Botanical.com Traditional medicinal knowledge about common weeds in Lathyrus fields of Chhattisgarh, India

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

Lathyrus, locally known as tiura or lakhdl, is one of the major rabi crops of the Chhattisgarh region. In Chhattisgarh, farmers grow Lathyrus as a rainfed crop after rice. Lathyrus seeds are broadcasted in standing rice crop (at dough stage) to use the moisture present in the field. Chhattisgarh farmers take least care of Lathyrus crops and do not tillage or spray herbicides for weed management. In general, weeds are considered as unwanted plants. Medicinal, industrial, and beneficial allelopathic effects of many common weeds have been reported (Oudhia 1999; Oudhia et al. 1996, 1999; Oudhia and Tripathi 1997). Chhattisgarh is rich in bio diversity and many medicinal plants grow as weeds in this region (Oudhia 1998). Studies conducted in the region revealed that farmers can earn an additional income by selling different valuable parts of weeds as medicine after hand-weeding (Oudhia and Tripathi 1999). Due to non-availability of information regarding medicinal weed flora of Lathyrus fields and to find out the possibilities of providing an additional income to Lathyrus farmers through medicinal weeds, a survey was conducted during 1996-98.

The study was conducted in six selected districts of the Chhattisgarh region. From each selected district, two blocks were-selected and from each block, a random sample of four villages was taken.'A proportionate number of householders from each village was taken to make a sample of 100 respondents. Information regarding existing medicinal weeds was collected through personal interviews. Literature related to Ayurved, Homeopathy, Unani, allopathy, and other systems of medicine was used to find out the medicinal uses of the common weeds in Lathyrus fields. Weeds were collected paying intensive visits to targeted villages at an interval of 15 days. Visual observation on both crop fields and wastelands were made. Regular correspondence was maintained with national and international purchasers of valuable medicinal weeds. 

This study revealed that there is a tremendous possibility of using medicinal weeds for increasing Lathyrus farmers' income in Chhattisgarh region. 

 
Common and popular names of Lathyrus around the world.
Language / regions / countries. Names
1. Arabic Jilban
2. Assam Khesari, Teora
3. Bengali Kassur, Teora
4. Egypt Gilban
5. English Black Sea Pulse, Chickling Vetch, Dog-tooth pea, Grass pea, Indian pea, Mutter pea, White Vetch, Riga pea.
6. French Dent de brebis, Jarosse, Jarrat,
7. German Kicherling, Platterbse, Saatplatterboe
8. Guinea Ater, Shimbera, Sobbeure
9. Gujarati Lang, Lange
10. Hindi Kansari, Kasari, Kassar, Kassur, Kesari, Khesari, Latri, Tiuralakh, Tiuri, Tiura,
11. Iraq Hurt muman, Hurtuman
12. Marathi Lakh
13. Nepal Kesari
14. Persian Masang
15. Portuguese Chicharo, Ervilhaca
16. Punjab Chural, Karas, Karil, Kisari,
17. Russian Lugovoi goroshek
18. Sanskrit Langka, Sandika, Triputa
19. Spanish Almortas, Guijas, Muelas, Pinsoles, itos, Titos.
20. Oriya Chana

During the study, it was observed that 30 varieties of weeds infested Lathyrus fields and that 14 of them possessed valuable medicinal properties (Table 1). Medicinal properties of these 14 weeds were found well documented in literature. Villagers of the region were using eight (Sphaeranthus indicus, Tridax procumbens, Melilotus sp., Blumeu lacera, Chenopodium album, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus and Oxalis corniculata) out of the 14 for treating their health problems. Four of these weeds were identified as potential weeds. These potential weeds possess valuable medicinal and industrial uses, and they have a big demand in national and international pharmaceutical markets (Table 2). The study suggested that there is an immediate need of:

• documentation of valuable knowledge about medicinal weeds in Lathyrus fields
• surveying major field crop,
• identification of villages having higher density of particular medicinal weeds,
• establishment of proper linkages between village level operative societies and national and international pharmaceutical distributors.
• identification of industrial and allelopathic uses of these medicinal weeds, and
• development of grading and processing methods for medicinal weeds according to international standards.

TABLE 1          
Scientific Name Local name Life Cycle Useful Parts Medicinal uses Remarks
(A) Compositeae          
Spilanthes acmella Akarkara Annual Seed, root For mouth disease M
Sphaeranthus indicus* Mundi Annual Seed For respiratory diseases M,m
Launea asplenifolia Jangli palak Perenial Seed Used as a lactagogue M
Sonchus arvensis - Perennial Seed Used as a laxative and a diuretic. Roots and leaves are used as a tonic and febrifuge M
Vernonia baldwini - Perennial Seed Useful in treatment of asthma, bronchitis, and constipation  
Tridax procumbens Bhengra Annual Seed For all types of bleeding M,m
Blumea lacera* Kukurmutta Annual Seed For fever and respiratory organs' disease M,m
(B) Leguminaseae          
Melilotus alba and M. indica* Senji Annual Seed Used as discutient and emollient externally as a formentation poultice, or plaster for swells M,m
Vicia sativa Zillo Annual Seed Seed is used as an emollient in the form of poultice M
Medicago denticulata Dhekna Annual Seed Used as an antidote to venom M
(C) Chenopodiaceae          
Chenopodium Bhathua Annual Seed For hook worm, leucoderma, and skin problems M,m
(D) Cyperaceae          
Cyperus rotundus* Motha Annual Nut, seed Root is useful in leprosy, thirst, fever, blood diseases, billousness, dysentry, epilepsy M,m
(E) Gramineae          
Cyndon dactylon Doobi Perennial Seed, bulb Whole plant juice is used as astrigent, decoction of roots is used as a diuretic M,m
(F) Primulaceae          
Anagallis arvensis Krishnaneel Annual Seed For respiratory organs and genital diseases, also used in hydrophobia M
(G) Oxalidaceae          
Oxalis corniculata Khatti buti Perennial Bulb For skin disease M,m
           
M = Weeds which have medicinal properties.      
m= Weeds in use in Chhatisgarh as medicinal plants    
* = Weeds which have heavy demand in national and international pharmaceutical markets.

 

TABLE 2  
Existing uses and valuable parts of four potential medicinal weeds in Lathyrus fields of Chhattisgarh.
         
  Scientific Name Existing uses Valuable parts Remarks
  =
  Blumea lacera Leaves used for asthma Leaves, seed, and roots N,I
  Cyperus rotundus In skin, urinary, digestive, and reproductive diseases Dried nuts N,I
  Sphaeranthus indicus In case of eosinophilia Whole plant N
  Melilotus indica and M. alba As discutient Leaves N
   
  N = Medicinal weeds having demand in national markets.  
  I = Medicinal weeds having demand in international market.  

References
Oudhia, P. 1998. Parthenium: A curse for the bio-diversity of Chhattisgarh plains. Page 26 in Abstract. National Research Seminar on Bio-chemical Changes - An Impact on Environment. 30-31 July 1998, R.D. Government P.G. College, Mandla, India.
Oudhia, P. 1999. Medicinal weeds in rice fields of Chhattisgarh (India). International Rice Research Notes 24(1): 40.
Oudhia, P., G.K. Shrivastava, and R.S. Tripathi. 1996. Medicinal weeds of Durg (Madhya Pradesh) region. Weed News 31(l&2): 63-66.
Oudhia, P. and R.S. Tripathi. 1997. Allelopathic potential of Calotropis gigantea R. Br. World Weeds 4: 109-119.
Oudhia, P. and R.S. Tripathi. 1999. Medicinal weeds: A boon for the farmers of Chhattisgarh. Page 152 in Abstract. VIII Biennial Conference of Indian Society of Weed Science, 5-7 February 1999, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
Oudhia, P., R.S. Tripathi, S. Puri, and D.S. Chandel. 1999. Traditional knowledge about medicinal weeds in Chhattisgarh. Vasundhara The Earth 1(1): 12-15