In the Back Drop of Overuse of Synthetic Drugs, can Botanicals be One of the Answers: A Pilot Study on the Medicinal Use of Chlorophytum and Curcuma by Tribals of Central India

Abstract

Background: In several recent surveys, it has been found that more people suffer because of over and indiscriminate use of synthetic drugs, chemicals and antibiotics, particularly with regard to issues like drug sensitivity, resistance, immune disturbances, and economic burdens, ultimately leading to a weak prognosis of a large number of diseases, eventually defeating the purpose of medicinal efficacy. We propose the old age use of scientifically validated natural compounds of plants and their products for a strong immune system along with a successful treatment regimen which can be effective as well as safe without side effects. Objective: The aim of the present work is to evaluate the various medicinal uses and applicability of Chlorophytum borivilianum, Chlorophytum tuberosum and Curcuma longa as natural plant-based ingredients by tribal communities. Methods: A survey was carried on the rural folks who used natural botanicals for alleviating their several common disorders successfully. Chlorophytum species of Liliaceae and Curcuma of Zingiberaceae are traditional rare Indian medicinal herbs widely used in the indigenous system of medicine since ancient time. A total number of 196 individuals were interviewed which included both men and women, in which the main objective was to explore the different forms of these medicinal plant species used with water or with milk by tribal folk for their wide range of common ailments such as pain in joints, loss of appetite, cold, sore throat, fever and general weakness. Results: The tribal people were found to use these plants for many of their problems such as physical weakness, natal and postnatal problems, lactation problems, cold and fever, sore throat, inflammation, joint pain, etc. Many of them (60-80%) were able to overcome their varied health problems to a great extent such as inflammation (69.4%), joint pain and arthritis (66.6%), sore throat and cold (87.5%), physical weakness (66%), natal and postnatal problems (75%). Conclusion: The findings strongly support the use of natural compounds for a safe and effective means of treating loss of appetite, general weakness, pain of the joints, inflammation and other related ailments by the people of tribal areas of Border States of MP and Maharashtra, having little access to modern health care facilities.

Differential Activity of Antioxidants in Testicular Tissues Following Administration of Chlorophytum borivilianum in Gamma-Irradiated Swiss Albino Mice

“…C. borivilianum has been used for over 4,000 years, according to the Hindu epic Srimad Bhagawat. It belongs to the “Vajikarana Rasayana” group of Ayurvedic plants, which are utilized for rejuvenation ( Miraj et al, 2020 ; Verma et al, 2020 ) and revitalization characteristics in order to improve sexual dynamics ( Puri, 2003 ) and alleviate sexual dysfunction. This is also the basis for Kamasutra’s medical recommendations ( Hooper, 2002 ).…”

Radical scavenging activity of Chlorophytum borivilianum L. root extract and its protective role in cauda epididymal sperm integrity in Mus musculus after gamma irradiation

“…Interestingly, in Ayurveda, C. borivilianum L. is considered an important medicine in the Vajikarana (sexual enhancement and improved progeny) segment (Agnivesha and Dridhabala, 2006). Several studies reported that C. borivilianum plays an important role in rejuvenation (Miraj et al, 2020;Verma et al, 2020) and revitalization characteristics to improve sexual dynamics (Puri, 2003) and alleviates sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, various parts of C. borivilianum are prescribed by Ayurveda practitioners for improving health issues including diabetes, infections, and cirrhosis, among others (Singh et al, 2011).…”