Chandrashoor crops require attention from state and national authorities engaged in conservation and cultivation of herbs. I feel that now the time has come to take strong decision and quick step to save and promote the cultivation of both of these potential medicinal crops, not only in Chhattisgarh but also in other parts of India. Kadu Pani : A specially prepared herbal decoction for body wash used by the natives of Chhattisgarh, India Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved Above are photographs which will help to illustrate the points in this article Kadu Pani (Kadu - Bitter; Pani-Water) is a specially prepared herbal decoction for body wash which is in use since generations. The natives from almost all parts of Chhattisgarh are well aware of medicinal properties of Kadu Pani. The natives prepare and use this herbal decoction once in a year, at time of Diwali or Deepawali festival (The festival of lights). On the day of festival, the natives worship the goddess Laxmi (The goddess of wealth). It is general belief that before worship one must wash his or her body with the Kadu Pani. The information and identification about valuable herbs used to prepare Kadu Pani are available with the natives. The traditional healers are also aware of this Kadu Pani and according to them, the Kadu Pani is good against skin troubles common in the festive season and to continue its use in future, at least once in a year, their forefathers have associated this herbal decoction with the worship of goddess Laxmi. I am also agree with them. Since my childhood, as native of Chhattisgarh, I am using Kadu Pani. My village is at 23 kms distance from the capital of state and the chief of farm workers (Agua), now crossing the age of 70 years, never misses to send the herbs used to prepare this herbal decoction. In local markets, one can easily see the rural youths selling the ingredients of Kadu Pani during festival season. The dominance of rural youths in local markets clearly indicates that the tradition of using Kadu Pani is still on and natives living in urban areas are also aware of Kadu Pani. Botanical differences among some Solanum species. Characteristics Solanum Solanum Solanum indicum nigrum xanthocarpum 1) Habit A much branched under shrub, 0.3- 1.5 meters high, very prickly, prickles large, sharp, recurved, stem stout, covered with stellate hairs. A variable annual herb, stem erect, much divaricated branched. A very prickly diffuse, straight, yellow or shining, often exceeding 1-3 cm long. 2) Leaves 5-15x2.5-7.5 cm ovate, subentire or triangular ovate, lobed, sparsely prickly and hairs on both sides, base Many, ovate-lanceolate, entire or sinuate toothed, tapering into 5-10x2.5-5.7 cm, ovate or elliptic, sinuate or subpinnatified, hairy on both sides, armed on midrib and nerves with long yellow prickles, Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 unequal-sided, petiole prickly. petioles. base unequal-sided. 3) Flowers In racemose extra-axillary cymes, calyx pale-purple, clothed outside with purple hairs. Small, in extra axillary, subumbellate, 3-8 flowered cymes, Calyx divided more than half way into 5 oblong lobes. In extra-axillary few flowered cymes, Calyx purple, lobes deltoid, hairy outside. 4) Fruits Berry, 8 mm diameter, globose, dark yellow when ripe. Berry, 6 mm diameter, usually purplish black (sometimes red or yellow), smoothly shining. Berry, 3.2-3.5 cm in diameter, yellow or white with green veins, surrounded by enlarged calyx 5) Seed Minutely pitted Discoid, yellow, minutely pitted. 6) Flowering Aug-Oct. Sept-January June For the preparation of Kadu Pani, the natives use Neem leaves, inflorescence of Chirchita, Siliyari, Bariyara, Memri, and Bhachkatiya. Except Neem leaves, all ingredients are common weeds in crop fields and wastelands. From last four years, I am conducting detailed surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, to list out the ingredients used in preparation of Kadu Pani. In almost every part of the state, the above mentioned ingredients are available in plenty and natives are using it. In some parts particularly in Rajnandgaon and Durg region, natives add one or two more weeds along with these ingredients. For preparation of Kadu Pani, the natives collect the herbs and on previous night of Deepawali, put these herbs in earthen pot filled with water and then put the pot on fire (Chulha). Next morning, the decoction is used to wash body thoroughly. The natives do not use normal water for bath after taking bath with Kadu pani. But due to typical bad smell and for ease, now many natives, dilute this decoction with normal water and prefer to take bath after using decoction. How much herbs are to be used ? What should be the quantity of water to be added in herbs ? Is earthen pot essential or there is any alternative ? the natives have no answer. But fortunately the traditional healers are aware. During my surveys, I have noted a lot of variations in preparation of Kadu Pani. The traditional healers of Bastar, informed me that in ancient times, the natives were not allowed to prepare this decoction. At that times, the healers from each village prepare it for use of whole village and the healers were using special methods for preparation of potential and effective Kadu Pani. Like collection of the other herbs , the traditional healers visit to the targeted herbs one day prior to harvest and after worshipping the herbs, they invite the herbs to be prepare with its full medicinal potential. And after invitation, they apply magical liquid (Combination of aqueous extract or leachate of herbs) on the roots of targeted herbs. I have tried hard to get the secret formula of this magical liquid but still not get the success. I believe that the magical liquid contains some beneficial extracts or leachates that are useful in increasing the medicinal properties of targeted herbs. The effects of magical liquid can be explained with the help of science of Allelopathy. According to the natives, the magical liquid has desired effect only due to the power of traditional healers. Although the healers are not aware of term Allelopathy but I am sure that they have in depth knowledge about the facts of this new branch of science since centuries. In modern time, the traditional healers never prefer to collect the herbs from cultivated field or from any developed farm, possibly due to heavy use of weedicides. According to them, if they prepare herbal decoction from herbs having weedicides residue then it can harm the natives instead of curing the skin problems. Unfortunately, the rural youths selling the ingredients of Kadu Pani are not aware of this fact and they are collecting the herbs from farms and other cultivated fields. This is one more aspect on which one can conduct a research for the benefit of natives. The traditional healers always prefer earthen pot but I have noted that the natives use the steel, aluminum and Peetal vessels for preparation of Kadu Pani. Before putting the earthen pot or other vessels containing ingredients and water on fire, the traditional healers perform a small worship ceremony. In general, Lord Ganesha is worshipped. The natives are also well aware of this ceremony and they are still performing it. The traditional healer informed me that among ingredients half part must be of freshly harvested Neem leaves and remaining half part must contain other herbs (mainly inflorescence or flower bearing branches) in equal proportion. The roots are avoided. According to the traditional healers, during use of Kadu Pani, one must protect the sensitive body organs from decoction. This information is also not available with the natives considering it herbal (as it is belief that herbs have no bad effects) many of them are using it to wash sensitive organs. Before describing the details regarding ingredients, I would like to mentioned one more potential use of this Kadu Pani against agricultural pests as suggested by the traditional healers of Dhamtari region. He advised me to use it scientifically against crop pest. Dhamtari is well known for irrigated rice cultivation. Unlike other parts, the farmers take three crops of rice in a year. Well developed and linked canal systems are responsible for this production. Due to continuous rice cultivation, this region is heaven for both insects and insecticide companies. This region is infamous for heavy use of lethal pesticides. According to the traditional healer of Dhamtari, he has successfully used Kadu Pani, as natural pesticide, against many rice pests. The natives and other traditional healers are still not aware of this new use of Kadu Pani. I personally feel that there is a need of scientific investigation. As main ingredient Neem leaves are used in Kadu Pani preparation. I have already written much on this useful Indian tree in my previous articles. Here I am describing in brief the details of common weeds used in Kadu Pani preparation. Siliyari (Celosia argentea) is one of the obnoxious weeds (according to weed scientists) in rainy season upland crops. It is also known as Safed Murgha or Safed Murga (due to its white inflorescence) in other parts of India. Many ornamental Celosia species can easily be seen in home gardens in urban areas. This weed is present from centuries in Chhattisgarh. Many villages having severe infestation of Siliyari were named as Siliyari village by our forefathers. You will be surprised to know that there are many villages named Siliyari in different parts of Chhattisgarh. In reference literatures on indigenous medicine not much have been written on this herb but the traditional healers and natives both use this valuable herb for many common diseases. Due to heavy infestation of this weed in soybean crops of Chhattisgarh, the research institution sponsored and benefited by multinational pesticide companies, have started experiments to eradicate this weed though chemicals. The traditional healers and natives are not happy with these experiments. Like me they are also in favour of weed utilization as compared to weed eradication by dumping lethal agrochemicals on the pure and untouched lands of Chhattisgarh. The uses of Siliyari (family : Amaranthaceae) in blood, mouth diseases and also in eye diseases have been reported in many reference literatures. I will describe more uses in my future articles. Bhachkatiya or Bhatkatiya is a most valuable herb for traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. The healers use this herb in treatment of over 100 common diseases alone or in combination with other local and exotic herbs. For weed experts, it is useless plant and must be removed from crop fields. Here is botanical description of Bhachkatiya (Solanum xanthocarpum). It is a very prickly diffuse, bright green perennial herb; stem zig-zag; prickles compressed, straight, yellow and shining; leaves ovate or elliptic, sinuate or sub pinnatifid, hairy on both sides, petiole prickly; Flowers in extra-axillary few flowered cymes. Corolla purple, lobes deltoid, hairy outside(in many parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted the white flowered Bhachkatiya; the traditional healers prefer this rare variety as compared to purple one); Fruits berry, yellow or white with green veins, surrounded by enlarged calyx. According to Ayurveda, it is bitter, heating, appetiser, laxative, anthelmintic, stomachic, and useful in bronchitis, asthma, fever, lumbago, pains, piles (specially bleeding piles), thirst, urinary and heart diseases. I have already described Chirchita (Achyranthes aspera), Bariyara (Sida acuta), Memri (an aromatic herb) in my articles. I am searching the reference literatures for Kadu Pani, but yet not got the information. Few days back, during Deepawali festival I have taken bath using this miracle decoction. The typical smell and medicinal properties of Kadu Pani motivated me to write detailed article on various aspects of Kadu Pani. My surveys focused on Kadu Pani are still in progress and I am sure that I will get more information on this herbal decoction in near future. Two days with Mr. Nakul Ram, A field worker having rich traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs. Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved In the year 1996, I got an opportunity to learn about common herbs from my field worker Mr. Nakul Ram. At that time, he was working as arm labour in my father’s farm. Although Mr. Nakul Ram has never visited the forests, but I have observed his keen interest in herbs of forest origin. According to him, one can get rid from almost every disease with the help of herbs found in his surroundings. He was expert in rice and gram weeds, and in Patan region, he was well known for his treatment with the help of weeds (commonly known as Van Kachra). In order to get complete information on ethnomedico uses of common weeds in Chhattisgarh, in those days I was busy in detailed surveys with the help of regular visits and specially prepared questionnaire . I decided to stay with Mr. Nakul Ram a day in both Kharif (rainy season) and Rabi (winter Season). Common and popular names of Zillo (Vicia sp.) around the world. Languages/Regions/Countries Names 1) Bengal Ankari 2) Dutch Wikke 3) English Common Vetch, Tare, Vetch 4) French Barbotle, Billon, Billous, Vesce 5) Hindi Akra, Ankra 6) Italian Veccia 7) Portuguese Ervilhaca 8) Russian Jurablinyi, Gorak, Vika 9) Spanish Algarrabilla, Alverja, Veza I joined Mr. Nakul Ram on 24 th July morning at 4.30AM, as per his instructions. Early morning we started for field visit. I selected the Babool Dataun and he selected the Neem Dataun for mouth cleaning. As soon as, we reached to the field; his lecture on herbs started. He told me that this time is best for collection of herbs to prepare drugs. According to him after sunrise, the herbs start loosing valuable properties. Evening is also not suitable for herb collection. When herbs regain its vitality after long and peaceful night, the dew drops on herbs make it completely fresh and vital. So, the morning times is best time. When I discussed the importance of collection time of herbs as described by Mr. Nakul Ram with other traditional healers of state, the traditional healer of Bagbahera confirmed his time but according to him, in Bagbahera it is very difficult to visit forest at this best time. His problem is genuine. The Bagbahera region is well known for wild bear (Bhalu) population. Every year these wild animals destroy valuable crops and injure natives in large number. Due to strict wild life rules, no one dare to do anything against these destructive creatures. Daily evening wild bears start their visit to crop fields and next morning (before sunrise) returns to their caves. So, it is very difficult to collect the herbs early morning. One more typical observation, I would like to mention is the specific behaviour of wild bears towards herb collectors. herb collectors of Bagbahera region informed me that in presence of wild bears one must have to be very careful and cautious in collecting the herbs used by wild bears as food. The collectors of Gandai , engaged in collection of Safed and Kali Musli, favorite food materials for wild bear, confirmed the observations of these collectors. If the groups of collectors with arms tries to harvest these herbs, even then these creatures try to attack. According to the traditional healer of Pendra, in early days there is no competition for food material between wild animals specially wild bear and herb collectors. The decreasing population of natural herbs and over exploitation have motivated (?) these creatures to oppose (?) this collection. I feel that there is a need to study the specific behaviour of wild bears, in detail. So, we were taking about the best time for collection of herbs. In many reference literatures related to Ayurveda, I have read that during the collection, the shade of the collector must not be on the herbs. To avoid the shade effect, the morning time is best. The traditional healer of Gunderdehi informed me that when the traditional healers take a part (like leaves or branches) of herb, the herbs get injuries. The dews present in early morning helps the herbs to overcome from these losses quickly. In my ethnomedico surveys, I have collected a lot of information on medicinal dews. According to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, the dews on different herbs posses different medicinal properties. I will write a separate article on this important aspect. As morning breakfast Mr. Nakul Ram offered me fruits of common weeds, mainly Mungesa and Kolhi Kekdi. Mungesa (Phaseolus trilobus) and Kolhi Kekdi (Cucumis trigonus) are common wasteland weeds in Chhattisgarh. I have never taken such a tasty and nutritious breakfast. According to Mr. Nakul Ram, one must include these wild fruits in regular breakfast in order to get good taste with health. In reference literatures, medicinal properties of Mungesa and Kolhi Kekdi are well described. After breakfast, he prepared a herbal tea using the leaves of Charota and Gotiphool. Charota (Cassia tora) and Gotiphool (Lantana camara) are also common weeds in Chhattisgarh. In this herbal tea, Charota leaves were main component and only a small piece of fresh Lantana leaf was added to give it a flavour. I enjoyed this herbal tea. I told to him that I am fan of coffee but this herbal tea is even better than coffee. He said as evening drink, he will serve me coffee in the middle of crop fields ? I decided to wait till evening. For taking bath, we walked toward the river. Suddenly. I saw red velvet ground in front of me. Mr. Nakul Ram showed me tiny mites, thousands in number, spread on ground up to several square kilometers. This heavy population of mite were enough to change the colour of land from green to red velvety colour. Chhattisgarh and neighbouring state Orissa, are famous for this red mite. It is locally known as Rani Keeda. Its scientific name is Trombidium species (in English rain insects or red velvet mite). Common and popular names of Mungesa (Phaseolus trilobus) Languages/Regions/Countries Names 1) Bengal Mugani 2) Kanarese Kohasaru 3) English Three-lobed Kidney Bean, Wild Kidney Bean 4) Gujarati Adabaumagi, Adavada, Magavala 5) Hindi Mugani, Mugawana, Mungani, Trianguli 6) Marathi Arkamath, Jangalimath, Ranamuga, Ranmath 7) Sanskrit Aranyamudga, Hrasva, Kakamunga, Karanjika. Koshila, Kshudrasaha, Kurangika, Mudgaparni, Shimbi, Vanamudga, Vanya 8) Tamil Naripayar, Panipayar 9) Telugu Pillippersara Every year thousands of these mites are collected, killed and exported to international markets for the preparation of sex tonic and oil for breast enlargement. Mr. Nakul Ram selected a big female for me. He told me to cut the legs off and swallow it without thinking much. To encourage me, he ate one female, I followed him. According to him this is beneficial for not only general health but also for sexual health. Two to three mites per day during rainy season is considered best by him. Overdose can cause harms in terms of vomiting and loose motion. He also helped me to identify the most potential mite. According to him, female mites are more potential (in terms of medicinal properties) as compared to male mites. Among females, awkward movement is key factor for identification. According to him, female mite having awkward movement is the best. As legs with minute hairs can cause irritation in digestive tract, it is advisable to remove it. After reaching to the river, we used mud as soap to wash our bodies. After bath I complained to him about my acidity problem. In Chhattisgarh, Aam Ka Bagicha (Mango orchards) are very common particularly nearer to rivers. We visited to nearest mango orchard having indigenous pecies of mango trees. Indigenous means fruits having more than two third part as stone (Guthli) and few drops of juice only. He collected Red ants from trees and advised me to eat two to three ants, in order to get rid from acidity. I hesitated to swallow ants alive. As alternative he suggested me to eat a fruit of Kamrasa . I agreed and when I ate it, he informed that I have already taken the ants with the fruit. It is general practice of traditional healers to give medicinal insects with fruits by keeping the insects inside the fruits, in order to avoid any possible hesitation by the patients. Within a hour, I got relief. After leaving Mango orchard, we started detailed surveys regarding common weeds, Ethnobotanical uses and its local names. Within four hours I got information on over 100 common weeds. After this exhaustive survey, we started for preparation of lunch. In place of rice, we collected the matured grains of common rice weed Sawan (Echinochloa colonum). As grains were very small, it took long time to collect the desired quantity. During cooking of Sawan grains, Mr. Nakul Ram told me that although in modern times Sawan is considered as most harmful weed in rice fields but actually it is a gift of god for the farmers. He informed me about the unique medicinal properties of Sawan grain. According to him, in early days Sawan was under cultivation as field crop in Chhattisgarh but high yielding and tasty rice varieties have replaced many traditional crops like Kodo, Kutki, Sawan etc. He remembered the severe drought period during fifties and sixties and at that time, according to him, this weed Sawan saved the natives from hunger and death. In our agricultural fields we, the educated generation, use tons of Agrochemical’s to root out this obnoxious weed. According to Mr. Nakul Ram, it is mere wastage and after understanding its unique medicinal properties one can get benefit from this so called weed. Although we are using machines and chemicals to eradicate the Sawan from our land but I feel its roots are so deep in our culture and tradition and Sawan do not want to leave the Chhattisgarh easily. Yes, Mr. Nakul Ram truly said, there is a need to change the attitude toward these so-called unwanted herbs. As vegetable with cooked Sawan grain, he selected Muscaini Bhaji (pot herb) and fruits of Kolhi Kekdi. Muscaini Bhaji ( Ipomoea reniformis) is a popular potherb in Chhattisgarh and a common herb found as weed in crop fields. According to him, the combination of Sawan grain with Muscaini bhaji is the best combination. I was also agreed, after eating the fantastic lunch. In order to enhance the digestion process, he advised me to sleep beneath the Babool (Acacia nilotica) trees, common in rice bunds of Chhattisgarh. Again on soft weed Doobi (Cynodon dactylon) we slept for sometime. After short sleep, as per his promise, he prepared a herbal coffee (?) for me. He used the seeds of Charota (Cassia tora) and Sarphonk (Tephrosia purpurea) to prepare the coffee. He simply added few seeds in boiling water and served me. The taste of this drink was very similar to real coffee. He informed that after little roasting the taste and aroma improves. According to him, one can use the seeds of Mungesa (Phaseolus trilobus) and Dhanbaher (Cassia fistula) for same purpose. During coffee break, we talked on medicinal uses of common trees. During this talk, he told me many useful formulas. I am describing some useful formula, I have tested. According to him, every part of Babool (Acacia nilotica) tree is useful for sexual health. The roots, bark, young pods, new leaves and gum of Babool tree are mixed in equal proportion and potential drug to increase the sexual desire and retention time, is prepared by the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. He told me that he very frequently pply these parts to the local healer free of cost. As reward to his free service, the healer told him this useful formula. Mr. Nakul Ram warned me to not to use it regularly. According to him, regular use can cause many harms. It is better to take this drug fifteen days in any part of the year. He also told me that in order to increase its potential, one can use a part of Doomar roots. Doomar (Ficus glomerata) is a common tree in Chhattisgarh. Many villages have been named as Doomar in the state, because of its dense population in those particular villages. My second day with Mr. Nakul Ram was started after four months of first day i.e. in last week of November. As winter starts in Chhattisgarh, this part of the year, the weed flora totally changes. During this survey we repeated and enjoyed same herbs. In place of Charota seeds he used the seeds of Soli (Aeschynomene americana) to prepare the coffee for me. As breakfast, we used Zillo (Vicia. hirsuta) pods. Zillo is a common weed in winter crops. You will be surprised to know that the Chhattisgarh farmers grow this weed with Lathyrus (Tiwra) crop. Every year when during harvesting the seeds of Lathyrus and Zillo are mixed, the farmers do not bother this mixture and next year, use the same mixed seed for sowing. The seeds harvested for selling are separated from Zillo seeds and farmers use these Zillo seeds as cattle feed. According to them, Zillo is a source of additional income for them. Many farmers told me that both crops perform better in case of mixed cropping, as compared to if taken as single crop. During lunch, in place of Muscaini, he used the common weed Bhathua (Chenopodium album) as potherb. In place of Sawan grains, he used the grains of wild grasses like Baranta, Chiwda Phool, Ranta etc. Whole day we collected weeds and finally I got information on 87 useful weeds. I will never forget these two days with Mr. Nakul Ram. I enjoyed first day (during Kharif) more as compared to second day. Unfortunately, Mr. Nakul Ram Chouhan is not with us. Few years back he died. In last days of his life, he suffered both mental and physical tension as he got leprosy problem. He tried many herbs and got much relief but social boycott has depressed him much. In India, it is general belief that leprosy is a contagious disease and even after lot of efforts by governmental and non-governmental agencies engaged in awareness programmes, the patients are still discarded by society, particularly in rural areas. Today Mr. Nakul Ram is not with us, but his great and valuable knowledge is with us and I am sure the world community will be benefited by this knowledge. In Chhattisgarh, thousands of such Nakul Rams are living and practicing. There is a strong need to identify, recognize and to honour them, preferably before their departure. Glimpses of my research and ethnomedico surveys focused on medicinal herbs in Chhattisgarh, India Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved Introduction [see all tables] According to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than 1 billion people rely on herbal medicines to some extent. The WHO has listed 21,000 plants that have reported medicinal uses around the world. India has a rich medicinal plant flora of some 2500 species. Of these, 2000 to 2300 species are used in traditional medicines while at least 150 species are used commercially on a fairly large scale. India and Brazil are the largest exporters of medicinal plants (Hanfee, 1998). Medicinal plants in India are estimated to be worth Rs. 550 crore per year. India's total turnover of the counter products contribute around Rs. 1,200 crore, Ayurvedic ethical formulations contribute the remaining sum-cosmetic industry as well as aroma therapy are two important areas where Indian medicinal plants and their extracts, essential oil can contribute globally. Medicinal and aromatic plants have a high market potential with the world demand of herbal products growing of the rate of 7 percent per annum (Anonymous, 1998). Chhattisgarh, recently formed state of India, is rich in biodiversity (Oudhia et al., 2000). Many valuable medicinal flora and fauna have been reported from this state. Rice. soybean. arhar, in kharif and Chickpea, linseed and Lathyrus in rabi are the common agricultural crops in the region. Chhattisgarh is known as 'Rice bowl of India'. Many medicinal rice varieties have also been reported from this region (Das and Oudhia, 2000) -1) A survey conducted by the Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur during 1992-98 have revealed that the local people of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional knowledge about medicinal plants in Chhattisgarh. This survey was conducted in 6 purposively selected districts of Chhattisgarh including Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Bastar and Sarguja. The survey revealed that large number of villagers, specially elder villagers, were aware of medicinal potential of not only the common plants but also common insects and birds. This survey also revealed that 50 percent of folk doctors are specialized in treatment of woman troubles whereas 20% in venereal diseases, 15% in bone setting and 7.5% in snake bite (Oudhia et al., 1999a). Due to increasing urbanization and industrialization in Chhattisgarh, farmers specially the younger generations are attracting towards the nearby cities for jobs. They are leaving the villages and traditional agriculture. The result is that the older farmers are available for agriculture. From last decade this problem in becoming a serious problem in Chhattisgarh. A survey conducted by the Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur during 1998-99, titled 'Problems perceived by rural youths working in nearby cities' have revealed that due to rapid industrialization in the region, the rural youths are now shifting from traditional way of earning income (i.e. through agriculture) to earning from nearby developed cities. This survey was done with the help of specially prepared questionnaire using 500 respondents. The survey revealed that rural youths daily travel great distances in search of job. Majority of respondents regularly travel more than 16 kms (maximum 30 kms, one side) by bicycle. Majority of respondents (77.2%) were preferred jobs in city because of higher wages. The survey indicated that the rural youths of Chhattisgarh have become addicted to some narcotics and bad habits after coming in contact of urban environment. All respondents were of opinion that agriculture is a profitable business (if resources are properly utilized) (Oudhia et al., 1999b). Many such studies and surveys' conducted at Chhattisgarh region have clearly suggested that there is a strong need to start and integrated rural development programme at village level in order to create new employment opportunities for rural youths and also to improve the existing crop cultivation practices and to introduce more profitable new crops in the existing cropping systems. In these conditions, medicinal and aromatic plants seems to be a boon for the farmers of Chhattisgarh. Many studies and surveys conducted by Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur have proved that there is a tremendous scope of cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Chhattisgarh. Many natural factors are favourable for cultivation The southern plateau of Chhattisgarh, Bastar is rich in biodiversity. It is one of the unexplored areas of the world. In world's biodiversity map Bastar holds a significant position. About 300 rare and useful medicinal plants have been reported from this region. In the North Eastern hilly region of Sarguja, the temperature goes very low in winter. In this part of Chhattisgarh, different type of rare plants grow in abundant. From last two decades due to heavy exploitation of natural medicinal plants, there availability is continuously decreasing (Oudhia and Joshi, 2000). Rauvolfia, Gloriosa, once in abundance, now they have became rare plants in these regions. The availability of Safed moosli is also continuously deceasing in these regions. In order to reduce the tremendous pressure on forests generated due to heavy demand of these plants in national and international markets, cultivation of medicinal plant has became a need of the day. Due to continuous efforts of many environmental agencies like TRAFFIC India, now government is also planning to impose a ban on collection of medicinal plants from its natural habitat. Although a plant collected from the wild -may fetch, three times as a cultivated variety, by strict legal regulations, now farmers are trying to cultivate the medicinal plants. It is a plus point for the farmers of Chhattisgarh that the produce resulted from the cultivation of medicinal plants in crop fields are not much different to produce collected from the forests, this is due to the favourable situation and environment of the Chhattisgarh region. The study conducted by the author with the help of Raipur based non-governmental organization SOPAM (Society for Parthenium Management) revealed that the differences in alkaloids content of major medicinal plants are negligible when the contents of cultivated and natural products were compared. In Chhattisgarh, many medicinal plants grow as weeds. Many studies conducted by the Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur have revealed that useful weeds specially medicinal weeds are a boon for the farmers. In present discussion equal emphasis is given on medicinal plants found as weeds in crop fields, bunds and wastelands and medicinal plants found in natural forests. In first part details of medicinal weeds and in second part details of forest medicinal plants are discussed. Medicinal Weeds of Chhattisgarh [see all tables] Weeds are always considered as unwanted plants. Weeds compete with crops for moisture, light and nutrients and harbor diseases and insects. Since, inception of agriculture, weeds have been recognized as potential pests. Weeds, in general, reduce crop yield by31.5%. For Ayurvedists and Pharmacologists most of the weeds are valuable medicinal plants. It is written in our ancient Vedas that every plant on this earth is useful for human beings, crops and animals. It is an ignorance of human beings that they have classified few plants as useful and others as unwanted (Oudhia et al., 1999c). Keeping this thought in mind, an innovative concept was developed by the agricultural scientists that after identifying the traditional and modern uses of different parts of weeds, these so called unwanted plants can be utilized for the benefit of the farmers. As weeds create problems for farmers, weed management is essential part of good crop management. The use of hazardous herbicides is being very popular now-a-days for weed control. Global usage of herbicides account for 43.6%'agrohemicals. Indian share of herbicides among agrochemicals is 13% and there has been a growing demand for herbicides in the last two decades. The growth rate of herbicide production is 24.8%. In many experiments conducted around the world it was found that herbicides are hazardous and dangerous not only for beneficial soil micro organisms and plants but also for ground water, human and animal health. Due to increase in labour cost weed management through popular and ecofriendly method, Hand weeding, is becoming very costly day by day. By utilizing the medicinal weeds after hand weeding and selling it to drug retailers through village level cooperative societies, farmers can recover the cost of hand weeding and also can earn an additional income for their livelihood. Weed in al have the capacity to produce vigorous growth and higher number of viable seeds (Table 2 and 3). Also they are resistant to diseases and insects. These important properties of weeds can be exploited with the help of this innovative concept. Series of studies and surveys were conducted by Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur to find out the suitability of this 'innovative concept' in context to Chhattisgarh farmers. The results of some important studies and surveys are discussed below. Medicinal Weed flora of Ambikapur [see all tables] Ethnobotanical survey was conducted during 1993-94. The survey revealed that 36 weed species of more than 10 families constituted the weed flora of targeted villages. Of these weeds Xanthium strumarium was found most abundant in crop as well as bunds and wasteland. Heavy flushes of Celosia and Ageratum were found in upland. In this survey the Ethnobotanical uses of 9 weeds have been collected. These weeds were Achyranthes aspera, Leucas aspera. Cassia tora, Xanthium strumarium, Sida acuta, Cyperus rotundus, Phyllanthus niruri, Scoparia dulcis and Oxalis sp. (Table 4 and 5) (Oudhia and Dixit, 1994). Medicinal Weed flora in Raipur and Durg Regions [see all tables] A weed survey was done in 12 villages including Berpeladih, Tarra, Funda, Jamgaon, Bhansuli, Khudmudi, Labhandi, Mathpuraina, Cherikedi, Baroda, Atari and Raipura. The survey was conducted by the Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur during 1995-96. The survey revealed that more than 86 weed species infest the crop fields, bunds and wastelands of these regions. Out of these 87 weed species, more than 50 species possess medicinal values and out of 'these medicinal species, more than 18 species were used by farmers to treat their health problems (Table - 6 and 7). Few weeds like lpomoea aquatica, lpomoea reniformis. Cassia tora etc. were found already in use as pot herbs (Table - 8). It was also noted that local drug retailers were exporting some weeds and their parts to foreign countries for medicinal and industrial utilization (Table - 9, 10,11 and 25). The survey suggested that by increasing the supply of these medicinal weeds to retailers in processed form, the weed population in fields and 'bunds can be reduced and the cost of manual weeding can be recovered (Oudhia and Tripathi, 1999a). Medicinal Weed Flora Of Bagbahera [see all tables] A detailed floristic survey using multi stage random sampling was conducted in Chamra nallah watershed area in rainy season 1999. The survey was conducted under National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (Department of Land and Water Management, IGAU, Raipur). The targeted villages were Phoolvari, Maulimuda, Kassibahera, Navadih, Basaladabri, Bhadrasi, Bihajhar, Basti Bagbahera, Kalyanpur, Tendukona, Mongrapali, Saraipali, Bhaluchuah, Littiadadar, Khairat, Kulia, Kasekera, Kusmara, Kumharimuda, Bagurpali and Pandarikha. The study revealed that more than 56 weed species infest the wastelands in the region. Out of these 56 weed species, over 28 weed species were found in abundant. These species belong to more than 8 families (Table 12). In this survey, 16 species were identified as potential species that can provide an additional income to the farmers. These weeds include Cassia, Sida, Cyperus rotundus, Thysanolaena, Xanthium, Eclipta, Ocimum, Solanum, Asparagus, Achyranthes. Tephrosia, Euphorhia, Calotropis, Datura and Phyllanthus. Various medicinal, allelopathic (Table - 13) and industrial uses of these weeds are well documented in available literatures. It was also noted that in national and international drug markets, there is a heavy demand of these weeds and there is a tremendous possibilities of utilization of these weeds in order to provide an additional income to the farmers. Asparagus sp., a valuable medicinal plant, was found growing as weed in the region. Exceptionally high population of this valuable medicinal plant was observed in wastelands of Bhadrasi, Basti Bagbahera and Littiadadar villages. It was noted that many village level drug purchasers (or middlemen) were collecting these valuable weeds at very low rates from villagers. For example, the rate of Gondla (Cyperus sp.), a potential source of an additional income for villagers during free periods in June, changes 50 paise to Rs. 1/kg. dried nuts at village level to Rs. 25/kg dried nuts at national market. By selling the Gondla at very low rate farmer families are earning Rs. 1000-1500 per day (on average) up to 3-4 weeks. The survey indicated that villagers can earn even much more if they sell it directly to the national market (Flow-chart-1). Due to lack of information regarding its uses and potential market, villagers are unable to earn much. It was noted that I about 95% villagers were not aware of potential uses of Gondla. They are just collecting this abundant weed from the nallah and selling it to traders in Tendukona village (relatively a big village). According to the traders of Tendukona, they send the nuts of Gondla to Saharanpur and Kannoj (U.P.) where large numbers of perfumery industries are situated. Some traders are selling these nuts to Ayurvedic pharmacies situated in U.P. and Delhi. Generally, the traders of Tendukona prefer to sell the nuts to Bagbahera and Mahasamund market. It reaches to national market from these district places at fairly high rates (Oudhia & Pal. 2000). Besides, these surveys, crop wise surveys were also conducted in Chhattisgarh. These surveys were conducted by the Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur during 1997-2000 in more than 40 popular crops of Chhattisgarh. Medicinal weed flora of some popular crops are discussed below. These detailed surveys were conducted in Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Bastar and Sarguja districts. From each block, random sample of four villages was taken. A proportionate sample of villagers from each selected villages was taken to make the total sample size as 1000 respondents. Medicinal Weed Flora In Rice Fields [see all tables] The survey revealed that more than 50 weed species infest the rice fields of Chhattisgarh. Of these, more than 35 species have been reported in ancient Indian literatures as medicinal plants. The survey also showed that Chhattisgarh farmers use more than 25 species of medicinal weeds to solve their health problems. The medicinal uses of some problematic weeds are shown in Table -14 (Oudhia 2000a). Medicinal Weed Flora In Chickpea Fields [see all tables] The survey revealed that out of 21 problematic weeds in chickpea fields of Chhattisgarh, 18 were possessing valuable medicinal properties. The medicinal properties of these 18 weeds have been well documented in the literature. Some of the important medicinal properties of these weeds are given in Table - 15. The study revealed that of these 18 medicinal weeds, the villagers were using 9 weeds to treat health problems. Of a total 21 weeds, 5 weeds were identified as having the potential to provide an additional income to the farmers. These weeds were Chenopodium album, Sphaeranthus indicus, Cyperus rotundus, Melilotus alba / indica and Blumea lacera (Oudhia, 1999a). cinal Weed Flora In Groundnut Fields [see all tables] The survey revealed that out of 42 problematic weeds (belonging to more than 16 families) in groundnut fields of Chhattisgarh, 37 weeds possessed valuable medicinal properties. The medicinal properties of these 37 weed species have been found well documented in the literatures. Details of these medicinal seeds are given in Table-16. It also revealed that of 37 medicinal weeds, the villagers were using more than 16 to treat their health problems. Out of 42 weeds, 10 were identified as having the potential to provide an additional income rmers. These weeds were Abutilon indicum, Achyranthes aspera, Boerhaavia diffusa, Cyperus rotundas. Eclipta alba, Euphorbia hirta, Leucas aspera, Oxalis latifolia, Phyllanthus niruri and Sida cordata. Personal communication made with more than 300 national and international drug having company representatives revealed that these weeds are in heavy demand in national and international drug markets. During the study it was also noted that different graded and processed parts of weeds were more in demand as compared to crude parts. The study also suggested that there is a tremendous scope for generating employment opportunities at village (Oudhia, 1999b) Beside these, the surveys were conducted in Lathyrus (Oudhia, 2000b), Sesamum (Oudhia et. al., 1999d), Kodo (Oudhia, 2000c), Soybean (Oudhia, 2001) etc. crops (Table-16) Medicinal Plants Suitable For Cultivation In Chhattisgarh [see all tables] Although presently not much land is under cultivation of medicinal plants, but increasing interest of farmers shows that in future the area definitely increase. The climatic and edaphic conditions of Chhattisgarh are suitable for cultivation of more than 250 plants but the conditions are most suitable for cultivation of Safed moosli. Aloe, Ratanjot, Ashwagandha, Bach, Sarpgandha. Kalmegh, Kewanch, Satavar Safed moosli is in top position in present list. It is one of the most profitable medicinal crop but it requires very high input too. Let us first discuss about this valuable medicinal plant. Safed Moosli [see all tables] Safed moosli belongs to Liliaceae family. The scientific name of Safed Moosli is Chlorophytum borivilianum (Chloros-Green. Phytum-Plant). More than 175 species of Chlorophytum have been reported in the world. In other parts of the world, Chlorophytum is used as ornamental plant. Only in India, it is treated as medicinal plant. Chlorophytum is originated from South Africa and introduced in India accidentally. Total 13 species of Chlorophytum have been reported in India. All these species are totally different in medicinal properties but due to lack of correct information all species are known as Safed Moosli in Indian drug market. In the reputed books of Ayurveda the plant mentioned as Safed Moosli is Chlorophytum borivilianum. Other Indian species of Chlorophytum are C. arundinaceum, C. tuberosum, C.laxum, C. breviscapum etc.. Chlorophytum is a perennial plant, in nature, it propagates through its fleshy roots. These fleshy roots are the only part of economical importance, in natural conditions, it rarely reproduce through sexual reproduction (i.e. through seeds). Its seeds are similar to Onion seeds, black and angular. These seeds are having very low germination percentage. The author has visited the natural habitat of Chlorophytum several times. He has found that in natural condition Chlorophytum prefers the soil having high organic matter. It requires bright sunlight for good growth. Chlorophytum is not new to the tribal of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. They are using this medicinal plant from centuries. They use the fresh leaves of Chlorophytum as potherb. During his visit to Bastar region of India, and old Adivasi (Hindi word for Tribal) has told the author that ten years ago they were not aware of increasing demand of Chlorophytum in national and international markets. At that time they were giving a kilogram of dried fleshy root in exchange of one Roti (Chapati). Now. They have became aware and claiming very high rates for this forest product. At present, the rate of dried roots of Chlorophytum is between 600 to 1800 Ks. per kilogram (IUS $=48 Rs. approx). The rate of Chlorophytum borivilianum is even in higher side. Because of lack of information, Indian dealers are purchasing C. arundinaceum (inferior one) at the rate of C. borivilianum ior one ). Although in India, state governments have banned the direct selling of Safed moosli to the dealers but illegal supply is still on. According to the reports on chemical analysis, dried Chlorophytum contains 42% carbohydrate, 8-9% protein, 3-4 % fibres and 2-17 % saponin. Different research works on Chlorophytum in India and abroad have revealed that the Saponin is actually responsible for the medicinal properties of Chlorophytum. Higher the Saponin content, higher will be the medicinal properties. It is also mentioned in some prominent books of Ayurveda. the quantity of saponin depends upon many factors. Generally the Chlorophytum roots collected from forest are rich in saponin. It was also observed that under cultivation the saponin content goes down. The Chlorophytum roots having higher saponin content are having high demand in international drug market. According to one survey the average foreign demand of Chlorophytum roots 700 tons annually. This heavy demand is creating a problem. rlier stated, in nature Chlorophytum is propagated through roots and roots are the useful part. Once the root is harvested from any place, the whole plant dies and reseeding never occurs at that place. A senior forest officer of Bastar informed the author that due to commercial exploitation the availability of Chlorophytum is decreasing and obnoxious weeds like Parthenium and Lantana are taking its Many farmers of Chhattisgarh have started the commercial cultivation of this valuable medicinal plant. (Oudhia. 2000d).Major - constraints identified in cultivation of Safed moosli in Chhattisgarh (Oudhia and Tripathi, 2000a & b) (1) High cost of planting material and other inputs: Due to high input particularly the high cost of planting material, farmers specially the poor farmers are not adopting this crop for cultivation preferably. Last year the rate of planting material was Rs. 30,000 / quintal. This year it has gone to Ks. 55.000 / quintal. This is due to monopoly of certain seed suppliers. Also. there is a need to regularize the cost of these planting material. (2) Lack of knowledge about cultivation : Due to lack of technical informations on cultivation of medicinal plants including Safed moosli. farmers are in dilemma. Rich farmers have started experimenting in their own fields but it is not possible for small farmers. (3) Lack of knowledge about market : Farmers are not aware of proper market of Safed moosli. In Gulf countries , there is a heavy demand of Safed moosli. The rate of moosli varies between Rs. 600-1800 / kg (dry). Due to lack of information most of the farmers are selling it in Rs. 600-700 / kg rate. (4) Unavailability of HYV : Unavailability of high yielding varieties is also a major constraint . Most of the moosli growers are using the wild collected (Moosli roots collected from nearby forests) as planting material. This planting material is resulting in irregular growth. This is the reason why farmer's product is not fetching good prices in local, national and international markets. In Chhattisgarh, no systematic work has been done. For collection and selection of different locally available Safed moosli species. There is a strong need of establishment of research center of the state in order to help the farmers in constructive ways. Dr. Bordia of Rajasthan Agricultural University. Udaipur have done a lot of work in the field of Safed moosli cultivation. He has developed many improved varieties of moosli for commercial cultivation. There is a need to evaluate the suitability of these varieties in Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh fanners are not aware of these varieties. (5) Increasing infestation of insects and diseases : Initially there is no problem of insect pest and diseases in Safed moosli crop but now from last two three years, many root rotting fungus and tuber eating insects have started attacking on Safed moosli crop. As organically grown Safed moosli fetches very high rates, farmers are not using any synthetic chemicals for pest management. Due to lack of information about ecofriendly way of managing these pests, farmers are unable to save their crops. The cultivation practices of some other important medicinal plants are given in Table-24. Which Medicinal Crop Should Be Grown? [see all tables] Generally farmers ask this question. The suitability of any crop for any farmers mainly depend oil 3 major factors. These factors are discussed in brief below. (1) Type of Land : Type of land farmers are having is one of the major factor. It is true that any plant can grow in any type of soil but it is also true that every plant cannot perform best in every type of soil. So, selection of any crop, mainly depend upon the type of land available for cultivation. It is a general rule that tuber crops or crops having economically important underground parts need well drained sandy loam or sandy soil for development of roots. Similarly, the plants having economically important aerial parts, clay type soils are best for them. For example, for the cultivation of Safed moosli. Aloe and Gloriosa sandy loam to sandy soils are essential whereas for the cultivation of-Jatropha, Mucuna etc. clay type soils are essential. The soil conditions suitable for cultivation of important medicinal plants are given in Table 17. It is always advisable to go for soil test before the cultivation of any crop particularly medicinal crops. Prefer research institution for soil analysis in order to get accurate results. Soils having highland low pH are harmful to medicinal crops and can alter the alkaloid content of plant parts. In Kargiroad (Distt. Bilaspur) one farmer have started the cultivation of Safed moosli in acidic soil (pH 6.0) without any treatments. The acidic condition of soil resulted in poor growth and also reduces the size and weight of the tubers drastically (Oudhia and Tripathi. 2000b). (2) Availability of basic facilities in farm : The information on availability of basic facilities in farm also help in selection of crops. Farms having well developed irrigation facilities can manage three crops of Safed moosli in a single year. In farms having rainfed situations, it is hard to take a single good crop of moosli. Fencing of farms is also a major problem. If farm is well fenced, farmers can go for any type of crops. If it is opened farm, you have to limit your choice and have to go for the crops that are not preferred by the cattle like Catharanthus., Aloe, Jatropha etc.. (3) Investment capacity : If farmers want to go for highly profitable crops, they have to invest much money in cultivation, for example, the single crop of Safed moosli require atleast 1.5-2.0 lakhs Rs/ha. which is beyond the reach of average Chhattisgarh farmers. Presently, there is not a single crop which can give maximum output in minimum input (in terms of money). We have categorized some plants ding to the investment capacities of the farmers. (Table-18) (Oudhia and Tripathi. 2000b) Some Important Tips For The Beginners [see all tables] (1) Select the crop having heavy demand in national and international drug markets: Presently, in national and international drug markets there is a heavy demand of following medicinal plants (in descending order) (1) Safed moosli (2) Aloe vera (3) Jatropha (4) Catharanthus (5) Ashwagandha (6) Sarpagandha (7) Kalmegh (8) Mucuna. Fortunately, the conditions of Chhattisgarh are suitable for cultivation of these plants. As earlier stated, in national and international drug markets there is a heavy demand of locally available weeds also. Farmers can go for the commercial cultivation of common weeds like Jatropha in Chhattisgarh. As a weed Jatropha is performing very well in Chhattisgarh. In Gujarat and Rajasthan. Jatropha is under cultivation in hundreds of acres. By giving the proper fertilizer and with the help of other cultural practices, the commercial cultivation of Jatropha can be done successfully. With the help of existing rates of different medicinal plants in national and international drug markets, farmers can select the crops. National rates of some medicinal plants are given in Table-19, 20, 21, 22 (Oudhia and Tripathi, 1998e). (2) Go for Organics : In international drug market there is a heavy demand of organically grown products. Although not much work has been done on organic farming of medicinal crops but with the help of literature on other crops, medicinal crops can be managed successfully. In Bastar, one Safed moosli grower is using aqueous extract of commonly available weeds to manage the pests. He is also using cow urine for the same purpose, in the standing crop of Gloriosa. he sprays the neem oil every week in order to repel away all the insects and diseases. In many parts of India, farmers are using heavy doses of synthetic chemicals in medicinal plants and cheating the exporters that they are not using any agrochemicals. Be aware!! There are well developed laboratories in big cities of India and in abroad. With the help of sophisticated instruments like HPLC, traces of chemicals can easily be detected. As earlier mentioned, the medicinal product from plant growing in nature fetches three times higher price than the cultivated one. If farmers spray the chemicals in cultivated one, its price will go even lower to the organically cultivated one. A study conducted by the author with the help of Raipur based nongovernmental organization SOPAM have revealed that use of chemicals reduces the saponin content of Safed moosli (Table-23). (3) Put large area under one crop (Prefer specialized farming) : It is very essential to cultivate the crop in large areas. In national and international drug markets, dealers need at least truck load of product. So. take single crop in at least 10 acres. If it is not possible then adopt co-operative farming or group farming. Form a group of farmers that can take that crop in their fields. After harvest, collect the produce and market this bulk produce through co-operative societies. A farmer of Jhabua district is cultivating Musk dana (Ambrette Seed) in 100 acres with the help of small farmers. (4) Adopt the best agriculture practices : It is general belief that medicinal crops do not require much care. It is not true. Like other commercial crops, medicinal crops also require a lot of attention and best management practices. For package of practices, farmers may contact concerning scientist in nearby research stations. If there is no available information, farmers may write directly to national level research centers like CIMAP (Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), Lucknow etc. If farmers live near the forests where medicinal plants grow in natural condition, they can learn a lot from nature's experimentation. By regular visits to its natural habitat they can understand the best conditions require for the growth and development of that particular medicinal plant. Suggestions for Future Work [see all tables] Above mentioned results of surveys and studies have clearly revealed that there is a tremendous scope of cultivation of medicinal plants in Chhattisgarh. By adopting the following suggestions that can help the farmers in constructive ways. There is a strong need - (1) To establish a regional research center for medicinal and aromatic plants in Chhattisgarh. (2) To provide a technical guidance to the farmers. (3) To develop cultivation packages for all categories of farmers. 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