Traditional medicinal knowledge about less known herbs of Chhattisgarh, India. XXXIX. Nirmali (Strychnos potatorum, family Strychnaceae)

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

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh of Nimali rich areas are using its seeds for water purification since time immemorial. Due to this unique property it is named as Nirmali. The natural population of Nirmali is decreasing at alarming rates in Chhattisgarh. The heavy demand and non-scientific exploitation of this herb from its natural habitat are the main reasons.

The herb collectors informed me that day by day it is becoming hard to get Nirmali, in surrounding areas. They have to travel long distance in search of this herb. It is in the list of non-wood forest produces having regularly high demand in national and international markets. In early days, there was demand of fruits and seeds only. Now from last few decades the demand of its roots have increased many folds. The reason is still unknown. Now the traders are giving more emphasis on purchase of roots. According to the herb collectors, in early days there was no threat on its natural population when the collection of seeds and fruits was done. Now due to collection of roots, it is damaging the whole herb. In reference literatures, it is mentioned that the roots can cure all types of skin troubles. It is a boon for the patients having Leucoderma and Leprosy. I have mentioned in previous articles that in India, the patients of Leucoderma are increasing very rapidly. This is the reason responsible for increasing pressure on herbs useful in treatment of this odd looking trouble. I am searching the modern literatures also to find out the new research findings related to Nirmali roots.

I personally feel that there is a need for giving sufficient attention to stop further non-scientific exploitation of this herb from its natural habitat in Chhattisgarh. Botanically, Nirmali is a medium sized, deciduous, glabrous tree about 12 meter in height with cracked and scaly black bark and irregularly fluted trunk; leaves simple, opposite, elliptic, acute, transverse nerve about 4 pairs joining the second pair of ribs to the mid rib, glabrous, shining; Flowers white, fragrant, axillary cymes; Fruits ovoid or globose, glabrous berries, black when ripe; Seeds one or two, yellow, circular, not much compressed 8 mm in diameter, shining with appressed silky hairs. As mentioned early, the roots, fruits and seeds are used medicinally. Nirmali holds a reputed position as medicinal herb in different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, Nimali fruit is useful in eye diseases, thirst, poisoning, hallucinations; emetic, diaphoretic, alexiteric, cures inflammations, anaemia, jaundice; causes biliousness whereas seeds are acrid, alexipharmic, litho-tropic; cure strangury, urinary discharges, head diseases etc. According to Unani system of medicine, seeds are bitter, astringent to bowels, aphrodisiac, tonic, diuretic; good for liver, kidney complaints, gonorrhoea, improve eye-sight.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of these medicinal properties and uses of Nirmali and they frequently use this herb in treatment of many common and complicated diseases. The use of matured fruits of Nirmali in treatment of Jaundice is very popular among the traditional healers. It is used both alone or in combination with other herbs in this treatment. Like Baibidang it is used as anthelmintic. The immature fruits are also used but the healers prefer the mature fruits because according to them, the wrong use of immature fruits may result in harmful effects. Many healers of Chhattisgarh use the mature fruits in treatment of diabetes but as other promising alternatives are available, it is used less frequently. Nirmali is not under cultivation as medicinal crop in Chhattisgarh. There is a strong need to develop improved cultivation practices well in time and to encourage the herb growers to start its commercial cultivation .This commercial cultivation will help in reducing the pressure on natural population of Nirmali.

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