Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. II. Indrajau (Wrightia tinctoria, family : Apocynaceae)

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

From the traditional healer of Mudpar village Mr. Hanumat Prasad Verma, I got a lot of information on this medicinal herb. The traditional healers of other parts of Chhattisgarh are also aware of different uses of Indrajau but as it is considered as substitute to Kurchi (Holarrhena antiydysentrica) and Kurchi is found in abundance, they use it less frequently. The natural forests of Chhattisgarh are rich in Indrajau but as non-wood forest produce, it is not in list of herbs having regular and high demand. The natives are also less aware of its traditional medicinal uses. Through my ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have identified only 35 traditional healers specialized in use of Indrajau. Most of them are crossing the age of 60. Mr. Verma is among them and it is good news that he is young and enthusiastic gentlemen. For his requirement, he collects the herb from the nearby Sirpur forest. In my previous articles, I have written that Mr. Verma is using Indrajau in treatment of sickle cell anaemia successfully, in combination with other herbs. Many leading medicinal practioners are using the formulation in form of capsule, with very high fees. Like other traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, Mr. Verma also take no fees for his treatment. Even the cost of medicine is also not charged, by him. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine, not much has been written on this useful herb. To document the existing and traditional knowledge about this medicinal herb, I decided to include it in series of medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh having less known traditional uses.

The Indian names of Holarrhena antidysentirica
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Assam	Dhulkari, Dudkhuri
2) Bengali	Kurchi
3) English	Easter Tree, Ivory Tree
4) Gujarati	Drowda, Kudakari
5) Hindi	Kurchi, Karva Indrajau, Kutaja
6) Kanarese	Koodsaloo, Korchie
7) Malyalam	Kodagapula
8) Marathi	Kodaga
9) Oriya	Kherwa, Korwa, Kurwa, Pitakorwa
10) Punjabi	Keor, Kewar
11) Tamil	Veppalei, Kodagapalei, Indraban
12) Telugu	Pala Kodasha

Before describing the traditional uses, I am giving its botanical description with reported medicinal uses. I have seen two species of Indrajau i.e. W. tinctoria and W. tomentosa. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh give equal importance to both species. In reference literatures, the black species (W. tinctoria) is mentioned as hot (in nature) medicine as compared to white (W. tomentosa). It is also mentioned that white species possess superior medicinal properties in comparison to black species. As mentioned early, the traditional healers do not considered any species superior or inferior. In Chhattisgarh, both species of Indrajau are deciduous and 10-15 meters tall. The bark is pale grey, smooth and somewhat corky. The blaze in black species is green then milk-white, while in white species it is soft with a thin Chlorophyll layer outside, then nearly white or pale greenish-brown, exuding a yellowish white latex. Leaves large, simple, opposite and decussate in both species. In black species leaves are glabrous while in white species leaves are tomentose on both surfaces. In black species young leaves are bluish with reddish nerves (this is the reason it is known as Kali or Black species). Flowers are fragrant, white, 1-5 cm long, arranged in lax dichasial cymes, Fruits are a pair of pendulous, green follicles. The follicles of black species are 0.5 cm dia. By upto 50 cm long while those of white species are 15-30 x 1-2 cm. the seeds resemble the seeds of Jau (Barley), this is the reason it is known as Indrajau. The seeds are 1.2 - 1.8 mm long, pointed at the ends, linear, light yellowish-grey, crowned with a tuft of white silky hairs by the aid of which they are disseminated by wind. According to Ayurveda, the bark is useful in treatment of piles, skin diseases and biliousness. Barks and seeds have the same properties as Holarrhena antidysenterica. In literatures related to Unani system of medicine, the same information is available.

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use Indrajau both internally and externally in treatment of about 16 diseases. The traditional healers of Narharpur region, prepare an aqueous paste from the Indrajau roots and give it to the patients having the problem of intestinal worms. The healers also add Baibirang in this paste to make it more effective. In my articles on fever and Giloi, I have mentioned the use of Giloi decoction in treatment of fevers. The traditional healers add the Indrajau bark in this decoction to make it more effective. Like the germinated seeds of Mung (Green gram) and Chana (Chickpea), the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, recommend the germinated seeds of Indrajau to the patients suffering from Pelea (Jaundice). It is considered as one of the promising remedies. The barks are used externally in case of skin troubles. In general, the healers prepare a paste by mixing Indrajau bark with cow urine and apply it in affected parts. The healers also add common salt in this paste. In treatment of urinary troubles, the bark is given with cow milk. The fresh juice of Indrajau bark is considered good to check the diarrhoea. In treatment of Pathri (Renal Calculi), the traditional healers of Bilaspur region, use the Indrajau bark with Dahi (curd). But as other promising alternatives are available, the healers use it less frequently. In treatment of fevers, the traditional healers use Indrajau as main ingredient in popular herbal combinations. The traditional healers also suggest the female patients having gynaecological disorders to use the flowers as curry during flowering season, as a part of treatment.

Out of all above mentioned uses, its uses in treatment of Pelea and worm problems, alone and in fevers, with other herbs, are still very popular among the traditional healers.

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