Ama or Aam (Mangifera indica, family Anacardiaceae) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Ama or Aam is one of the most popular fruit crops in India. A lot have been written on utilities of Aam fruits by research workers and writers belonging to different discipline. The medicinal uses and properties of Aam fruit are also well documented. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are also aware of utilities of Aam fruits but I am proud to write that as medicine, they give equal importance to different parts and for them other parts are more useful as compared to delicious fruits. During my ethnobotanical surveys focused on medicinal weeds, when I got the surprising information on use of different plant parts of Aam herb as medicine, I decided to conduct a separate survey on this important aspect. My surveys focused on traditional medicinal uses of Aam herb parts are in progress since 1998. I am describing my findings and results of ethnobotanical surveys. Aam is present in Chhattisgarh since generations. The village names viz. Amadih, Amapar, Aamgaon etc. common in Chhattisgarh clearly prove its presence in Chhattisgarh since time immemorial. The Mango orchards (Aam bagicha) were one of the common features of any village, particularly the village nearer to river or other water sources. As small child, I passed many summer vacations in my village Khudmudi, and passed several hours (daily) in hot summer noon under dense trees of Aam in these Aam bagichas. Now due to urbanisation and industrialisation, these orchards are becoming the features of golden past. In my own village, a series of brick cline industries are becoming curse for Mango orchards and we are seeing this destruction, helplessly. During my ethnobotanical surveys, I have noted an important information on Aam trees useful is medicine. They always use indigenous Aam trees to prepare medicine. The Mango orchards, I am talking about , are of indigenous trees. But now due to destruction of old orchards and new plantation of improved, high yielding varieties of Aam ( Mango) trees, it is becoming harder to get indigenous trees easily for the preparation of medicine. The natives and traditional healers are unhappy with the introduction of new high yielding varieties in cost of destruction of old orchards. Although the horticulture researchers claim that they have developed new varieties by using different indigenous selections but the healers clearly showed me the difference in medicinal properties of indigenous and improved varieties through the small experiment in which the drugs prepared from these varieties are given to me and my team members. They were true, as the drugs prepared from indigenous varieties resulted in more effective and quick results. The scientists of the only one Agricultural university of Chhattisgarh, i.e. Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur India have done an excellent work in the field of varietal improvement but the work on medicinal Aam varieties has yet not been started by any organisation not only in Chhattisgarh, but also in whole country. I personally feel that there is a strong need to start systematic and detailed research work on this important aspect. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional knowledge about the identification of Aam trees having higher medicinal properties. They have gained this unique knowledge from their forefathers. The researchers want to start work on medicinal Aam breeding programme, can take advantage of this in depth traditional knowledge from natives and healers. I am not against the introduction of new varieties in order to improve the economical conditions of Aam growers but there must be some balance. The maintenance and rejuvenation of old orchards are needs of the day. Through this article, I would like to request the persons engaged in education, to add more chapters on information of medicinal Aam trees and traditional knowledge about this herb in horticulture books, as it will motivate the new young students to think on this new aspect. Unfortunately, I have yet not seen any book written on Aam (Mango) having emphasis on medicinal Aam varieties. In general, the natives do not plant this tree in their home gardens but when it come spontaneously they do not cut it. To nullify its harmful effect they plant Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) shrub near to this tree. The natives also apply Black Till (Sesamum) and water in the roots of Aam trees as a measure to minimize its harmful effects on home and family members. I am trying hard to search the science behind this belief and use of til and Nirgundi. Now a days one can see, the bonsai or improved dwarf Aam trees in home gardens, particularly in urban areas. It is bitter fact that many of the natives particularly from young generation are not aware of this fact and those aware, do not believe in these old sayings. These natives also argue that the belief is associated with indigenous trees only not with the improved ones. I am sure that the scientific explanation in this regard can convince these natives in more effective way. In ancient Indian literatures, it is mentioned that one must plant at least eight Aam trees by the side of road (not in home gardens). The old natives are still following this instruction and possibly this is the reason that the Aam trees are still with us. Before describing traditional medicinal uses, I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Aam (Mango) is an evergreen tree, having height upto 20 meters; bark black, smooth; Leaves elliptic-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, margin entire, apex acute or acuminate; base acute, equal or unequal; Petiole 1.8-4.5 cm long; Flowers pale yellow, in dense terminal upto 35cm long pubescent panicles; Pedicels 1-3 mm long, sepals 1-1.5 mm long, apex acute, pubescent without; Petals 2-2.5 m long, ovate-oblong with 2-3 ridges on the inner side, subacute, reflexed imbricate; Disc 5 lobed; Fertile stamen one, inserted inside the disc; staminodes 3-4, slender, gland-tipped; Ovary oblique, ovule pendulous, style subulate, excentric, stigma obscure; Drupe yellow, 5-20 cm long; Pyriform, fleshy. Flowering and fruiting February to July. Aam as medicine holds a reputed position in different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, Aam is acrid, sour, sweet, cooling, astringent to bowels, improves taste and appetite and useful in treatment of leucorrhoea, blood disorders, dysentery, bronchitis, biliousness, urinary discharges, ulcers, throat troubles, heart trouble, stomatitis etc. It is also considered as aphrodisiac and tonic. According to Unani system of medicine, Aam is astringent, styptic, tonic to body, liver, and spleen, laxative, diuretic, removes bad smell from mouth, improves complexion, clears brain, dispels langour and burning of body, good in cough, hiccup, piles, thirst, liver pain etc.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about different parts of Aam. The natives use the red ant found on Aam trees as medicine. For details please read my previous articles. I have also mentioned the use of Aam bark in treatment of Pelea (Jaundice) in my previous articles. In present article, I am describing some promising traditional uses. Among natives, the use of Aam leaves in dental care is very popular. They collect the leaves and dry it in shade. After drying they crush it to make powder. This powder is used to clean the teeth daily as tooth powder. The natives informed me that this powder is specially useful in treatment of gum related diseases. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the natives burn the dried leaves and collect the ash. The ash in combination with other herbs is also used in same manner. The natives also add common salt in ash to make it more effective. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are also aware of these uses but according to them the dried powder of Aam stone is more effective as compared to leaves. Many healers use the dried stone powder and leaf powder in equal proportion. In case of severe toothache, the traditional healers of Sarguja region, burn the Aam leaves and suggest the patients to expose the painful teeth in fumes. They also suggest the patients to chew fresh Aam leaves like Jam (Guava) leaves. The use of decoction prepared from Aam leaves for gargling is also common in Chhattisgarh. The healers of Sarguja region informed me that the fumes of burning Aam leaves are good for patients having asthama. In case of attack, the heaters use the fumes as first aid measure. They also add some other herbs. The fumes are also considered good to stop hiccup immediately. In Chhattisgarh many national companies are engaged in extraction of oil from these collected stones. They use it for industrial purposes. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use the oil as medicine. By adopting indigenous technique based on steam distillation principle, they extract the oil and store it for its various uses round the year. One of the most common uses is its use as hair tonic. The healers informed me that the regular use of this oil makes the white hair black and promotes the hair growth. It stops premature greying. By adding herbs like Bhengra (Eclipta alba) the healers make it more potential. Many healers claim that in many cases this oil helped in rooting out the problem of alopecia. The in depth knowledge of the healers about the use of Aam oil, suggests us to focus our scientific studies and research on this important aspect. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, prepare a special herbal combination by adding different parts viz leaves, roots, barks and flowers , in specific ratio and use it in treatment of skin diseases specially in treatment of ringworm. This combination is given internally. To suppurate the immature boils, the healers apply the Aam gum on boils like the leaves of Bariyara (Sida acuta). In treatment of Bavasir (Piles), traditional healers use Aam plant parts in different ways. They collect the fresh leaves and extract the juice. The juice is given internally with gud (Jaggery) to the patients. The patients are also advised to wash the anus with the decoction prepared from Aam leaves. The traditional healers of Durg region use the roots of Aam herb with Punarnava leaves in treatment of hydrocele. They prepare special decoction from these herbs and give it to the patients. In case of intense pain in testicles, the healers collect the Aam bark and with the help of cow urine prepare a paste. This paste is applied externally in painful parts for immediate relief. The healers specialised in treatment of sex related diseases use the Aam bark very frequently. Fresh Aam bark with warm water is recommended for the patients having Sujak (Gonorrhoea) whereas for the patients having Garmi (Syphilis), the bark is recommended with cow milk. For both diseases, the use of Aam bark is recommended for one week only. As I repeat it very frequently in my articles that the natives and traditional healers have specific herbal tea for all common troubles. I have collected the information on over 150 types of herbal tea having therapeutic values. Although in routine life the natives use real tea but in time of health troubles, they never miss to take advantage of the unique traditional knowledge. Like other herbs, the natives and traditional healers also use the leaves of Aam to prepare herbal tea. The traditional healers informed me that this herbal tea is good liver tonic. It is also a good appetiser. During my recent visit to Bagbahera region, a prominent herb trader informed me that the traditional healers use the leaves of Aam in treatment of diabetes. I have yet not seen its practical use. In reference literatures, the use Aam leaf decoction in treatment of diabetes is mentional but the trader informed me that the healers are using it in other ways. In case of earache, as first aid measure, the natives apply few drops of fresh leaf juice in patient’s ear to alleviate the pain. An eminent traditional healer of Bastar region Shri Vishal Bharat once informed me that in order to protect the body from different types of troubles and diseases, one should take bath daily with water having one leaf of Aam, Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bel (Aegle marmelos) and eleven leaves of Doobi (Cynodon dactylon). All herbs are commonly available and of great medicinal importance. Like the twigs of Babool, Mahua, Arjun, Chirchita, etc. The natives of Chhattisgarh use the twigs of Aam trees as Datun (Herbal tooth brush). They informed me that this is specially useful in case of bad smell from mouth. During rainy season, the natives burn the dried Aam leaves in order to repel away harmful flies and mosquitoes.

Most of the above described traditional use have not been reported by the early workers. My detailed surveys are still in progress. I will write more on different aspect of this useful medicinal herb in my future articles. Thank you very much is reading the article.