Random Ethnobotany Notes by Pankaj Oudhia

In December 2012 a client from North India visited for Consultation with specific query. He was in search of atleast 30 species of Trees less preferred by birds. His company takes tree plantation contacts at national and international airports. I furnished the desired information and by dividing India in ten eco-zones suggested group of 30 species of Trees for each zone. Many years back I received similar query from the Tree planting company of Nagpur.

“This is exhaustive list of trees and shrubs planted in Mumbai. Please sort out the Allergy causing as well as toxic species specially to children.” This was request of one of the leading Non-governmental organisations of Maharashtra. The representatives visited to me for Consultation. After searching the information related to thousands of species in my medicinal plant database I identified tens of Allergy causing species planted in densely populated areas of Mumbai. Within a week I sent the complete list to them. Visiting to Mumbai on March 29 for further discussion in this regard.   Earlier I identified Allergy causing species planted in New Delhi, Pune and Vidarbha. I was informed that in Nagpur awareness campaign is in progress to stop new plantation of Allergy causing species. Efforts are required to remove the existing species also and to replace it with harmless species. 

Out of over 3000 queries from different parts of the world in January 2013 on Telia Kand and Safed Palash only ten queries converted in to face to face meetings. As expected all interested persons were Tantriks by profession. They have lots of questions on these species having demand among their clients. It took several hours of non-stop Consultation to satisfy them completely. In February 2013, +2500 and in March 2013, +1800 queries about these medicinal species have been received at this end so far.  Promising Herbal Formulations for Cancer Prevention and Cure having Telia Kand and Safed Palash as key ingredients 

In January of this year Herb Trader from North India took Appointment for one hour Consultation on different aspects of Trillium govanianum . He was much interested in its demand in national as well as international market. Chinese are mad behind this medicinal species, he claimed. In return I informed about ten potential, far better and easily available herbs of the region where Trillium grows.  He assured me that this new information will help to reduce the unwanted pressure on this wild species in the region.  

On invitation of respected DIG, ITBP, I visited for guest lecture last month. ITBP (I ndo - Tibetan Border Police) is operating in Chhattisgarh, India in anti-naxal operations. My lecture was focused on forest herbs useful to the Arm forces new to the region. From thirst quencher herbs to Appetite suppressant herbs I covered many topics related to problems the forces face in ground. The Chief Medical Officer was also attending the lecture and we interacted a lot during one hour lecture.  The possibilities of using forest herbs for land mines detection and destruction created much interest among them. 

After 14 years of long research and clinical trials on medicinal herbs useful for Sickle Cell Anemia, a researcher from Central India visited to me for “Consultation”. Every thing was in perfect shape in the Herbal Formulation developed by him but in many patients it was resulting in Urticaria like symptoms. There are 13 herbs in the Formulation. I found all ingredients safe. His problem solved when I asked about the sources of plants from where he was collecting it. Two hour brainstorming discussion resulted in error free Formulation. Hoping that very soon it will extend relief to patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia as commercially available drug.     

I received interesting query from Europe regarding management of Napomyza carotae in Carrot through potential Botanicals present in surroundings areas. This Carrot Pest is creating problem there and organic growers are in search of safe management options. I shared my experiences based on field works and experiments conducted during commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops in India. 

Last week I interacted with two researchers during “Consultation” on potential herbs useful as single remedy for management of old cases of Cervical Dystonia. In 30 minutes discussion they asked about my views and comments on 100 medicinal plants, mostly indigenous, they selected from reference literature. They showed interest in medicinal plants yet not reported in modern literature. They will visit again in coming months for further consultation.

Yesterday a group of researchers and their sponsors visited to me for consultation on Medicinal Mushroom. They were interested in using Mushroom base in Chyawanprash. Although it was new concept or idea for them but innovative Traditional Healers have tried it earlier on Chyawanprash and other Traditional Herbal preparations with much success. About 45 minutes discussion has answered most of their questions. They showed interest in seven types of wild and Medicinal Mushroom species for experimentation.  

A group of innovative farmers from Karnataka visited and gifted seven types of Traditional and Medicinal Rice collected from different parts of Karnataka and Tamilnadu. They are aware of its use as single remedy for treatment of many common diseases. I searched these Rice in my medicinal plant database and shared information about complex Herbal Formulations in which these Medicinal Rice are used. It was new information for them. It was matter of great surprise for me as I collected the shared information from the Rice Growers of Karnataka and Tamilnadu and also from Kerala many years back. Unfortunately modern literature gives no information about these Traditional and Medicinal Rice specially Traditional Herbal Formulations in which these are added as important ingredient.