Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vo l. 1( 1). October 2002. pp. 87-92

Mahua [ longifolia (Koen.) Macbride] - A paradise tree for the tribals of

R L S Sikarwar Nati onal Botani cal Research Institute, Lucknow 226 00 I

Received 10 September 2001

Mahua (Mad/lIIea long/jolia (Koen.) Macbride, Family ), is a large deciduous tree, found in mixed deciduous forests of Madhya Pradesh. This state (including Chauisgarh) is very ri ch in ethnic as well as flori sti c diversity. The tribals constitute about 23.27% of the total population and 35% area out of total geographical areas is covered by forests. Most of the tri­ bal s still prefer to stay in and around th e forests and depend wholly on the natural resources. They use several pl ants to fulfill their basic requirements like food, medi cine, shelter, etc. Among the pl ant s used, Mahua plays an important role in socio-economic life of tribal people. They use thi s for food, medicine, fodder, fuel , local drink and timber, etc. The present pa­ per gives a detailed account with multifarious uses of Mahua tree.

Keywords: Mahua. Madhuca /ongljiJ /ia (Koen.) Macbride

Mahua [Madhuca 10l1gifolia (Koen.) brown, ovoid, shining. The flowers ap­ Macbride syn. M. latifolia (Roxb.) pear in the months of March and April Macbride, M. indica Gmel., 1011- and fruits in the months of May and June. gifolia Koen., B. latifolia Roxb.] be­ It is found in the mixed deciduous forests longing to fami ly Sapotaceae, is a me­ usually of a somewhat dry type and is dium sized to large deciduous tree, usu­ common throughout Madhya Pradesh. ally with a short bole and large rounded Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattis­ crown. Bark dull black with vertical garh), lies geographically in the heart of cracks; leaves broadly elliptic or elliptic­ the country. It is a landlocked state sur­ oblong, clustered near the end of rounded by the states of , Orissa, branches, coriaceous, pubescent when Andhra Pradesh, , Gujaral, young, almost glabrous when mature, Rajasthan and and covers prominently nerved beneath; flowers an area of 4,43,446 sq. km. It is situated cream coloured, sweet scented, drooping, between parallels of lati tude 17°-48 ' and ru sty tomentose, clustered near the apices 26° -52' North and the meridians of lon­ of the leafless branches; calyx coriaceous, gitude 74°-2 ' and 84°-24' East. Out of the corolla tubular, fleshy, caducous; total area, about 1,55,000 sq. km. is cov­ (fruits) ovoid, greenish, turning reddish ered by the forests, which accounts for yellow or orange when ripe; seeds 1-4, 35% of total geographical area. The main 88 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE. VOL 1. No. I, OCTOBER 2002

rivers in the state are Chambal, Betwa, published so far. The Wealth of l3 Sindh, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi and gives a good account on different uses. Indravati. The average rainfall in different The author has conducted an extensive regions of the state ranges from 45 to 90 ethnobotanical survey several times and cm. The climate is extreme dry in the visited various tribal rich districts of M.P. north, temperate and breezy in the pla­ to document indigenous knowledge. teaus and generally hot and humid in the During the survey it is observed that Ma­ eastern and southern plains. hua plays an important role in day to day As per 1991 census, Madhya Pradesh life of tribals who utilize different parts of has a total population of about 661.35 this plant in various ways. Since, the lakh s. The tribal population is about plant has great economic importance, the 1,53,99,034 which is 23.27% of the first hand information as recorded from state 's total population. Total 46 tribes old and experienced medicine men and reside in the state, which are divided in to other chieftains of tribal communities more than 100 ethnic groups. The main about the uses of this plant is presented tribes are Andh, Baiga, Bharia, Bhatra, here. Bhil, Bhujia, Bhillala, Birhor, Gadwa, Gond, Halba, Kamar, Korba, Kol, Korku, Uses of Mahua Maria, Muria, Nagesia, Oraon and Sa­ Mahua pl ays an important role in the hariya, etc. All tribes are nature-loving social life and economy of tribals in M.P. and inhabit principally in and around the It fulfils many of their requirements such forests. The tri bals uti Iize a wide variety as food for survival, medicine for allevi­ of botanical resources such as and ating ailments and di seases, drinks for tubers, stem and leaves, flowers and enjoyment, oil for cooking, fodder for fruits, gum and , dye and , cattle, timber for construction, etc. The wood and logs, etc. for their daily re­ uses of di fferent parts are as follow: quirements such as food, medicine, fuel, Flowers fodder and shelter, etc. They also sell The corollas fall on the ground in these forest produces in the local markets showers during March and April. They for their economic benefits. are collected in baskets mostly by tribal women and children on prev iously Material and Methods cleaned ground and spread in the open for Though a lot of work on various as­ drying. During this process flowers shrink pects of ethnobotany of Madhya Pradesh in size and turn reddish brown in colour. has been done by several workers such as 2 The characteristic odour increases after Ahmad & Chaghtai I, Bhalla et al. , Bri­ 4 s li drying. jlal', Brijlal & Maheshwari , Jain . , 8 9 Oomachan & Mashih 7, Rai , Sahu , Si­ (A) Uses as food lO 11 karwar . and Sikarwar & Kaushikl 2, The flowers (corollas) are edible and etc; information on the utility of Mahua fo rm an article of diet. Some com mon from perso nal intervi ew has not been preparations are: ~ 1k. . \R\VAR : MAllUA [M. DHUCA LONG/FOLIA (KOEN. ) MA CB RID E] 89

I. SI am is p a~se d over dry flowers for (8) As local drinks someti me. Thereafter they are Mahua fl owers are soaked in water for crushed Jlld made into a preparation 4 to 5 days for fermentation. Soon bub­ like jaggery. This is locall y known bling may be seen. When bubbling stops, J S ' Lata' which is eaten. they are ready for di sti lI ation of liquor. 2. Dry flowers are soaked in water for The di sti lIation apparatus is made up of 3 one hour, during which they swell vessels. The fermented fl owers are kept considerabl y. These are th en pressed in side the bottom vessel. The bottom of to obtain the juice. This juice is the middle vessel (locally known as boiled till it becomes thicker. The ' Pena') is holl owed and a little below the remaining pressed flowers are al­ neck of th e same vessel, a small pipe is lowed to dry, then steam is passed connected which is the outl et for liquor over dry fl owers, added to the above (wine). The in side of the pipe is fitted juice and Laddlls (s mall balls) are with a bi g spoon-like plate to collect the prepared (called 'Sara lata') and are wine drops in side the vessel and allowed consumed for several months. to pass down through th e outlet pipe. The top vessel is filled up half with cold water 3. Dry fl owers are washed in water, to liquefy the hot wine vapour around its placed in earthen pot, which is kept surface by lowering the temperature. on fire. The fl owers are continu­ Then the bottom vessel is heated with ously stirred with a wooden sti ck, firewood till boiling. The vapour arising during which the fl owers assume from th e lowermost vessel is condensed beak-like shape. After cooling these in to droplets as soon as it comes in con­ are wrapped in leaves and placed in tact with the bottom of the top vessel a basket and can be consumed for containing cold water and collected by several months. This is called ' Rasa th e spoon pl ate and is passed down kutka' . through the outlet pipe. It is collected in a 4. Dry flowers are roasted and bottle or can (Fig. I). For better fermen­ wrapped in leaf packets. This is tation of fl owers, the crushed leaves of call ed ' Khurli Mahua'. This is con­ 'Char' (Buchallallia lanzall Spreng.) are sumable for several months. added. The leaves of 'Saja' (Terminalia 5. Khurli MJhua is roasted and mixed (omen/asa Wt. & Am.) are also used for wi th roa<;ted sesame seeds and th e same purpose. The liquor (l ocall y cru shed properly. Roasted corn may known as 'daru') is a unifying element in bl~ used instead of roasted sesame the tribal society . In all the social gath er­ seeds. This 1<; called ' Laranga lata', ings and ceremonies, it is frequently con­ which is eaten. sumed. 6. Mahua f1 0~ crs are al so fried in ghee and eate n. The fresh fl owers are also Seed oil eaten which are sweet in taste and Mahua fruits (locally called ' Dori') produce iirt le drunkenness. ripen in May-June when they fall from 90 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL I, No.1, OCTOBER 2002

Fig. I-Traditional distillation apparatus the trees. The tribal women and children ton ic. Its decoction is given in diabetes collect these fruits in baskets. The seeds and rheumatic diseases. The flowers are are separated from the fruit wall by given in bronchitis and cough. The flower pressing and then dried and shelled to get paste is applied to take out the pierced the kernel. The kernels are crushed and thorn. The fruit paste is applied on tooth­ oil is produced. Mahua oil is used for ache. The seed oil is massaged over the edible and cooking purposes in tribal ar­ chest in the treatment of pneumonia. The eas. It is laxative and considered useful in seed cake is used in snake bite; few drops habitual constipation and piles. It is also of its decoction are put in nostrils, which used in skin diseases, rheumatism and results in to vomiting and relief. Two to headache. Oil cake is used as manure. three leaves of Mahua with common salt are given to livestock to kill the worms of Medicinal uses wound. The smoke of the cake is believed Almost all parts of the plant are used to keep snake away. by tribal communities in various ailments and diseases. The root paste is given to Other uses treat stomach ulcer. It is applied on scor­ pion sting. The bark decoction is gargled The wood is used for construction of in case of gum swelling. The decoction huts as beams, doors and window frames. with that of Ficus racelllosa L. is used for It is used for carriages, local furniture, oil leucorrhoea. The bark is astringent and and paddy presses, etc. The leaves are SIKARWAR: MAHU A lMADHUCA LONGIFOLIA (KOEN. ) MACBRIDE I 91 eaten by cattle. Small twigs are used as Acknowledgement tooth brushes. Mahua fl owers constitute The author is thankful to the Director, an important resource in tribal economy. National Botanical Research In stitute, The tribals coll ect Mahua fl owers from Lucknow; Head, School of Studies in fo rest or village surroundings and sell Botany, Ji waji University, Gwali or (M.P.) them in local weekl y markets at the rate for providing facilities and th e Botani cal of Rs. 5-6 per kg in the months of March­ Survey of India, Ministry of Environment April and Rs. 10-12 per kg in months of & Forests, Govt. of India and CSIR for September-October or exchange salt or prov iding fin ancial assistance. He also other essential commodities from the lo­ expresses hi s deep gratitude to the tribal cal traders. They sell Mahua fruits in June chieft ains and medicine men for provid­ at the rate of Rs. 7-10 per kg and earn ing valuable informati on. some money for subsistence. References Discussion I Ahmad Javed and Chaghtai S A, A study of From the foregoing account it is seen tree flora of Bhopal with special reference to that th e pl ant pl ays an important role in their medic in al valu es, B//ll Med £ lhnuiJol Res. 3(1) ( 1982) 114. soci o-economi c li fe of tribals. It provides 2 Bhall a P, Shahu T R, Mishra G P and Dak- food, medicine, fodder, fu el, drink, wale R N. Traditional plant medic in es of Sa­ shelter, oil, wood, etc. They also earn gar di strict. Madhya Pradesh, In dia, J £con money through selling the fl owers and Taxun BOI, 3 ( 1982) 23. fruits in local weekl y markets and ful fil 3 Brij lal, Ethnobotany of Baigas of Mad hya their other requirements. Mahua can be Pradesh - A preliminary survey, A n./llGnchal Foresl News, 11 (1) ( 1993) 17. regarded as a keystone species of dry 4 Brijlal and Maheshwari J K, Prospects of deciduous fo rests of M adhya Pradesh plant based cottage ind ustries in tri bal areas of because it enhances the biodiversity of Madhya Pradesh. J £CO I/ Taxon BUI, 17( I) the region. There are a number of pl ants ( 1993) 235. such as Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) G. Don, 5 Jai n S K, Studies in Indian ethnobotany - Viscum articulatum Burm. f. , Less known uses of 50 commo n fro m Dendrophthoe falcala (LinnJ.) Etling., tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh, Bull Bol SIIIV In dia, S ( 1963) 223. Ficus religiosa L., Ficus benghalensis L., 6 Jain S K, Medicin al plantlore of the tri bals of lichens, and algae that grow on Bastar, £con BOI, 19 ( 1965) 235. Mahua tree as epiphyte. Besides, a large 7 Oommachan M and Masih S K, Multifari ous number of animals like monkeys, uses of plants by th e tribals of M.P. - I Me­ langoors, squirrels, frogs, insects, ants d icin al Pl ants, Indiall J Appl & Pure Bioi, 2(2) and birds also take shelter. Thus on the ( 1987) 55. basis of the above facts and multifari ous 8 Rai M K, Plants used as medicine by tri bal s of Chhindwara district (M.P.), J £con Taxon BOI, uses, Mahua can be regarded as a 7(2) ( 1985) 385. paradise tree for the tribals of Madhya 9 Sahu T R, An ethnobotani cal study of M.P.-I, Pradesh and keystone species for Pl ant s used against vari ous di sorders among conservation of bi odi versity . tri ba l women, Ancient Sci Life, I ( 1982) 178. 92 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWL EDGE, VOL l. No. I . OClOBER 20t (J

10 Sikarwar R L S, Upliftment of the tri bal s of 12 Sikarwar R L S. and Kaushi k J P. Some less­ Sheopur fo rest di vision of Madhya Prad e~h - kn own uses of trees among th" S:.th ariyas of Ways and Means, VlIslIlldhara, 2 ( 1997a) 17. Morena di stri ct, Madh ya Prace,1 I:1hllo /J o­ /anv.4 ( 1992) 7 1. II Sikarwar R L S, Ethnobotany of Sahariya 13 Anonymous. Th e Weal/Ii (!i /I/ did }(Olt' Mate­ tribe, Madhya Pradesh, India (Rev iew ani ele), rials, Vol 6. (Publicntions ann In:llrmaLJu ll Di ­ Appl Bo/ Abs/, 17 (2) (1997b) 129. rectorat e, CSIR, Nl: " De Ih l). 11.)62. 107- 1