Kutu (Fagopyrum esculentum) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

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

Kutu or Buckwheat is a herb native to Central Asia and is under cultivation as minor grain crop in limited pockets of India. In Chhattisgarh, it is under cultivation in Mainpat hills of Northern hilly region. This region is a home of migrated Tibetan families. These Tibetan families use, the flour obtained from grains for making bread and porridge. These families are not aware of its medicinal uses. In the year, 1994 I got opportunity to visit this beautiful part of Chhattisgarh. At that time, for the first time, I saw the Kutu herb. As its cultivation is limited to Mainpat region, the natives and traditional healers of other parts of Chhattisgarh are not aware of its medicinal uses and properties. Botanically, Kutu (Fagopyrum esculentum sun. F. sagittatum) is a stouter herb, leaves mostly larger, 1-3 inches long, stronger-petioled, triangular-ovate manifestly pointed, the basal lobes mostly acute, flowers large, white and fragrant with honey-bearing glands, in short and dense racemes or clusters mostly at or near the summit of the plant, fruit large, with sharp continuous angles and flat or not grooved sides, triangular, mostly bright brown. Flowering and fruiting time April-August and July-October. In general, it grows in moist, cool climate, and on well drained sandy soil. It is propagated through seeds. The Tibetan families use the hulls as fuel, bedding for farm animals and packing.

Grains are given as feed. Etymologically Fagopyrum word is originated from Phagein (Greek), to eat and pyro, wheat, referring to the edible seeds. The term Buckwheat is probably a modification of 'beechwheat' from the resemblance of the fruits to beechnuts. The leaves of Kutu are the source of Rutin (syn. Hesperidin, Rutoside, Vitamin P). Chemically, Rutin is a tasteless powder and used to treat capillary bleeding along with increased capillary fragility and hence it is useful in treatment of retinal haemorrhages. Rutin, makes it potential medicinal crop. Considering it as minor grain crop, one of my favorite researchers Dr. M. W. Chitle, tried this crop in Chhattisgarh Plains and found that it can be grown successfully in this hotter parts. Unfortunately, he has not evaluated it in terms of change in Rutin contents. Like Mainpat hills, there are many hills and hilly regions are present in different parts of Chhattisgarh. I personally feel that the promotion of its organic cultivation in these parts will become a boon for the herb growers of Chhattisgarh. Unfortunately, not much has been written on different utility aspects of this herb in Chhattisgarh. Recently, I have presented some fresh herbs of Kutu to the traditional healers want to try it on different patients. After completion of their experiments, I will write more on this specific and important herb.

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