Pankaj Oudhia

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Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. 130. Kancharia Bhaji 

(Alternanthera sessilis, family Amaranthaceae). (New comments and results of recent [year 2005 onwards] 

Ethnobotanical surveys) [Updated document, year 2009]

Pankaj Oudhia

In reference literatures on weed science, Alternanthera is mentioned as common weed. In India, our researchers invest thousands of Rupees, in search of Agrochemicals to 

manage this weed. Every year the farmers are dumping these Agrochemicals to manage the weed but the war between them, are still in good progress. In Chhattisgarh, 

Alternanthera grows as waste plant in crop fields and wastelands but the natives and traditional healers use it as medicinal weed. You will be surprised to know that this 

herb is in trade from many parts of Chhattisgarh as medicinal herb. The recommendations of experts are with the farmers but they are not ready to use weedicides. 

Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh. I have collected few but important information on traditional medicinal uses of this herb. 

According to the reference literatures, in many states of India, this herb is under cultivation as vegetable crop. This is really depressing that one place this is used as medicine, 

in other place the natives are using it as vegetable and at the same time our researchers are investing time, money and effort to destroy it. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh 

recommend this herb in form of curry in treatment of troubles related to digestive system. It is considered as a boon for the patients having the problem of chronic constipation. 

The traditional healers of southern Chhattisgarh prepare a decoction by boiling the whole herb in water. The patients having Bavasir (Piles) are advised by them to sit in the tub 

filled with decoction. It is considered beneficial for the patients having bleeding pile. This use stops the bleeding effectively in less time. In combination with other herbs, 

the traditional healers of Ambikapur region use it in treatment of Leucorrhoea. Its popularity among them clearly indicates its efficacy.

Officially, the name of Kancharia Bhaji is not present in the list of medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh having any demand in national markets but as mentioned earlier from many parts 

it is in trade as medicinal herb. Its whole plant in dry form is in trade. Through the on-going ethnobotanical surveys I am trying my best to gather more information on different aspects 

of this herb. You will find more details in coming articles.

Thank you very much for reading the article.

New comments added on December 3, 2009

The Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains informed that they use this herb externally for treatment of bleeding Piles as the Healers of Southern Chhattisgarh but instead of using 

it alone they prepare herbal mixture by adding Neem, Genda, Pipal, Tulsi, Doobi and Motha leaves. In this mixture proportion of Alternanthera is kept at higher side. The patients 

having problem of bleeding plies are instructed to sit in tub filled with warm decoction. They are not in favor of use of old decoction. Every time they prepare it fresh. While using this 

external treatment, patients are advised to drink plenty of water.

 In meals they are suggested to use potherbs. In general leaves of Charota, Muscaini and Dongar Bhaji are mixed with Alternanthera leaves and consumed during meals. In winter 

patients are advised to consume it with Mooli Bhaji. Bathua is also added especially when patients have liver problem. In combination of Mooli Bhaji and Alternanthera leaves, 

proportion of Mooli Bhaji is kept at higher side.  

The Traditional Healers having expertise in treatment of Leucoderma use this herb as liver tonic. Its use in treatment of liver related troubles is reported in reference literatures but 

instead of using leaves they use its roots. Alternanthera collected from wasteland is considered best. Collection of plants from crop fields is avoided. The Healers of Dhamtari region 

use extract of Doobi to treat this herb. They claimed that this treatment enriches it with desired medicinal properties. They use its roots as medicine. Roots are dipped in water overnight 

and next morning patients having liver related troubles are suggested to take root leachate with germinated Methi seeds. The Healers of North Chhattisgarh mix this leachate with Beeja 

wood leachate and combination is given to patients having Type II Diabetes with liver related troubles. 

Many farmers of Chhattisgarh Plains manage this herb as weed in special way. They take help of Gunja plants. They spread the Gunja seeds in land left for winter vegetable crops. 

Gunja grows without any care and spreads very fast. It effectively smothers the growth of Alternanthera. It is also effective against other weeds. Farmers collect Gunja seeds at the end 

of season and sell it to local herb traders. They claim that regular use of Gunja in same land up to many years results in eradication of Alternanthera. But there are limitations. Gunja 

grows in rainy season whereas Alternanthera grows round the year. 

This is a solution for specific situation. Gunja is not purchased by local herb traders everywhere. In such situation farmers don’t take interest in this plant. I have mentioned in previous 

research articles that the natives of Chhattisgarh have rich Tradtional Agricultural Knowledge about Gunja. They use it for pest management specially in rice crop. 

The Healers of Bagbahera region informed that they have found Alternanthera useful in treatment of respiratory troubles specially with Blumea lacera but as other promising combinations 

are available, they use it less commonly. From documentation point of view it is important information. 

During recent visit to Durg region I observed large patches of Alternanthera in wasteland severely affected with mosaic virus. This disease is killing this herb. Farmers considering it as 

weed are happy from spread of this new disease whereas the Healers using it as medicine are in worry.   

Original Research Document

http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleView&earticleId=2456&page=-1

How to Cite this Research Document

Oudhia, P. (2009). Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. 130. Kancharia Bhaji (Alternanthera sessilis, family Amaranthaceae). (New comments and results of recent [year 2005 onwards] Ethnobotanical surveys) [Updated document, year 2009] http://www.pankajoudhia.com

© Pankaj Oudhia