Wild habits of Kolli Hills being staple food of inhabitant tribes of eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India

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1 Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, Vol. 3(3), September 2012, pp Wild habits of Kolli Hills being staple food of inhabitant tribes of eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India P Samydurai 1, V Thangapandian 1 * and V Aravinthan 2 1 PG & Research Department of Botany, Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu, India 2 Department of Plant Science, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore Received 28 June 2011; Accepted 3 July 2012 There is a proverb in Tamil that Foods are medicines Medicines are foods. Still it is being maintained by the folks, whose food habits depends on wild habits. Hence, the present study emphasis the documentation of traditional knowledge of Malayalis folks pertaining to their food habits which is necessary for the benefit of mankind. A survey has been made and identified 38 wild species belonging to 21 families. The roots, rhizomes and tubers of these plants are not only used as foods but are also consumed to maintain their health status. Thus these plants are used for general medicinal purposes also. Most of the tubers and roots are consumed after cooking, while some of them are eaten raw. Botanical name, family, vernacular name, life form/habit, parts used for food and medicine, mode of preparation and consumption are recorded for each species. Keywords: Kolli Hills, Malayalis, Tamil Nadu, Traditional knowledge, Wild edible roots and tubers. IPC code; Int. cl. ( ) A61K 36/00, A23L 1/00 Introduction India is enormously rich in its plant wealth. It is estimated that of over 15,000 species of higher plants that occur in different phyto-geological/ecological regions of the country, in which about one third are economically important. Among the various kinds of plants, food plants received the earliest attention of mankind and reflect man s search for knowing more and more about their nutrient qualities 1. Root and tubers of plants are the most important food parts after cereals. They have the highest rate of dry matter production per day and are major calorie contributors. Tuber plants find an important place in the dietary habits of small and marginal farmers especially in the food security of tribal population. Many tropical tuber plants are used in the preparation of stimulants, tonics, carminatives and expectorants. Further, there is a rich wealth of wild lower plants and many of them are also consumed locally 2. The diversity in wild species offers variety in the diet and contributes to household foods scarcity 3. In India, it is estimated that about 800 species are consumed as wild edible plants, chiefly by the tribal people 4. Most of them are village dwellers and depend on plant products to maintain their livelihood. Various *Correspondent author: thangapandian2005@yahoo.com tribal sects of India are repositories of rich knowledge on various uses of plant genetic resources 5. Millions of people in many developing countries do not have enough food to meet their daily requirements and many more are deficient in one or more micronutrients 6. In many cases rural communities depend on wild resources, including wild edible plants, to meet their food needs during the periods of food shortage. India holds rich genetic diversity in tropical root and tuber crops, particularly aroids, yams and several minor tuber crops. Tribal people also called as ecosystem people who live in harmony with the nature and maintain a close link between man and environment. In many cases rural communities depend on wild resources including wild edible plants to meet their food needs. A perusal of literature 7-12 reveals that not much work has been done on the wild edible tuberous plants of Kolli Hills alone. Hence, the present work has been undertaken to record the plants, which are commonly used by ethnic communities and other inhabitants of this regions as a chief source of daily food. Wild edible tuber species are an important source of food in India and have a significant place in the dietary habits of small and marginal farm families and forest dwelling communities during the periods of food scarcity 13.

2 SAMYADURAI et al.: FOOD OF KOLLI HILLS TRIBES OF EASTERN GHATS, TAMIL NADU 433 Materials and Methods The present study area is confined to a major range in the Kolli Hills of the eastern Ghats that is rich in biodiversity and indigenous populations. It is located in the Namakkal district of the Southeast of Tamil Nadu and lies between ' ' N latitude and ' ' E longitude (Fig. 1). The elevation of the hills ranges between 1000 and 1500 m above mean sea level (MSL) and temperature varies between 10 and 30 C. Vegetation is predominantly dry deciduous forests types and average annual rainfall is 1200 mm. The informations were gathered from the Malayalis, an aboriginal community who resides in the forest of the Kolli Hills by close observation of their daily activities. Several field visits were also conducted to the tribal residing areas of the study to collect data on wild edible roots and tubers commonly used by them. Among the inhabitants, knowledgeable persons primarily the aged ones, ethnic men and women were interviewed. This study used a pre-structured questionnaire through focus group discussion. The information on wild edible tuber species, parts used, vernacular names and mode of utilization was collected mainly from the tribal people residing in the interior forest area. Voucher specimens have been deposited in the herbarium of Department of Botany, Kongunadu Arts and Sciences College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Results and Discussion In the present study, wild edible roots and tuberous species of Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu are listed in the (Table 1). Botanical name of the plants are arranged alphabetically followed by family names, vernacular names, life form of the plants, parts used and mode of consumption. The present survey revealed that there are 38 of wild edible roots and tuber yielding species of Kolli Hills belonging to 31 genera under 21 families (Plate 1). It is more evident from this study that the family, Dioscoreaceae plant species are consumed maximum than any other plant species by ethnic communities and other inhabitants. They consume these plants either raw or after cooking, roasting or frying. These easily available plant species are the chief source of their essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates. It is also observed that both cultivated and wild tubers form alternative staple foods for their lives. Ethno-botanical field survey reveals that the ethnic people as well as the other inhabitant of the study area Fig.1 Map shows the study area, Kolli hills of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu

3 434 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, SEPTEMBER 2012 Table 1 Edible Roots and Tubers and their mode of consumption by the Tribals of Kolli Hills S. No. Botanical Name/Family/Voucher No. Vernacular Name Life form / Habit Mode of consumption of plant parts and their medicinal uses 1 Acorus calamus Linn./ Araceae/ KASCBH113 2 Amorphophallus paconifolius (Dennst.)Ni./Araceae/ KASCBH112 3 Arisaema leshenaultii Blume/ Araceae/ KASCBH313 4 Asparagus racemosus Willd./Liliaceae/ KASCBH115 5 Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Willd./ Zingiberaceae/ KASCBH108 6 Boerhaavia diffusa Linn./ Nyctaginaceae/ KASCBH119 7 Ceropegia tuberosa Dalz./ Asclepiadaceae/ KASCBH172 8 Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb,) Baker/Liliaceae/ KASCBH108 9 Coleus forskohlii (Poir.) Briq./Lamiaceae/ KASCBH Coleus aromaticus Benth./Lamiaceae/KASCBH Colocasia esculenta (Linn.) Schott./ Araceae/KASCBH Commelina benghalensis Linn./ Commelinaceae/ KASCBH Corollacarpus epigeous Benth & Hook. f./ Cucurbitaceae/ KASCBH Costus specious (Koening.) Smith/ Costaceae/ KASCBH Curculigo orchioides Gaertn./ Hypoxidaceae/ KASCBH Cyanotis tuberosa Roxb./ Commelinaceae/ KASCBH Cyperus rotundus Linn./ Cyperaceae/ KASCBH Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn./ Asclepiadaceae/ KASCBH Dioscorea alata Linn./ Dioscoreaceae/ KASCBH Dioscorea bulbifera Linn./ Dioscoreaceae/ KASCBH Dioscorea esculenta Burkill/ Dioscoreaceae/ KASCBH Dioscorea hispida Dennst./ Dioscoreaceae/ KASCBH259 Vasambu Herb Rhizomes used as vegetable after boiling to cure cough, stomach ulcer fever and biliousness. Karnai kizhangu Herb Rhizomes cooked as vegetable to prevent heart disease and liver pain Paambukkodi Climber Tuberous roots boiled and eaten to cure body pain and purgative Satavali kilangu Shrub Tubers boiled and eaten for health tonic, anti-diarrhoeal and fever Perattai Herb Rhizomes used as vegetable for indigestion purposes Satnai Herb Roots used as vegetable to cure diuretic and laxative Manchi mandai Climber Rhizomes cooked as vegetable to treat diabetic and health tonic Kushelli Herb Tubers cooked as vegetable and used as expectorant and for muscle pain Koorkan kizhangu Herb Tubers cooked as vegetable to cure cold, fever and cough Karpuravalli Herb Tubers cooked as vegetable to cure heavy cold and cough and asthma Kattu chembu Herb Tubers cooked as vegetable to stimulant and indigestion Kanavaazhai Herb Rhizomes eaten after cooking to prevent cough and fever Akasha garudan Tendril Climber Tubers used for cardiac and antivenum Kostak-kizhangu Shrub Rhizomes used as vegetable to cure antidiabetic and stimulant Nilappanai Herb Rhizomes used as vegetables to cure jaundice and urinary disorders Netha kina Herb Rhizomes used as vegetable to prevent thirst Korrai kizhangu Herb Tubers eaten after boiling to get relief from body pain Mahali kizhangu Climber Roots used as pickles to cure gastric ulcer and coffee powder Vetrilai valli kizhangu Climber Tubers eaten after boiling and act as diuretic Kodi kizhangu Climber Tubers eaten after cooking and act as diuretic and for indigestion Siruvalli kizhangu Climber Tubers eaten after boiling for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic Peiperendai Climber Tubers eaten after cooking to treat body pain and ulcerative colitis (Contd)

4 SAMYADURAI et al.: FOOD OF KOLLI HILLS TRIBES OF EASTERN GHATS, TAMIL NADU 435 Table 1 Edible Roots and Tubers and their mode of consumption by the Tribals of Kolli Hills (Contd) S. No. Botanical Name/Family/Voucher No. Vernacular Name Life form / Habit Mode of consumption of plant parts and their medicinal uses 23 Dioscorea oppositifolia Linn./ Dioscoreaceae / KASCBH Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn./ Dioscoreaceae/ KASCBH Dioscorea tomentosa Roxb./ Dioscoreaceae/ KASCBH Drynaria quercifolia (Linn) J. Sm./ Drynariaceae/ KASCBH Eclipta prostrata (Linn.)Linn./ Asteraceae/ KASCBH Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn./ Fabaceae/ KASCBH Gymnema sylvestre R. Br./ Asclepiadaceae/ KASCBH Hemidesmus indicus Linn./ Asclepiadaceae/ KASCBH Holostemma ada-kodien Schult./ Asclepiadaceae/ KASCBH Ipomoea batatus (Linn.) Lam. / Convolvulaceae/ KASCBH Manihot esculenta Crantz/ Euphorbiaceae/ KASCBH Maranta arundinacea Linn./ Marantaceae/ KASCBH Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn./ Nymphaeaceae/ KASCBH Plumbago zeylanica Linn./ Plumbaginaceae/ KASCBH Stemona tuberosa Lour./ Stemonaceae/ KASCBH Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal/ Solanaceae/ KASCBH181 Kavalakodi Climber Tubers eaten after cooking for the treatment of restoring kidney Kattu kizhangu Climber Tubers eaten after boiling to cure asthma and energy deficiency Nalaveli kizhangu Climber Tuberous roots eaten after boiling for the treatment of rheumatism Mudavaatukkal Herb Rhizomes soup drank to get relief from rheumatic complaints Karisalankanni Herb Roots used as chutney to reduce body heat and headache Athimathuram Herb Roots cooked as vegetable to reduce body pain and heat Sirukuranjan Climber Roots used as vegetable to cure diabetic and stomach ulcer Nannari Climber Root s powder used as coffee powder to reduce body heat and pain Palay Kierai Climber Rhizomes cooked as vegetable to prevent diabetes and as diuretic Sarkarai valli kizhangu Climber Tubers roots eaten after cooking to cure fever and bronchitis Maravalli kizhangu Shrub Tubers eaten after cooking to cure indigestion and body energy Kuvai kilangu Shrub Rhizomes cooked as vegetable and act as stimulant and for indigestion Thamarai kizhangu Aquatic herb Rhizomes used as vegetable to cure stomachic and diarrhoea Venkodi veli Shrub Roots used as vegetables to cure uterine disorders and stimulant Kaniputiga Climber Tubers eaten after cooking to cure liver, spleen and kidney complaints Amukkara kizhangu Shrub Roots used as medicine to cure muscle related disease have considerable traditional knowledge on wild edible plants and their utilization. The roots of Decalepis hamiltonii and Hemidesmus indicus are very popular in the Kolli Hills and are generally used as pickles. They are also used for coffee making powder for everyday life of tribes. Among the rhizome, the soup prepared from the rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia is very popular and more easily available vegetable. Safe conservation, sustainable use and in-depth study of wild tuber s diversity are essential to meet the present and future food needs of the tribal s during periods of food shortage. It will also help us to keep these precious plant species under safest conservation and sustainable usage mode. Some species of Dioscorea also possess medicinal properties and are used by local traditional healthcare practitioners as stimulants, tonics, carminatives and expectorants. About 250 g of D. oppositifolia is boiled with g of horse gram (Dolichos uniflorus) and given to women once in a day for nearly a month after giving birth to revive their strength. Lactating mothers are given g of D. puber boiled with 250 g of black taro (Colocasia esculenta) to increase their milk flow. All the other wild edible tubers are considered beneficial to both men and women. Dioscorea glabra is considered a general tonic. Boiled D. hamiltonii is consumed to get relief from

436 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, SEPTEMBER 2012 Plate 1 Some of the edible plants of Kolli hills of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu piles. Dioscorea tomentosa works as a tonic and provides strength to work.

The findings of the present study indicate that wild edible roots and tuber species are closely linked with socio-economic condition of tribal people of Kolli Hills of Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu India

5 436 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, SEPTEMBER 2012 Plate 1 Some of the edible plants of Kolli hills of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu piles. Dioscorea tomentosa works as a tonic and provides strength to work. Consumption of burnt D. bulbifera enhances appetite. The findings of the present study indicate that wild edible roots and tuber species are closely linked with socio-economic condition of tribal people of Kolli Hills of Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu India for their day-to-day requirement. Over exploitation of wild edibles may cause threat to certain species. There is an obvious need to explore wild edibles that can be harvested without much pressure on a particular species in conformity with the principles of sustainable utilization of genetic resources that will add a new dimension towards traditional management and conservation of plant wealth of this/any region. Conclusion The present study revealed that traditional edible tuber plants are still commonly used by the tribal communities. Thus this study ascertains the value of the wild tuber yielding plants that are being the staple foods of the tribals of the Kolli hills. This could be of considerable interest in the development of nutrition based drugs from wild tubers, roots and rhizomes. The knowledge of food property of plants has been accumulated during the course of many centuries.

6 SAMYADURAI et al.: FOOD OF KOLLI HILLS TRIBES OF EASTERN GHATS, TAMIL NADU 437 The local inhabitants have inherited with rich traditional knowledge on the use of many plants or plant parts for their regular and seasonal foods. Medicinal plants provide accessible and culturally relevant sources of primary health care. The health care remedies based on these plants often have more nutritional value and quality. References 1 Jain S K, Glimpses of Indian Ethnobotany, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., New Delhi, India Arora R K and Pandey A, Wild edible plants of India: Diversity, conservation and use. National Burcow of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, Gowtham Shankar K J N, Strengthening tribal economies through Indigenous development. COMPASS magazine, 2005, pp Singh H B and Arora R K, Wild Edible Plants of India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, Khoshoo T N, Conservation of biodiversity in biosphere, In: Indian Geosphere Biosphere Programme, Some aspects, National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, India, 1991, pp Roy B, Halder A C and Pal D C, Plants for human consumption in India, Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, India, 1988, pp Ansari A A, Less known wild edible plants of Shervarayan and Kolli hills of South India. In: Contribution of Indian Ethnobotany, by S K Jain (Ed), Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India, 1997, pp Ansari AA, Diwahar PG and Dwarakan P, Less known edible plants of Shervarayan and Kolli hills, J Econ Taxon Bot, 1993, 17, Dwarakan P, Less known plants of Kolli hills in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu. In: National seminar on Siddha System of medicine ; Focus on Current States Organized by Coimbatore District Siddha Assistant Medical Officer s Association, Coimbatore, Dwarakan P and Ansari A A, Less known uses of plants of kollimalais (Salem District), Tamil Nadu in South India, J Econ Taxon Bot, 1996, 12, Dwarakan P, Rajasekaran K and Selvem A B, Hitherto unreported medicinal uses of plants from Kolli hills, Ancient Sci Life, 1999, 12, Geetha S, Lakshmi G and Ranjitakani P, Ethno-botanical review: wild fibre yielding plants of Kolli hills, Tamil Nadu, J Econ Taxon Bot, 1996, 12, FAO, the State of Food Insecurity in the World. Monitoring the progress towards the world food summit, FAO, Rome, Italy, 2004.

Some phytotherapeutic claims by tribals of southern Rajasthan

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 4(3), July 2005, pp. 291-297 Some phytotherapeutic claims by tribals of southern Rajasthan Anita Jain*, S S Katewa and P K Galav Laboratory of Ethnobotany and