Bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus syn. Hibiscus esculentus, family : Malvaceae) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Total five species of Abelmoschus are reported in Chhattisgarh. These species are Abelmoschus esculentus (Syn. Hibiscus tetraphyllus), A. fisculneus syn. (Hibiscus fisculneus), A moschatus ssp. tuberosus (Syn. Hisbicus rugosus), Abelmoschus moschatus (syn. Hisbicus abelmoschus). Two species Abelmoschus esculentus and A. moschatus are under cultivation as vegetable and medicinal crops, respectively. For the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, all five species of Abelmoschus are valuable and of medicinal importance. They use all parts as medicine. Another species Abelmoschus manihot is found as wasteland and crop weed in Chhattisgarh. Its Hindi name is Jangli Bhindi but in Chhattisgarh it is popularly known as Phuttu Bhaji. Like the fruits of Bhindi (A. Esculentus) the natives specially the farmers use the fruits of Phuttu Bhaji as vegetable. It is found as weed in almost every corner of Chhattisgarh. Although the natural occurrence of Ambrette (or Muskdana or Kasturibhendi ) is reported in Chhattisgarh, but the herb growers of Chhattisgarh are dependent on other Indian states for seeds, used as planting material in commercial cultivation.

Kasturibhendi is also not in list of non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh, although it is a non-wood forest produce. Possibly due to lack of awareness, the traders are not taking interest in this important herb. In absence of improved processing units for extraction of Ambrette oil, most of the herb growers are supplying the produce ( i.e. seeds) in nearby big cities where the traders sell it to the owners of extraction units. I have written a lot on botany, reported and traditional uses of Ambrette in my previous articles, so I am not repeating it again. Before describing the uses and botany of Bhindi, I am describing botany of Jangli Bhindi or Phuttu Bhaji, as its name is coming for the first time in my articles. According to reference literatures, Phuttu Bhaji is perennial shrub having height upto 3 meters; stems, petioles, pedicels and sometimes also the nerves of the leaves densely covered with prickly hairs; Leaves sub orbicular in outline, cordate, generally palmately 3-7 lobed, 7-20 cm across; Flowers solitary, axillary or racemed. Epicalyx lobes 4-6 ovate-oblong, 1-3 cm long; Calyx 2-3 cm long, tomentose; Corolla yellow with a purple throat, petals obovate, 5-8 cm long; Seeds globose-reniform with concentric rings, brown or black, Flowering and fruiting from August to May in Chhattisgarh conditions. The fibre obtained from stem, is used for making wrapping cloth. As mentioned early, Bhindi is one of the most popular vegetable crops in Chhattisgarh. It is cultivated in large areas as vegetable crop. The vegetable growers of Chhattisgarh, have developed advanced farming practices in order to get maximum production in minimum inputs. Many innovative vegetable growers are also in process of developing new varieties having enough resistance to harmful insects and diseases. The researchers of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur have also focused many scientific studies on this important vegetable crop. In commercial cultivation of Bhindi, the problem of insect and disease infestation is one of the major problems. To fight with this problem, the vegetable growers use heavy doses of pesticides at regular intervals. It is very difficult to stand in these fields more than a minute, due to heavy smell of pesticides.

The growers are using overdose of pesticides in many cases. For insect management they are mixing two chemicals, without knowing the fact that this combination can result in accidents. Since last few years, the number of cases due to injury during pesticide application is increasing at alarming rates. Due to heavy consumption of pesticides in commercial cultivation of vegetable crops including Bhindi, the agents of multinational companies have started big offices in Chhattisgarh. In my previous articles, I have written many times that the war between Chemical pesticides and crop enemies is endless. Every time when growers apply more powerful pesticides, the enemies become more resistant. The heavy use of chemical inputs is becoming a curse for our ecosystem. Through leaching chemicals are contaminating the groundwater whereas through run off if is reaching to ponds and rivers, one of the sources for drinking water in Chhattisgarh. In crop of Kasturibhendi (Abelmoschus moschatus), more crop enemies attacks as compared to Bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus). For the herb growers of Chhattisgarh, with the help of them, I have developed many promising organic inputs for successful crop protection. In these organic inputs we are using cow urine, dung and extracts and leachates of common weeds. I personally feel that our organic inputs can be of great use for the pest management in Bhindi crop. Unfortunately, in Chhattisgarh not much works are in progress for promotion of organic cultivation of vegetable crops. Many vegetable growers, particularly the growers interested in export of vegetables in western countries are taking interest in organic cultivation of vegetable corps because high pesticide residues are creating problems in exports. There is a strong need to encourage these growers. During my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, focused on medicinal rice varieties, the in depth knowledge of natives and traditional healers about common corps motivated me to conduct a special survey on particular crop. Although, the natives use Bhindi as vegetable because to its delicious taste but they are unaware of unique medicinal properties and uses of Bhindi. The survey focused on vegetable growers revealed that they are also not aware of medicinal uses of Bhendi. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use, all parts of Bhendi as medicine both internally and externally. The roots are used most frequently. Before describing its traditional and reported medicinal uses, I am describing its botany, I have noted from reference literatures.

Bhindi is an annual erect hispid herb, 0.5-1.5 meters high, often red tinged; Leaves sub orbicular, cordate, 5-20 cm across, angular Palmatilobed, serrate; lobes ovate, lanceolate. Flowers solitary, axillary; Epicalyx lobes 7-12, linear-lanceolate, 5-15 mm long, soon caducous; Calyx 2-3 cm long, silvery inside; Corolla yellow or white , with a purple center; Petals obovate, 3-4 cm long; Staminal column 2.0-2.5cm long. Ovary (-9) celled; Style 0 arms 5(-9); stigmas purple; Capsules fusiform, acuminate, angular, sulcate, hispidulous; seeds sub globose-reniform, 3-6mm across, dark brown or grey. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, the medicinal properties of this valuable herb have been reported. According to Ayurveda, the mucilaginous fruit of Bhindi is sweetish and tasty. It is tonic, astringent and aphrodisiac and produces oedema. It should be avoided in bronchitis and other respiratory troubles. It is useful in treatment of dyspepsia also. According to Unani system of Medicine, fruit is cooling, stomachic, aphrodisiac and enriches blood. It is useful in treatment of gonorrhoea, urinary discharges, strangury, diarrhoea, blood disorders etc. It causes constipation. As medicine, the traditional healers do not use the Bhindi herbs collected from cultivated fields where in general lethal pesticides are used. To fulfil their own requirements, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh grow this herb organically at their home gardens. The natives also grow this herb in home gardens and in this small scale production, in general to avoid the use of pesticides. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use this medicinal herb in treatment of over 25 common and complicated diseases. I am describing some promising traditional medicinal uses, I have noted during my ethnobotanical surveys. As medicine, it is very frequently used in treatment of sex related diseases of male. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, use Bhindi flowers in treatment of spermatorrhoea. The flowers are given with whey internally. In general, the healers advise the patients to take two to three flowers of Bhindi mixed with whey, daily morning till complete cure. The traditional healers of Bhopalpatnam region, prepare a special herbal oil using Bhindi roots in combination with other herbs like Safed Musli (Chlorophytum sp.) and instruct the natives to apply this oil on male genitals just before intercourse.

The traditional healer of Mudpar village, use the dried roots as aphrodisiac. He collects the roots at special occasions and store it for future use. The patients are advised by him to take a teaspoonful of dried root powder with a glass of cow milk. The traditional healers of other parts of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this use. They informed me that one can use this preparation round the year but the traditional healer of other parts of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this use. They informed me that one can use this preparation round the year but the traditional healer of Mudpar village is not agree with them. According to him, it should be taken only up to one month preferably during its cropping season. He informed me that roots collected before flowering are considered as best for preparation of medicine. In treatment of Sujak (Gonorrhoea), the traditional healers of Bastar region, use the roots with milk and gud (Jaggery). They boil the dried roots in milk and give it to the patients with gud. According to them it is one of the promising herbs useful in treatment of Sujak The traditional healers of Bagbahera region, use the immature fruits of Bhindi in treatment of Sujak (Gonorrhoea). The immature fruits are collected and after drying in shade, the healers convert it into fine powder. The powder with sugar and milk is used in treatment of gonorrhoea. During my ethnobotanical surveys in Narharpur region, I got an interesting information on use of Bhindi roots in treatment of Hernia. The healers advise the patients to tie Bhindi roots around the hand (below shoulders) with the help of white cloth. According to them this small and simple treatment can cure the patients at initial stages. In reference literatures, this use is not described. There is a strong need of scientific confirmation and evaluation. In Chhattisgarh, it is common belief among the natives that the root possess valuable medicinal properties. They also keep the dried roots near patients bed. The rich natives keep the roots in cash lockers because it is considered as sign of good fortune. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, adopt special procedure during collection of medicinally important Bhindi roots, they perform special worship ceremony, and offer yellow coloured rice and a glass of water. Next day, they visit again at the same spot and dig out the roots. I am trying to explain the science behind use of rice and water near to Bhindi herb before its collection. As allelopath, I am trying to explain it through the science of Allelopathy. For confirmation, I am studying the effect of yellow coloured rice on growth and performance of Bhindi herb. There is also a need to study whether through this application, any bio-chemical changes occur inside the Bhindi roots (in terms of medicinal properties) or not. For this explanation, I would like to request the young researchers to focus their studies on this important aspect. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh also use the Bhindi roots in treatment of syphilis. The dried root powder is given with sugar and Kali Mirch (Black Pipper). The traditional healers of Nagri Sihawa region, use the decoction of whole herb in treatment of common fevers.

Many of the above mentioned medicinal uses have yet not been reported in reference literatures. The above mentioned uses, clearly indicate that through systematic research and detailed ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of India, this vegetable crop can be established as useful medicinal crop successfully.