Pankaj Oudhia

Less known but potential plant Bhadhar waiting for researchers

“Let me taste the good looking fruits.” The local guide said to us and started collecting fruits from shrub growing in forest. “Don’t eat it. Just throw it.” The Traditional Healers traveling with us warned. “Is it toxic?” Local guide asked. “It will not kill you but will disturb your mental status for few hours to many days. Many times the damage is permanent.” The Healers replied. Local guide threw away the fruits immediately.

This incident reminded me about Careya arborea incidence during visit to Mainpur forest region. Careya tree was loaded with big sized fruits. Our driver collected the fruits without any delay and started washing it before consumption. I was surprised to find this tree loaded with fruits near to road. If the fruits are edible then why natives have yet not consumed it. It indicates that fruits may be toxic or not fit for human consumption. I instructed my driver to keep it with him and after confirmation in nearby town consume it. Fortunately he accepted by suggestion. When we reached to nearby town and asked about it the natives shouted, “Throw it. It can take your life immediately.”

The good looking fruits were also growing near to road but still undisturbed by the people passing by. I always avoid tasting wild fruits without knowing about it from experts.

“This is Bhadhar and we use it for thatching.  We are not aware of its medicinal properties.” The villagers of Aarang region informed. I was traveling along with Mahanadi River to collect the information about herbs growing in this region and its traditional medicinal uses.  At that time Bhadhar was in flowering.

During surveys in North Chhattisgarh the Traditional Healers informed that its fruits are used in traditional fishing. But as other promising alternatives are available it is used less commonly. Its fruits are liked by many species of birds but not fit for human consumption. We know that fruits are attractive and if we plant it near villages, children may consume it accidentally. That is why we uproot Bhadhar growing in surroundings. In order to protect our children from danger we travel far inside forest to collect it for thatching purpose. 

“What happens when children consume it by accident?” I asked. “It results in dullness, dizziness and drowsiness. Victims vomit many times. If the poison is not flushed out it damages the nervous system to great extent.” The Healers replied.

Three “Ds” reminded me about the Homoeopathic drug Gelsemium According to standard Homoeopathic literature Gelsemium in large quantity results in these symptoms and in small quantity in form of Homoeo-drug treats the same symptoms. I feel that Homoeo-drug Gelsemium can play vital role in treatment of children affected with Bhadhar poisoning.

“How affected children are treated?” I asked to the Healers. “We give herbs for vomiting. Then give pure cow ghee with Airi kand. In bad cases we use tens of herbs up to long time.” They replied.

When I heard about the use of cow ghee with Airi Kand, I remembered the treatment of Traditional Healers having expertise in treating snake bites. This combination is given to the victims as promising treatment.

When I was in Chhattisgarh Plains and collecting information about Traditional Herbs used in treatment of Type II Diabetes I surprised to hear the name of Bhadhar fruit in the list. The Traditional Healers said that if you are asking for the list of herbs then you can note the name of Bhadhar in it and if you are interested in herbs used by us, please delete it. As you know, the uses of Bhadhar fruits have many limitations. This is the reason we use it very rarely”. 

I am presenting this information among young researchers with hope that they will think of developing Bhadhar plants with no toxin and all properties to treat Type II Diabetes.

The natives of Chhattisgarh have rich Traditional Agriculture Knowledge about Bhadhar. In early days they were practicing this knowledge for pest management but now this knowledge is in danger. I have documented this knowledge in form of hundreds of formulations. By adding new herbs, I am trying to improve these formulations so that it can be useful for modern resistant pest. I am motivating the farmers engaged in organic farming to try Bhadhar based formulations. I am glad to inform you that many vegetables growers are now planting it around their field as guard plant. They have strictly warned the workers to keep the children away from fields.

The world literatures give not much information about this potential herb. I am expecting that this document will encourage the researchers to focus their attention on this plant.

Oh! That’s why Dhamas is known as “Big Brother”.

“We have named this climber as big brother. Although natives are not aware of its medicinal uses but we know it. You can put it in the category of medicinal herbs.” The Traditional Healers of Ambikapur region informed about a climber. At that time I was taking field training as part of my undergraduate course. In my field diary I noted it as medicinal herb used by the Healers of Ambikapur region. The Healers wanted to keep the information about its method of use secret.

Later I met this climber many times in different places. Everywhere when I asked about its uses natives replied that it is van-boota and we are not aware of its medicinal properties. In rare cases we use it as substitute to rope. But as we have many alternatives from hemp to Butea roots and Bodal we use it less commonly. I interacted with herb traders but failed to get information on this aspect. As this climber is not in trade most of the traders showed ignorance towards its presence in forest. I searched the reference literature but failed to get any information about its medicinal uses. It was hard to believe that the climber present in abundance is not in list of the useful plants. In ancients Indian literature it is clearly mentioned that every plant on this earth is useful.  I am aware that this old saying is true.

I was in Bhavanipatna city of Orissa few years back. I was invited as guest speaker to deliver a lecture on medicinal crops. After lecture on request the organizers arranged small forest trip for me. “Stop the vehicle. I want to see what this villager is collecting.” I shouted and driver followed by order. “It is Dhamas and I am collecting its roots.” The villagers replied. It was the same climber. “Are you collecting it for yourself?” I asked. “No, I am collecting it for the Traditional Healer of my village.”  He replied. With him we reached to meet that Traditional Healer.

We discussed much with Healer but there was language barrier and our translator was not very good. I shared my knowledge and in return the Healer informed about many herbs except Dhamas. He wanted to keep it secret. I respected his wish. The villagers informed that this Healer is having expertise in treatment of all diseases but heart patients visit to him in large number. He is well known in region as well as other parts of India. We returned back.

I presented herbal glass prepared from Koha wood to one of my friend in Kolkata. His father was having old heart problem. Koha glasses are prepared by the Traditional Healers for heart patients. I have written a lot on different aspects of this wooden glass. In general patients are advised to fill water in it and keep it overnight. Next morning take the leachate internally. Based on the condition of patients the Healers suggest different size as well as shape of glass. My friend’s father tried it but he wanted to visit Chhattisgarh and meet the experts Healers. He was not taking any modern drug and having full faith in Traditional Healing.

We visited to meet the expert Healers in Chhattisgarh Plains. The Healers welcomed us and I presented special herbal oil to them useful for bone pain. I prepared it from the weeds growing in surroundings. They accepted the gift and started long interaction with the patient.

“Doctor Sahib, we have to go to forest for collection of specific climber. We will be happy if you go with us.” The Healers requested. I accepted it happily.

In forest they suggested to stop the vehicle near climber. It was Dhamas loaded with fruits. “It is fruiting and not suitable. Let’s search another Dhamas climber.” They said. After half an hour we finally found Dhamas which was still in vegetative stage. The Healers worshipped and started digging for roots. Roots were collected in a way so that it can not kill the climber. They thanked to climber and returned back.

In village they extracted fresh juice and suggested the patient to take it. “It will give you immediate relief and in long term, cure your troubles.” They tried to assure. “You have to use the roots in this manner daily morning. Is this climber available in your region?” They asked. “Not sure but I will try to locate it.” The patient replied.

I traveled to Kolkata for search of this climber. Later we visited to hilly tract of West Bengal but failed to locate it in this short visit. We retuned back to the Healers. They suggested the use of dry roots. “Collect roots from us every month. The method of use is very simple. Dip root piece in well water up to six hours and then take the leachate internally. It is effective but far less effective than fresh juice. As you have no alternative you have to use dry roots.” The Healers explained every thing about it without any hesitation. The patient returned with dry roots.

“When Koha (Terminalia arjuna) fails to give the desirable effects specially in heart troubles we use it alone as well as in combination with Koha.” The Healers informed. “Oh, that’s why the Healers of Ambikapur region were saying it as Big Brother. It is Big Brother of Koha.” I said. “It is not only a Big Brother of Koha but also many other species.” The Healers disclosed. They invited me to visit on Rishipanchami when they collect the roots in bulk and add it in different combinations.

I am eagerly waiting for this important occasion.    

© Pankaj Oudhia