Shivlingi: A Common but Important Twine in Patalkot
Deepak Acharya
October 14, 2007
Shivlingi (Bryonia lacinosa) is a very commonly found herb in Patalkot valley. It belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. In English, it is known as Lollipop plant. This herb is a twine and found abundantly in Patalkot valley. Current article deals in the medicinal properties of this common but very important herb. Seeds of this plant are resembled with that of Shivling (Sex organ of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology). Generally the herb is seen in the slopes of the valley but it occurs in many villages in the valley too.
Gond and Bharia tribes of this valley worship this plant. According to them, this herb is boon for the childless parents. The herbal healers (Bhumkas) prepare certain combination of herb and prescribe it to the needed person. Interestingly, Bhumkas in Harra-Ka-Chhar village in Patalkot prescribe the seeds of this herb for conceiving male babies. In Gaildubba, traditional healers make a combination of Shivlingi seeds with Tulsi (Ocimum basilicum) leaves and mix it in Jaggery (the traditional unrefined sugar used in India) and give it to the lady who is not conceiving baby due to any reason. Shivlingi is a twinner and can be well identified by its flower/ fruits/ seeds. The foul and just different sort of smell of the plant is also a way of identifying it.
The plant bears flower during Oct-Nov. In some pockets, the tribal ladies collect leaves of the plant and prepare curry. They say that it works as a tonic. Sometimes, they mix the leaves of this plant with Besan (Gram flour, made by milling split Bengal gram to fine flour) and roast it. This is really a tasty tribal delicacy. According to the tribal healers, this curry should be eaten by ladies during the pregnancy period. The baby they deliver remains healthy forever. There has not been much studies carried out so far on this aspect but there is a greater need to evaluate this plant for proving the potential of conceiving babies. As per Ayurveda, leaves and seeds of Shivlingi are used for controlling fevers and also as tonic. This is also useful in inflammation and skin irritations.
The plant holds an important role in tribal culture and rituals and also used in many herbal medicinal practices, therefore, the author has chosen this plant. The formulations or any medicinal value suggested in this article is for information purposes. Please follow your family doctors advice before any application of the formulation suggested herewith.
Gond and Bharia tribes of this valley worship this plant. According to them, this herb is boon for the childless parents. The herbal healers (Bhumkas) prepare certain combination of herb and prescribe it to the needed person. Interestingly, Bhumkas in Harra-Ka-Chhar village in Patalkot prescribe the seeds of this herb for conceiving male babies. In Gaildubba, traditional healers make a combination of Shivlingi seeds with Tulsi (Ocimum basilicum) leaves and mix it in Jaggery (the traditional unrefined sugar used in India) and give it to the lady who is not conceiving baby due to any reason. Shivlingi is a twinner and can be well identified by its flower/ fruits/ seeds. The foul and just different sort of smell of the plant is also a way of identifying it.
The plant bears flower during Oct-Nov. In some pockets, the tribal ladies collect leaves of the plant and prepare curry. They say that it works as a tonic. Sometimes, they mix the leaves of this plant with Besan (Gram flour, made by milling split Bengal gram to fine flour) and roast it. This is really a tasty tribal delicacy. According to the tribal healers, this curry should be eaten by ladies during the pregnancy period. The baby they deliver remains healthy forever. There has not been much studies carried out so far on this aspect but there is a greater need to evaluate this plant for proving the potential of conceiving babies. As per Ayurveda, leaves and seeds of Shivlingi are used for controlling fevers and also as tonic. This is also useful in inflammation and skin irritations.
The plant holds an important role in tribal culture and rituals and also used in many herbal medicinal practices, therefore, the author has chosen this plant. The formulations or any medicinal value suggested in this article is for information purposes. Please follow your family doctors advice before any application of the formulation suggested herewith.