Traditional Medicinal knowledge about medicinal herb Anar (Punica granatum, family Punicaceae) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The arrangement of fleshy and juicy seeds in Anar fruits resemble the structure of human teeth. This is the reason the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh believe that these seeds can be used in treatment common dental troubles. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about medicinal herb Anar and through my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have observed and noted its use in treatment of over 80 common and complicated diseases, both internally and externally. Anar is not a native to India.. It occurs in wild in Iran, Afganistan and Baluchistan. It was introduced in India for its tasty fruits. These tasty fruits possess valuable medicinal properties also. Beside fruits, the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, use almost every part of Anar as medicine. The natives plant this herb in their home gardens. The presence of non-fruiting Anar species is not allowed in home gardens but for fruiting species there is no such restrictions. As fruit crop, many growers are engaged in its commercial cultivation in Chhattisgarh but the local fruit markets are still dependent on other Indian states for regular supply of Anar. In reference literature, a lot have been written on medicinal properties of Anar. According to Ayurveda, Anar roots are an external vermicide whereas barks and seeds are useful in bronchitis. The flowers possess medicinal properties to cure epistaxis whereas fruits care appetiser, tonic and useful in treatment of vomiting, biliousness, thirst, burning sensation, fever, heart troubles, sore-throat, stomatitis. The fruit- ring is considered as anthelmintic and used in treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. According to Unani system of medicine, dark is astringent and useful in treatment of gum related diseases, piles, colic whereas flowers are useful in treatment of gum related diseases, piles, colic whereas flowers are useful in biliousness and ulcers. It is used in treatment of hydrocele. Fruits are sweet, tonic, laxative, fattening, diuretic and useful in sore throat, sore eyes, brain diseases, spleen complaints, earache, scabies, chest troubles etc. The seeds are useful in liver, kidney and heart troubles. According to reference literatures related to botany, Anar is shrub or small crooked tree having height upto 5 meters (or more), branched from near the base; branches often ending in a sine; Leaves opposite, oblong-lanceolate, 1-9 x 0.5-2.5 cm; flower 1-5, at the top of the branchlets; Calyx 2-3 cm long, red or pale yellow; segments erectpatent or slightly recurved, thick at the apex on the back with a yellowish - green gland, along the margin densely and shortly papillose, 7-12 mm long; Petals erectopatent or patent, with a rounded or very obtuse apex, 1.5 x 1-2 cm, flame red or white and then turning brown when fading; stamens 5-10 mm long; Style 8-12 mm; Berries 5-12 cm in diameter variable in colour , red pink or yellowish white. As mentioned earlier, the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about Anar, in this article I am describing some unique traditional medicinal use of all parts except fruits, because lot have been written on medicinal uses and properties of Anar fruits and I do not want to repeat it in this article.

The Indian names of Anar
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Bengal	Dalim
2) English	Pomegranate
3) Gujarati	Dadam
4) Hindi	Anar
5) Kanarese	Dalimba
6) Malyalam	Matalam
7) Marathi	Dalimba
8) Tamil	Mandulai
9) Telugu	Danimma

The traditional healer of Mudpar village use the leaves of Anar very frequently in treatment of Safed Dag (Leucoderma), in combination with other common herbs. About one litre of Anar leaf juice is mixed in equal quantity of Satyanashi whole herb juice. After mixing the healer add half litre of fresh cow urine (black cow is preferred). This combination is boiled in two litres of Til (Seasamum) oil. When watery content evaporates completely, the oil is collected and stored for future use. This special herbal oil is applied externally on Safed Dag. I have observed its miracle healing effects. When the healers prepare this combination during winter season, he adds the leaf juice of Bemchi and all juices (i.e. Satyanashi, Bemchi and Anar) are mixed in equal proportion. He informed that addition of Bemchi leaf juice increases the effects of herbal oil. Unlike other herbal oil, this specially prepared herbal oil is capable of treating Safed Dag (Leucoderma) at later stages. Satytnanashi (Argemone maxicana) and Bemchi (Psoralea corylifoilia) are common weeds in Chhattisgarh and it is very easy to collect and use these herbs. The traditional healers of other parts of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this use of Anar leaves but according to availability of herbs in that particular region, the healers use one or more herbs in this combination. The traditional healers of Sarguja region, give the dried leaf powder internally as medicine for the treatment of Safed Dag. When I discussed the formula of traditional healer of Mudpar village with the traditional healers of Narharpur region, they replied that one can use this special herbal oil in treatment of other diseases also including Ringworm, Leprosy, Scrofula etc. This oil is used externally. The traditional healers of Charma region, use the leaf juice of Bhatkatiya (Solanum xanthocarpum) in place of Satyanashi leaf juice. Non-availability of Satyanashi in this region, is not the reason for the use of Bhatkatiya in place of Satyanashi. According to healers, the Satyanashi juice is allergic to many patients. The traditional healers of Mudpar village is not agreed with this finding. I personally feel that through systematic scientific research one can better explain the effects of both herbs and these herbal combinations. The use of Anar leaves in treatment of common eye diseases is very popular among natives. Like the extract the Gulbakawali (Headychium coronarium), the natives extract the juice of Anar leaves and after filtering it through muslin cloth, apply few drops into the eyes, twice a day, in order to make the eyes healthy and free from all related diseases. Its use as eye tonic is popular in almost every corner of Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the immature buds of Anar in treatment of Cataract (Motiabind). These immature buds are used as preventive also. As preventive, the healers suggest the natives to take internally a bud, one in a day, upto one year, next year increase the dose and take two buds, one in a day and further increase the dose upto 5 buds a day. According to them, this use prevents the attack of Cataract. In case of conjuctivitis, the natives mix the Anar leaves in water and prepare a paste. This paste is applied externally on eye lids in order to root out the problem and intense pain in less time. In case of Saloni (Stye), the healers collect the stem bark from old shrubs of Anar and mix it in Anar leaf juice and prepare an aqueous paste. The seed skin of Ratti (Abrus precatorius) is also added in this paste and paste is applied externally on Saloni for quick relief. The traditional healers of Bastar region use the Anar herb both internally and externally for breast enlargement. They take equal quantities of Anar leaves, fruit rind, flower, immature fruit and root bark and convert it into fine powder. This powder is mixed and soaked in Gulab Jal (Rose water) upto four days. After soaking , they add four times Sarson (Mustard) oil and boil it. After evaporation of water content, the oil is collected and stored for future use. This oil is used externally and the healers advise the female patients having desire for breast enlargement to massage (gently) this oil, twice a day, upto two months. In general the healers do not disclose this formula. They are aware of its misuse. According to them, it should not be used more than two months in a year. They prepare this herbal oil once in a year and give it to the patients without disclosing its ingredients. I talked to female patients using this combination. They were satisfied with this treatment but informed that regular use of this oil makes the skin blackish. To root out this problem, the healers always instruct the patients, to wash the skin with soap (or black soil) just after massage. The traditional healers of Northern parts of Chhattisgarh, use another method. They boil the one kg of Anar bark in four litres of water and when after boiling, one litre of water (of initial quantity) remain, stop the boiling process. They add one four litre of Sarson (Mustard oil) in this solution and boil it again. When all watery contents evaporate, the oil is collected for future use. According to the healers, the use of oil in similar manner, not only helps in breast enlargement but also harden the breast in less time. It was nice to know the fact, during my ethnobotanical surveys, that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are also aware of use of Anar herb for breast enlargement. They use another method. Instead of all parts of bark, the healers use the Anar leaf juice. They add the leaf juice in Til (Sesamum) oil and prepare the oil, in same manner. The healers of different parts of Chhattisgarh were not aware of the formulations and combination, that were in use, in other parts of the state. Now I am acting as bridge among them and the healers of all corners are getting information about all combinations. They are testing its efficacies and utilities for their regions. These R & D activities are saving the millions of Rupees and efforts of our research organisations. Through systematic analysis of these results and experimental findings, one can get more benefits form their research. Through this article, I would like to invite the researchers to visit Chhattisgarh for systematic research and to learn more about the miracle healing practices adopted by traditional healers.

The natives use special oil prepared from Anar leaf juice in treatment of Alopecia and as hair tonic. The method of preparation is very simple. They boil the Anar leaf juice in Til (Sesamum) oil in above described manner and collect the oil for future use. According to natives, this oil is a boon for the persons having the problem of baldness. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this use. They added that this oil can be used also to remove black spots from face. They further informed that by adding more herb like Bhengra (Eclipta alba) one can make this oil more strong. From my Grand father’s diary, I have noted that the use of Anar leaf juice in raw form on spots, from where hairs have been lost, can result in new growth of hairs. To make this juice more effective, one can add the powdered Arhar Dal (Cajanus cajan splitted seeds) in the juice. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use different parts of Anar in treatment of gynaecological disorders. According to them, it is very effective in treatment of Safed Pani (Leucorrhoea). After adding Kali Mirch and water in fresh juice of Anar leaves and barks, the healers prepare special herbal decoction and suggest the female patients to wash the vagina with this decoction and soak the Muslin cloth in decoction, keep it inside the vagina. This is cheap as well as effective treatment. In order to avoid abortion, the healers give the combination of Anar leaf juice, Dahi (Curd) Chandan (Santtalum album) and Shahad (honey) to the pregnant woman having the problem of habitual abortion. This combination is given in fifth or sixth months of pregnancy. The healers also recommend the fresh bud of Anar in order to assure the safe delivery. In order to avoid the abortion, the healers suggest the female patients to mix fresh Anar leaf juice in water in ratio of 1:5 and take it internally daily. Since time immemorial the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are using the roots of Anar in treatment of intestinal worms. After adding Anar roots with other herbs like Parasa beej (Butea monosperma seeds), Baibirang( Embelia ribes) in water, decoction is prepared and this decoction is given internally to the patients. The traditional healer of Mudpar village, use Anar roots with Baibirang and Indrajau (Wrightia tinctoria) to prepare a decoction for the treatment of intestinal worms. The natives prefer dried leaves with whey or water for treatment. The traditional healers of Pendra region, use the barks of Anar and Shahtoot (Morus alba) in treatment. The decoction is prepared by mixing equal proportion of bark and given to the patients. The healers of Chhattisgarh also use Anar leaf juice as heart tonic. As heart tonic, it is given with water (1:10 ratio) and patients are advised to use this aqueous solution once in a day, round the year.

The detailed ethnobotanical surveys are in progress. I will write more on traditional uses of different parts of Anar in my future articles. Most of the above mentioned traditional uses have not been reported in reference literatures.These traditional uses clearly indicate that there is a tremendous scope to promote Anar crop as medicinal crop in Chhattisgarh state.