Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 5-7, 2010.

Indigenous Traditional Method for Making Liquid Detergent Chhoa from Zea mays Linn. in Shivalik Hills (Himachal Pradesh), India

Dhiraj S. Rawat* and Anjna D. Kharwal**

*Assistant Professor, Deparment of Botany, Shoolini University, Solan (H.P.)

** Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Govt. P. G. College, Arki (H.P.)

Issued: January 01, 2010

Abstract

In the past, herbal liquid detergent was in regular use but with modernization this traditional indigenous knowledge depleted and at present is in use to a limited extent in some rural pockets of Shivalik hills. Dried maize (Zea mays Linn.) stems are burnt to ash and are put into a bamboo basket with a bottom layer of paddy straw. After pouring boiling water over ash, herbal liquid detergent is obtained as a final product. It is eco-friendly and a classic example of sustainability concept.

Keywords: Shivalik hills, Liquid detergent, Indigenous, Leachate.

Introduction

Shivalik hills or the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh in ancient times were known as Manak Parvat to geographers. It literally means the tresses of Shiva. The altitude ranges from 350m to 1,500m above the sea level (4). Maize (Zea mays Linn.) belonging to family Poaceace is a major kharif crop of this region. It is sown in May-June and harvested in September-October. Stems of the crop are used as a fuel or left as such.

About 30-40 years ago, maize stems are the source of frequently used herbal liquid detergent, traditionally known as Chhoa. As the time passed and with the development of chemical detergents, this indigenous technology for forming a liquid detergent fell to the jaws of modernization. In present scenario, it is practiced only in some pockets of this region to a limited extent.

Very little information is available about the plants used as detergents in various parts of India (1, 3), (5-7).

This paper deals with an indigenous method to form herbal liquid detergent developed by the rural of Shivalik hills.

Methodology

In order to know and understand the process, knowledgeable informants were repeatedly interviewed and the specific questions were asked. The whole process was also observed in the rural communities of Shivalik hills and the resultant informations were recorded in the ethnobotanical field notebook (2).

Observations and Results

The stems of maize are collected and are dried in sunlight. The dried stems are burnt and ash is kept in a bamboo (Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro) basket with a bottom layer of paddy (Oryza sativa Linn.) straw. Basket is supported with wooden logs and is placed on an empty earthen container. Hot boiling water is poured over ash. Water passes through the ash and is filtered through paddy straw. The leachate obtained in this manner is the final product Chhoa i.e. herbal liquid detergent, and is used for washing clothes by the local communities especially for cotton and wooly clothes. The ash is replaced after seven days and the same process is repeated time and again.

Discussion

Present findings revealed that traditional indigenous knowledge is depleting day by day. Although indigenous methods and herbal products are eco-friendly, so we must document and conserve this knowledge for future generations. The present findings is one of the finest example of using wasted or unutilized resources in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner, and moreover it is cheaper to rural inhabitants.

Acknowledgement

Authors are thankful to rural inhabitants of Shivalik hills (Himachal Pradesh) for providing valuable information.

References

1.      Ambasta, S.P. (ed.) 1986. The Useful Plants of India. C.S.I.R., New Delhi.

2. Jain, S.K. & Goel, A.K. 1995. Workshop Exercise-1. Proforma for Field Work, 142-147. In: Jain, S.K. (ed.). A Manual of Ethnobotany. Scientific Publ., Jodhpur.

3.      Mehta, R.S. and Bhatt, K.C.2007. Traditional Soap and Detergent Yielding Plants of Uttranchal. Indian Journal of traditional Knowledge 12: 279-284.

4.      Mittoo, H.K. 1978. India- The Land and the People-Himachal Pradesh. National

Book Trust, India.

5. Shirsat, R.P.2008. Ethnobotanical Uses of Some Common Lower Plants Used by the Tribals of Meghlat region(MS)India. Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 667-669.

6. Srivastava, K. 2007. Ethnobotanical Studies of Some Important Ferns.

Ethnobotanical Leaflets 11: 164-172.

7. Watt, G. 1972. A Dictionary of Economic Products of India Vol.-1-VI.

Periodical Experts, Delhi (India).