My experience and interactions with herb collectors and growers of Chhattisgarh, India associated with medicinal herb Hadjod (Cissus quadrangula)

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

Chhattisgarh, the herbal state is well known for bone setters. Over 250 traditional healers of the state are specialised in treatment of bone fracture and about 150 species of herbs are used in different parts for treatment by these traditional healers. Most of the traditional healers use the combination of herbs, very few use the single herb. Hadjod is among most frequently used herbs both alone and in combination with other herbs by the bone setters. Unfortunately, very few works have been done on documentation of traditional medicinal knowledge about these herbs in Chhattisgarh. Fortunately, I got an opportunity to meet the traditional healer of Kapsi, specialised in bone setting and practising this herbal treatment from generations. At his clinic, you will always find a heap of freshly collected Duddhi herb (Eurphorbia hirta). Many researchers and students, visiting to this traditional healer for knowing the "secrets", possibly for their research papers and Ph.D. thesis, have reported that Euphorbia possess medicinal properties that can be used for bone setting. But this is not the herb, the traditional healer is using. On his invitation to discuss Ayurveda and herbs, I visited to him.

We discussed very long time inspite of never ending rush of patients from different parts of Chhattisgarh, even from different parts of India. As his young generation is not taking interest in these secrets and his relatives are eager to sell this formula to multinational companies, he was depressed and wanted to donate or disclose his formula to the trust or organisation interested only free service. He never charge fees for his treatment. Even the cost of herbs used for treatment is not charged from the patients. The ideal organisation he is expecting is not present in Chhattisgarh. After formation of new state Chhattisgarh many non-governmental organisations have started surveys with the help international funding agencies. They are assuring the traditional healers that they are well wishers and after preparing a database, they will fight against foreign organisations for their safely. In many parts of Chhattisgarh the electricity has yet not reached, then how the natives can understand the meaning of this "Database" These organisations are offering money and using power to get more and more from these healers. They are assuring the local administration that they will provide a copy of valuable information to them but in fact, they are selling the valuable informations out side the country whereas the well documented informations are given to the local administartion. The representatives of multinational companies staying in Chhattisgarh from decades show no hurry and enough sympathy with traditional healers to get secrets. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh feel more harm from their compatriot as compared to representatives of foreign companies. This is really sad and depressing. I personally feel that the authorities from international funding agencies must keep keen observations on the activities of local organisations and their ways to approach these healers. The traditional healer of Kapsi, informed me that he put the freshly collected Eurphorbia herbs in his clinic to fool these researchers and students. According to him, he is not aware of its medicinal properties. He told me that the art of bone setting is more important than the herbs used, and he has got the valuable and practical information from his forefathers. You will be surprised to know that many leading doctors and health organisations refer their patients to this traditional healer as last hope. In front of his small village clinic you will find vehicles of patients from bullock cart to mercedes, but all have to come according to number allotted to them. The traditional healer said that after bone setting, he apply many herbs as plaster and also recommend some herbs for internal use. He gives all credit to his god. He accept one coconut and a packet of agarbatti (incense stick) from patients. After long fruitful discussion, he agreed to disclose his secret in front of me but I refused to take the formula and said that I am not appropriate person. He told me that he uses all the indigenous herbs found in surroundings. He disclosed the herbs having high calcium content are best for both external and internal application. The herbs named Hardjod and Arjun (Koha ; Terminala arjuna) are main components in his combination. A sweet dish "Halva" prepared from fleshly stem of Hadjod is best and safe for patients suffering from any bone troubles. Even it is useful for normal person in order to prevent the problems in future.

According to him, he have traditional knowledge about many herbs and he want to go for surveys in forest areas in search of new herbs and in order to utilise his knowledge related to identification of rare herbs gained from his forefathers. But never ending rush of patients needing immediate attention, can not allow him to fulfill his dream. During my ethnomedico surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted the decreasing natural population of Hadjod in forests. The traditional healer of Kapsi confirmed this observation. He informed that this decreasing population has forced him to cultivate Hadjod in his field in order to get regular supply of fresh paste for bone-setting. This traditional healer prepare a herbal oil with the help of Hadjod. I have seen the efficacy of Hadjod herbal oil and recommended it to my family friendly. Like other traditional healers, he is also well aware of method of collection and scientific harvesting of herbs. In natural condition, Hadjod being a climber, use trees as support. According to the traditional healer, although it is rare, but Hadjod spread on forest floor as creeper is best in terms of medicinal properties. He told that his forefathers have prepared an exhaustive list of trees, used by Hadjod herb as support. Hadjod climbing on any tree can not be used as medicine. Although there is no relationship in terms of supply of nutrients between the Hadjod and supporting tree but according to this healer, the tree play important role in making the Hadjod herb useful or useless, even harmful. The use and preparation of herbal oil from Hadjod are not mentioned in reference literatures. Also the role of supporting trees as described by the traditional healer is also new finding. Hence, there is a need of scientific attention and investigation on this aspect. He told me that only after teaching the interested person completely, he will disclose the facts of his traditional knowledge. Since my childhood, I am aware of the traditional healer of Kapsi. But decades have passed no one has ever think to highlight his contribution to our society and to provide extra facilities, awards and recognition to him. We both are aware that this new flush of database teams will come and after extraction of knowledge, forget the traditional healer and switch over to other area with more funds, from international agencies. The traditional healers, accept this fact that the patients from any corner of the world are equally important for them, but the local organisations want to play the role of mediator between the world community and these traditional healers. Why ? All of us know, the money, only money is the factor responsible.

Like the traditional healer of Kapsi, there are many healers practising bone setting practices. Fortunately, I have got opportunity to meet and interact with most of them. I have prepared an exhaustive list of herbs and preparation methods. I am surprised to note that Hadjod is an essential part in all of these combinations preferred and used by the traditional healers. Its common name Hadjod clearly explain its use. (Had-bone; Jod - to fix) . The traditional healers from different parts of India are also well aware of miracle healing properties of Hadjod in bone related troubles. I have found lot of information about this herb in reference literatures. I am proud to say that the traditional healers and natives are also well aware and using this herb for this purpose. In reference botany literature I have found details of Hadjod. It is a large climbing shrub, young branches tomentose. Leaves simple 12-20 cm across, ovate or orbicular, cordate, serrate or sub lobbed, often repand, acuminate, pubescent beneath; tendrils forked; stipules free, Cymes leaf opposed, long peduncled, tomentose; bracts and bracteoles wolly. Flowers reddish brown, bisexual Petals ovate Disc tetra-lobed, Fruits pyriform, purplish black and single seeded. Cissus quadraangula (Syn. Vitis sp.) is common in all parts. In different parts it is locally known as Dokra bel, Pani bel or Dekra bel.

As mentioned earlier, the natural population of Hadjod is decreasing in forests, three years back I decided to find out the reason responsible for this. I instructed all of my field workers and traditional healer friends to keep close view on disease and insect infestation in Hadjod. After exhaustive survey, I have found only few leaf eating insects on Hadjod and the level of damage was non-significant. The herb collectors of Chhattisgarh, informed me that the buyers from Kolkata are showing deep interest in purchasing of dried Hadjod herbs from last few years. Although Hadjod is among non wood forest produces of state but it was never taken seriously as important herb having high demand. The herb collector of Jagdalpur informed that very recently he has supplied 10 trucks of this herb to Kolkata market. If you have ever observed or seen the Hadjod, you are aware of this fact that it is fleshy and watery herb and it is herculian task to dry it without decreasing its medicinal properties. And after drying, it becomes very light and one truck load means bulk quantity. My observations and studies gathered a lot of data and valuable information. It was really shocking that two years back over 100 truck loads of dried Hadjod herb are supplied in only one season from the state and the supply is increasing every year. When I discussed this over exploitation to one of my friend working on herbs in state forest department, he laughed that the forests are full of Hadjod and there is no demand of this herb except by the traditional healers. Unfortunately, the so called experts and administration persons still believe and follow the list of herbs provided by the international organisations like IUCN in 1986 or earlier. When these organisations will report the extinction of Hadjod from Chhattisgarh, only after this report, the local authorities will start project in order to conserve it. I personally feel that there is a need of establishment of regional monitoring group to keep close eye on the herbal trade activities. I have searched the modern literatures and internet resources for new discovery or latest research on Hadjod that has created this incredible demand but unfortunately till today I have got no information. The local herb collectors are also not aware why the demand has increased.

The increasing demand and decreasing availability of Hadjod in natural forests are now encouraging the innovative herb growers for commercial cultivation of this useful herb. The farmers well aware of increasing demand are in hurry to produce more in very less time in order to get maximum advantages from this temporary (according to them) demand. More emphasis on quantity (and no care about quality) is now forcing the farmers to use chemical inputs on this crop. As not much scientific research has been done on cultivation aspect of this herb and package of practices is not available, there is no recommended dose of inputs. Therefore, it is hard to say how many times more chemical inputs are in use. Many growers are using the recommended fertilizer doses of exhaustive crops like maize. The traditional healers informed me that this is waste herb and not suitable for medical treatment. The buyers of Kolkata are purchasing this herb without chemical testing. I am afraid about its use. It is supplied for human consumption then it can cause great harm. The Kolkata herb market supplies herbs to undeveloped countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar etc. If it is supplied for industrial uses then there is less chance of risk. The herb collector of Dhamtari told be that the buyers prefer the Hadjod from forest origin and blend the cultivated Hadjod in forest collection in the ratio of 1:10 (one part cultivated and ten parts natural) and convert it into paste. As you know, in Indian forests no one use chemical inputs even in case of severe insect infestation, hence the herbs of forest origins from Chhattisgarh are considered best and buyers around the world prefer it. The mixture of cultivated and natural produce nullifies the residue of chemicals and easily pass the level of minimum residues. Many organisations working on organic farming are now encouraging the farmers to adopt safe farming. Commercially and chemically grown Hadjod is not only less effective in terms of medicinal properties but also give less price. According to these organisations, by adopting eco friendly organic farming practices farmers can get both more price and quality. From decades, agricultural organisations are engaged in convincing the Indian farmers to adopt recommended doses of chemical inputs in order to get more production, therefore it is very hard to convince them against the use of these chemical inputs. The surplus production of grains have forced the farmers to adopt new quality crops and their habit is creating problem for them. Many growers are practising organic forming of Hadjod. According to them this is wild herb and even with little care perform well. They informed that use of chemical inputs is mere wastage of money. Unfortunately, the organic growers are not getting recognition in the state. Their experimental findings and practical research results can save the cost of detailed scientific experimentation at educational institutions and also the valuable time. I feel the mission of ‘lab to land’ (from scientists to farmers) is now over and there is a strong need to start new mission named ‘ Land to Land’ (from farmers to farmers.)

The Hadjod growers of Chhattisgarh are not aware of traditional knowledge about the supporting trees associated with Hadjod herb, as informed by the traditional healer of Kapsi. At present, the growers are using the plantation of exotic trees like Eucalyptus, Acacia mangium etc. for support. The traditional knowledge about best supporting trees can help and guide both researchers and farmers to grow Hadjod crop with maximum desired properties. In very few universities in India, I have found well established and active ethnomedico departments. I also insist on establishing a separate department of this important field in agricultural universities, in order to evaluate the practices of traditional farming in scientific ways. According to the traditional healers of state, during active growth phase no part of Hadjod should be in close contact with any type of metals. The contact with metals produce harmful chemicals inside the herbs. I have not found any such indications in reference literatures. The Hadjod growers are using fence of their farms covered with barbed wire or angle iron as support for Hadjod crops. Possibly they are not aware of the harmful effects of metals. I personally feel that there is a need of documenting and disseminating these practices among different communities of the state so that they can get maximum advantage from this knowledge. The establishment of database will be of no help for the local communities as these will be prepared in the languages and patterns of foreign funding agencies. Even my these articles will be of no help to local communities because very few understand the English. I am translating these articles in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi languages and publishing it in local newspapers and presenting it in my lectures to get the desired results.

I have conducted detailed experiments on Allelopathic potential of Hadjod and found it very useful. I use the aqueous extract of Hadjod in order to increase the effect of other extracts. This is really surprising and encouraging finding. In order to repell and prevent the forest insects using tree trunk to climb on trees, the natives of Chhattisgarh apply the aqueous paste of Hadjod on tree trunk. This paste is specially effective in case of Mango insects. Few weeks back one of herb growers cultivating herbs under my technical guidance informed me that aqueous extract of Hadjod with very less quantity of neem leaves extract is effective against sucking pest of Mucuna crop. I have noted this observation and very soon we will start systematic research to standardise the doses. The observations of traditional healers and herb collectors in natural home of Hadjod, also encouraged me to evaluate the allelopathic potential of Hadjod. They have observed that in forest many climbers try to get tree support from trees and for space there is competition with the help of chemical weapons (allelochemicals). According to them the no other climber dare to use the tree, captured by Hadjod herb and even when Hadjod try to capture other herb’s place, other herbs surrender and change the direction without war. My surveys at Pendra region revealed the fact that over exploitation of Hadjod in forest region is encouraging the growth of less competitive herbs and the process of ecological imbalance has started in the region. I am sure this article can create an awareness among world community in respect to one more valuable gift from mother nature.