Delphinium denudatum Wall. ex Hook. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 49. 1855.
FAMILY:Ranunculaceae
AYURVED NAME: Nirbisha/ Nirvisha
ESTD.By: Dymock W, Pharmacographica Indica, Vol1
DESCRIPTION: Plant 40-80 cm high, much branched, subglabrous to strigose or spreading pubescent in the upper part. Petioles of lower leaves up to 15 cm, upper ones much shorter, leaf blade of basal leaves 5-15 mm wide, rounded, 3-5 parted into broadly obovate segments, segments pinnately and divaricately laciniate into oblong lobes or teeth 2-3 mm wide. Cauline leaves similar but smaller. Inflorescence paniculate, of few-flowered racemes. Bracts 5-15 mm, linear. Pedicels 10-40 mm, ascending, bracteoles attached near the middle of the pedicel. Sepals blue to violet, upper sepal 12-13 x 6-7 mm, ovate, acute, pubescent, spur 14-15 mm long, c. 3.5 mm wide at the base, lateral sepal 13 x 7-8 mm, oblong-ovate, rounded, pubescent on the midline, lower sepals 14-15 x 7 mm, oblong-obovate, rounded, pubescent. Upper petal white with bluish apex, limb 8-9 mm, glabrous, 2-dentate, oblique, spur 13-15 mm, lower petal blue or violet, c. 6 mm long, broadly elliptic, rounded, cleft almost to the middle, claw 5 mm. Stamens 5-6 mm. Follicles 3, 10-16 x 3-3.5 mm, sparsely strigose or subglabrous, style 2-3 mm. Seed obpyramidal, 1 mm long, dark, scales irregularly arranged, relatively long.
Phenology (Fl. & Frt.):May-August
The term Jadwar is and Arabic derivation of the Persian word Zadwar (great purifier, antidote). Persians word mah-Parvin (moon and plea ides) is synonymous with Jadwar as it blossoms in beginning of summer when plea dies rise.In India it is named as Narbasi/Nirbisi/Nirvisha as it has antidotal properties and clearly acts on Aconite poisoning. The plant occurs on the grassy slopes in western temperate Himalays, from Kumaon to Kashmir ranging at altitudes [2500-3700m].
ADULTERATIONS
Due to its rarity, Jadwar is commonly adulterated with root of Beesh (Aconitum ferox) which is a poisonous herb root and causes death. Beesh and Jadwar incidentally grow together and one must distinguish between them. Beesh is small , reddish and initially tastes sweet which soon becomes acrid followed with tingling sensation and numbness. consuming Jadwar immediately counters this sensation. Beesh may produce inflammation or blisters in tongue while Jadwar is free from such effects. False roots are rough, uneven and also shrivelled due to external manipulation such as boiling as compared to genuine Jadwar which is smooth and clear externally. Due to its bitter principles, insects seldom attack Jadwar and can be preserved for a long time in correct storage conditions
VARIETIES
In trade market 4 types of Jadwar are known, white, violet, black and yellow. The violet or the Jadwar Khatai (as it grows in hills of Khata (somewhere in Kashmir/Nepal region ??)) is considerd the best, is very rare and also found in the highlands of Indian [Kedar valley, rare] and Nepal Himalays [Mustang valley, a little more prominent].The yellow type is known as Kharbi and the violet type as Barbi by the locals. The black variety found in Kashmir is still considered better than the yellow and white varieties which are also found along plains of Punjab in India and Lahore in Pakistan. White variety is considered the least effective is smaller and soft. Black variety is also found in Spain (Undlus) locally known as Chalpapi or Nitla and is very bitter to taste. Trade pundits further describe Jadwar varieties as follows
- Jadwar Khatai : Externally black, internally reddish violet, sweet to taste initially followed by marred bitterness. Premium quality, Jadwar Khatai.
- Jadwar Yellow, Yellowish back both in and out, similar to violet variety in shape but bitter to taste. Inferrior to Jadwar Khatai found in Tibet, Nepal, Morong, Rangpore
- Jadwar Black, Black on both in and out and its leaves give a blue tint on rubbing. Highly bitter in taste but markedly inferior to Yellow variety. Found in similar locations to Yellow-black variety. Theses both arities seem inter mutations
- Jadwar Black Olive variety, found in Deccan hills of India, Inferior
- Jadwar Black from Spain (Antilla) often found growing in conjunction with Beesh (Aconite) as a counter inhibitory for the poisonous bees.. This variety in trade market is known as Antila Sauda
- Jadwar White, from Spain, known as Fahequee. White in colour, sweet to taste with a pleasant fragrance and often found growing alongside Bachnag (Aconitum ferox). This variety is known in trade market as Antilla Baiza (Baiza means white as egg)
Jadwar (Kashmir variety, Black), from my personal Collection
Jadwar Khatai (Violet) from my personal Collection
MEDICINAL USESJadwar is most prominently used in Unani medicine due to its links with Pesia. Indian healers came to know of its medicinal properties from travelling Hakims though its antidote properties were known to the shepherds but due to utmost rarity of the plant the information may not have been documented. Jadwar root is used in form of aqueous paste or powder. The dosage is anywhere between 1-3 gms for paste and 2-3 gms for powder. The medicine is an excellent tonic and superb medicines for nervine and mental disorders. In above mentioned dosages is used to treat following disorders. Paralysis,Facial palsy, epilepsy, insanity, mania, hysteria, atony, migraine, numbness, tremors, infantile convulsions, rheumatism, arthritic pains and any form of spasms. It is also a great heart tonic and is used with honey to treat cardiac weakness, palpitation and being a diuretic reduces blood pressure has beneficial effect on kidneys and is also useful to treat stages of Renal failure. Jadwar is also considered an excellent remedy for infertility. 1-2gms of Root powder with milk daily to improve the sperm count and motility while in women it regularises menses and promotes good ovulation Jadwar is a dental tonic and when applied on gums relieves pains and strengthens the teeth.External application of Jadwar cures fungal infections standing true to its antidote properties. Similary it is a life saving drug to treat aconite poising and is also useful to treat snake and scorpion bites. External application with water/cow’s urine is a very promising remedy for leucoderma and its paste with milk is an complexion promoter and gets rid of Acne.Apart from all this multitude uses, Jadwar is an Anti-Addiction drug especially for narcotics and being an appetiser improves withdrawal syndrome in addicts. It also being strng nerving tonic reduces pains associated with withdrawal and is an excellent safe remedy for de-addiction.
Due to its multitude uses and rarity , Jadwar is an endangered species. Nepal and many governments have banned its trade and anyone found in possession is liable to legal prosecution. Due to this , the plant is traded at enormous prices where one root can fetch around 2000-5000INR depending on its quality. Certain people have started cultivation whose quality may never match the one in wild yet is an effective medium to derive the benefit of this wonderful herb. Alternatively one can also use ready made preparations of Jadwar from reputed labs which may help prevent illegal mining of this rare herb. Certain Unani preparation sod Jadwar as follows ; Khameera Gaozaban Ambari Jadwar Ood Saleb wala [heart, nerving, brain tonic], Habbe Jadwar [pills] & Marham -e-Jadwar (ointment)
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