Anantmul or Anantmool (Hemidesmus indicus) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

According to the traders at metros, the herb collectors supply too types of Anantmool to them. One is Asli (genuine or true) and second is Nakli (false, impure). They give relatively very higher prices for Asli Anantmool. The herb collectors at Chhattisgarh are agree with these two types. According to them, they get pure Anantmool rarely and in most of the cases, the herb collectors at village level, supply other herbs in name of Anantmool. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have seen one more intermediate type. In this type, the collectors add the pure herb upto 60 percent and other herbs are added as adulterate in rest of 40 percent. During surveys I got one shocking news about this valuable herb. The old villagers living in Anantmool rich forest regions informed me that few decades back these regions were full of Anantmol herb but due to its heavy demand, the natural population is decreasing at alarming rates. The traditional healers specialised in use of Anantmool for treatment informed that one can understand the level of problem by the fact that the healers of many parts are now dependent on local herb shops for this herb as the herb has became extinct in these parts. This is really shocking and sad news for me. Unfortunately, the state authorities are not aware of this fact. The healers further informed that the decreasing natural population of Anantmool is becoming threat for associated species of herbs.

As expert, I am aware about the importance of any component in specific eco-system. Through this article, I would like to request the researchers and state authorities to pay special attention on this problem. The traders informed that there is a routine demand of Anantmool from the state but the decreasing natural population of this herb is a sufficient proof of its heavy demand. I personally feel that there is a strong need to motivate the herb growers of Chhattisgarh, to start its commercial cultivation. This commercial cultivation can reduce the enormous pressure on natural population. And by supplying pure (Asli) Anantmool, we can make impression of our state good among herb traders at national and international drug markets. In order to get the equal or nearly equal quality from cultivated Anantmool herb, the cultivation programme should be started in farmer’s fields nearer to Anantmool rich forest regions. The traditional healers depend on local herb shops clearly identify the Anantmool roots by its typical smell. According to them it smells like Chandan (Sandal) and Kapur Kachri (Hedychium spicatum). As Kapur Kachri occurs as natural herb, it is used as adulterate in Anantmool. In big lots , it is very difficult to find out the adulteration through the specific smells. During my surveys, I have observed many variations in Anantmool herb. This is good information for researchers engaged in medicinal herb breeding programmes. Through this article, I would like to invite these researchers to visit Chhattisgarh for this specific collection and study as no one has ever done any work on this important aspect. The similar variations, I observed, during my visit to Roha city (Maharashtra). The hills surrounding this city are rich in natural bio-diversity of this important herb. As now farm house culture is spreading like anything in these hills, I am afraid that how long this diversity will exist, in this reigon. I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Anantmool is a perennial prostrate or twining shrub; root-stock woody; stems thickened at the nodes; Leaves very variable, dark green , after variegated with white above; Flowers in cymes in opposite axils; Corolla tubular, greenish outside, purplish inside; Fruits follicle cylindric, tapering; Seeds with silvery white coma. Flowering throughout the year in Chhattisgarh conditions. As medicine, Anantmool holds a reputed position in all systems of medicine in India. Its roots (Mainly), stems and leaves are used as medicine. According to Ayurveda, Anantmool root is cooling, aphrodisiac, antipyretic, alexiteric, antidiarrhoeal, astringent to bowels and useful in treatment of skin diseases, fevers, foul body odour, low appetite, asthma, bronchitis, blood disorders, leucorrhoea, dysentery, diarrhoea, thirst, burning sensation, piles, eye troubles, epileptic fits, poisoning , rat bites etc. According to Unani system of medicine, root and stem are laxative, diaphoretic, diuretic and useful in treatment of syphilis and leucoderma. Alone roots are useful in hemicrania, joint pains and syphilis whereas stem is good in treatment of brain, lever and kidney related diseases. It is also useful in treatment of gleet, urinary discharges, uterine complaints, paralysis, cough, asthma etc.

The traditional healers of Southern parts of Chhattisgarh prepare a special Herbal Mala from the root pieces of Anantmool and Semal (Bombax ceiba). In this Mala, they use red coloured string. The root pieces are arranged alternatively in the Herbal mala. In general the healers use seven root pieces of each herbs. This Mala is used in treatment of Sukhandi (Marasmus) and healers advise the child patients to wear it around the neck as part of the treatment. The natives are also aware of this use. The use of herbal Mala prepared with Semal and Anantmool is not reported by the early workers. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, prepare a special herbal Chai (Tea) for treatment of patients having diseases due to impurities in blood. In this herbal tea, Anantmool is used as main ingredient. The traditional healers of Machkot region, explained the method to me. The healers take the bark of Anantmool and boil it in water. After 10-15 minutes, they add sugar and milk. They give this special tea twice a day to the patients. According to them, this special herbal tea is not recommended for every one and one must take advise from the healers, before starting its use. Based on the intensity of trouble the healers recommend its use for specific period. The traditional healers of Gandai region, are also aware of this special herbal tea. They add more herbs in this tea to make it more useful. Among these herbs, Kevatch (Mucuna pruriens) is main. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, fry all ingredients i.e Anantmool and Kevatch seeds in ghee and keep it with them for future use. For preparation of herbal tea, they use fried herb parts. They also add Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris) in this combination. It is good to observe, the diversity in preparation methods. The traditional healers of Northern hilly parts of Chhattisgarh, informed that this special herbal tea is best for natives of all age group except children and pregnant women. I personally feel that the scientific research on this aspect would throw more lights. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I noted that the traditional healers from all regions are aware of medicinal properties and uses of this valuable herb. The traditional healers of Bilaspur region, use the Anantmool roots as supplement, in main treatment of snakebite. They give the aqueous paste of Anantmool roots with rice water to the patients to increase the rate of healing process. The traditional healers of Raigarh region, use it in treatment of scorpion sting very frequently. For this purpose, the aqueous paste is used in same manner. As many other cheap and effective, alternatives are available, the healers use it less frequently in case of snake bite. The natives use the roots internally in treatment of premature greying of hairs. The patients are advised to take a tea spoonful of root powder with a glass of water. According to the healers, this is good hair tonic and within a week one can see its miracle effects. Its intake more than a month is not recommended by the healers. The natives also use Anantmool in treatment of Pelea (Jaundice). They use root bark with Kali Mirch (Black Piper) internally. The herbal combination is given with water. The traditional healers use all parts of Anantmool in treatment of eye related diseases. In general, they suggest to the patients having the problem of eyes, to apply one or two drops of fresh leaf juice every morning. It is also recommended for normal persons in order to prevent the attack of eye-diseases. Many healers suggest to add the dew drops collected from Doobi (Cynodon dactylon) in this fresh leaf juice. The use of aqueous extract of roots and leaf ash is also in use in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Narharpur region, prepare a special herbal decoction for the treatment of Lakwa (leprosy). In this decoction, Anantmool roots are used as main ingredient. They also add Giloi (Tinospora sp.), Pittpapda (Fumaria sp.), Jamun bark (Syzygium cumini), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Aam bark (Mangifera indica), Adusa (Adhatoda vasica), Bamboo, Jam (Guava), Arjun or Koha (Terminalia arjuna) bark and fresh leaves of Nimbu (Lemon tree). Two parts of Anantmool and one part of each herb are used to prepare this herbal decoction. During preparation of decoction, the patients are advised to expose the affected parts in fumes. After preparation, it is used internally. For the treatment of chronic fever, the healers prepare another decoction. In this decoction, they add Anantmool roots, Urai (Vetiver), Sonth (dried ginger), Nagarmotha or Gondla (Cyperus rotundus) and Kutki (Holarrhena antidysenterica) .According to them, this decoction increases appetite also, besides curing the chronic fevers. In order to remove extra heat from body, the traditional healers suggest the patients to use Anantmool root powder fried in ghee upto one month. In treatment of Pathri (Renal Calculi) its use with cow milk is also popular in Chhattisgarh.

Most of the above mentioned traditional uses have not been documented earlier. I am not repeating the documented uses. The in depth traditional knowledge about Anantmool in Chhattisgarh, emphasises the need of detailed ethnobotanical surveys and systematic research. These days I am trying to develop the scientific cultivation practices for Anantmool. In order to learn from mother nature’s experiments, I am visiting the Anantmool rich forest regions of Chhattisgarh. As researcher, I welcome all interested herb lovers to work with me in this unique part of the world. Thank you very much for reading the article.