Traditional medicinal knowledge about Parval (Trichosanthes sp; family Cucurbitaceae) in Chhattisgarh, India

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

The natives of Chhattisgarh are more aware of Parval (Trichosanthes dioica) used as vegetable whereas the traditional healers are aware of both cultivated and wild species of Parval i. e. Trichosanthes cucumerina. Both species are used as traditional medicine.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about Parval. The natives use the Parval fruits in treatment of fevers commonly. The fruits are boiled in water and extract is given internally to reduce the high temperature. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the natives prepare a special tea by boiling the fruits in combination with other herbs. This tea is used both for taste and to reduce high temperature. As vegetable, it is in use in almost every part of the Chhattisgarh. The natives use the vegetable just for taste but according to the traditional healers its use as vegetable have many health benefits. It acts as good health tonic. It is good appetizer and also helps in digestion. The healers recommend it specially after the severe illness. It is considered best for the patients having the problem of heart. Many communities of Chhattisgarh prepare many sweet dishes using matured Parval fruits. The natives use the fruits only but for the traditional healers all plant parts possess valuable medicinal properties and uses. They use the roots of cultivated Parval as laxative. The leaves are used alone or in combination with other herbs in treatment of liver related troubles. The leaves are also used in treatment of Acidity. According to the traditional healers of Durg region, whole herb of Parval before flowering is useful in treatment of diseases related to respiratory system. As Parval is popular vegetable crop, like other vegetable crops the farmers use synthetic chemicals at large doses for commercial production.

The traditional healers are not in favour of this practice. According to them, Parval fruits cultivated by using chemicals are harmful both as vegetable as well as medicine. Yesterday when I brought Parval fruits from market, its colour was abnormally green. When I washed it thoroughly, I found the harmful colouring agents in water. Now this colouring is becoming a common malpractice in Chhattisgarh particularly in urban areas. For the botany and reported medicinal uses of Parval, I suggest you to read previous articles. The wild species of Parval, locally known as Kadvi Parval (T. Cucumerina) is also used as vegetable but its use as medicinal herb is more popular specially among the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh. Botanically, it is a scandent annual; stems upto 4.5m long, slender, furrowed, reniform or broadly ovate, deeply 5-lobed, distantly denticulate, base deeply cordate; Flowers monoecious, male in axillary racemes bearing 8-15 flowers near the apex, white whereas females solitary, axillary; Fruits 2.5-7.5 cm long, ovoid fusiform, with a long sharp beak, green with white stripes when raw, scarlet with ripe; Seeds surrounded with red-pulp; Flowering time July to November in Chhattisgarh conditions. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, Kadvi Parval is described as Patola. Its Sansknt name is also Patola. In Ayurveda, many Patola based herbal formulations have been mentioned. Many formulations are available in form of products in markets. Kadvi Parval holds a reputed position as medicinal herb in different systems of medicine in India. According to Ayurveda, its root is cathartic and cures bronchitis, headache and boils whereas leaves are promising for biliousness. The fruits are hot , bitter, pungent, laxative , antipyretic, alexiteric, stomatic and cures, asthma, itching, leucoderma, blood diseases, burning sensation, leprosy, ulcers, erysipelas, eye diseases etc. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of above uses and properties. This is the reason, they frequently use different parts of Kadvi Parval as medicine in their routine practice. This is positive sign that the healers and natives both are aware of its medicinal uses and they are using it for different purposes. I personally feel that there is a strong need to discourage the chemical farming of Parval species in Chhattisgarh so that the natives can get real health benefits from these valuable species.

Thank you very much for reading the article.