Bakla (Vicia faba; family Leguminosease) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India.
Bakla (Vicia faba; family Leguminosease) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India.
Pankaj
Oudhia
Extended
Summary
© Pankaj Oudhia
Bakla or Kala matar (or Kala Batra) is a herb under cultivation in Chhattisgarh. I have seen it in wastelands also but according to the experts, it is an escape from cultivated fields. It is not a popular agricultural crop and this is the reason that its cultivation is limited to few parts. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of medicinal properties and uses of Bakla. To fulfill the requirement many healers grow this plant in home gardens. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected few but important information on traditional medicinal uses of Bakla. I am giving the details in present article.
The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use it both internally as well as externally in treatment of many common diseases. Externally like Masoor (Lens esculenta) seeds it is used in combination with other herbs for face care. In general, the seeds are soaked in cow milk and an aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied daily on face. Its regular use not only improves the complexion but removes the black spots. According to the healers, its use removes the wrinkles also. The seeds of Bakla are eaten as vegetable. The healers informed that the consumption of seeds have other health benefits also. It is considered promising in treatment of respiratory troubles. It is a boon for the patients having chronic cough. The natives prepare different dishes using Bakla seeds. Bakla seeds are added as an important ingredients in popular herbal combination used as aphrodisiac. It is also used in treatment of Scrofula. It is surprising information that many traditional healers consider the intake of Bakla in any form is harmful for the health. It reduces the memory and affects the brain. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh are against its use. The healers recommending its medicinal uses are also aware of its minus points. They informed that one must use it in combination with other herbs because the herbal combinations are formulated in a way so that the harmful effects can be minimized by the other herbs. As precaution, they also suggest the use of Bakla in limited doses. The natives using it in preparation of different dishes are not much aware of its harmful effects. There is a strong need to make them aware about it. I am giving the details of its botany, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically, Bakla is an erect, stout annual herb having height upto 60 cm; Leaves even pinnate, rachis ending into a point or a short tendril; leaflets 2-3 pairs, ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, mucronate, glabrous; flowers 1-6, axillary, white; Corolla white with dark violets wings; Pods pubescent; seeds ovoid-oblong. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India, I have not found much details regarding its medicinal uses. The use of seed flour as an emollient and resolvent in sprain have been reported.
Bakla is not under cultivation for its medicinal uses. It is not in trade also. As it requires very cool climate for growth, the production is not good in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers are aware of common herbs as an alternative to Bakla herb. This is the reason it has not established as popular medicinal herb.
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