Daraaj, our Indian apothecary cabinet from Gujarat: translation and explanations of its 56 drawers

During our last trip to India in February, we came across a pair of apothecary furniture in very good condition, from the same shop or workshop. Each drawer being marked with a painted inscription probably indicating the plant or substance stored there.

We did not immediately know what foodstuffs these pieces of furniture had kept in their drawers in the past, as I cannot read or speak what we later identified as Gujarati. However, I was able to decipher certain inscriptions quickly, like drawer no. 27, where it says "sindoor", because the spelling in Gujarati and Hindi is similar. We therefore knew that we were in the presence of a piece of furniture which was used more in a shop than in a workshop.

I then asked a friend from Gujarat to translate each of the 56 drawers for me. This friend told me that it was common in his grandparents' time that people who owned this kind of furniture were called "Sarvaiya", sellers of Ayurvedic medicine and other plants and spices with beneficial effects for health or used in Indian cuisine. My friend, who is approaching thirty years old, was not able to translate all of the drawers, and had to ask his grandparents or his neighbors, as certain inscriptions/commodities are probably no longer used today. .

We are now certain that we are indeed in the presence of authentic apothecary furniture. We can probably date them to the first half of the 20th century. This type of furniture is no longer found in situ today, having been replaced by more modern and less expensive alternatives. Indeed, it is important to mention that this piece of furniture is made of solid teak, both the structure and the drawers, and such a high number of drawers would be expensive in wood today.

In the translation that we present to you below, we see that the drawers of this apothecary cabinet were filled with different herbs and spices. Some drawers have also retained the color or smell of the food they stored. In the following lines, we present drawer by drawer the inscription in Gujarati, the translation in Hindi (if available), English and French. We also give you some explanations on the use and effects of each plant. 

Each numbered drawer in the photo above corresponds to its caption below:

1. ભીલામા (Bhilama / Malacca Nut). Bhilama, also known as Malacca Nut, is a common spice in Indian cuisine. It has a sweet, spicy flavor and is often used in pickles (fermented condiments), chutneys and curries.

2. ઉગતંજીરુ (Ugatmjeeru / Cumin Seed) Cumin seeds, also called Ugatmjeeru in Gujarati, are a popular spice used in Indian cuisine for their strong and aromatic flavor. They are often used in curries, rice dishes and Indian breads.

3. કંકોડી (Kankodi - Spine gourd). Kankodi, also called Spiky gourd, is both a vegetable used for cooking and a major Ayurvedic herb. It is known for its medicinal properties and is often used to treat digestive problems.

4. તેજબળ (Tejbad / Toothed tree). The tooth tree, called Tejbad in Gujarati, is a plant aptly named because it is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat dental pain. It is also used as a spice in Indian cuisine for its strong, spicy taste.

5. કાળીજીરી (Kadijiri / black cumin). black cumin, also called Kadijiri in Gujarati, is a spice used in Ayurvedic medicine for its medicinal properties. It is often used to treat digestive problems and to strengthen the immune system.

6. ગુલાલ (Gulal). Gulal is a pink powder used in religious ceremonies. It is often used to color the clothing and bodies of participants. Previously, colored powders such as Gulal were made from flowers, but the discovery of synthetic colors gradually replaced powders of natural origin.

7. અબીલ (Abil). Abil is a white powder used in religious ceremonies. It is often used to color the clothing and bodies of participants.

8. આસન (Asan). Asan is a decorative cloth on which people sit during religious ceremonies. It is often used to create a peaceful and collected ambiance.

9. ફટકડી (Fatakdi). This word has no translation in Hindi. It is a substance called alum, used in Ayurvedic medicine.

10. અળસી (Adasi). Adasi means flax seeds. Flaxseeds are used as a snack after lunch or dinner and also have medicinal use.

11. The inscription is unfortunately not legible.

12. ટંકણખાર (Tankan khar). This is borax, a substance which is sometimes used as a preservative in jars of pickles (fermented condiments) and which is also used in Ayurveda.

13. મીંઢળ (Mindhod). The common name in Hindi is Mandan Phal, which translates into English as "mountain pomegranate". This plant is an important Ayurvedic herb and is also used in some religious practices.

14. કડીયો ગુંદર (Kadiyo Gundar) is a tragacanth gum, used in Ayurvedic medicine for its medicinal properties. It is also used as a food thickener and in the making of candy. It comes from the sap of certain plants in southwest Asia.

15. ચોપ ચીની (Chop Chini) is a medicinal plant known as "Chinese root". It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat digestion problems and inflammation.

16. મોટી હૈડ (Moti Haid). Unknown substance.

17. વાંસ ની ગાંઠ (Vansh ni Ganth) is a bamboo knot which is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its medicinal properties. It is also used as an ingredient in some dishes.

18. ગુગળ (Gugad) is also called Gugul, this tree of the Burseraceae family is used in incense sticks as well as in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various diseases, notably joint disorders and cholesterol.

19. સિંધુર (Sindhoor) is also known as Sindoor, it is an orange powder used in religious ceremonies in India.

20. કાયકળ (Kaykad) is also called Kajjali, it is an Ayurvedic preparation based on sulfur and mercury, used to treat skin diseases.

21. આંબા હળદર (Amba Haldar) Also known as Haldi, turmeric in French, it is a plant of the ginger family used in cooking (white turmeric: Amba, orange turmeric: Haldar) as well as in Ayurvedic medicine for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

22. કાચ એરીયો (Kach Ariyo). Unknown substance.

23. મજીઠ (Majith) is also known as Indian madder. It is a plant that is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties and to treat skin diseases.

24. કમરકસ (Kamarkas). Also called Palash gum, this substance is extracted from the Salvia Plebeian plant. It is a commonly used ingredient in Ayurveda for its healing properties, particularly to treat gastrointestinal problems.

    

25. ચિમેડ* (Chimed), also known as Chakanu or Cassia absus Linn, is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its diuretic, laxative and astringent properties. It is also used to treat skin disorders, joint pain and respiratory diseases.

26. મીણ (Min), also called moum, is a waxy substance used in several fields, including Ayurvedic medicine, decoration and pottery.

27. નીર ગુંદી (Nir Gundi), also known as Vitex negundo, is an herb used in Ayurveda to treat a variety of illnesses, including digestive problems , joint pain and respiratory infections.

28. સોફલાવાર (Safflower, also called Kasumbo in Gujarati). Safflower is a plant used in many applications, notably in Ayurvedic medicine, for dyeing, during the festival of Holi and for its great cultural importance. Its properties are similar to those of saffron. 

29. હીરાકસી (Hirakashi). It is ferrous sulfate which has multiple uses, such as Ayurvedic medicine, ink making (Shyahi), fabric dyeing and as a disinfectant.

30. સાજીખાર (Sajikhar). It is sodium carbonate (soda), which has multiple uses, such as Ayurvedic medicine, soap making and sometimes in cooking (rarer). This compound is extracted naturally and not produced industrially, it is obtained by burning a type of flower.

31. કાળી મૂસળી (Kali Musali), or Curculigo orchioides. This herb is used in Ayurveda to improve sexual function, fertility and blood circulation.

32. કડુ (Kadu), or Picrorhiza kurroa. This herb is used in Ayurveda to treat liver disorders, respiratory infections and autoimmune diseases.

33. The name in the following image is not readable

34. કંકુ (Kanku) or "Kumkum", red powder used in religious ceremonies. This powder is similar to "Abil", or "Gulal" and "Sindoor", but differs only in its red color.

35. કાચુકા (Kachuka) or "Imli ke Bij": tamarind seeds, which are used in Ayurveda to treat constipation, digestive disorders and heart disease.

36. The inscription is unfortunately not legible.

37. શંખજીરું (Sankh Jeeru). cumin: this spice is widely used in Indian cuisine, but it is also used in Ayurvedic medicine for its digestive properties and to treat respiratory problems. Meadow cumin is also used in aromatherapy for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.

38. ગોખરુ (Gokhru): this is Tribulus terrestris, a plant used in Ayurvedic medicine.

39. સંચળ (Sanchad, also called Kala Namak in Gujarati): this is rock salt used in cooking and Ayurvedic medicine.

40. પાનની જડ (Pan ni Jad) is a plant whose roots are used, which literally means "roots of the betel leaf". It is used in Ayurvedic medicine and is also an important spice, although it is rare today.

41. સોનાગેરુ (Sona Geru) is a ochre-colored pigment dark yellow, used in Ayurvedic medicine as well as pottery. It is still used today to make rangolis, these ephemeral drawings made on the ground using colored powders.

42. બળબીજ (Bad Bij), or Kharaiti, is a plant whose fibers are stronger than jute and were therefore used in the past . The plant is also used in Ayurvedic medicine, while its stem was used in making brooms.

43. બાવચો (Bavcho), or Somraj, is a plant used in Ayurvedic medicine.

44. ઘાપાન (Ghapan). Also known as Vilayati Ketki, it is a plant used in Ayurvedic medicine, as well as in cooking, where it serves as a sweetening additive. It originated in America and is now grown around the world.

45. માચા (Macha) - This plant is similar to Bathua Bhaji and is also known as "Salt Bush". It is rich in protein and is often used in cooking. It is cultivated near the sea.

46. ગોપી ચંદન (Gopi Chandan) - This substance is used for "Tilak", a colored mark on the forehead worn by devotees of Lord Krishna. Gopi Chandan is a clay found near Gopi Lake in Dwarka, and its yellowish color makes it a unique and highly valued substance.

47. કવચ બીજ (Kavach Bij) - Mucuna Pruriens seeds are used in Ayurvedic medicine for their beneficial properties for the nervous system. They are also known as Kaunch ke Bij.

48. કો-લોબાન (Co-Loban) - This resin is often used in Ayurvedic medicine as well as as an air freshener and for making incense. It is extracted from Styrax Benzoin.

49. મે દા લાકડી (Meda Lakdi). This plant is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known as Maida Lakdi and is extracted from Litsea Glutinosa.

50. મુલતાની માટી (Multani Mati). This Fuller's Earth (also called Multani Clay) is still widely used as a natural skincare routine (my Gujarati friend and his family use it regularly). Originally, it was the clay available in the Multan region (currently in Pakistan) which had unique properties to achieve beautiful skin in a natural way.

51. સતાવર (Shatavar). Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) is a common species of asparagus. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine The roots are used as a vegetable and its white sap is used to make "Murabba", an Aurvedic medicine.

52. જવખાર (Jav khar): potassium salts (mainly potassium carbonate) are used in Ayurvedic medicine.

53. નાગરમોથ (Nagar Moth): Cyperus rotundus is used in Ayurvedic medicine.

54. ચાક ખડી (Chak Khadi): This chalk mineral salt mainly composed of calcite has multiple uses in Ayurvedic medicine as well as in modern medicine, in the health industry. cement, colored pencils, etc. In India, this soft white mineral is only available in Gujarat: in Amreli, Porbandar, and Rajkot.

55. લોધર (Lodhar or Lodhra). Symplocos racemosa is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Lodhra is a tree native to India whose bark is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various problems such as excessive bleeding, hemorrhoids, ulcers and skin diseases. It is also used in hair care to reduce dandruff and stimulate hair growth.

56. ખડિયો ખાર (Khadiyo Khar) is a type of edible salt similar to rock salt, but from different regions.

If you made it to the end, congratulations! For those who were not able to read everything, here is the summary: we find in this piece of furniture many spices and plants used in Ayurvedic medicine and Indian cuisine. There are also powders and pastes used for religious ceremonies. Certain substances, seeds and plants are still used today, others have disappeared from common use. This piece of furniture is an incredible witness to the medicinal practices of Gujarat from the beginning of the 20th century, or even before.

Of course, as usual, we are open to comments and changes to our article. Don’t hesitate to share your opinions! And see you soon for the translation of the second apothecary cabinet.

Ankush