Eleusine coracana Gaertn, (MADHULI)

Caraka and susruta have described madhuli and nandimukha as coarse cereals sharing similar properties.  While madhuli is identified as Eleusine corocana Gaertn, nandimukha is considered as E. indica Gaertn. Bhavamisra mentioned three varieties viz., maha godhuma (T. sativum), madhuli (E. coracana) and nandimukha or dirgha godhuma (E.indica).

Botanical Description – Annual grass; culms erect, laterally flattened, 60-120 cm tall or long, profusely tillering, in addition to branches sent out at the rounded nodes in succession, plants often lodged or prostrate; root system fibrous and remarkably strong, permeating soil thoroughly, inflorescence a whorl of 2-8 (normally 4-6), digitate, straight, or slightly curved spikes 12.5-15 cm long, about 1.3 cm broad; spikelets about 70, arranged alternately on rachis, each containing 4-7 seeds, varying from 1-2 mm in diameter; caryopsis nearly globose to somewhat flattened, smooth or tugose, reddish-brown to nearly white or black. Distribution – Is of Indian or African origin, a cultigen of the wild species Eleusine indica Is widely cultivated in tropical Asia and East Africa; cultivated on rainy slopes and upland areas of Himalayas up to 2,300 m elevation.

Major Chemical Constituents – Per 100 g, the wet matter is reported to contain : 7.6 g protein, 1.1 g fat, 76.2 g total carbohydrate, 33.6 g fiber, 15.1 g ash (Gohl, 1981). The plant yields hydrocyanic acid (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962).

Uses – Ragi is the main food grain for many peoples, especially in dry areas of India and Sri Lanka. Grain is higher in protein, fat and minerals than rice, corn, or sorghum (Reed, 1976). It is usually converted into flour and made into cakes, Puddings, or porridge. When consumed as food it provides a sustaining diet, especially for people doing hard work. Straw makes valuable fodder for both working and milking animals. A fermented drink or beer is made from the grain. Grain may also be malted and a flour of the malted grain used as a nourishing food for infants and invalids. Ragi is considered an especially wholesome food for diabetics.

The leaf juice has been given to women in childbirth, and the plant is reported to be diaphoretic,ighantu, and vermifuge (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). Ragi is a folk remedy for leprosy, liver disease (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962), measles, pleurisy, pneumonia, and small pox (Duke and Wain, 1981).