Interactions with the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, having rich traditional knowledge about medicinal uses of Kela (Banana, Musa paradisiaca, family Musaceae)

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

Kela is not a new herb for the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. It is one of the most popular fruit crops in Chhattisgarh. Different parts of Kela are used very frequently in different worship ceremonies by the natives. In dense forests of Chhattisgarh, many wild species of Kela are found naturally. The natives and traditional healers have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about Kela in Chhattisgarh. They use this herb in treatment of many common and complicated diseases, both internally and externally. The innovative fruit growers of Chhattisgarh are taking keen interest in advanced farming of Kela. Many of them are growing tissue cultured Kela (Banana). According to the researchers engaged in development and promotion of tissue cultured Kela, this improved version is a boon for the poor farmers. Like other fruit crops, the traditional healers and natives use only indigenous (Desi) species for preparation of medicine from different parts of Kela. They have no faith on improved varieties and cultivation practices as far as medicinal uses are concerned. Although, many important and valuable medicinal properties and uses of Kela have been reported in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India but unfortunately the Banana (Kela) Breeders have never tried to develop medicinally rich Banana varieties. Their emphasis are on improvement based on high yield and best resistance. Possibly those work on medicinal Kela varieties has yet not been started in any part of the world. I personally feel that there is a strong need to focus future research on Kela, on this specific aspect. Kela as herb is an integral part of any home garden in Chhattisgarh. As mentioned earlier the natives are also aware of its medicinal uses, the presence of this herb in home gardens, helps them to treat their common troubles successfully and saving the medicinal expenses. In Urban and forest areas, the natives plant this herb in Badis. The traditional healers specialized in use of Kela as medicine, also grow this herb in order to fulfil their requirement round the year. They never prefer the use of Kela herb, on which any chemical input is applied. In general, the natives plant Kela and Tulsi (Ocimum) herb side by side. They also keep the pots of Tulsi in rows of Kela herb in commercial plantation. Unfortunately, they are not aware of scientific reason for this use but they are using this method since generations.

Common names of Kela
Languages / regions	Names
1. English	Adam's Fig, Banana, Plantain
2. Gujarati	Kela
3. Hindi & Marathi	Kela
4. Kanarese	Bale
5. Sanskrit	Badali, Rambha, Urustambha

With the help of my experiments, I am trying to find out the science. I am also taking the help of allelopathy for the scientific explanation. In present article, I am describing the results of my ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different districts of Chhattisgarh plains, during the year 1998-1999. At first I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. The Musaceae or Bannna family includes six genera and 60 species of perennial herbs, sometimes more or less woody, widely distributed through the tropics. Roots adventitious; Stem-underground rhizome or root stock. The apparent erect stem of the so-called banana "tree" reaching sometimes a height of fifteen feet is in reality formed by the long, still leaf sheaths which are rolled round one another forming a shaft at the bottom of which is concealed the conical axis. Each successive leaf pushes its convolute blade up the center, the blade ultimately expanding above those previously formed. The stem tip elongates at the flowering time and piercing through the sheath appears above them and bears the inflorescence. The growth of main axis is therefore, terminated by the inflorescence and it dies after bearing the bananas; Leaf simple often very large, six feet or more long, unicostate parallel, entire, but the lamina tends to tear between the vein, thus making it appear to be pinnately divided, leaf sheath rolled and overlapping. The split lamina, torn into a number of horizontal ribbons, which remain attached to the mid rib, offers much less resistance to the force of wind; Inflorescence - the flowers are borne in terminal pendulous spikes or panicles protected by great spathe-like bracts. The large green or red bracts are crowded in three spinal lines round the peduncle; Each covers several unisexual flowers which spring without bracts from the axis of the spike; Flower-the male flowers lie above the female, in the bracteate, spike, bisexual flowers on middle bracts. Fruit a berry or capsule. In wild Kela (M. superba) numerous black or brown seeds are developed in a berry which is edible but insipid but in cultivated species, the ovules abort and the fruit is seedless. Seed, few to many, embryo is embedded in a quantity of mealy-white or yellowish-white perisperm. Kela is pollinated by bees which visit the flower for the nectar. All parts of Kela are used as medicine. According to Ayurveda, Kela is acrid, anthelmintic, tonic; increases appetite and useful in treatment of biliousness, earache, menstrual disorders, blood diseases, diabetes, dyspepsia, leprosy, strangury, urinary discharges, diseases of uterus and vagina, consumption, bronchitis, etc. It is also considered as astringents to bowels, antidysentric, aphrodisiac, etc. According to Unani system of medicine, root juice is anthelmintic whereas burnt stem is vulneray. Leaves good for scabies and inflammation. Fruits are sweet, indigestible, causes bronchitis; thickens blood, tonic, aphrodisiac, astringent to bowels, good for dry bronchitis, sore throat, kidney troubles etc.

The natives of Chhattisgarh use the Herbal Mala prepared with the roots of Kela for the patients suffering from mental diseases. The roots are harvested only on Thursday. The red sting is used to prepare the Mala. The patients are advised to wear the Herbal Mala till complete cure. After cure, the Mala is buried inside the soil. In reference literatures, this use is not mentioned. I personally feel that there is a need to search the scientific reason behind this use. The natives suggest the unmarried girls to worship this herb every Thursday. It is common belief among natives, that the worship helps in early and timely marriage. From the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh specially those engaged in Tantric activities, I got the information that when the flowering bunch of Kela opens at mid night, it produces specific sound. According to the healers this sound is very beneficial for the patients having mental illness. Although it is rare sound but if heard, it is considered as good for these patients. The rich natives always keep the dried roots of Kela with them or at their shops. It is common belief that it increases the flow of wealth and bring prosperity. The natives also offer different parts of Kela, to gods and goddess. From my ethnobotanical surveys, I have noted that the persons having poor digestion, must not use this herb as medicine. Its use with pulses and ghee is also prohibited. The patients susceptible to cold, are advised to stop the use of Kela. The traditional healer of Khudmudi village, uses Kela fruit in treatment of spermatorrhoea. He simply suggests the patients to take Kela with Shahad (Honey) upto fifteen days. I have talked to the patients useing this combination. They informed that this is one of promising as well as cheap treatment. The traditional healer of Mudpar village use the decoction of roots in treatment of intestinal worms. By boiling the roots in water, decoction is prepared and given to the patients. According to the herbs, two or three doses are sufficient to cure the trouble. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains specialized in treatment of gynaecological diseases frequently use this herb as female tonic. In general, they recommend the Kela fruit with Shahad (Honey) and sugar. The matured fruits are also considered good for patients having respiratory troubles. In treatment of Chhale (Stomatitis), the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, recommend matured fruits with fresh curd. They suggest the patients to take this combination during lunch and continue it till complete cure. The traditional healer of Bhutia village use the Kela fruits with chuna (lime), in treatment of Pelea (Jaundice). The matured fruit is kept in lime water whole night and next morning it is given to the patients suffering from Jaundice, empty stomach. This healer is well known in the region for his specialisation in treatment of Jaundice. In treatment of diarrhoea of small children, the matured fruits are given with water, for immediate relief. Like the gel of Aloe, the natives use the pulp of Kela fruit in case of burns as first aid remedy. In treatment of Dama (Asthma) the traditional healers of Mahasamund region, use Kela fruits with Kali mirch (Black pipper). The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the fresh juice of Kela roots as styptic in order to stop all types of bleeding. The ashes collected by burning the whole Kela herb are used in form of cream or aqueous paste, to heal the wounds. The ashes are also used in treatment of acidity, heart burn and colic. The organic growers of Chhattisgarh use the ash as source of potash.