Traditional phytotherapy of Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, India

Transcription

1 Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 10 (2), April 2011, pp Traditional phytotherapy of Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, India SP Jain *, Sarika Srivastava, J Singh & SC Singh Department of Botany & Pharmacognosy Division,Cental Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Lucknow , Uttar Pradesh, India sp.jain@cimap.res.in Received ; revised Madhya pradesh, the largest state of India, is the home of many tribals and harbour a number of plants species in their forest areas. Nearly one fourth of the total population of the state is inhabited by tribals such as Baigas, Gonds, Korku, etc. tribes. An ethno-medico-botanical survey among different tribal pockets of Balaghat district, viz. Gangulapara, Lamta, Laugur, Langi, Baihar, Bithali, Lalbarra, etc. was carried out during the year and folklore information was collected on 50 medicinal plants species belonging to 50 genera and 31 families with the help of tribal medicine men. Out of 50 plants, 15 predominant plants used in refractory diseases such as cancer, malaria, rheumatism, liver disorders and respiratory diseases, etc. These uses are not reported in earlier published literatures. Keywords: Phytotherapy, Balaghat, Madhya pradesh, Tribals, Ayurveda IPC Int. Cl.8: A01D 4/04, A01D 4/34, A01D 4/50, A01D 20/46, A01D 9/01, A01D 7/31, A01D 20/16, A01D 11/00 Plants play a significant role not only in day to day livelihood of human being but also in economic development and health management system in form of traditional and modern medicament 1. The importance of traditional systems of medicine that provide health service to 75-80% of world's population has been realized in developing countries like India since time immemorial 2. The dominant Ayurvedic system of medicine of India has been in vogue for over 300 yrs. Nevertheless, the folk and ethnomedicines particularly in rural and tribal areas of India are still playing a great role in treatment of diseases but now the traditional knowledge and practices are disappearing and losing their intrinsic values at an alarming rate due to one or other reasons in various ethno-medico-botanical rich countries of the world. Some of the reasons for vanishing such invaluable knowledge /wealth are said to be shrinkage of forest areas and disappearance of indigenous culture and practices due to adoption of modern life style. A major bulk of folk or ethnomedicines remained endemic to certain regions or communities in the concerned countries of the world. However, due to lack of communication of intermingling and breeding of ideas and varying way of life, many of these earlier remedies survived only by word of mouth from generation to generation 3. Keeping in view, the importance of such invaluable *Corresponding author knowledge in healthcare management and development of new and novel medicaments, the present investigation has been taken up. Balaghat district is situated in the southern part of Jabalpur division of Madhya pradesh(mp) and occupies the South eastern region of the Satpura and Upper Wainganga Valley. The district spans over a degree from21 19' to 22 24' North and 79 31' to 81 3' East. It is bounded by Mandla district of Madhya pradesh to the North, Dindhori district to the Northwest, Rajnandgaon district of Chhatisgarh state of the east, Gondiya and Bhandara district of Maharashtra state of South, and Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh to the West. The Wainganga and its tributaries are the most importantrivers in the district. The town of Balaghat is on the Wainganga, which flows North and South through the district and form the part of the boundary with Seoni district. The Bagh, Nahra and Uskal rivers are trbutaries of the Wainganga. The Bawanthadiand Bagh rivers define the boundary with Maharashtra.The total area of the district is about 9,245 km2 and about 4840 km2 of the area is covered with forest which is mainly inhabited by Baiga, Gond & Korku. The Balaghat district is divided in two divisions, viz. North Balaghat & South Balaghat. The area is rich in plants wealth owing to its ecological diversitiesand forest types, viz. Southern moist

2 JAIN et al.: TRADITIONAL PHYTOTHERAPY OF BALAGHAT DISTRICT 335 deciduous mixed forests, Southern tropical moist deciduous teak forests, North tropical moist deciduous sal forests, Bamboo forests and Saja forests. Although ethno-medico-botanical work of different areas of Madhya Pradesh have been carried out by many workers Since, there is no intensive and extensive studies have been carried out and reported of this region, an attempt has been made to collect, collate and document the vanishing knowledge of the medicinal properties of the plants by different tribes of Balaghat district, the treatment of various human diseases and ailments. Methodology The various tribal areas of Balaghat district covered in the present studies include: Barasiwani, Birsa, BIthali, Gangulapara, Katangi, Kirnapur, Lamta, Laugur, Langi, Lalbarra, etc. The survey was conducted in different seasons during In field studies, medicinal uses of plants were collected with the help and interview of traditional medicinal practitioner (TMP), age-old people and tribal medicine men actively engaged in ethno medicinal practices. Most of them belong to families, which still have a strong connection with traditional agriculture and medicinal practices for their livelihood. Data were also collected through interviews and queries and were immediately recorded in the field notebook. All remedies used to treat a given ailment were also cross checked and enumerated to identify the most popularly used medicinal plant species. The identity of each plant species collected and mentioned by the interviewers were verified and confirmed with the help of live plant specimens, regional and local floras All plant specimens collected, during the survey are deposited in the Herbariun of Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic plants (CIMAP),Lucknow (UP ),India,with accession numbers. The plants are enumerated in alphabetical order in Table 1, along with their family, local name, parts used, uses in diseases/ ailments and mode and frequency of administration, etc. Result and discussion First hand information on uses of 50 plant species belong to 31 families for different diseases, collected from the tribals of Balaghat district of MP have been presented in this paper. In most of the case (29%) roots and rhizome were used for curing ailments followed by stem and stem bark (24%); (16%) leaves; (14%)fruits, and(5%)whole plant. Seeds, gum, and latex were the least used plant parts. The crude drugs are usually used in the form of decoction, infusion and poultice. The indigenous community prefers such plants, viz. Roots of Kudo (Holarrhena pubescens) for the treatment of malaria and piles; whole plant of Bhuineem (Andrographis paniculata) for chickenginia and malaria; fruit of Bhatkataiya (Solanum virginianum),whole plant of Guma (Leucas cephalotes) and fruit pulp of Amaltas (Cassia fistula) for asthma; root of Bhainsatar (Flemingia strobilifera) for tonic and aphrodisiac properties; rhizome of Kevakand (Costus speciosus), stem-bark of Haldu (Haldina cordifolia)and leaves of Harsingar (Nyctanthes arbor- tristis) for rheumatism; seeds of Table 1 List of plants used as traditional phytotherapy in Balaghat district Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae/ Chirchita Dog-bite Infusion of roots used internally for three days. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa Rutaceae/ Bel Stomachache Fresh Leaves chewed in the on empty stomach. Alangium salvifolium L.f. Alangiaceae/ Ankol Snakebite A poultice of stem bark is externally applied. Ampelocissus latifolia (Heyne ex Roth) Planch. Kidney, heart Infusion of rhizome is taken internally. Vitaceae/ Dhotto disease, diabetes Anogeissus latifolia Wall. ex Bedd. Combretaceae Hernia A poultice of stem bark is externally applied. Dhura Andrographis paniculata L. Acanthaceae Chhota Chirayata Intermittent fever, Malarial fever Infusion of whole plant taken internally for seven days. Argyreia nervosa Bojer Convolvoulaceae/ Samendra phal Kidney stone, boils Infusion of leaves used internally; poultice of leaves applied externally. Boerhavia diffusa L. Nyctaginaceae/ Patharchatta Urinary disorder Infusion of roots used internally. Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. Burseraceae / Salai Rheumatism Sciatica Fresh gum chewed with betel leaf in rheumatism. Decoction of stem bark taken with cow s milk for seven days in sciatica. (Contd.)

3 336 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 10, NO 2, APRIL 2011 Table 1 List of plants used as traditional phytotherapy in Balaghat district Contd. Butea monosperma Taub. Fabaceae/ Tesu Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. Caesalpiniaceae/ Karanj Celastrus paniculatus Willd. Celastraceae/ Malkangini Cissampelos pareira L. Karupath Cassia fistula L. Caesalpiniaceae/ Amaltas Haemostatic, Fertility, vitality Malarial fever, Gastritis Joints pain, weakness of bone Snakebite & scorpion bite Urinary disorders, pneumonia, respiratory disorder, asthma Leprosy Decoction of stem bark is given internally after child birth. Fresh gum taken internally for fertility and vitality. Infusion of seed powder is given internally. Infusion of seed oil is applied externally in joints pain. Leaf decoction is given internally in weakness. Decoction of root is given internally Poultice of Fruit pulp is applied externally. Infusion of fruit is applied externally. Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br. Asclepiadaceae/ Poultice of leaf with latex is applied externally. Madar Catunaregam spinosa (Thumb.) Rids. Asthma Decoction of leaves with its spines given internally. Rubiaceae/ Tiru Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon Kidney stone Decoction of root with fruits of Kala dhatura Verbenaceae/ SK Bharangi (Datura metel), Lahsun (Allium sativum) is given. Costus speciosus (Koenig) Smith Rheumatism, gout, worm Infusion of root is given internally. Liliaceae/ Keokand repellent Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Hypoxidaceae/ Anemia, male sterility Poultice of rhizome is applied externally. Musli Datura stramonium L. Solanaceae/ Dhatura Respiratory disorder, Infusion of root is given internally. Poultice of rheumatism leaves is bandaged on affected parts. Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. Dilleniaceae/ Katta Bone fracture Poultice of leaves and stem bark is applied externally. Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. Ebenaceae/ Stomach disorder,, Fruit is taken internally; infusion of gum is given Kala tendu infertility internally. Elephantopus scabesk r L. Asteraceae/ Piles Root infusion is given internally; root poultice is tied Van tambaku on the waist. Embelia basaal A. DC. Myrsinaceae/ Vaibidang Pregnancy, worm infestation Infusion of fruits is given internally. Gloriosa superba L. Abdominal pain Fresh root bark is chewwed. Liliaceae/ Kalihari Grewia sp Spermatorrhoea Decoction of root is taken internally for 2 days. Tiliaceae/ Gurshikari Gardenia turgida Roxb. Rubiaceae/ Safed pendra Stomach-ache Decoction of stem bark is given internally. Haldina cordifolia Roxb. Rubiaceae/ Haldu Rheumatism Poultice of stem bark is applied externally. Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. Asclepiadaceae/ Asthma Infusion of root is given internally. Anantmool Holarrhena pubescens Wall.ex G.Don Malaria, piles, high fever Decoction of fruits & roots is given internally in Apocynaceae/ Kurchi malaria and piles; decoction of stem bark is given Leucas cephalotes Spreng. Lamiaceae/ Guma Bronchial asthma, skin eruption internally in high fever. Infusion of whole plant is given internally in bronchial asthma. Poultice of whole plant is applied externally on affected skin area. Litsea glutinosa Robinson Lauraceae/ Maida lakdi Cancer Decoction of stem bark is given internally. Murraya paniculata (L.) Jacq. Rutaceae/ Cholera, dysentery Infusion of leaves is given internally. Dev savari Mimosa pudica L. Leucorrhoea Decoction of whole plant is given internally. Mimosaceae/ Chuimui Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. Oleaceae/ Parijat, Harsingar Sciatica, rheumatism Decoction of leaves with Kesar (Crocus sativus) is given. Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent. Bignoniaceae/ Inflammation, boils Poultice of stem bark is applied externally. Sonapati Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Fabaceae/ Bija sal Tuberculosis Decoction of stem bark is given internally. (Contd.)

4 JAIN et al.: TRADITIONAL PHYTOTHERAPY OF BALAGHAT DISTRICT 337 Table 1 List of plants used as traditional phytotherapy in Balaghat district Contd Pueraria tuberosa DC. Fabaceae/ Bankumhra Bone fracture Poultice of root and stem togetheris applied externally. Radermachera xylocarpa Snakebite Infusion of seed is given internally. (Roxb.) K. Schum.Bignoniaceae/ Garud phal, Jaimangal Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.) A. Juss/ Meliaceae/ Paralysis Decoction of stem bark is given internally. Rohan Smilax zeylanica L. Kidney disorder Infusion of root is given internally. Liliaceae/ Ramdatun Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken Sapindaceae/ Skin diseases Poultice of stem bark is applied externally. Kusum Sida cordifolia L. Ulcer, dysentery Decoction of leaf is given internally. Malvaceae/ Mamas Solanum virginianum L. Solanaceae/ Bhatkataiya Haematuria, asthma, irregular menstruation Root infusion is taken in asthmaand haematuria. Fresh fruit is taken in irregular menstruation. Tephrosia purpurea (L. ) Pers. Fabaceae/ Bhamasia Aphthae, dysuria, Decoction of root with honey is given internally. diarrhoea, rheumatism Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. Combretaceae/ Bahera Impotence, bronchitis, respiratory infections, Decoction of stem bark is given internally in impotence and bronchitis. Infusion of fruits is given internally in respiratory infections and aphthae. Stem infusion is given orally in gonorrhoea and as diuretic. Seed infusion of Centrathermum anthelminticum and Gurchi is given with crystalline sugar in tuberculosis. Root & fruit decoction is given during intermittent fever. Tribulus terrestris L. Zygophyllaceae/ Gokhru Intermittent fever Infusion of fruits of Gokhru and rhizome of Cyperus aphthae Tinospora cordifolia Miers Menispermaceae/ Gurchi Diuretic, tuberculosis, intermittent fever Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Solanaceae/ Ashwagandha Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R.Br. Apocynaceae/ Dudhi Gurchi (Tinospora cordifolia) for tuberculosis; gum of Salai(Boswellia serrata) for sciatica; roots of Chirchita (Achyranthes aspera) and Jaimangal (Radermachera xylocarpa) in snake bite; stem bark of Maida Lakdi (Litsea glutinosa) for the treatment of cancer like diseases; and rhizome of Ampelocissus latifolia in the management of diabetes. Most of the ethno medicinal information provided in this study is new, as they are not recorded earlier. This information was checked with available literatures 4,7-14. Further, some of the plants reported here, are found mention for similar by earlier worker, but they have not reported methods of use as provided in the present work. Moreover, reports are available on some of the plants enumerated here, but uses are in quite different diseases/ailments, but not as such reported in this paper. They also differ either in the parts of the plant used or in preparation and use method or simply prescribed for single disease. It is not a denying fact that traditional knowledge in developing countries like India is eroding at a faster rate. Therefore, it is felt as an urgent need Male sterility, leucorrhoea, miscarriage Astringent, febrifuge scariosus is given orally. Decoction of root is given internally. Infusion of stem bark is used internally to inventories and record all ethno-medicinal information available into diverse ethnic communities before the traditional culture is completely lost. Acknowledgement Authors are highly thankful to National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), New Delhi (India) for providing financial assistance for carrying out the present scientific work. They are also grateful to the tribal communities of Balaghat district who were kind enough to share the treasure of their folk knowledge about use of the plants for the treatment of various diseases. The authors express their sincere gratitude to the Director, CIMAP, Lucknow (India) and forest officials of Balaghat district for providing facilities and encouragement in the field work of the present investigation. References 1 Akerelo O, Nature s medicinal botany: don t throw it away, World Health Forum 14, 1993, Alexiades M, Collecting ethnobotanical data. An introduction to basic concept and techniques, In: Selected Guideline for Ethnobotanical Research :A Field Manual,

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