Utilization of Some Important Herbs used as “Śāaka” (Vegetable) in Ayurveda by Tribal People of Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh State, India

Abstract

There are a large number of classical Ayurvedic plants that are used as vegetables by tribal communities of Raigarh district. These plants profusely grow on wastelands that are free of insecticides/pesticides and give new relish vegetables. These vegetables are not popular among common people or they feel inferior to accept these vegetables in their diet. The consumption of such important plant resources should be popularized as they could be beneficial resource for prevention, management, and treatment of chronic diseases. The present study deals with the medicobotanical survey work of Dharmajaygarh and Raigarh forest divisions of Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh, India. These vegetables are arranged in their useful part, e.g., leaf, fruit, tuber, etc., their Ayurvedic name, local name, botanical name, family, and part used followed by their Ayurvedic and local uses. The study revealed the utilization of 31 classical Ayurvedic vegetables (sāka) by tribal people of Raigarh district. Vegetables like Enhydra fluctuans Lour., Corchorus capsularis L., Leucas cephalotes (Roth) Spreng., Boerhavia diffusa L., Senna tora (L.) Roxb., Ceiosia argentea L., Lathyrus sativus L., Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., Tamilnadia uliginosa (Retz.) Tirveng. & Sastre, Dioscorea alata L., etc., are unique in this area. The study suggests that the inclusion of these herbs in the regular diet of common people helps in prevention and management of various ailments.