Traditional medicinal knowledge about useful herb Katoriya or Vajradanti (Barleria prionites, family : Acanthaceae) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Although the reference literatures related to botany consider Barleria as true Vajradanti but during my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted that the natives and traditional healers of different parts name different herbs as Vajradanti. Most of them are agree that Sarphonk is true Vajradanti. Vajradanti is named Vajradanti because its use to make the teeth (in Hindi-dant) strong and free from all diseases. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use different parts of Sarphonk (Tephrosia purpurea) for dental care both internally and externally. In my previous articles, I have written a lot on use of Herbal Tooth Brushes (Dataun) prepared from Sarphonk roots specifically its use by women at special occasions. Katoriya, a local name for Barleria, is also found at wasteland plant like Sarphonk but I have noted that the very few healers are aware of its medicinal uses and properties. These healers give preference to Sarphonk as compared to Katoriya. The reference literatures do not support this observation. You will be surprised to know that many herb traders are selling Sarphonk as Vajradanti or Bajradanti in national and international drug markets. When I contacted the traders at national level, they informed that like Bramhi, in the name of Vajradanti, there are so many herbs available and they sell it to international market by giving samples or simply saying the Vajradanti of Chhattisgarh or Vajradanti of Andhra Pradesh. Surprisingly, many international buyers are also aware of these different types of Vajradantis. In Khari Bawdi market of Delhi, I have seen many true and false species of herbs available in name of Vajradanti. Seeing these confusions, I am using its local name Katoriya in this article. Through my ethnobotanical surveys, I have found only 20 traditional healers all over the state specialized in use of Katoriya as medicine. Fortunately, I got opportunities to interact with these healers. Most of the healers are now crossing 60 years of age. Unfortunately, the traditional medicinal knowledge about this useful herb have not been documented by early workers in Chhattisgarh. This article is the first written document on this traditional knowledge. As the natives are less or not aware of different medicinal and other uses of this herb, it is very necessary to popularize different traditional uses of this herb among them and I am expecting that his article can serve the purpose effectively. During interactions with the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, specialized in use of Katoriya, they informed that although due to the spines present on plant, discourage the natives to plant this herb in their home gardens but as medicinal herb, there must be some space for this herb. According to the healers, it can be planted in fences, as it is multi-use plant and the methods of its use are very simple. The traditional healer of Sarguja region informed that if any want to gift any plant to newly wed couple, this herb should be preferred, because this plant is having the capacity to make their family life full of happiness. I will describe some interesting traditional uses of this herb in second part of this article.

At first I am describing botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically, Katoriya is a shrub, 0.6-1.5 m high, usually prickly, stems and branches tetragonous; Leaves 9.18 x 2.5 – 5.7 cm, elliptic, acuminate, bristle tipped, entire, usually with three acicular spines in the axils; Flowers sessile, solitary in lower axils becoming spicate above; bracts foliaceous, bristle-tipped, bracteoles almost spinous; Calyx yellow, infundibuliform, two-lipped, upper tip four lobbed, lower entire; Fruits capsule, ovoid with a long tapering beak, two-seeded; seeds clothed with silky hairs. Flowering time October to January. According to the Ayurveda, Kotariya is bitter, heating, alexiteric can useful in tooth-ache, leucoderma, blood-complaints, bronchitis, diseases of blood and skin, inflammations etc. It is also a good appetizer.

The traditional healers informed me that the roots of Katoriya can be used successfully, both internally and externally, as aphrodisiac. For external use the healers collect the fresh roots at specific time and suggest the user to tie the Herbal Mala prepared by using the root pieces, around the waist just before intercourse. For preparation of Mala, red string is used. According to the healers , this use increases the retention time and increase the sexual desire. It is used in case of males only. With this external use, the healers give specially prepared herbal combination for internal use. In this combination the whole herb of Katoriya is used as main ingredient. I interviewed the users. They were satisfied with this medicinal miracle. I am trying to get scientific explanation that how root pieces at waist helps in great way and also whether alone internal use is enough or not ? The healers recommend both uses at a time. Like other healers, these healers are also not in favour of its continuous use. According to them, it should be used at specific occasions. After getting this information, I got the point that why the healers consider this herb as " The best wedding gift" In order to root out the problem of Night pollution, common in young age, the traditional healers suggest the patients to take three fresh leaves of Katoriya empty stomach and after this drink a glass of water . This treatment is given till complete cure. According to the healers, within a week the patients get relief. The traditional healers of Mudpar village specialized in use of Katoriya informed that this herb is a boon for the issue – less couples. He simply suggests the couple to take the roots with cow milk, continuously upto one week. During this use, avoid intercourse. After one week, start it. He informed that he has successfully treated many cases with the help of this simple treatment. For dental care, all the healers recommend this simple method. They suggest the natives to collect the whole herb, dry it, burn it and use the ash with common salt as tooth powder in place of synthetic powders to clean the teeth. According to them , the regular use root out all dental troubles and keep the teeth strong life long. The healer of Chhattisgarh Plains informed that from childhood, one must rub the fresh leaf juice of this herb on teeth, as preventive to decaying. In treatment of skin diseases specially the ringworm, the healers of different parts use it in different ways. They collect the leaves and with the help of water prepare an aqueous paste. This paste is applied externally on affected parts. In another method, the leaves mixed in fresh cow urine are boiled in Sarson (Mustard) oil and when all watery contents evaporate, collect the oil and use it externally in same manner. The traditional healers also use this herb (all parts) with common herb Bhengra (Eclipta alba) as hair tonic. The juice of both herbs is mixed and by boiling it in base oil, a special herbal oil is prepared. This herbal oil is used as hair tonic and also to dye the hairs black. I have seen its miracle effects on hairs. The traditional healer of Durg city, informed that the spines of Katoriya also possess valuable medicinal properties and externally he uses it in treatment of pimples.

From the twenty traditional healers, I have gathered information on above mentioned traditional uses so far. My interactions are still in progress. I am also trying to gather the information yet not documented, as the healers having these information have passed away, with the help of their relatives and family members. From documentation point of view, I feel I got late to take birth in this part of earth, as the traditional knowledge resources are passing away fastly and young generation is showing very less interest in this valuable knowledge. I am trying hard to document all the available traditional knowledge through hard work and sincere efforts in this short life.Thank you very much for reading the article.