WEALTH FROM THE WILD
"Wild flowers are nature’s anarchists. Yet, today, even the weeds must conform” wrote Simon Jenkins in the Guardian dated 17th November, 2011. He, in the same article observed “--Plants have evolved their own class system. Those of the country side are treasured and those in the wrong places are vilified”.
Doug Larson, famous columnist, stated thus: ‘A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill, except for learning how to grow in rows’. How remarkably true is this statement!
Being an avid gardener myself, while I treasure and carefully nurture the annuals, shrubs and trees which I grow, I have been merciless in removing the weeds which regularly invade our garden. One day, to my amazement, I found a pot of tiny wild yellow flowers basking in the glory of sunshine in the garden. Another time, it was a weed with small white flowers which captured my attention. No doubt, they were no less pretty than the flowers I carefully grew.
A little research into their lives and uses entirely altered my views on our common weeds and wild plants. I am sure you too will be astonished to know the facts about some of our common weeds and wild plants noted below as examples.
Weeds
Periwinkle The common periwinkle plant (Vinca rosea) is often found growing in waste lands in our neighbourhoods. We call it Nitya Kalyani (everlasting) in Malayalam; in North India it is known as SadaBahar (eternal spring). These local names aptly describe the plant, as, except in severe winter, it flowers perennially. In my grandma’s home it used to grow around her well in pink, violet and white profusion, and its smiling flowers used to greet us every morning, round the year. We hardly used to take care of the plants; They seem to survive on their own. Later on, to my great astonishment, I came to know that theMadagascar periwinkle(Catharanthus roseus) yields two drugs for the treatment of cancer!
Manathakkali(Nightshade or Solanum nigrum- also known as Wonder Berry, Sun Berry) a berry-bearing shrub found in the backyard, is traditionally known for its medicinal value. The berries are either orange or purple in colour when ripe.
In our maternal home we used to call it Matha-thakkali, meaning household tomato. As children, we derived great enjoyment in picking the berries. The berries have a special taste, not all that sweet.
The plant grows freely in our garden now. I find that once the winter is about to end, Manthakkali plants start sprouting here and there.
In our village home, the berries, while still green, used to be plucked and marinated and kept for a few days in salted butter milk. Thereafter, they were sun-dried. When fully dried they used to be kept in airtight jars for future use. The dried fruits were then fried in oil and consumed as an accompaniment to rice and curries.
ManathakkaliKeerai (leaves with short stalks) have medicinal uses and health benefits. In Tamil Nadu, they are popularly used for treating stomach ulcers, piles, cold and mouth ulcers.
I was again surprised to read in newspapers that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken note of the potential of a compound isolated from the plant to treat liver cancer, thanks to the findings of a team of scientists at Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Kerala, India.
Goosefoot
Chenopodium album (Lamb’s quarters/pigweed/bathuasag)grows as a weed,in abundance, in our backyards. The plant has leaves that resemble the foot of a goose, hence its name.
Though cultivated in some regions, the plant is elsewhere considered a weed. Chenopodium album is grown and consumed in Northern India as a food crop known as bathua.
The plant has many medicinal properties. It aids in the repair of cells, purification of blood, promotion of healthy hair and eyes, in relieving constipation, weight loss and dental health.
Wild Amaranth (Amaranthus viridis) is an annual weed that grows profusely in our gardens. It blossoms in summer. Except little bit of watering daily, it is veryeasy and inexpensive to maintain. No special care is needed. Its leaves and seeds are rich sources of vitamins and minerals. Poor people of Bihar, UP and other states pluck the leaves of the plant that grow wild in their lands or in waste lands. The ‘saag’ (cooked leaves with tender stems) made out of it is tasty, at the same time nutritious. Sometimes, I wonder why we spend so much time and effort in promoting cultivated plants, when we can easily allow these wild plants that grow on their own so effortlessly in our home!
Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) is a herbaceous perennial plant with fleshy leaves and stems that grows abundantly in our gardens. Once you plant it, you can be assured that Waterleaf becomes a part of your garden forever. The plant is highly drought- tolerant because it follows a special type of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway, its stomata remaining shut during the day, and CO2 absorption taking place at night.
Studies show that Waterleaf is a rich source of vitamins C & E, Omega -3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, soluble fibres (pectin), potassium, β-carotene, proteins and dietary fibre. Furthermore, waterleaf is a rich source of crude-protein (22.1%), crude fibre (11.12%) and ash (33.98%). All these vitamins and minerals contribute to high anti-oxidant values of waterleaf.
My grandmother used to cook it along with Dal. I too occasionally make Sambhar using its leaves and stems. So simple, cheap and nutritious!
Punarnava (Hogweed in English; botanical name: Boerhaviadiffusa) In Malayalamwe call it Thazhuthama . Punarnava is a diffused creeper commonly found in our gardens (Punarnava because it can regenerate very quickly). It invades our garden, especially during rains. Leaves are nearly round in shape, and can vary in size from one to the other. It has very small flowers.
Punarnava has been in use in Ayurveda since ancient times. Its therapeutic benefits, include anti-bacterial properties, reducing blood- glucose levels, liver protective activity and anti-proliferative and anti-estrogenic activity that can act on breast cancer cells.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)It is a very common weed seen in our garden, but I didn’t know its name for a long time. Almost every pot in my garden is invaded by the plant. It has red stems and small, green leaves.
Purslane can be eaten as a cooked vegetable and can be used in salads, soups, stews or any dish you wish to sprinkle it over.It is a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as magnesium, calcium, and potassium. It is used against insect bites, bee stings, skin sores and for treating Diarrhoea and Haemorrhoids.
Wood Sorrel (genus Oxalis)Common yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is a perennial weed found in our gardens. Once established, it is nearly impossible to completely remove the plant from the soil. As children, we used to chew its leaves and the leaves taste sour (hence the name Oxalis).
Wood Sorrel also have white, pink, rose, lavender, or yellow-flowered varieties. I was surprised to learn that the family Oxalidaceae, comprises of over 550 species.
We also have sorrel plants that have flowers very similar to those of Yellow-sorrel, but their leaves are dark bronze in shade. I love to watch pink flowers of another Sorrel variety, with larger leaves, basking in all its glory under hazy winter Sun. They are as beautiful as the flowers carefully grown by us.
Purple Butterfly Sorrel (Oxalis triangularis) is another member of the sorrel family. Its triangular leaves look like butterflies. Although it grows in the wild, it is presently cultivated world-wide as a culinary and ornamental specie.
Medical benefits of wood sorrels include diuretic properties, reducing fever, increasing appetite, and reducing inflammation.
Balloon Vine Another common weed found in our gardens is the Balloon Vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum, known as Kanphata in Hindi-family Sapindaceae). The plant is widely distributed in India.
Towards the close of last winter, the plant suddenly appeared in our garden in one of the grow bags. I could identify it only after the balloon like fruits started appearing.
Its root is the most importantpart used for medicinal purposes. In South-East Asia it is considered to be a diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, anti-pyretic and purgative.Young leaves can be cooked as a vegetable.
Asthma plant (Euphorbia hirta)is known as ‘dudhghas’ in Hindi, and have long list of healing abilities. It is traditionally used in the treatment of bronchial asthma.
Coleus (Coleus aromatica)is a large succulent herb, fleshy and highly aromatic, with distinctive smelling leaves. The leaves also have many traditional medicinal uses, especially for the treatment of coughs, sore throats and nasal congestion, but also for a range of other problems such as infections, rheumatism and flatulence. In our mother’s place we used to warm the leaves over a tawa and crush and spread it on our heads, when we had cold and cough.
Chickweed (Stellaria media)is an annual plant, also known as the lawn weed. is common in lawns, meadows, waste places, and open areas. In winter days the plant, spread out in the open spaces in our garden carrying white flowers, looks very pretty.
The leaves are edible and nutritious, and are used often raw in salads. The plant has medicinal properties and is used in folk medicine.
Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)One often sees these mallows popping up in our neighbourhoods. The common mallow is part of the largefamily of Malvaceae plants that include cotton, okra and hibiscus. One species of this family (Althaea officinalis) is actually the original ingredient in the making of marshmallows. The plant is easily recognized by its geranium-like leaves that have five or seven lobes.
Mallow’s medicinal uses include anti-inflammatory benefits, digestion benefits, and is considered an aphrodisiac.
Peperomia pellucid is a small succulent plant with heart-shaped leaves that belongs to the pepper family and can grow everywhere. Although there are more than 1500 species, each differing from the other, I am familiar with the common Peperomia plant, which we used to call Mashi-thandu. In school, we used the juice of its crushed stem for cleaning our slates. It is said to have anti-inflammatory, chemo-therapeutic, and analgesic properties and is used for treating conditions like arthritis and gout and also is used to cure eye- infection.
Dock plant -Broadleaf Dock(Rumex obtusifolius; thegenus has around 200 species).Dock leaves are considered to be anatural remedy for a nettle sting.
Common Rag weed(Ambrosia artemisfolis) is used as an astringent, antiseptic, emetic, emollient, and a febrifuge (or fever reducer).
Wild Caraway (Carum carvi)-a medicinal oil is extracted- leaf extract- cure for flatus and severe stomach ache and healing of piles; good for uterine health in women
Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)taken for skin conditions and stomach disorders, and the Indian sweet clover
Ban Methi(Melilotus indicus), a wild plant, with oblong leaves and small yellow flowers, is commonly used for bowel complaints and diarrhoea.
There are still many plants which are classified as weeds in our garden. I am yet to identify them.
Grasses
Nut Sedge (Cyperousrotundus)also known as Nut grass or Java grass belonging to the Sledge family, grow wild in our gardens and have medicinal value. As children we used to have the rhizome of Nut sedge (we call itMuthanga) marinated in butter milk regularly for better digestion and treating various stomach ailments. The plant also has germicidal anti-viral properties.
Karuka grass(Cynodondactylon), commonly known as Bermuda grass or "durva"grass is used in the Ayurveda system of medicine.It has been a part of Hindu rituals since Vedic times.
Crabgrass(Digitariaciliaris)There are at least 35 different species of crabgrass. It is a persistent weed in our gardens. Some say that Crabgrass seed can be used as a flour or as a grain, such as in porridge or fermented for use in beer making. I am not aware of its medicinal properties.
Plants in Alternate and Folk Medical Systems
Plants growing in the wild have been used extensively in folk as well as in Alternative Systems of Medicine. About 90 per cent of the world’s rural population depend on traditional herbal medicine for their primary health, even today. It is estimated that, at present, about 70,000 to 80,000 plant species are used for medicinal or aromatic purposes, globally.
In India the therapeutic use of herbs dates back to the Vedic period. Reports indicate that the Rigveda has documented about 67 medicinal plants, Yajurveda 81 species and Atharvaveda 290 species. Sumerian civilisation (3000 BC), listed hundreds of medicinal plants, including opium on clay tablets. The Ebers Papyrus from ancient Egypt, (1550 BC), describes over 850 plant medicines. I learnt that Greek physician Dioscorides, who worked in the Roman army, documented the use of over 600 medicinal plants in De Materia Medica, c. 60 AD; this formed the basis of pharmacopoeias for some 1500 years.
DasaPushpam
A group of ten plants commonly known as Dasapushpam and considered sacred in Kerala, have many curative properties. They grow wild mostly in village neighbourhoods. Not only the flowers but also the whole plants are widely used in traditional medicine/ folk remedies in Kerala.
I remember speaking to late Raghavan Tirumulpad, who was a legend of Ayurveda in Kerala, when I visited the state some time ago. He explained to me how he had been able to treat people having common ailments, with the aid of few plants that grew in his neighbourhood. I also remember visiting Agasthyakoodamhills near Tiruvananthapuram which is famed as a repository of medicinal plants. Imagine a hill full of medicinal plants!
Tribal communitiesMost of the medicinal plant species in India are found in forest areas. Many of the tribal communities of the country like still rely on the naturally growing medicinal plants for treating common ailments. Despite the high reliance on plants in medicine, less than 20% of the described plant species have been investigated for the presence of bioactive compounds (Ref:www. kew. Org).
The importance of wild plants
The statement “Man is the only creature who feels the need to label things as flowers or weeds” is indeed very true. We have seen how useful common weeds are as medicinal plants. Many of the plants yield valuable drugs. They provide us cheap and nutritious food. These plants can be used as mulch or manure for cultivated plants. They help retain moisture in the soil. Some are used as ornamental plants.
GeneralThe country’s wild/medicinal plants are in danger of becoming extinct due to adverse effect of human activities. I feel sad that the plot next to my home which was once a wasteland where Babuna plants used to bloom in their golden splendour now hosts a new high- rise building, the building machinery crushing them to pulp. The plot behind our home also has a large number of these plants. I know that they too are destined to perish sooner or later.
How do we protect these humble, but useful wild Plants?
Of course, we have the Protection in Wild Life Protection Act 1972, having a separate provision enlisted in schedule VI for plant species. No doubt, there are legal measures/policies and international agreements entered into by India for protection of wild flora. We have Medicinal plant Boards in every state in India.
But are these enough to protect those plants that grow around our homes and in the wilderness? The proof of their effectiveness lies in their implementation; Then the proof is extremely disappointing.
Once upon a time, protection of the plant species was built into our culture. In Ayurveda tradition our ancestors were concerned about the survival of the plant species. They used to even chant a mantra seeking forgiveness of the plants, for causing them pain in the course of plucking their leaves, flowers and fruits. Such was their sensitivity towards wild plants.
In Kerala we used to have ‘Kavu’, a designated place in the land surrounding large houses called ‘Tharavad’, devoted to natural growth of wild plants and for protecting animal species like snakes and other life forms. Sadly, the Kavu has vanished since long time ago.
What can we do?
· Create mass awareness about preserving the wealth from the wild throughmedia campaigns- effective use of electronic, newspaper and social media
· Schools and colleges to focus the attention of students through quiz programs, debates, drawing and essay competitions--Make the subject a part of their curriculum.
· In your large or small garden, you can grow these plants in many imaginative ways. If you have only a few potted plants, you could devote some for growing the most useful wild plants.
· Our public gardens/ public spaces to have a special section for growing them.
· Provide incentives to private land owners for growing wild plants.
· Governments to chalk our Public-private partnership for protection of wild plants growing in waste lands.
· Train the young in wild plant protection.
· Medicinal Plant Boards to develop partnerships with reputed establishments in promoting/ protecting not only the known medicinal plants, but also, the other types of wild plants (we don’t know which one will be useful in future).
Protection of the wild plants should indeed become a part of our culture, as it used to be, for, as Henry David Thoreau wrote “In wilderness is the preservation of the world”.
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(Reference/en.wikipedia.org/www.Sunday-bnb.com/Naturemagics Home-Kerala Tourism
Double Brace: In wilderness is the preservation of the world - Henry David Thoreau
Double Brace: Man is the only creature who feels the need to label things as flowers or weeds.