Sundargarh district in north. Deogarh. Sambalpur and Sonepur districts in west. Boudh and Nayagarh districts in south. Dhenkanal and Cuttack districts.
ETHNOBOTANY Vol. 24. 2012. pp. 86-91
Unreported ethnomedicinal uses of some plants in Angul district, Odisha (India) Harish Singh and (iopal Krishna Central Botanical Laboratory. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah-711 103 (India) K-mail: harish_bsi@ yahoo.co.in An account o f new ethhnomedicinal uses o f 40 plant species from different tribal groups o f Angul district of Odisha (erstwhile Orissa) is reported in this paper. The report is an outcome o f ethnobotanical survey o f 55 villages amongst 27 tribal groups and a com parative study of collected data with well known published medicinal and ethnobotanical literature.
Key Words: Ethnomedicinal uses: Angul district; Odisha Introduction Angul district in Odisha lies between 20° 31' N & 21° 40' N Latitude and 84° 15' E & 85° 23' E Longitude. The name Angul is said to be a corruption of Anugola. named after Anu. the last Khond Tribal Chief. Angul shares its borders with Sundargarh district in north. Deogarh. Sambalpur and Sonepur districts in west. Boudh and Nayagarh districts in south. Dhenkanal and Cuttack districts in south-east and Keonjhar district in east (see Map). The district covers a geographical area of 6232 sq. km and supports a population of about 11.40 Lakh. The elevation varies from 76 m. to 1186 m. The highest peak of the district is Malayagiri of Pallahara sub-division, which is 1186 meter above sea level. The river Mahanadi marks the southern boundary of this district. The climatic condition of Angul is much varied. The rich cultural heritage, forests, m ineral resources, natural beauty, industrial landscape, broad panorama of enchanting hills, rippling streams, the mighty gorge ‘ Satakosia’, lush green valley, and the salubrious climate with fresh air are its main characteristics. The district is inhabited by a number of tribal groups, namely, Kandh. Kolha. Matya, Munda. Tyuhora. Tasha. Ghasi. Kandha. Gauda, Gond. Kisan. Khaira. Suda. Kondh, Kumbhar, Lohar, Dhuba-Munda. Shabar, Kolho-Munda. Bhuinya. Juang. Mohanta, Dal. Paudi-Bhuinya. Kumharo, Patro, Chasa. Santal, etc.. who generally live in close vicinity of the forest areas. The vegetation in these forests plays a vital role in the life and health care of the tribal people. Only the local medicine man (‘Vaidyas’, ‘Kavirajs’). old men and women have knowledge of the traditional uses o f their surrounding vegetation. The present authors are
engaged in ethnobotanical studies relating to the tribal population o f O disha since 2006. In continuation of this interest, studies on ethnobotany of Angul district were undertaken in 2009 and 2010. which are reported here. M aterials and Methods Field tours were undertaken in remote tribal villages and forests areas, namely. Pampasar. Chhutkai. Purunakote. Majhikholi, Hathigirija. Kendumundia. Hathiber. Karadapada. Badkheta. Salore and adjacent forest areas in Satkosia division: Kumbhia. Nuapada. Hatuapada. Bankpal. Kiakata. Mangalpur. Kadopada. Mundapada. Boiso Motho Pahad. Gumpha, Boinda. Takoba, Handapa, Udal. K adali M unda. Jam unali, K atuda. Tentuli. Parwatipur. Dharpani villages and adjacent forest areas in A tham allik sub-division: Pallahara. Nizigarh. Kerjang. Khuludi. Kontabad. Kontanali. Jamardihi, Kuntala, Pathbada, Samala Gudapada. Namoposhi. Banda Bhuin. Nagira, Bhim Kand. Jamara. Nuguda. Banman. Jhoralo. Jharbada and adjacent Malayagiri forest areas in Pallahara sub division; and Chhendipada. Jarapada. Gola Bandha. Bhurkibhora. Sankerjang. Sankerjang Pansai in Chhendipada sub-division of the district. Old and experienced men. women and m edicine men (‘Vaidyas’. 'Kavirajs') were interviewed for the first hand information on ethnomedicinal uses o f the plants. Repeated and cross queries were made for confirmation and verification of the information. The informers were taken to forest for help in collection of voucher specimens. Care was taken to record only that medicinal information the curative potentialities of which were confidently claimed by the informants. The specimens were identified with the help of keys and botanical
UNREPORTED ETHNOMEDICINAL USES O F SOM E PLANTS IN ANGUL DISTRICT. ODISHA (INDIA)
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with fodder to cow thrice daily for 3 days in the treatment of eye troubles; Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Rutaceae); ‘Belo’, 'Bel'; Kendu Mundia Forest. Kumbhia. Mangalpur 34178. Golabandha Kerjang. Bhurkibhora Jungle, Chhendipada 30583
description described in regional floras like Haines (1921-25). Mooney (1941, 1950) and Saxena and Brahmam (1994-96). After matching and verification with the authentic specimens in Central National Herbarium, voucher specimens were deposited in the Ethnobotanical Herbarium of Central Botanical Laboratory (CBL). Howrah. All together, about 300 ethnomedicinal uses have been recorded during the field study. These recorded ethnomedicinal uses were compared with well known Indian literature (Ambasta 1986, Anonymous 1948-76, Chopra et al. 1956, Jain 1991. Kirtikar & Basu 1935) and published research papers on ethnobotany of districts adjoining Angul district (Sur & Haider 2004, 2010, Mondal & Mukherjee 1992; Satapathy 2008 and Sahu et al. 2009. 2010). It was found that such medicinal uses of the referred plants have not been reported earlier. Enum eration In the following enumeration, the up-to-date botanical names of the plant species have been arranged alphabetically for easy reference along with their family names in parentheses, followed by local name(s). locality (ies) with collection number (s), along with ethnmedicinal uses in detail. Abelmoschus crinitus Wall. (Malvaceae); 'Ban medhasingh’: Samala Gudapada 30556 Whole plant is boiled with Dendrophlhoe falcata ‘Kumbhi malang' and Ahutilon indicum, ‘Ban kawnriya' and the decoction (1 teaspoonful per day) is given for 30 days for the treatment of epilepsy. A h ru s preca to riu s L. (Fabaceae); ‘Nali kaincho’, ‘Gunjo’, ‘Kencho-; Purunakote 34109, Golabandha Kerjang 30587 The root (5-8 cm) of the plant is fed along
Twenty one pieces (Vi inch long) of roots are ground along with black pepper (21) and water obtained after washing the rice ('Chawal dhowan’). The resultant mass is made into three doses. Each dose is given on every Saturday for three co nsecutive w eeks in the treatm ent o f spermatorrhoea and leucorrhoea 'M eh'. During the treatment, meat, egg and sour foods are to be avoided. A erva sa n g u in o len ta (L .) Blume (Amaranthaceae); ‘Chawad dhuw a’; Kerjenga, Pallahara 30401 Leaves are cooked as vegetable and given continuously for one week to the patient of leucorrhoea. A g era tu m co n yzo id es L. (A steraceae); ‘Gandhri'. ‘Pukhu sungha'; Khuludi. Jamardihi, Nizgarh 30455 Leaf juice is given with honey (‘Mahu’) for one week in the treatment of brain malaria. Plant decoction (1 spoonful) is also given for 5 days in the treatment of malaria. Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall, ex Nees (Acanthaceae); ‘Bhuin limba', ‘Chiraita-, ‘Bhuin neem‘, 'Kalmegh': Purunakote. Mangalpur, Parwatipur 34123. Kerjenga, Jamardihi, Nizgarh. Chhendipada 30420 Leaf extract is given to the victim of snake bite to confirm whether the snake was poisonous or not. If it tastes sweet it means the snake was poisonous. Anogeissus acuminata (Roxb. ex DC.) Guill. (Combretaceae); ‘Phasi’; Hathigirija Jungle 34171 Leaves of the plant are ground with the leaves of Limonia elephantum ‘Kentho patra' and black carbon dust ‘Andho‘ collected from inverted iron disc used in cooking ( ‘Tawa‘). The mixture is given to domestic cattle to check any type of diarrhoea ‘Jhada'.
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Atylosia scarabaeoides (L.) Benth. (Fabaceae); 'K u rth ia', ‘K ulthia’, ‘Sarpunkha'; Purunakote 34114. Nizgarh. Pallahara 30513 A drop of extract from seeds is poured into eyes regularly for 2 months in the treatment of poor vision due to cataract "Jala' or 'Palado-nemopet'. B a rrin g to n ia a cu ta n g u la (L .) G aertn. (Barringtoniaceae); ’Hinjado'. ‘Hinjad': Hathigirija Jungle 34165, lamardihi 30475 Fresh leaves are cooked with buner ( ‘Ghee’) and given 2-3 times per day in the treatment of piles. B a u h in ia va h lii W ight & Arn. (Ceasalpiniaceae); 'Siali lata'; Kendu Mundia Forest 34189 Leaf powder is mixed with mustard oil and applied externally on infection behind the ears. Borassus flabellifer L. (Arecaceae); ‘Tad’, ‘Tad gachh'; Jamardihi. Kumbhia. Parwatipur. Mangalpur 34271 Inflorescence of male plant is ground and 50 g of it is given to a woman on empty stomach on the last day of menses to avoid pregnancy for the next few months. She will never become pregnant after consuming second or third dose. Ash after burning of male inflorescence is also given for the same purpose. C aesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. (Ceasalpiniaceae); ‘Gilo’. ‘Gila’; Nizgarh, Pallahara 30541 Gum and seeds are powdered and given with milk for 21 days to increase semen concentration. C alotropis p ro cera (A iton) D ryand (A sclepiadaceae); ‘A ra k h ', ‘Swet a ra k h '; Mangalpur, Parwatipur, Keijenga 34260 For the treatment of fistula, fresh latex is collected, dried and made into pills; 1 pill is given daily to the patient before sleeping at night for 7 days. Canavalia gladiala (Jacq.) DC. (Fabaceae); 'Taurango' ; Jamardihi 30478 Fresh leaf juice is applied externally on scorpion stung part to get relief from pain; the leaf juice is also applied on forehead as a treatment for half portion headache (‘Adh kapali').
C apparis zeyla n ica L. (C apparaceae); ‘Asaduwa’; Hathigirija Jungle 34158 Stem bark C/ 2 tea spoonful) paste prepared with water is given with V* glass of milk for 7 days for the treatment of gout ( ‘Amba-vato’). During the treatm ent, consum ption o f fish and meat is prohibited. Cassia fistu la L. (Caesalpiniaeae); Sunari, Sonari; Purunakote 34115, Kerjenga, Jamardihi, Samala Gudapada, Pallahara. Chhendipada 30411 Root paste is kept inside the leaves of Shorea robusta (‘Sal-patta’) and put on a hot pan (‘Tawa’). Then this tepid paste is applied 2-3 times externally for the treatment of lumbago. Bark powder is also given orally along with dried ginger ( ‘Sunthichuran’) twice daily for the same ailment. Cassytha filiform is L. (Lauraceae); ‘Nirmuli’; Golabandha Kerjang. Bhurkibhora Jungle 30585 The paste of whole plant in water is applied externally on body part swollen due to injury. C h e ila n th e s fa r in o s a (F o rssk .) K aulf. (Cheilanthaceae); ‘Chabol’, ‘Indrajal’; Kerjenga, Nizgarh 30421 Leaf paste is applied gently on the arms of children for 7 days in the treatment of stiffness of arms with pain (‘Kada-vat’). Cissampelos pareira L. (Menispermaceae); ‘Akand bindu', ‘Moch kundo’; Hathigirija Jungle 34157, Kerjenga, Nizgarh, Pallahara, Sankerjang Pansai 30445 Seven leaves are mixed with 7 black peppers and a paste is prepared. The paste is given to woman on the 5lh day of menses to avoid pregnancy. The same prescription is also given to woman for abortion of 3 month old foetus. Combretum decandrum Jacq. (Combretaceae); 'Kada atundi’; Hathigirija Forest 34153 Paste of fresh leaves along with fresh turmeric is prepared; the paste is applied on fungal infection between the toes for 5-7 days. Commelina benghalensis L. (Commelinaceae); ‘Kena suri’; Purunakote 34131 A paste of roots is prepared with fresh turmeric and water. This paste is applied gently over stomach
UNREPORTED ETHNOM EDICINAL USES OF SOM E PLANTS IN ANGUL DISTRICT. ODISHA (INDIA)
of infants (below 6 months of age) for 2-3 days as treatment for stiffness of arms and legs (‘Kada vato'). Costus speciosus (J. Konig) Sm. (Costaceae); ‘Gai gendaliya’, ‘K ewu’, ‘K ou’, ‘Koukouka’; Purunakote 34112, Kendu Mundia Forest. Tokoba 34193. Jamardihi. Pallahara 30481 Rhizomes are dried, powdered and given with honey (in 1:2 ratio) for treating stomach pain. It is also given in the treatment of hydrocoel ( ‘Eksira'). D endrocalam us stric tu s (R oxb.) Nees (Poaceae); ‘Bans’, ‘Baunsa’; Hathigirija Jungle, Kumbhia, Takoba 34168 A paste of green tender leaves and a little black carbon dust ('Andho') collected from lower side of pan (‘Tawa’) is prepared. It is fed to domestic cattle once only to check acute diarrhoea. D iplocyclos p a lm a tu s (L .) C. Jaffrey (Cucurbitaceae); ‘Shivlingi’; Motho Pahad 34213 Roots are dried and burnt. Domestic cattle with any type of disease related to the skull are made to inhale the smoke once only. Euphorbia fusiform is Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don (Euphorbiaceae); ‘C hedikani’, ‘D udhkuduma’; Nizgarh, Pallahara 30539 Root powder (1 g per day) is given along with goat’s milk continuously for one month as a treatment for tuberculosis. E. hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae); ‘Hari harika’, ‘C hitakuti’, ‘Pedpedika’, ‘Chhoto pedpedica’, ‘Khero sag-, ‘Jhuti gadia’; Purunakote, Takoba 34117, Jamardihi, Pallahara, Sankerjang Pansai 30461 The paste of whole plant prepared with a little curd and sugar is given once only to children suffering from gripping with frequent evacuation of faeces and gas formation. F lem ingia strobilifera (L.) W.T. Aiton (Fabaceae); ‘Murgo sheera’; Samala Gudapada 30543 Roots are powdered and given with hot water in the morning and evening for 3 days to check amoebosis. Ixora pavetta Andrews (Rubiaceae); ‘Bhuen kurma’, ‘Telkui gachh’, ‘Tel kurma’, ‘Tel kurmi’;
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Kerjenga. Jarapada Road, Chhendipada, 30572, Kumbhia, Tentuli, Bhurkibhora Jungle 34194 Fresh roots are ground with water and 1 tea spoonful is given for 2 days in the treatment of blood dysentery. L eu ca s m o llissim a Wall, ex Benth. (Lamiaceae); ‘Samar khayee’; Kendu Mundia Forest 34188 Roots are ground with water and the prepared paste is warmed and applied twice daily on body parts affected by gout, rheumatism and pain. Mimosa himalayana Gamble (Mimosaceae); ‘Kirkinchi’; Hathigirija Jungle 34162, Nizgarh, Pallahara 30512 Dried roots are ground along with dried ginger and black pepper; the powder so obtained is given tw ice daily for 2-3 months as treatm ent for rheumatism, gout and arthritis. Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae): ‘Ban tulsi-, ‘Londa babuli'; Kerjenga, Nizgarh, Pallahara 30412 Seeds are powdered and the powder (1 g) is given with hot water daily for 1 year in the treatment of leprosy ( ‘Kusta-rog’). Seed is inserted into eye once only to search for foreign particles and clean the eye. It is also inserted into eye to remove infection (‘Jala’). P a ssiflo ra fo e tid a L. (P assiflo raceae); ‘Sikakai’; Nizgarh, Pallahara 30524 Fresh fruit is ground with water and the paste obtained is applied externally on hydrocoel once only. P h y lla n lh u s fr a te r n u s G.L. W ebster (Euphorbiaceae); ‘Choti awala’, ‘ Baadi aawanda’ ; Handapa 34242, Jamardihi. Pallahara 30462 Whole plant is ground and 1 spoonful of it is given orally for 2 days to check excessive bleeding after delivery accom panied by stomach pain, lumbago and fever. P lum eria alba L. (A pocynaceae); ‘Kath champa’, ‘Kathi Champa’: Purunakote, Takoba 34164 A piece o f soft stem is warmed and used for fomentation in case of waist pain after wrapping a cloth and a leaf of banana around the waist.
ETHNOBOTANY VOL. 24. 2012
Sa n sevieria cylin d rica Bojer ex Hook. (Liliaceae); 'Ishwar jata', ‘Ojhad gachh’, 'Oghad gachh’, ‘Gokhura gad'. ‘Naga ahiri’; Parwatipur. Tridhara 34252, Khuludi, Pallahara 30451 A paste of the fresh plant is applied on the body part bitten by snake; it is believed that poison does not spread further. The extract of the plant is also given simultaneously for quick relief. S m ila x o va lifo lia Roxb. ex D.Don (Smilacaceae); 'Kumbhatua', ’Muturi', 'Muchudi', ‘Kamaltua lata"; Majhikholi Jungle 34142, Kerjenga. Samala Gudapada, Pallahara 30417 Dried roots are powdered with dried ginger ( ‘Sonth’) and black pepper in (in 4:2:1 ratio) and given to men/women to reduce obesity. T am arindus indica L. (C easalpiniaceae); ‘Tentuli’; Hathigirija Jungle 34159, Mangalpur 34210 L eaf ju ic e (Vi spoonful) is m ixed with pomegranate fruit juice ( '/ 2 spoonful) and honey ('A spoonful) and given once only to check any kind of diarrhoea. Vitex a ltissim a L .f. (V erbenaceae); 'Chadaigudi'; Kendu Mundia Forest 34180 L eaves are pasted with the leaves o f Phyllanthus fratem us ("Bhui-amla’), Andrographis paniculata ('Bhui-limba') and seeds of fenugreek (‘Methi’) and boiled with water. This decoction is given with honey thrice a day for 3 days in the treatment of malaria. Ziziphus m auritiana Lam. (Rhamnaceae); ‘Berkudi’, 'Banro koli'; Pallahara 30491. Hathigirija Forest 34151 Leaves are crushed and the juice is smeared externally on palm, below feet and on the whole body for treating burning sensation ( ‘Jalan'). Two tender leaves are taken orally with a little salt for 2 days in the treatment of chicken pox. Discussion Most of these tribal groups do not have modem health facilities. Generally, they use their traditional knowledge o f the locally available plants for medicinal and other purposes. Due to lack of interest of the young generation among the tribals in traditional knowledge and due to urbanization and
unscientific exploitation of natural forests, the valuable traditional knowledge and plant species are depleting very' fast. Therefore, it is necessary to collect and document such precious knowledge from the tribal areas as soon as possible and also increase awareness among the tribal communities for the conservation and sustainable use of plant wealth. Investigations on the evaluation of biological activities of plants and isolation of active constituents and pharmacological testing are required. Acknowledgements Authors are thankful to the Director, Botanical Survey of India. Kolkata and Head of Central Botanical Laboratory, Howrah for providing all the necessary facilities. Thanks are due to the Divisional Forest Officer (s), Angul. Satkosia. Athamallik. Deogarh and Range Officer (s) Handapa. Pallahara and their staff for the help rendered during the field studies. The authors express their deep sense of gratitude to numerous tribal informants of various villages of Angul district, who freely shared their knowledge during the field survey: without their cooperation, this work would not have been possible. References Ambasta, S.P. led.) 1986. The Useful Plants o f India. NISCAIR, CSIR. New Delhi (Reprinted 2006). Anonymous. 1948-1976. The Wealth o f India- Raw Materials. Vols. 1 11. CSIR. New Delhi. Chopra. R.N.. Nayar. S.L. &. Chopra . l.C. 1956. Glossary o f Indian M edicinal Plants. CSIR. New Delhi. Haines. H.H. 1921-1925. The Botany o f Bihar and Orissa. Vols.l3. Botanical Survey o f India. Calcutta (Reprinted 1961). Jain, S.K. 1991 D ictionary o f Indian Folk M edicine and Ethnohtnany. D eep Publications. New Delhi. Kirtikar. K.R. & Basu. B.D. 1935. Indian M edicinal Plants. Vols 1-4 . Bishan Singh M ahendra Pal Singh. Dehradun (Reprinted 1984). M ondal. P. & Mukherjee. P K . 1992. Notes on ethnobotany o f Keonjhar district. Orissa. J. earn. Tuxon. Bot. Add. Ser. 10:908-919. Mooney, H.F. 1941. Some additions to the botany o f Bihar and Orissa. Indian For. Rec. 3(2):63-119. Mooney. H.F. 1950. Supplement to Botany o f Bihar and Orissa. Catholic Press. Ranchi. India. Sahu. S.C.. Dhal. N.C. & Mohanty. R.C. 2009. Ethnobotanical study o f Deogarh district (Orissa) with respect to plants
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Saxena. H.O. & Brahmam. M. 1994-%. The Flora o f Orissa. Vols. 1-4. Regional Research Laboratory and O FD C. Bhubaneswar.
used for treating skin diseases. Ethnobotany 21:46-50. Sahu.S.C.. Dhal. N.C. & Mohanty. R.C. 2010. Potential medicinal plants used by the tribals of Deogarh district, Orissa. India. Ethno. Med. 4( 1):53-61.
Sur. P.R. & Haider. A.C. 2004. Ethnobotanical study o f Sambalpur district. Orissa. India. J. earn. Taxon. Bot. 28(3):573-584.
Satapathy. K.B. 2008. Interesting ethnobotanical uses from Juang. Kolha and M unda tribes o f K eonjhar district. Orissa. Ethnobotany 20:99-105.
Sur. P.R. & Haider. A.C. 2010. Observation on the ethnobotany o f Keonjhar district. J. econ. Taxon. Bot. 34(4):908-919.
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