Bhengra (Eclipta alba) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India : Traditional Medicinal Knowledge, Natural Occurrences and Trade

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

Although in reference literatures, only two species of Bhengra are mentioned but according to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, three species of Bhengra are present in the state. On the basis of flower colour, these species can be clearly distinguished. In reference literatures, yellow and white flowered Bhengra are mentioned. The yellow flowered variety is most common in Chhattisgarh. The details of blue flowered Bhengra is not available. The traditional healers of the state are well aware of this variety and according to them, it is very rare and best of all in terms of medicinal properties. The white flowered variety is considered as most inferior among others. I have seen all three varieties of Bhengra in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healer of Bastar, informed that there is one more variety i.e. black flowered variety. But the healers from other parts of state are not agree with them and I have also yet not seen the black flowered Bhengra variety. The flora of Madhya Pradesh (1993) published by the prestigious Indian organisation Botanical Survey of India, Lucknow, India described that four species of Eclipta have been reported in warmer parts of America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Common and popular names of Bhengra (Eclipta alba) around the world
Languages/regions/countries	Common Names
1) Arabic	Kadim-el-bint
2) Bengal	Kesari, Keshori, Kesuti, Keysuria
3) Kanarese	Garagadasappu, Kadiggagarga
4) Srilanka	Kaikechi, Kaivichi, Illai, Kariappan
5) Chinese	Han Lien T'sao, Li chang
6) Egypt	Sa'de
7) Gujarati	Bhangra, Dodhak, Kalobhangro, Kaluganthi
8) Hindi	Babri, Bengraya, Bhangra, Mochkand, Mochrand
9) Iraq	Arundis
10) Sanskrit	Ajagara, Angaraka, Bhekaraja, Bhringa, Bhringaraja, Ekaraja, Karanjaka, Kesharaja, Keshya, Kesharanjana, Mahabhringa, Milabringa, Sunilaka, Pitripriya.
11) Tamil	Kaikeshi, Kaivishillai
12) Telugu	Galagara, Guntakalaogra
13) Urdu	Bhangra, Dodhak, Kalobhangro, Kaluganthi
14) Uriya	Kesarda

According to this reference book, only one species is reported in Madhya Pradesh (at the time of publication of this book, Chhattisgarh was the part of Madhya Pradesh state). The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are not ready to consider all these varieties as variants or biotypes. According to them, not only in terms of flower colour and medicinal properties but morphologically all varieties are different. During my ethnomedico surveys to different parts of the state, I have found that most of the traditional healers using Bhengra for treatment, prefer blue variety but as this variety is rare they use white flowered variety available as wasteland plant in abundance. As Agronomist, I am observing white flowered variety since my student life as common weed in rice fields. During my M. Sc. (Ag.)field work, I have seen my friends using lethal weedicides to manage this so called weed in rice fields, as a part of their field work. In literatures related to weed sciences, Bhengra is described as one of the greatest enemies of farmers but in Chhattisgarh, Bhengra is a valuable herb for not only the traditional healers but also for the farmers. For treatment of many common diseases, the traditional healers & native both use this herb very frequently. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, use all parts of Bhengra to prepare medicine. It is used both internally and externally, alone or in combination with other herbs.

You will be surprised to know that the traditional healers consider the soil on which Bhengra grows, a valuable medicinal soil and use it for specific purposes. I have written a lot on the medicinal uses of Bhengra for Hair care in my article "Traditional Medicinal knowledge about common herbs used in Hair Care in Chhattisgarh, India" : Recently, I have got information on new method (at least for me) during discussions with the traditional healers of Bastar region. The traditional healers of this region, mix the Bhengra leaves, flowers and Jason (Hibiscus rosasinensis) leaves and flowers in buffalo’s milk and keep this mixture in container (made up of iron) for fifteen days. This mixture is used to dye the hair black. The healers advise the patients to apply this mixture on hairs before sleep at night. In order to make it more effective the healers instruct the patients to avoid the use of soaps and other oils on hair. Many healers add more fresh milk and Bhengra flowers, in fifteen days old mixture. After addition of fresh milk and Bhengra flowers, it is immediately given to patients and the healers instruct them to store this mixture in cool place. I have tried this mixture and found it effective. For other methods please read the article mentioned above. The traditional healers of Sarguja region, use the Bhengra in respiratory troubles. In case of acute asthamatic attack, the healers burn the dried Bhengra herb and advise the patients to inhale the fumes. If available, with Bhengra herb, Dhatra (Datura stramonium), Arusa (Adhatoda vasica), Kukronda (Blumea lacera) leaves can be added. According to the healers, the combination of Bhengra and Blumea leaves are best but to use this combination, storage of both herbs is essential. Both herbs must be collected in vegetative stage. In Chhattisgarh, Blumea appears on ground when Bhengra herb is in full bloom stage. So, it is very difficult for the healers to search the late germinated Bhengra herb and early germinated Blumea herb. The healers told me that storage of these herbs is not a promising solution. According to them during the storage these herbs loose many of its valuable medicinal properties. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, use Bhengra herb juice to treat asthamatic patients. The fresh juice is boiled in edible oil and given to the patient internally for specific time.

The traditional healers from Machkot area, told me that the use of Bhengra both internally and externally at the same time, helps the body to get rid from respiratory troubles quickly. According to him as it occur in marshy and water -logged cool habitat, its tasir (nature) is hot and this is the reason it is very effective in respiratory troubles. I am not sure whether his description or theory, is scientifically fit or not, but the patients, taking treatment from him, told me that his herbs are really effective. The traditional healer of Rajnandgaon, informed that the preparation in which fresh Bhengra juice is boiled in oil, is also useful for the treatment of Safed Dag ( Leucoderma). He use this preparation for the Leucoderma patients suffering from respiratory diseases. As supplement, he suggests the patients to eat more and more Chaulai (Amaranthus virdis) and Palak (Spinach) Bhaji (Vegetable) and apply the fresh juice of Bhengra on skin spots for quick relief. In case of Acidity, the traditional healer, advises his patients to eat the combination of fresh juice of Bhengra, Harra Churna ( Terminalia chebula Powder) and Gud upto relief.

During my ethnomedico surveys, I have observed that the traditional healers always look younger to their actual age. Also, when they visit the forests for the collection of herbs, they work hard without much rest. I always ask them to tell their secrets. I have got many valuable information on this aspect. I will write a separate article on this hot topic. Here I am describing the secret formula of the traditional healer of Amarkantak region. Two years back, I got an opportunity to visit Amarkantak hills with Mr. D.S. Parihar, the king of Nagod and herb lover. About 30-35 Kilometers far from Amarkantak city we met a traditional healer engaged in collection of herbs in dense forests. We helped him in his collection work and after completion of work, we sat for long discussion on herbs and its uses. When Mr. Parihar asked him about the secret of his great stamina, he disclosed the details of his "Poor man’s tonic’. He informed us that every year in July and August months, he takes only the fresh juice of Bhengra and take nothing as diet. In case of weakness, he prefers cow milk, only. According to him regular use of this "Poor mans tonic" can make the user forever young. It was really hard to believe that it is possible to pass long sixty two days only on Bhengra Juice. Mr. Parihar questioned, whether he can take it with regular diet or not ? His answer was negative. He laughed and told that it is very difficult to remain forever young. On request, he extracted juice for us. It was really difficult to take a teaspoonful quantity of juice for us as its taste was very bitter. Mr. Parihar dropped the idea of becoming forever young after taking a sip of Bhengra juice. He asked for another formula, but the healer repeated this is the only promising, cheap and effective formula. He warned us to avoid the mixing of sweetener in this juice without consulting the traditional healers. I have never tried to use the juice alone or after adding sugar, but I am curious to know its effect on human body. This is unique formula and the healers generally avoid to disclose these types of formulas to unknown persons. I personally feel that there is a strong need to evaluate the efficacy of this formula scientifically.

The natives of Chhattisgarh, use the fresh juice of Bhengra to dress the wounds as antiseptic. According to them, the use of juice in wounds, enhance the healing process. In many parts, the natives boil this herb in oil and this herbal oil is used in wound dressing. In case big wounds, the natives add, neem leaves or neem oil in this preparation. During my surveys in Nagri-Sihawa region, the natives informed me that the fresh juice of Bhengra with milk is given to the pregnant woman prone to habitual abortion in order to prevent the abortion. According to them it is an age old practice and still in use. In reference literatures, I have found the details regarding this use. I am proud to write that the natives of Chhattisgarh are also aware of this use and they are still using it. The traditional healers of Nagri-Sihawa informed that the preparation of fresh juice with milk, is also useful as tonic for common person. According to them it is a promising memory enhancer and regular use, under the super vision of traditional healers, can make the common person, free from all diseases.

In my allelopathic studies, I have found Bhengra as potential allelopathic herb. The field and laboratory level studies clearly indicated that this herb can be used to develop eco friendly, cheap, effective and natural ‘Green herbicides’. I have found it effective against many insects and pathogens. The rice farmers of Chhattisgarh informed me that the fields having rich population of Bhengra, less affected by insect damage. It is general observation. To confirm this finding, the scientific investigation is essential. Although a lot of work has been done on chemical weed control of Bhengra and literatures are full information regarding bad effects of Bhengra on rice crop but to weed scientists are still unable to tell the farmers that how many Bhengra herbs in any crop field cause the damage and upto what extent. In laboratory studies, I have observed stimulatory effects of Bhengra herb on germination and early seedling vigour of common rice varieties.

The presence of Bhengra in rice ecosystem is a part of nature’s experimentation and selection (human beings have not introduced this weed in rice ecosystem) then how it can harm the rice crop. There is strong need for detailed scientific investigation. In reference literatures, the white flowered Bhengra variety is described in details. I have yet not found the botanical description of yellow, blue and black flowered varieties of Bhengra herb. Here I am describing the botany of white flowered variety i.e Eclipta alba (Syn. E.alba, Verbesina prostrata, V. Alba) family : Composite Bhengra is an annual herb, often rooting at the nodes, stems and branches strigose and hairy ; Leaves opposite, sessile, usually oblong lanceolate, sub entire, strigose and hairy; flowers in heads, solitary or two to gather axillary; involuceral bracts about eight; ray flower ligulate; disk ones tubular, Corolla often four toothed; pappus O; Flowers achene cuneate with a narrow wing. In reference literatures it is mentioned that yellow flowered variety is useful in treatment of Jaundice, but according to the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, the blue flowered (rare) variety is even more potential to yellow flowered variety. Bhengra holds a reputed position in almost all system of medicine. According to Ayurveda, it is bitter (we have experienced when tried the juice to become forever young), hot, fattening, alterative, anthelmintic, alexipharmic and good for complexion, hair, eyes and teeth. It is useful in treatment of eye diseases, bronchitis, asthma, leucoderma, anaemia, heart and skin diseases, night blindness, syphilis etc. Bhengra is one of the important non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh.

There is a routine demand of this herb in national and international markets. Few years back many new farmers, not aware of its natural occurrence in rice fields, started commercial cultivation of Bhengra in fairly large areas but they are still fighting for good prices. Bhengra is available in plenty in almost every corner of the state. Due to this abundance, the Bhengra collectors are not getting good prices. In Tilda region, natives still give Bhengra herbs in exchange of equal weight table salt. Under such circumstances, it is very difficult to make the commercial cultivation of Bhengra profitable. Many reputed Indian research organisations are also engaged in conducting research to develop a complete cultivation practices for Bhengra. This is really surprising that weed scientists are recommending chemicals to eradicate this socalled useful herb and in same country, herb researchers are engaged in developing cultivation packages for this socalled unwanted herb. I personally feel that proper co-ordination between them can save not only the cost but also the valuable time. As the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are well aware of different medicinal uses of Bhengra, and this herb is available in abundance, there is a tremendous scope to establish small cottage industries to prepare different formulations at state level. This small cottage industries, will be beneficial for al i.e. the collectors, traditional healers, unemployed rural youths etc. In many villages, with the help of innovative farmers, I have started a special campaign of weed utilization.

We encourage the farmers to adopt hand weeding method of weed control. The herbs are collected after hand weeding and we sell it to local herb dealers informing them that we have collected it from forest. We get good returns. This weed utilisation helps the farmers in many ways. It saves the cost of agrochemicals, protect our environment from agro chemicals, the handweeding method provides an employment opportunities to rural youths and the cost of weeding is recovered and in most of the cases the farmers earn an additional income from these socalled unwanted herbs. I have also suggested the traditional healers engaged in utilizing the Bhengra herb, to search and develop new uses of Bhengra. With the help of herb grower Mr. Deen Dayal Verma we are trying to use it as potential input in organic farming of medicinal and aromatic crops. We are getting encouraging results. Before ending this article I would like to request the researchers to start research on medicinal properties of different varieties of Bhengra. If you will identify the blue variety as potential one, we can encourage the farmers to cultivate this variety in their fields, as it is rare in Chhattisgarh. The modern time is the time of multi disciplinary approach, and I am sure that by adopting this approach, we can serve the world community in a more better way.