Bhut Chaturdoshi and Choddo Shak – Bengali 14 Greens Ritual
By Barnali Dutta | Published:
The Seasonal Transition (Sandhikal) and Living Ethnobotany
Tomorrow is Kali Puja. On this day the Mother, the Goddess of Strength (Shakti), the universal principle of energy and creativity is worshipped. This coincides with the sacred Festival of Lights – Diwali.
During this auspicious period, the bazaars of Bengal display not only earthen lamps and fireworks but also wicker baskets piled high with wild, uncultivated greens. It offers a rare window to obtain traditional foraged herbs that otherwise remain absent from commercial markets.
According to ancient domestic wisdom, the transition from post-monsoon (Sharat) to late autumn and early winter (Hemanta) triggers imbalances in bodily humors (Tridosha). Consuming these fourteen seasonal herbs serves as an empirical preventive immunization protocol passed down through oral tradition, proverbs, and classical Sanskrit slokas.
Metabolic Warming১. ওল শাক (Ol Shak)
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Tender greens)
Classical Identity: Surana / Arshoghna
Therapeutic Action: Stimulates sluggish digestive fire and invigorates the spleen and liver. Its thermogenic potency (Ushna Virya) counters bowel sluggishness during the initial onset of winter cold.
Antiparasitic and Bitter২. কেঁউ শাক (Kemu / Keu)
Costus speciosus / Hellenia speciosa
Classical Identity: Kemuka
Therapeutic Action: Bitter and pungent (Katu-Tikta). Relied upon in rural Bengal to clear intestinal parasites, balance vitiated Kapha-Pitta, and prevent seasonal inflammatory skin eruptions.
Systemic Cleanser৩. বেথো শাক (Betho Shak)
Chenopodium album (Bathua)
Classical Identity: Vastuka
Therapeutic Action: A gentle diuretic and natural spleen tonic. Purges built-up cellular wastes and metabolic toxins via the urinary tract while maintaining regular intestinal peristalsis.
Bronchial Decongestant৪. কালকাসুন্দা (Kalkasunda)
Cassia occidentalis / Senna occidentalis
Classical Identity: Kasamarda ("Destroyer of Cough")
Therapeutic Action: Dissolves and expels mucosal phlegm from the bronchial passages. Essential protection against dry coughs, wheezing, and seasonal asthmatic aggravation.
Antimicrobial Defense৫. নিম পাতা (Neem Pata)
Azadirachta indica (Tender shoots)
Classical Identity: Tikta Nimba
Therapeutic Action: Classic blood purifier (Raktashodhaka) and hepatic stimulant. Destroys latent pathogen loads and mitigates autumnal febrile conditions before cold weather settles.
Anti-Inflammatory৬. জয়ন্তী পাতা (Jayanti Pata)
Sesbania sesban
Classical Identity: Jayanti
Therapeutic Action: Anti-inflammatory (Shothahara) and anti-arthritic. Relieves morning joint stiffness and muscular aches caused by shifting barometric pressure and dropping temperatures.
Ophthalmic and Cooling৭. সাঞ্চে / শালিঞ্চ শাক (Shalinche)
Alternanthera sessilis
Classical Identity: Shalincha / Matsyaksi
Therapeutic Action: Wetland herb celebrated for soothing ocular dryness and clearing excess visceral heat (Pitta-shamak). Calms burning sensations in the stomach and digestive tract.
Hepatoprotective৮. হেলেঞ্চা / হিঞ্চে (Helencha)
Enhydra fluctuans
Classical Identity: Hilamochika
Therapeutic Action: Cooling digestive bitter. Promotes bile circulation, repairs hepatic tissue, and acts as a mild nervous system sedative, facilitating deep, restorative sleep.
Gastric Fire Restorer৯. পলতা পাতা (Polta / Potol Pata)
Trichosanthes dioica (Tender vine leaves)
Classical Identity: Patolam
Therapeutic Action: Overcomes loss of appetite (Aruchi), regulates digestive secretion, and addresses low-grade recurring seasonal fevers (Vishama Jwara).
Digestive Carminative১০. শুলফা শাক (Shulfa Shak)
Anethum sowa (Indian Dill)
Classical Identity: Shatapushpa
Therapeutic Action: A fragrant carminative that neutralizes intestinal cramps and trapped abdominal gas (Vatanulomana), counteracting seasonal indigestion.
Master Immunomodulator১১. গুলঞ্চ পাতা (Gulancha)
Tinospora cordifolia
Classical Identity: Guduchi / Amrita
Therapeutic Action: A revered rejuvenator (Rasayana). Clears excess circulating uric acid, purifies metabolic pathways, and strengthens white blood cell defense against seasonal viral chills.
Intestinal Vermifuge১২. ঘেঁটু / ভাট পাতা (Ghetu / Bhat)
Clerodendrum infortunatum
Classical Identity: Bhandira
Therapeutic Action: A potent bitter vermifuge and antimicrobial. Cleanses the digestive lining of parasitic protozoa and pathogens prior to the winter season.
Neuro-Sedative১৩. সুষনি শাক (Sushni Shak)
Marsilea quadrifolia (Water Clover)
Classical Identity: Sunishannaka
Therapeutic Action: An indigenous anxiolytic and natural sleep aid. Relieves stress, stabilizes autonomic fluctuations, and supports healthy blood pressure.
Circulatory Stimulant১৪. সর্ষে শাক (Sarshe Shak)
Brassica nigra / campestris
Classical Identity: Sarshapa
Therapeutic Action: Pungent and thermogenic (Ushna). Ignites internal warmth, stimulates peripheral blood circulation, and eases stiffness in winter mornings.
Note: Eaten with piping-hot boiled rice as the very first course (Prothom Paat), this multi-layered herbal bitter serves as an ancient nutritional safeguard for the body before winter arrives.
Classical Wisdom and Seasonal Immunity
The philosophical foundation of this custom is rooted in ancient Ayurvedic texts like the Charaka Samhita. It explains that consuming bitter and balancing herbs during seasonal transitions clears accumulated toxins and fortifies mucosal immunity.
The domestic ritual of eating fourteen greens ensured that these valuable wild botanicals were systematically conserved, identified, and remembered across generations.
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Indigenous Culinary Kinetics: Tools and Technique
The domestic preparation of Choddo Shak reflects deliberate, low-impact cooking methods intended to protect delicate, heat-sensitive botanical compounds:
- Cold Cleaning and Hand Sorting: Each leaf is carefully inspected, picked free of marsh silt, and washed through multiple changes of cool pond or well water without bruising the epidermal cells.
- Fine Shearing on the Iron Bonti (বঁটি): Leaves are never subjected to the friction and heat of high-speed motorized blades. Instead, they are hand-julienned across a sharp iron bonti. This clean shear cuts cell walls without bruising, ensuring the complex medley cooks evenly in seconds.
- Low-Thermal Mustard Oil Tempering: The greens are quickly tossed in cold-pressed virgin mustard oil (Kancha Ghani Sarser Tel) with a gentle pinch of Kalojeera (Nigella seeds) and slit green chilies. Minimal contact with heat ensures volatile essential oils, triterpenes, and heat-sensitive antioxidants remain intact.
Choddo Shak Recipe
Ingredients
- Mixed edible herbs (Choddo Shak) – 2 cups
- White radish – 1/2 cup, julienned
- Brinjal – 1/2 cup, diced
- Kalo jeera (onion seeds) – 2 tsp
- Whole red chili – 5 to 6
- Green chili – 2 tsp, minced
- Masoor dal bori – 1 tbsp
- Salt and sugar to taste
- Mustard oil – 2 tbsp
Directions
- Wash and clean the herbs thoroughly. Blanch and drain the water.
- Cut the vegetables into small, uniform pieces.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the lentil dumplings (bori). Remove and keep aside.
- In the remaining oil, fry whole red chilies. Add onion seeds and minced green chili.
- Add herbs and vegetables with salt and sugar. Cover and cook for 5–6 minutes.
- Mix in the fried dumplings and serve hot.
This traditional Bengali dish tastes excellent with hot rice, fried red chili, and mustard mango sauce (Kasundi).
Recipe Metadata:
- Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars based on 30 reviews)
- Prep time: 1 hour
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
६२ चरकसंहिता [अ० ६ वर्षा-शीतोधिताङ्गानां सहसैवार्करश्मिभिः ।
तप्तानामाचितं पित्तं प्रायः शरदि कुप्यति ।। ४१-४৫ ॥62 Charaka Samhita [A.6] The rain-cold limbs were suddenly covered with the rays of the sun. In autumn the bile collected by those who are hot often becomes angry. (41–45)
॥ ४१ ॥ तन्त्रान्नपानं मधुरं लघु शीतं सतिक्तकम् । पित्त-प्रशमनं सेव्यं मात्रया सुप्रकाङ्क्षितैः ।
41 ॥ The food and drink should be sweet, light, cold and bitter. It should be taken in moderation for the relief of bile by those well-wishing.
॥ ४२ ॥ लावान् कपिञ्जलान् हरिणानुरभ्राष्छरभाञ्छशान् । शालीन् सयवगोधूमान् सेव्यानाहुर्घनात्यये
42 ॥ It is prescribed that seasonal game, rice, barley and wheat should be served at the end of the rainy clouds.
।। ४३ ।। तिक्तस्य सर्पिषः पानं विरेको रक्तमोक्षणम् । धाराधरात्यये कार्यमातपस्य च वर्जनम्
43 ॥ Bitter ghee, therapeutic purgation, and blood purification are advised at the end of the rains while avoiding harsh sun.
॥ ४४ ॥ वसां तैलमवश्यायमौदकानूपमामिषम् । क्षारं दधि दिवास्वप्नं प्राग्वातं चात्र वर्जयेत्
44 ॥ Heavy fats, excessive oils, damp night air, curd, daytime sleep, and eastern easterly winds should be avoided here.
— Charaka Samhita (Sutra Sthana, Chapter 6)
Archival and Literary References
- Bhattacharya, Shibakali. Chiranjib Banousadhi (চিরঞ্জীব বনৌষধি), Anand Publishers, Kolkata.
- Sharma, Acharya Priyavrata. Dravyaguna Vijnana (দ্রব্যগুণ বিজ্ঞান), Chaukhambha Bharati Academy.
- Charaka Samhita (Sutra Sthana, Chapter 6: Tasyashitiya Adhyaya).