Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 9 (1), January 2010, pp. 169-172
Some ethnomedicinal plants of Southern Rajasthan KL Meena & BL Yadav* Department of Botany, MLV Government College, Bhilwara 311 001, Rajasthan E-mail:
[email protected] Received 4 October 2007; revised 15 April 2008 An extensive survey of southern part of Rajasthan, which includes Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Banswara and Dungarpur districts was made to document the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by tribal communities.Tribals like Bhil, Damor, Garasia, Kalbelia, Kathodia and Meena are residing in the area. These people and their medicine men and women have valuable information about properties and medicinal uses of plants. In the paper, an attempt has been made to document 31 plant species, belonging to 31 genera and 22 families being used traditionally by the tribals. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Bhil, Damor, Garasia, Kalbelia, Kathodia, Meena, Southern Rajasthan IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/08, A61P1/10, A61P5/00, A61P11/00, A61P15/00, A61P19/00, A61P29/00, A61P39/02
Tribal people and ethnic races throughout the world have developed their own culture, costumes, medicinal practices, etc. A large number of wild and cultivated plants are being used by them for the treatment of various elements, thus, a considerable amount of information on medicinal plants is available with these communities. Rajasthan is one of the largest states located in the Northwestern part of India. Geographically, it lies between 23º3' to 30º12' longitudes and 69º30' to 78º17' latitudes. Southern part of Rajasthan comprising Banswara, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur and Udaipur districts (Fig.1) is the tribal belt in which Bhil, Damor, Garasia, Kalbelia, Kathodia and Meena are the main tribes. The plants growing around them form an integral part of their culture. These people are largely dependant on their traditional healing system for their healthcare and the information is passed on from generation to generation through the word of mouth. The climate is tropical with the maximum temperature ranging between 38.3° - 46.0°C (during summer) and the minimum between 7.0° - 11.6°C (during winter). Average annual rainfall has been recorded to be 65.03 cm. The area is characterized by the tropical deciduous type of vegetation consisting of Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Guill & Perr., Anogeissus pendula Edgew, Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile., Boswellia serrata Roxb.,
Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb., Madhuca indica J.F. Gmelin, Tectona grandis Linn. f., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn., etc. as the important plant species. Significant contribution has been made by several workers on the ethnobotany in India1-6. In Rajasthan, these studies have been carried out from different parts of the state7-15. However, the studies on the ethnomedicinal plants of southern Rajasthan are scantier16. Therefore, an attempt has been made here to collect the information about plants used by tribals in their traditional healthcare system. The study is based on interviews with local tribals living in the region and entirely dependent on the plants occurring around them. Methodology Field trips were conducted during 2003-2005 with the local medicine men. Generally tribals, who know
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Fig. 1 Location map of the study area
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about the herbal medicine, do not want to give all the information because they believe that when the medicinal plant is disclosed its medicinal properties will be lost. The people, who can provide information about medicinal plants, were consulted. For authenticity about medicinal properties of plants, the information collected during fieldwork was verified at different places through different informants and in different seasons. Each of the plant species collected with the help of the informants have been recorded, photographed and identified. The voucher specimen is
deposited in the Herbarium of Department of Botany, MLV Government College, Bhilwara. Results and discussion Total 31 plant species belonging to 31 genera and 22 families have been recorded and enumerated. The data on ethnomedicinal plants such as the botanical name, local name, family, time and their traditional methods of drugs administration in different ailments are presented (Table 1). These plants are being used by various ethnic groups and rural people of southern
Table 1 Ethnomedicinal plants used by the tribals of Southern Rajasthan Plant name/Family
Local name
Uses
Abrus precatorius L. Papilionaceae Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. Mimosaceae
Chirmu Ratti Khair katha
Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del Mimosaceae Acanthospermum hispidum DC. Asteraceae Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae
Boriyo
Fresh leaves are chewed during ulcer, seeds are taken for abortion. The gum is used by tribal males because they are prohibited to use Anogeissus latifolia gum during winter as a laddu; the pellets made with kattha are taken in stomachache. Bark paste is applied for healing wounds; leaf paste is applied on cuts and wounds. Fresh leaves are given to goats to increase milk production.
Dokanta Andhi Jhara
Ripe seeds mixed with Calotropis procera latex is kept in an earthen pot to dry. After drying, seeds are removed, powdered and taken with betel leaves to cure cough. Fruit pulp is taken daily in constipation, the unripe fruit is taken in case of chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. The gum is used during winter season as well as after delivery in the form of laddu.
Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Rutaceae Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Guill & Perr. Combretaceae
Billa
Barleria prionitis L. Acanthaceae
Danteli, Kala bans
Leaf decoction is given for during cough; roots and leaves are chewed to relieve toothache and bodyache.
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taubert. Papilionaceae
Khankra, Sura
Calotropis procera (Ait) R. Br. Asclepiadaceae
Akra
Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew. Capparaceae Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker Liliaceae Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Hypoxidaceae Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. Mimosaceae Echinops echinatus Roxb. Asteraceae
Kair
Laddus prepared from the gum, known as kamarkas, are eaten after delivery; flower juice is given to children during fever and cold; crushed seed on red stones is given to newly born child in case of diarrhoea. Dried stem is used as a piper and the smoke of Xanthium fruit is inhaled through the pipe to relieve headache; root paste is applied on scorpion bite; leaf is rolled to make pipe for smoking. Flower buds are eaten to relieve stomachache; root paste is applied on scorpion bite, powdered coal from stem is taken during fractured bone. Dried fasciculate roots are used in the preparation of laddu with Anogeissus latifolia gum and are taken during winter season. Root extract mixed with diluted curd is taken thrice.
Enicostema axillare (Lam.) Roynal Gentianaceae Euphorbia caducifolia Haines Euphorbiaceae Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae Grewia abutilifolia Vent. ex. Juss Tiliaceae
Nami
Dhawari
Dholi musali Moosli Goya-hair kolai Oont Kantilo
Danda Thore Bar, Bargad Gangchi
Root bark extract mixed with extract of stem bark of Butea monosperma and Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. is used. Fresh root pieces are kept at the back of head touching scalped or coil or fresh root is kept in the naval before parturition time or during delivery pain for easy delivery; root extract is given in whooping cough. Whole plant extract is taken once a day for fever; plant juice is taken for seven days during body pain. Dried stem is burnt to produce smoke; affected painful body part is kept in smoke for sometime to relieve pain. Patasha (sugar preparation) filled with latex is given daily for seven days to children. During bone fracture, dried root powder/decoction is given; root decoction is given to animals. Contd
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Table 1 Ethnomedicinal plants used by the tribals of Southern Rajasthan Contd Plant name/Family
Local name
Uses
Helicteres isora L. Sterculiaceae
Anteri, Maror hali
Fruit powder is taken with water for twice a day for 3 days.
Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch Ulmaceae Jatropha curcas L. Euphorbiaceae
Sil, Kanjeri
Madhuca indica J.F. Gmelin Sapotaceae
Mori
Medicago sativa L. Papilionaceae Peristrophe paniculata (Forsk.) Burm. Acanthaceae Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae
Rizka Bhamwara Kakar
Seed oil of Holoptelea, locally known as Kanjeri oil added with sulphur is kept for 5 days, and then applied on the affected part. Root juice is taken with 1 glass of water for 3 times a day for 1-3 days; latex is used in the treatment of itching of genital organs. Mohri (local liquour) mixed with turmeric powder is useful in cold, cough & bronchitis; flowers are eaten to increase lactation; leaves are applied as a poultice to eczema and bandage on the swelling or affected muscles; leaf ash is mixed with butter to make a dressing for wounds & burns; seed oil extract is laxative and oil is applied to itchy skin. Leaf extract is taken at night for 3 days. Leaf paste mixed with sugar is taken twice a day for three days.
Solanum surattense Burm. f. Solanaceae
Kateli, Bhurangni
Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.) A. Juss. Meliaceae
Rohini
Tinospora cordifolia (L.) Miers Menispermaceae
Giloy
Ratan Jot
Arandi
Xanthium strumarium L. Asteraceae Ziziphus nummularia (Burm, f.) Wight &Jhari, Bordi Arn. Rhamnaceae
In case of muscular injury without bleeding, leaf paste with mustard oil is applied on the affected area; leaf paste is applied on head to relieve headache; leaves boiled with maize grain is used as a rat killer. Hot poultice prepared from crushed root and bark is applied locally for the treatment of hernia; crushed flowers are given orally in case of diarrhoea; dried fruit smoke is used to remove worms of teeth and fruit decoction is taken in cough & asthma. Fresh/dried bark is boiled in water till the colour of water turns yellow. Then the bark is tied on the affected part and remaining extract is also applied. Stem juice kept overnight is employed in fever, jaundice, diabetes, general disability and skin disease; stem juice is taken to cure leucorrhoea. Dry fruits of Xanthium strumarium kept on Calotropis procera dried stem are burnt and the smoke is inhailed. Bath is taken in water boiled with fruits for curing sun stroke; leaf paste is used for cutaneous diseases and healing cuts & boils. Juice of stem bark of Butea monosperma & Z. nummularia, and Dichrostachys cinerea root bark is given in case of diarrhoea in goats.
Rajasthan to treat ailments such as injuries, wounds, cuts, fever, diarrhoea, ulcers, swelling, bone fractures, potency, antipoisons, skin care, night blindness, toothache, asthma, cough & cold, by using fresh as well as dried plant materials. The paste or an extract of these plants are commonly applied externally on boils, wounds, cuts, swellings, burns, eczema, ringworm, etc. Some plants are taken orally as decoction or chewed in case of mouth ulcers, sore throat, toothache, etc. Some of the plants reported for the treatment of various ailments from different parts of Rajasthan and other states have also been reported from the area to have similar uses7-15. The tribals and rural folk are dependent on herbal practices and have deep faith in their old treatise and traditions. Now a days, much of the wealth of knowledge is being lost as the traditional culture is disappearing17. Hence, documentation of traditional practices of
herbal medicine will be coherence in future. There is an urgent need to study and document the precious knowledge of ethnomedicinal practices. Documentation of such information will go a long way in developing new drugs through further researches. The information on the ethnomedicinal plants will certainly help in developing strategies for the conservation, cultivation of traditional medicine and economic welfare of rural and tribal population of this region of Rajasthan. The plants and the remedies as recorded here need phytochemical and pharmacological screening for their active principles and clinical trials for therapeutic action. Acknowledgement Authors are thankful to Dr UC Bansal, Principal, Dr RL Pitaliya, Dr VK Vaidya and JPN Ojha, Vice Principals for providing the facilities. Financial assistance provided by UGC Bhopal is gratefully
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acknowledged. Authors are highly thankful to the traditional knowledge provided especially by S/Shri Bhanwar Lal Meena (Achary), Bheru Bhil (Karthana), Dhanna Ji Meena (Sagarpara), Jagga Ji Damor (Kulthana), Khema Ji Kalbelia (Dev khera), Mod Ji Megwal (Bujwa), Mota Mi Garasia (Khairwara), Mubara Ji Garasia (Katvi), and Smt. Kanni Bai Meena (Sakaria). Thanks are also due to forest department officials of Chittorgarh and Mewar Bhil Core (MBC) Kairwara, for their cooperation during these studies. References 1 Jain SK, Medicinal Plants, 2nd edn, (National Book Trust of India, New Delhi), 1975. 2 Rao RR, Ethnobotany of Meghalaya: Medicinal plants used by Khasi & Garo tribes, Econ Bot, 35 (1981) 4. 3 Gangwar AK & Ramakrishnan PS, Ethnobiological notes on some tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India, Econ Bot, 44 (1990) 95. 4 Abbas JA, El-Oqlash AA & Mahasneh AM, Herbal plants in the traditional medicine of Bahrain, Econ Bot, 46 (1992)153. 5 Mannandher NP, An inventory of some herbal drugs of Myagdi district Nepal, Econ Bot, 49 (1995) 371. 6 Hedge R, Suryaprakash S, Achoth L & Bawa KS, Extraction of non-timber forest products in the forest of Biligiri Rangan Hills India- 1. Contribution to rural income, Econ Bot, 50 (1996) 243.
7 Singh GS, A contribution of ethnomedicine of Alwar district of Rajasthan, Ethnobotany, 11 (1999) 97. 8 Sebastian MK & Bhandari MM, Medicoethnobotany of Mt Abu, Rajasthan, J Ethnopharmacol, 12 (1984) 233. 9 Sebastian MK & Bhandari MM, Medicinal plant lore of Udaipur district Rajasthan, Bull Med Ethnobot Res, 5 (3-4) (1988) 133. 10 Joshi P, Ethnobotany of the Primitive Tribes in Rajasthan, (Printwell, Jaipur), 1995. 11 Singh V & Panday RP, Medicinal plant lore of the tribals of eastern Rajasthan, J Econ Taxon Bot, 1 (1980) 137. 12 Katewa SS & Arora A, Some plants of folk medicine of Udaipur district, Rajasthan, Ethnobotany, 9 (1997) 48. 13 Katewa SS, Chaudhary BL, Jain A & Galav PK, Traditional uses of plant biodiversity from Aravalli hills of Rajasthan, Indian J Traditional Knowledge, 2 (2003) 1. 14 Trivedi PC Ethno-medicinal Plants of Rajasthan State India, In: Ethnobotany, edited by PC Trivedi, (Aavishkar Publishers & Distributors, Jaipur), 2002, 412. 15 Sharma NK, Ethno-medico-religious plants of Hadoti Plateau (SE Rajasthan) - A Preliminary Survey, In: Ethnobotany, edited by PC Trivedi, (Aavishkar Publishers & Distributors, Jaipur), 2002, 394. 16 Jain A, Katewa SS & Galav PK, Some Phytotherapeutic claims by tribals of southern Rajasthan, Indian J Traditional Knowledge, 4 (3) (2005) 291. 17 Hamilton A, The People And Plants’ Initiative, In: Ethnobotany: Methods And Manual, edited by Martin GJ, (WWF International, Chapman & Hall London) 1995, 10-11.
