Ethno medicinal plants from north tarai forests of Uttar Pradesh, India for joint and muscle pain

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1 2013 RELS ISSN: Res. Environ. Life Sci. 6(3) (2013) Ethno medicinal plants from north tarai forests of Uttar Pradesh, India for joint and muscle pain T. P. Mall* and Sangeeta Sahani Postgraduate Department of Botany, Kisan P. G. College, Bahraich (U. P.) India * (Received: February 15, 2013; Revised received: July 08, 2013; Accepted: July 10, 2013) Abstract: Traditional systems of medicines are being used since vedic period. The present work is undertaken for the documentation of ethno-medicinal knowledge existing among the dwellers of North-Tarai forests of U. P. which is full of green natural forests and rich biodiversity as well as tribal communities and ethnic culture. Tribals are the store house of such traditional knowledge because they have faith & belief on traditional medicines as well as they are familiar with nature so they use herbal medication. Surveys were conducted in the region. Questionnaire method was adopted for the investigation. During the survey more than hundreds of plants were investigated & collected which are being used for the treatment of various ailments in which sixty seven plant species belonging to sixty two genera representing thirty seven families are reported being used for the treatment of joint & muscle pain. From the collected data of questionnaire different traditional medicinal plants are being tabulated alphabetically family wise along with their author name, vernacular name, method of medicine preparation and mode of administration. The study indicates that the present work is helpful in production of cheap and effective medicines as well as in the conservation of natural biodiversity. Key words: Ethno medicinal plant, north- tarai forests, biodiversity, traditional knowledge, joint and muscle pain. Introduction The world has twenty Mega diversity countries which constitute eight hottest hot spots. India is one of the twenty mega diversity countries constituting three hot spots viz. Himalaya, Indo- Burma and Western Ghat. Indo-Burma and Western Ghat are among the eight hottest hot spots of the world. North -Tarai region is next only to it which has fragile ecosystem and is rich in great phytodiversity. Tarai region means Himalayan foothill area which constitute belt of marshy grassland, savannas and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Shiwalik hills and North of the Indo-gangetic plains of the rivers Ganga, Brahmputra and other tributaries. In Northern India the Tarai spreads eastward from the Ganga and Yamuna rivers across the states Himanchal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar. The study area, of North-Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh constitute Balrampur, Shrawasti, Bahraich Kheri- Lakhimpur and Pilibhit districts with International border of Nepal. The districts of North-Tarai region are full of green natural forests and are well blessed with rich biodiversity of flora and funna as well as traditional ethnic communities and culture. Lands lying at these region are watershed or at the bank of rivers, vally, basins, marshy ground, marshy swamps and meadow. The region is crossed by large perennial Himalayan river Ganga, Saryu, Ghaghra and Rapti. Soil is alluvial with fine to medium texture. Green natural forests, ethnic communities, tribal villages and ethnic cultures of tribes are the specialty of these areas. The dwellers of rural areas and villages are wholly dependent on forests for their commodities specially for healthcare because they have enormous knowledge of traditional medicine as well as deep faith and belief in traditional system of medicine. Medicinal plants form the basis of traditional and indigenous system of medication in North-Tarai region. The rich biodiversity of the area has provided an initial advantage to its inhabitants for observing and scrutinizing the rich flora for developing their own medicines to cure different ailments. The knowledge of traditional medicine is passed from one generation to other through folk-lore. There is no any written documentation about the traditional knowledge and is limited only to local healers or elders (Binu, 2011). Due to advent of modernization and lack of interest among the new generation as well as their charms towards cities for jobs, and government policies which are making their efforts to provide facilities of healthcare and education in the villages are the causes which are creating the possibilities that the wealth of traditional knowledge may be lost with elders or traditional healers (Rao, 1996). So there is a need to preserve this wealth through proper documentation. Thus an attempt has been made to collect information on traditional knowledge and their documentation present within the tribes and local folks. Joint and muscle pain: Pain is an extremely personal experience. Joints form the connections between bones. They provide support and help to move. Any damage to the joints from disease or injury can interfere with movement and causes a lot of pain. Many different conditions can lead to pain of joints including gout, strains, sprains, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other injuries. Joint pain is extremely common. Knee pain is most common complained followed by shoulder and hip pain. Joint pain can affect any parts of the body from ankle to shoulders. Joint pain can range from mild irritating inflammation and debilitating. It may go away after a weeks (acute) or last for several weeks or months (chronic). Muscle pain or Myalgia is symptoms of many diseases and disorders. The most common causes are the overuse or overstretching of a muscle or group of muscles or repetitive strain Research in Environment and Life Sciences 91

2 injuries as well as another reason is chronic tension. Myalgia without a traumatic history is often due to viral infections. Long term Myalgia may be indicative of a metabolic myopathy, some nutritional deficiencies or chronic fatigue syndrome (Wikipedia). Even short term pain and swelling in joints and muscles can affect quality of normal life. Whatever the cause of joint and muscle pain usually it can be managed with medication, physical therapy or alternative treatments. Anti-inflammatory, anti-depressants and other medicines have been invented in modern system of medicine. Long term use of these allopathic medicines may produce allergy or side effects so these are not suitable for regular uses. Luckily nature has provided remedies to heal these painful conditions and help to cure and feel better very soon. Using herbal remedies that include all parts of plants viz. leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, bark, root and rhizome which have specific chemical constituents and secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites are used as medicines. (Ambasta et al., 1992) they have curative properties and can help in pain relief and helps injuries to heal faster without any chances of side effects. The present work is undertaken for the documentation of ethno-medicinal plants being used for the remedies of joint and muscle pain as well as rheumatic pain by the dwellers of rural areas and villages of North-Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods Surveys were conducted in North Tarai Forests of Uttar Pradesh for the documentation of ethno medicinal importance of flora. Before proceeding for any survey and collection trips necessary clearance for the survey and collection of plant samples from the forest area under their control, arrangement for local forest staff to guide in the forest and for accommodation in forest rest houses, had been obtained from the competent forest authority. During the survey we found more than hundreds of plants which were being used for the treatment of various ailments. Present communication is emphasized on the medicinal plants being used for the remedy of joint & muscle pain. Elderly persons and resourceful medicine-men were contacted for the purpose. Questionnaire method was adopted for documentation of folk indigenous knowledge. The interviews were carried out in local community to investigate local people and local healers who are the main user of medicinal plants. Plant specimens were collected in the forest and at the homes of traditional healers as well as our own locality at regular intervals in different seasons. Medicinal plant parts were also collected from market venders. Local healers, elder experienced persons as well as market venders were interviewed using structured questionnaires. We provided fresh plant materials to the informants and simple questions were asked to them viz. what is the name of plant, what is this plant used for, which part used, which quantity, what is the method of medicine preparation and its mode of administration. All the questions were asked in the same order and their answer recorded in the field note book. The specimens of medicinal plants were collected, pressed, dried, preserved, mounted as described by Jain and Rao, 1976 and identified through the available taxonomic literature, manuals and floras (Duthie, 1994, Hooker, ). The specimens were deposited in the Herbarium maintained by the Department. The data taken in the field was transferred to the slip pasted on the herbarium sheets. The plants used in the treatment of joint and muscle pain are enumerated in Table -1 with family wise followed by botanical name as well as their vernacular name, plant parts used and mode of medicine preparation & administration. Results The perusal of the table shows that there are sixty seven plant species belonging to sixty two genera representing thirty seven families being used for the treatment of joint and muscles pain. In this study most dominant family is Lamiaceae represented by six species where as Verbenaceae represented by four species, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Liliaceae and Zingiberaceae represented by three species each; Apiaceae, Apocynaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Meliaceae, Malvaceae, Moraceae, Piperaceae, Rutaceae, and Solanaceae with two species each; Acanthaceae, Acoraceae, Asclepediaceae, Caricaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Combretaceae, Menispermaceae, Mimosaceae, Moringaceae, Myrtaceae, Nyctanginaceae, Nyctantheaceae, Oleaceae, Ranunculaceae, Sapotaceae, Sapindaceae and Solanaceae represented by single plant species being used for the treatment of joint and muscle pain. Different parts of the plant are being used for the treatment. In most of the cases, leaves are the most commonly used part followed by the roots, seeds and whole plant. Mode of administration consisted of dermal and oral methods. Mode of application included squeezing and crushing for the preparation of plant extract, paste powder and decoction of the particular plant parts. Discussion The present study clearly indicates that the area is floristically very rich and there are numbers of wild and cultivated plants used by tribal communities for the treatment of different ailments. They use to collect plant material from the fields. Since exact chemical composition is not known to the local residents and dose specification is also not very precise, these medicines are to be used carefully by taking necessary precautions (Sidhu et. al., 2010). Presently a severe decline in the use of traditional medicines is being witnessed which may be due to the availability of other medical facilities, but still elder people prefer to take traditional medicines as home remedies. Information providers told that they have gained this information from their elder family members and they are passing it on to their younger generation. In these rural areas people use to grow some plant species in the kitchen garden, and use them as herbal traditional medicine. As per study, traditional medicines are popular and these plant remedies are found to be affordable (Rao, 1996). In recent few years the floristic diversity as well as traditional knowledge is declining at faster rate. The extensive survey is needed for the proper documentation of the ethnomedicinal wisdom of the area so that this traditional system can be saved and documented for the forth-coming generations. The involvement of tribal people of the area in forest management programs may be important for the economical upkeeping of the tribals as well as for the conservation of economically important plants. Research in Environment and Life Sciences 92

3 Table 1: Ethno medicinal plants used in the treatment of joint and muscle pain Family Botanical name (English/Hindi name) Treatment of joint and muscle pain Acanthaceae Adhatoda vasica Nees. Mature and yellow leaves are warmed and tied on joints. (Arusa, Rusa, Vasaka) Acoraceae Acorus calamus Linn. Decoction of twenty gm. rhizome is taken orally twice daily for few days to cure (Bach) joint and muscle pain. It is also useful in arthritis. Apocynaceae Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Schum. Fresh leaves are made into paste and mixed with mustard oil (Brassica compestris Linn., (Peeli Kaner) Brassicaceae). It is warmed and applied on joint. Alstonia scholaris Linn. One teaspoonful of bark powder is taken orally as well as paste of bark is applied (Saptparni) on joint and muscles. It is also useful for rheumatic pain. Asclepiadaceae Calotropis procera W.T. Aiton Mature leaves are warmed and tied on joints. Leaves are made into paste and its (Madar, Aak) poultice prepared. It is warmed with castor oil (Ricinus communis Linn., Euphorbiaceae). Warm poultice is tied on joint thrice a day cures joints pain. Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides Linn. Paste of fresh leaves or poultice tied on joints is beneficial for pain. Five ml. juice of (Goat weed, Ban Pudina) fresh leaves is taken twice daily for few days is beneficial in joint and rheumatic pain. Apiaceae Carum copticum Linn. One tablespoonful powder of seeds is taken orally with a cup of luke warm water (Caraway, Ajwain) before meal. It is beneficial in joint pain. Coriandrum sativum Linn. Five gm powder of seeds is mixed with ten gm. of sugar or sugarcandy (Mishree) and (Coriander, Dhania) taken orally with a glass of water to cure joint & muscle pain. Brassicaceae Brassica compestris Linn. Two hundred ml. oil is taken and twenty gm. camphor (Cinnamomum camphora (Mustard, Sarso) L. J. Presl., Lauraceae) is mixed to it and is kept in glass bottle very close to sunlight for few days. Daily massage of this oil in winter season cures joint pain as well as muscle, body and rheumatic pain. Brassica juncea (Linn.) Seeds are made into paste and small amount of camphor (Cinnamomum camphora Czern. & Coss. (Rai) L. J. Presl., Lauraceae) is mixed to it and thick layer of paste is applied on muscle and joints. Oil is taken and small amount of camphor is mixed in oil. Massage of oil is beneficial in joint and muscle pain. Cardamine scutata Linn. Leaves or fresh shoots are cooked and eaten daily for few days to cure joint and muscles (Chamsur) pain. One teaspoonful powder of seeds are taken orally mixed with a glass of milk, it is taken for few days to cure joint and muscles pain. Caesalpiniaceae Cassia fistula Linn. Twenty leaves are warmed and its poultice is prepared. It is tied on joints cures pain. (Amaltas) Juice of fresh leaves is massaged on joints and muscles to cure pain. Sesbania grandiflora Linn. Root of agastya and dhatura taken in equal amount and made into paste. Poultice of this paste (Agastya) is tied on swellings of joints and muscles which cure pain as well as reduces swelling. Caricaceae Carica papaya Linn. One cup decoction of twenty gm seeds is taken twice daily for two weeks so as (Papaya, Papita) to cure joint and muscle pain. Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album Linn. Twenty ml. juice of fresh leaves taken daily in the morning with empty stomach for a (Bathua) month in winter season cures chronic pain of joints and muscles. Cucurbitaceae Momordica charantia Linn. Luke warm juice of raw fruit is applied on joints thrice daily so as to cure the pain. (Bitterguard, Karela) Combretaceae Terminalia bellerica Linn. (Bahera) Kernel of plant is made into paste and applied on joint and muscles to cure the pain. Euphorbiaceae Emblica officinalis Linn. Twenty gm dried fruit and equal amount of juggary is taken in five hundred ml water and (Awala) its decoction is prepared. Decoction is taken twice to cure chronic joint and muscle pain. Ricinus communis Linn. Leaves of castor taken and pure ghee (Cow milk fat) or castor oil is applied on smooth (Castor, Arand) side of leaves. Leaves are warmed and tied on joints twice a day to cure the pain. Fabaceae Clitoria ternatea Linn. Massage of oil on the joints and muscles cures pain. Seeds are made into paste (Aprajita) and warmed. Paste is applied on joint and muscles so as to cure pain. Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. One teaspoonful of seed powder is taken daily in the morning with empty stomach to (Methi) cure joint as well as rheumatic pain. Dalbergia sissoo Linn. Massage of seed oil on joints and muscles is beneficial for pain. Paste of seeds is (Sheesham) warmed and applied on joints as well as muscle pain. Lamiaceae Anisomella indica Linn. Decoction of leaves is taken orally to cure joint and muscle pain. Paste of leaves is (Kala Bhangra) mixed with sesame oil (Seasmum indicum Linn., Pedaliaceae) and warmed. It is applied on joint and muscles to cure pain. Lavendula officinalis Linn. Massage of oil cures inflammation of joints and muscles. Paste of leaves and flowers Research in Environment and Life Sciences 93

4 (Lavender) Leucas aspera Linn. (Guma) Mentha piperata Linn. (Pipermint) Ocimum sanctum Linn. Rosmarinus officinalis Linn. (Rosmarry) is warmed and applied on joint and muscles so as to cure. Leaves are cooked and eaten daily for few days to cure joint pain as well as arthritic pain. Paste of fresh leaves applied on joints and muscles cures the inflammation and pain. Fresh whole plant is dried and powdered. Five gm powder is taken twice daily with honey or luke warm milk cures joint and muscles pain as well as rheumatic pain. Juice of fresh leaves is mixed with honey and taken daily for few days to cure pain. Massage of oil creates soothing effect on inflammation of joint and muscle pain. Flower paste is applied on joints which produces relief in pain. Lauraceae Cinnamomum tamala Ham. (Tejpatta) Leaves (Fresh or dried) are made into paste and mixed with sufficient amount of honey. Paste is applied on joints and muscles. Cinnamomum zeylanicum Linn. Bark powder is made into paste with sufficient amount of honey and applied on joint and muscles as well as one teaspoonful of bark powder is taken mixed with honey and luke warm water. Litsea glutimosa (Lour.) CB. Leaves are warmed and tied on joints. Leaves are made into paste with Curcuma rhizome (Curcuma amada Linn., Zingiberaceae) and rock salt. Warm paste is tied on painful joints and muscles reduces swelling and produces relief in pain. Liliaceae Allium cepa Linn. Onion bulb juice and equal amount of mustard oil (Brassica compestris Linn., Brassicaeae) (Onion, Pyaz) is mixed and warmed. Daily massage of luke warm oil cures joint as well as muscle pain. Allium sativum Linn. Two or three cloves of garlic bulb are fried in ghee (Cow milk fat) and chewed and (Garlic, Lahsun) engulfed with water. It is taken for a month in winter season to cure joint, muscles and rheumatic pain. Five cloves of garlic bulb are fried in castor oil. When the garlic becomes black oil is filtered. Massage of this oil cures joint and muscles pain as well as beneficial for rheumatic pain. Aloe vera Linn. Twenty gm gel or juice of leaves is taken with honey. It is beneficial for joints and other (Ghritkumari) body pain. Massage of leaf gel on joint and muscles cures the inflammation and pain. Asparagus racemosus Linn. Fresh root of the plant is crushed and its extract is taken. The extract is mixed with (Shatawar) equal amount of sesame oil (Seasmum indicum Linn., Pedaliaceae) and ginger juice (Zingiber officinale Roscoe., Zingiberaceae). It is boiled on low flame of fire. When only oil is remained mixture is put out from fire. Massage with the oil on joints and muscles cures the pain. Lytheraceae Lawsonia inermis Linn. Leaves are taken with equal amount of castor (Ricinus communis Linn., (Mehndi) Euphorbiaceae) leaves and made into paste. Paste is warmed and applied luke warm on joints and muscles to cure pain. Malvaceae Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. Fresh leaves are made into paste with the help of water and tied on joints and muscles (Gurhal) which produces relief in pain and reduces swellings. Sida cardifolia Linn. Poultice of leaves is tied on joint and cool water is slightly poured over it continuously (Bariyar) cures joint pain. Leaves are taken, castor oil (Ricinus communis Linn., Euphorbiaceae) is applied on it and warmed. These leaves are tied on joints to cure pain. Decoction of five gm root is taken twice daily to cure joint and muscle pain. Menispermaceae Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Five gm. powder of whole plant is taken with a glass of milk which cures joint and Hook. f. & Thoms. (Guruch) muscle pain. Decoction of whole plant is taken orally to cur joint pains. Mimosaceae Mimosa pudica Linn. Twenty ml. decoction of ten gm. mature root is taken orally which is useful in joint pain (Chhuimui) as well as rheumatic pain. Moraceae Ficus benghalensis Linn. (Bargad, Ficus) Latex of plant is applied on joint and muscles twice daily cures respective pain. Ficus religiosa Linn. (Peepal) Fresh leaves are warmed and tied on joint and muscles. Moringaceae Moringa oleifera Linn. Seeds are made into paste and warmed. Luke warm paste is applied on joints to cure pain. (Sahjan) Massage of seed oil on painful joints and muscles is useful to cure the pain. Younger leaves are made into paste and warmed. It is applied or tied on joint and muscles. Decoction of fresh inner bark is taken and a pinch of caraway powder (Carum copticum Linn., Apiaceae), ginger powder (Zingiber officinale Roscoe., Zingiberaceae) is added to it. It is taken twice daily with empty stomach for multiple days to cure chronic joint & muscles pain as well as rheumatic and arthritic pain. Myrtaceae Pisidium guajava Linn. Tender leaves are made into paste and applied on joint or muscles so as to cure the (Guava, Amrud) pain. Fresh leaves are warmed and tied on joints produces relief in pain. Meliaceae Azadirachta indica Linn. Seeds are made into paste with mustard seeds (Brassica compestris Linn., (Neem) Brassicaceae) and applied on joint and muscles to cure pain. Melia azadirachta Linn.(White cedar,bakyan) Poultice of leaves is tied on swelling of joints which produces relief. Research in Environment and Life Sciences 94

5 Nyctanginaceae Boerhavia diffusa (Linn.) Leaves are made into paste with dried ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe., Non. Cons. (Punarnava) Zingiberaceae). Paste is applied on joint and muscles so as to cure the pain. Nyctanthaceae Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Four leaves are made into paste and taken orally with water twice daily for few days (Harshingar) to cure joint and muscle pain. It is also useful in rheumatism. Orchidaceae Vanda taselera Linn. Aerial roots are made into paste and applied on inflamed joints and muscles so (Hadjor) as to cure. Pandanaceae Pandanus odoratissimus Linn. Massage of oil on joints and muscles cures the pain. (Nom. illeg.) (Kevara) Piperaceae Pepromia pellucida Kunth. Few leaves are chewed and indulfed with water is beneficial in pain. Whole plant is (Shiny Bush) cooked and eaten which produces relief in pain. Decoction of whole plant is taken orally is beneficial for joint, muscles and rheumatic pain. Piper betle Linn., Fresh leaves are warmed and applied with mustard oil (Brassica compestris Linn., (Paan) (Brassicaceae) and are tied on painful joints. Plantaginaceae Plantago ovata Linn. Poultice of seed husk tied on joints to cure pain. (Psilium husk, Isabgol) Ranunculaceae Narvelia zeylanica (Linn.) Paste of whole plant is applied on painful & inflamed joints and muscles DC. (Vatanashini) cures pain. Rutaceae Citrus medica Linn. Leaves are warmed and tied on painful joint and muscles so as to cure. Citrus aurantifolia ( Neembu) Linn. (Lemon, Neembu). One piece of a lemon is squeeze into a glass of luke warm water and a teaspoonful of honey is mixed to it. It is taken twice daily for multiple days cures painful joints and muscles and it is also a potent remedy for rheumatism. Sapindaceae Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken. Seeds are made into paste and applied on painful joints & muscles to cure. Paste of (Kusum) seeds applied gently on painful joints and its massage cures joint and muscles pain. Sapotaceae Madhuca indica Linn. Luke warm paste of fresh bark is applied twice daily on joint and muscles produces (Mahua) relief in joint and muscle pain. Whole plant decoction is taken orally is useful in joint and muscle pain. Solanaceae Datura stramonium Linn. Leaves are made into paste and applied on painful joints. Poultice of leaves is tied on (Dhatura) painful joints. Whole plant is fried in sesame oil (Seasmum indicum Linn., Pedaliaceae) when plant becomes black, oil is filtered. Massage of this oil is beneficial in joint and muscle pain. If leaves of dhatura are tied on joint pain after massaging cures pain in a very short duration. Solanum tuberosum Linn. Drinking of twenty ml. raw potato tuber juice twice daily before taking meal cures (Potato, Aaloo) joints as well as rheumatic pain. Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal. Ten or fifteen leaf buds or soft leaves are boiled in two hundred ml of water. It is filtered (Ashwagandha, Asgandha) and taken daily for five days to cure joint and muscles pain. Three-five gm powder of root mixed with pure milk fat (ghee) and two gm of sugar. It is taken daily for few days cures joints as well as rheumatic pain. Whole plant is made into paste and warmed. Paste is applied on joints as well as muscles to cure pain. Verbenaceae Clerodendrum serratum Linn. (Bhant) Leaves are warmed and made into paste. Paste is massaged on joints and muscles pain. Premna latifolia Roxb. Fifty ml. decoction of whole plant is taken twice daily for few days to cure joints and (Arani) muscles Pain Fresh leaves are made into paste and applied on joints & muscles which reduces inflammation. Vitex nigundo Linn. Leaves are warmed and tied on painful joints and muscles so as to cure. Leaves are (Meudi) fried in sesame oil (Seasmum indicum Linn., Pedaliaceae) when leaves become black it is filtered. Daily massage of this oil cures joints muscles pain. Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl. (Daiya). Leaves are warmed and tied on painful joints so as to cure. Poultice of leaves is tied on joints cures pain. Zingiberaceae Curcuma longa Linn. (Turmeric, Haldi) Half teaspoonful of rhizome powder taken with luke warm water twice daily cures joint pain, muscles pain as well as rheumatic pain. One teaspoonful of rhizome paste and sufficient amount of juggary fried in pure ghee (Cow milk fat) and mixed in a glass of milk. It is taken twice daily for a week to cure joints, muscles as well as body and rheumatic pain. Curcuma amada Linn. (Aama haldi) Paste of rhizome is fried in mustard oil (Brassica compestris Linn., Brassicaceae). Paste is applied on joint and muscle to cure pain. Zingiber officinale Roscoe. (Ginger, Adrak) Two hundred fifty gm extract of rhizome is mixed with four hundred ml of sesame oil (Seasmum indicum Linn., Pedaliaceae). It is boiled on fire and when only oil remained is taken and cooled. Daily massage of this oil on joint and muscles as well as other pain of body cures pain. Research in Environment and Life Sciences 95

6 The perusal of the above mentioned communication shows that the North-Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh is very rich in floral diversity having lot of plant species of high medicinal importance and tribal ethnic communities which have great wealth of traditional medicinal knowledge. Documentation of the traditional knowledge will be a permanent feature and can be used for the designing of medicines in association with other disciplines of healthcare. It has been noticed that irrespective of the availability of other types of medicines some people still prefer to use these remedies at first instance. This may be due to their easy availability, low cost or no cost, no any side effects so that this knowledge can also be helpful in the production of cheap and highly effective medicines by the pharmaceutical companies for the treatment of various ailments. Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the forest authorities for permission and traditional healers as well as local natives of the area for providing highly valuable traditional information regarding the medicinal plants. References Ambasta, S.P., Chandran R.K., Kashyappa K. and Chand R.: The Useful Plants of India.Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi India. p. 918 (1992). Binu, S.: Medicinal Plants used for treating body pain by the tribals in Pathanamthitta district, Kerla, India. Indian J. of Traditional knowledge., 3: (2011). Duthie, J.F.: Flora of Upper Gangetic plain and of the adjacent Shivalic and Sub Himalayan Tract (Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta) Reprinted 1994 (1994). Hooker, J.D.: Flora of British India. vol. 7, Reev and Co. Ltd. England ( ). Jain, S.K., and Rao, R.R.: A Handbook of Field and herbarium method, Today and Tomorrow Printers and Publishers, New Delhi (1967). Jain, S.K.: Dictionary of Indian Folk Medicine and Ethnobotany. Deep publications, New Delhi (1991). Kirtikar, K.R. and Basu, B.D.: Indian Medicinal Plants. Vol.4, lalit Mohan Publications Allahabad, India. (1991). Sidhu, M.C., Singh, S. and Ahluwalia, A.S.: Assesment of Medicinal Plant Remedies among Inhabitants of Kapurthala District, Punjab (India). Vegetos., 2: (2010). Rao, R.R.: Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Devlopment Key Role of Ethnobiologist. Ethnobotany., 8: (1996). Research in Environment and Life Sciences 96