Survey of crude drugs from Coimbatore city

Transcription

1 Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources Vol. 1(3), September 2010, pp Survey of crude drugs from Coimbatore city Mathan C Nisha¹ and Sevanan Rajeshkumar²* ¹PG and Research Department of Botany, Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu, India ²Department of Plant Science and Plant Biotechnology, Govt. Arts College, Udhagamandalam , Tamil Nadu Received 23 July 2009; Accepted 11 November 2009 In order to prepare a list of the raw drugs sold in Coimbatore city, a market survey was conducted. There are 72 species spreading over 41 families and according to their life forms, 29 are herbs, 13 shrubs, 23 trees and 7 climbers and 88% of these belong to the dicotyledons. It was also noticed that various plant parts were used as crude drugs. The species like Acacia nilotica () Willd. ex Del. subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan, Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees, Eclipta prostrata (), Adhatoda zeylanica Medic., Zingiber officinale Rosc., Acorus calamus, Centella asiatica () Urban, Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn., Solanum nigrum and Gymnema sylvestre (Retz) Schult. have higher market potential. Most of the crude drugs are already commercially cultivated in India but a few endangered plants like Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd., Rauvolfia serpentina Benth. ex Kurz are also sold in the market. If the same trend continues, we may have to lose our valuable plant heritage by way of over exploitation of the wild and endangered species. There is an urgent need of documentation of this irreplaceable knowledge to meet the ever growing demand of medicinal plants in the market. Keywords: Coimbatore, Crude drugs, Medicinal plants. IPC code; Int. cl. 8 A61K 36/00 Introduction Plants that are recognized by peoples to have reliable and effective medicinal values, are commonly used in treating and preventing specific ailments and diseases, and play an essential role in health care. Indeed, medicinal plants have been the primary means of combating ill-health since time immemorial. A number of definitions of the term medicinal plant have been offered in the past. Farnsworth and Soejarto 1 imply that it is only when medicinal properties are proven to be useful as drugs by Western standards that they are medicinal plants. Medicinal plants are important to the global economy. In 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the world trade at US$ 500 million. Moreover demand is steadily increasing not only in developing countries but also in the industrial nations 2,3. Most of these materials are collected in developing countries in a completely unregulated manner. For example a vast number of medicinal plants in Nepal are being uprooted and sold as raw products to India, where they are graded, packaged and exported 4 as a result of such activities and the seemingly exorbitant costs of western pharmaceuticals in developing countries, it is estimated that the demand for herbal medicines and *Correspondent author: dhiksha_rajesh@yahoo.co.in plant-based pharmaceuticals will reach 4500 billion dollars in worldwide sales through the year 2000 (Ref. 5). People have developed the knowledge of using plants or a plant part as medicine through their traditional practices since time immemorial. Use of certain plants for some particular purposes (e.g. fermentation starter, materials for hand-made paper, dyes and medicines) is restricted to some people only and normally they are quite reluctant to share their knowledge with any outsider. There is an urgent need of documentation of this irreplaceable knowledge. It may be lost as and when traditional cultures collapse with advent of modernization. In order to find out the list of medicinal plants used by different communities, a survey was conducted in Coimbatore city. Materials and Methods In order to collect the relevant data, market survey was made in Coimbatore city. More than ten shops located in the Coimbatore market were selected for collecting the information. The study area Coimbatore district is popularly known as the Manchester of south India, it is also known as cotton city of Tamil Nadu. The district is coming under tropical region surrounded by Siruvani hills at the southern side and Mulli hills at the northern side. The information obtained from them were recorded together with the

2 NISHA & RAJESHKUMAR: SURVEY OF CRUDE DRUGS FROM COIMBATORE CITY 377 collection of the specimens (crude drugs) used by the local people for various purposes. The list of all the species included in the study was prepared with the help of the published literatures 6-9. Medicinal uses of these specimens have been collected from various peoples and also from various reference books and research papers Results and Discussion The utility of various plants and their parts (Plate 1) as an account of crude drugs of Coimbatore are given in the Table 1. The names of the plants are arranged alphabetically with their botanical names followed by the name of the family, the local name, the parts used and its medicinal uses. Plate 1 Some plants and crude drugs samples

3 378 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, SEPTEMBER 2010 Table 1 List of plants commercially sold in Coimbatore city Plant name Family Local name Part used Medicinal uses Rs/Kg Abutilon indicum () Sweet Acacia nilotica () Willd, ex Del. subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan Acacia sinuata (Lour.) Merrill Acorus calamus Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. Aegle marmelos () Correa ex Roxb. Aerva lanata () Juss. ex Schult. Alpinia galanga () Willd. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees Asparagus Liliaceae racemosus Willd. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Bacopa monnieri () Penn. Cardiospermum halicacabum Malvaceae Thuthi Leaves To treat bronchitis, gonorrhea, lumbago malarial fever, piles, mouthwash in toothache and also for controlling diabetes mellitus Mimosaceae Karuvelam Bark It is used in vitiated conditions, haemorrhages, wounds, ulcers, helminthiasis, ascites, chronic dysentery, diarrhoea, skin diseases, bronchitis, cough, seminal weakness. Mimosaceae Shikakai Pods Pods powdered and mixed with water to use in hair treatment, it stops hair falling, splitting and dandruff. Araceae Vasampu Rhizomes Rhizome paste with honey is given orally for the treatment of epilepsy, other mental ailments, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, intermittent fevers, kidney and liver problems. Acanthaceae Adhothoda Leaves It is used in the treatment of asthma, body inflammation, cough, cold, chronic bronchitis, body ache, glandular tumour, diarrhoea, dysentery, poultice on rheumatic joints, on fresh wounds. Rutaceae Vilvam Roots, leaves They are used in diarrhoea, dysentery, dyspepsia, and fruits intermittent fever, stomachalgia, ophthalmia, deafness, ripe fruit good for the heart and brain, for diabetes mellitus. Amaranthaceae Cerupulai Whole plant Useful to treat boils, cephalalgia, cough, head ache, strangury and lithiasis, piles. Zingiberaceae Arathai, Rhizomes It is used in cough, asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, Sitharattai intermittent fevers, stomachache, obesity, dyspepsia. Acanthaceae Serianangai Whole plant It is useful in hyderdipsis, burning sensation, wounds, ulcer, chronic fever, malaria, intermittent fever; it is also used in snake bite. Thanirvittan, Kilavari Tuberous roots Used in nervous disorders, dyspepsia, fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, tumours, inflammations, burning sensations, hyperdepsia, throat infections, cough, bronchitis, cardiac debility. Meliaceae Vempu,Veppu Whole plant They are used for diabetes, snake and scorpion bites, malaria, liver treatment, skin diseases, antifertility, hair and scalp care, tooth ache and so on. Scrophulariaceae Nirprami Whole plant It is traditionally used as carminative, anti-asthmatic, bronchiolytis and as an antirheumatic, strengthens the nervous system, to treat insomnia and nervous tension. Sapindaceae Mudukkottan Whole plant Plant decoction used in joint pains, nerve diseases, paralysis, epilepsy, insanity, in rheumatism i.e. gout, arthritis, to cure sores and wounds. Cassia absus Caesalpiniaceae Karunkkollu Seeds Poultice made of seeds used to heel wounds and sores, seeds strengthens the eyesight, used in skin care, tumours, cough, astringent, diseases of nose, asthma, in blood circulation, cooling, piles, pains, cure bronchitis, itching, ulcer disease of eyes, constipation. Cassia auriculata Cassia obovata Collad. Cayratia pedata Gagnep. Centella asiatica () Urban Caesalpiniaceae Aavarampu Flowers and seeds Claim to cure urinary diseases, diabetes, dried flowers can be used as refreshment, cures tumours, skin diseases, asthma, ulcer, leprosy, throat troubles, in vomiting, dysentery, astringent. Caesalpiniaceae Nilavari Whole plant Dyspepsia, diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach ache, piles, as purgative, diabetes, tumours, skin disease, asthma. Vitaceae Pannikkodi Whole plant Used in cough, asthma, diarrhoea, dysentery, constipation, stimulate digestion, astringent, to treat heat boils. Apiaceae Vallarai Whole plant Powdered leaves mixed with water to treat malaria, liver disorders, skin diseases and leprosy, hair care, and increase memory power (Contd)

4 NISHA & RAJESHKUMAR: SURVEY OF CRUDE DRUGS FROM COIMBATORE CITY 379 Table 1 List of plants commercially sold in Coimbatore city Contd Plant name Family Local name Part used Medicinal uses Rs/Kg Cichorium intybus Asteraceae Kasinikeerai Whole plant It increases the secretion and discharge of urine, it is also a stimulant and mild laxative, helps the functions of liver and gall bladders, very helpful for eyes, used for treatment of anemia, liver complaints, respiratory Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume disorders, obstructed menstruation. Lauraceae Elavangam Bark Prevents nervous tension, improves complextion and memory, used for common cold, checks nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stimulates digestion, mouth freshner, used for head ache and acne. Cleome viscosa Capparidaceae Naaikkadugu Whole plant Sudorific, carminative, anthelmintic, anticancer, treatment of boils, to relieve earache, used as vermifuge. Clitoria ternatea Fabaceae Kaddanam Roots, leaves Amentia, tubercular glands, leprosy, burning sensation, and seeds bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, ulcer and fevers, aperients and purgatives. Crataeva magna (Lour.) DC. Curcuma zerumbet Roxb. Cynodon dactylon () Pers. Cyperus esculentus Cyperus rotundus Delonix elata Gamble Capparidaceae Mavilangam Bark Demulcent, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, antipyretic, alternative tonic, useful in calculus affections, disorders of urinary organs and used in snake bite. Zingiberaceae Kasthuri manjal Stem It is used in external cuts, wounds, used as cosmetics, skin diseases, chilling property, stomach disorders. Poaceae Arugampullu Whole plant It stops the bleeding from piles, burning sensation, chronic gleet, vomiting, epilepsy, external cuts, wounds, epileptic fits, fatigue insalinity, in chronic diarrhoea, leprosy, scabis, fever, dysentery, skin diseases. Cyperaceae Korai Whole plant As a digestive tonic, as a carminative, as a diuretic and as an emmenoagogue, eye diseases, burning sensations, leprosy, for headache, as a stimulant, indigestion, by foul breath, for menstruation, astringent. Cyperaceae Korai Whole plant Used as cosmetics, in anemia, bleeding, hypertension, palpitation, poor circulation, scabies and skin diseases, sores, abdominal pains, diarrhoea, dysentery, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, tooth ache, head ache, liver aliments, cervical cancer, abdominal tumours. Caesalpiniaceae Vadanarayana Leaves, bark Leaves are used in rheumatism and flatulence and bark is used and considered antipyretic and febrifuge, the extract of plant is spasmogenic. Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd. Meliaceae Vellaiyagil Stem Decoction of wood used in rheumatism and wood oil is used in eye and ear trouble, used for stomach pain. Eclipta prostrata Asteraceae Karislangkanni Whole plant Plant leaf juice is used to treat various hair problems, () gastric troubles, hepatic disorders, in fever and cough, in ulcer and wounds, antidote to scorpion sting, eye problems, in malaria, in jaundice, head ache, in asthma, bronchitis, leucoderma, pyorrhea, chronic dysentery, nervous weakness, leprosy. Embelia ribes Burm. f. Enicostemma littorale BI. Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Ficus benghalensis Myrsinaceae Vayuvilangam Seeds, fruit In skin diseases, ringworms, leprosy, stomach complaints, improves blood circulation, stimulates appetite, dyspepsia, flatulence, asthma, constipation, fever, respiratory disorders, throat troubles, dental problem, abdominal tumours. Gentianaceae Vellarugu Whole plant Used in fever, in malaria, carminative, useful against diabetes, slightly antibacterial, venereal disease, snake bite. Myrtaceae Karpoora thailam Leaves, fruits It is used worldwide in pills, liquids, inhalers, salves and ointments for many common problems, to help relieve symptoms of cold, flu, chest congestion, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia and respiratory infections, rheumatism and much more. Moraceae Aalamaram Bark Seeds cooling and tonic, used in rheumatism, lumbago, sores, ulcer, toothache, burns, genital disease, gonorrhea, antiemetic, diabetes, dysentery, cardiac muscles, skin diseases (Contd)

5 380 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, SEPTEMBER 2010 Table 1 List of plants commercially sold in Coimbatore city Contd Plant name Family Local name Part used Medicinal uses Rs/Kg Ficus racemosa Moraceae Attimaram Bark Bilious affections, bronchitis, astringent, haemoptysis, diabetes, diarrhoea, dysentery, urinary complaints, piles, cancer. Ficus religiosa Moraceae Arasamaram Bark Gonorrhoea, ulcer, wounds, anal fistula, inflammatory, swellings, inflammatory ulcers, ear ache, mild laxative and digestive, mouth sores, cholera, small pox. Glycyrrhiza glabra Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) Schult. Hemidesmus indicus () R. Br. Hibiscus rosasinensis Hybanthus enneaspermus () F. Muell. Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Heine Indigofera tinctoria Lawsonia inermis Leucas aspera Spreng. Melothria maderaspatana () Cong. Murraya koenigii () Spreng. Myristica fragrans Houtt. Fabaceae Atimadhuram Roots It is useful remedy for enlarged spleen, liver diseases, abdominal complaints, skin diseases, and used in treatment of tumours and cancer. Asclepiadaceae Pasaani Leaves Leaf powder taken orally to treat gastric troubles, stomach ache, colic pains, in diabetes, in cornea opacity and other eye diseases, wounds, glycosuria, asperitive, urinary complaints, piles, in respiratory diseases, removes cough. Asclepiadaceae Nannari Roots To treat hair problems, postnatal complaints, skin diseases, tooth ache, cough, debility, nervous disorder, stomach ache, diarrhoea, fever, hypertension, blood vomiting, urinary complaints and as antidote for snake bite. Malvaceae Semparuti Whole plant Bronchial catarrh, cough, fever, urinary troubles, seminal weakness, gonorrhea, menstruation, hair care, skin diseases. Violaceae Orilaithamarai Whole plant In dysentery, gonorrhea, impotency, syphilis, liver complaints, asthma and as diuretic. Acanthaceae Nallimulli Seeds, fruits Powdered and mixed with cow s urine and used to treat head ache, stomach complaints, jaundice, as nutritive substance, cooling, diuretic and applied on burns, cuts, wounds, itch, sores. Fabaceae Avuri Bark Used in hepatitis, epilepsy and other nervous affections, elephantiasis, leprosy, leucoderma, skin diseases, boils, piles, as dye for hair and as antidote for poisoning. Lythraceae Maruthani Bark, seeds, flowers, leaves Used in leucorrhoea, menorrhagia and vaginal discharge, head ache, burns, mouth ulcers, jaundice, small pox, and skin diseases, as hair dye. Lamiaceae Thumbai Leaves Cures stomach pain, head ache, eye diseases, anorexia, cold, asthma, chronic rheumatism, chronic hepatitis, worm troubles, and used for snake bite and scorpion sting. Cucurbitaceae Musumusukai Leaves Relieves tooth ache, aching bodies, used in flatulence, gentle aperient, vertigo and biliousness, chronic diseases, cough, bronchitis, asthma. Rutaceae Karuvepelai Leaves Reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, as a food essence and flavour enhancer, strengthens the functions of stomach and promotes its action, used as mild laxative, used for digestive disorders, diabetes, burns and bruises, eye disorders and insect bites. Myristicaceae Jadhikkai Fruits In alopecia, ear ache, fever, small pox, tooth ache, measles, stomach pain, diarrhoea, dysentery, elephantiasis and suppuration of joints. Nigella sativa Nigellaceae Karungeeragam Seeds Used to get relief from rheumatic pains and gout, carminative, diuretic, antidiarrhoeal, anthelmintic, intestinal worm, promotes menstruation Nymphaea nouchali Nymphacaceae Thamarai Flowers Used in skin diseases, scabies, burn wounds, dyspepsia, Burm. f. piles, blood dysentery, goiter, scanty menstruation. Ocimum sanctum Lamiaceae Tulasi Whole plant Cough, bronchitis, malarial fever, cutaneous diseases, ring worm, gastric disorder, tooth ache, ear ache, urinary Oldenlandia corymbosa disorders and snake poisoning. Rubiaceae Saayavear Whole plant Considered as cooling medicine in the treatment of fever with gastric irritability and nervous disorder, in burnings, heat eruptions, jaundice, diseases of liver, as an anthelmintic (Contd)

6 NISHA & RAJESHKUMAR: SURVEY OF CRUDE DRUGS FROM COIMBATORE CITY 381 Table 1 List of Plants commercially sold in Coimbatore city Contd Plant name Family Local name Part used Medicinal uses Rs/Kg Phyla nodiflora f. Verbenaceae Poduthalai Stem Stem decoction used to cure orchitis, boils and burns; also used in hair treatment. Phyllanthus amarus Euphorbiaceae Kizhanelli Stem Many medicinal properties reported especially against Schum & Thonn. diabetes and jaundice, help in gastric lesions. Piper nigrum Piperaceae Milagu Fruits Dyspepsia, flatulence, malarial fever, paralysis, arthritis, sore throat, piles and skin diseases. Piper longum Piperaceae Pippali Fruits Used in skin diseases, leucoderma, cold and cough; used as diuretic, stimulant and sudorific Pterocarpus santalinus f. Fabaceae Rathasandanam Stem Astringent, tonic, antidiarrhoeal, used for food colouring, in cosmetics, skin diseases, head ache. Rauvolfia serpentina Apocynaceae Sarbagandha Roots To reduce clinical symptoms of hypertension, pneumonia, Benth. ex Kurz head ache, palpitation, dizziness, fatigue, nervousness, insomnia, in blood pressure, dysentery, vomiting. Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wilde Caesalpiniaceae Asogam Stem, bark Colic, dysentery, blood dysentery, dyspepsia, piles, ulcers, uterine problems, menstrual pain, diabetes, Sesbania grandiflora Pers. Sida rhombifolia tuberculosis, burning sensation in the body. Fabaceae Agathi Leaves Nasal catarrh, head ache, aperients, diuretic and tonic, in burns, small pox, astringent, febrifuge, expectorant, night blindness, inflammation, dipsomania, swelling of legs, blood dysentery. Malvaceae Kurunthotti Roots For expediting child birth, rheumatism, piles, as antidote for snake venom, ulcer, spermatorrhoea, check bleeding from cuts, antipyretic for babies. Solanum nigrum Solanaceae Manathakkali Whole plant For treatment of fever, urinary diseases, leucoderma, dog biting, to expedite child birth, lung tuberculosis, anaemia, as laxative. Solanum torvum Sw. Solanaceae Sundivatral Fruits For treatment of enlarged liver, tooth ache, malarial fever, cracks on feet, cure cold and cough Solanum trilobatum Solanaceae Thuduvalai Whole plant Cough, electuary, acute, chronic bronchitis, cold, asthma, prolonged deafness, lung and nervous problems, ear Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. Syzygium cumini () Skeels Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. Terminalia chebula Retz. Tribulus terrestris Wedelia urticifolia DC. Withania somnifera () Dunal Zingiber officinale Rosc. problems, respiratory diseases, to control cancer. Solanaceae Kandankathri Whole plant Claim to cure colds, dry cough, fever, for stopping vomiting, antidote to pox, asthma, for scabies, tooth ache, skin diseases. Myrtaceae Navalmaram Bark, seeds, fruits Used for diabetes, sores in throat and mouth, fever, stomach troubles, intestinal worms, dysentery, blood dysentery, diarrhoea of children. Combretaceae Thandrikkai Fruits Used for diabetes, piles, dyspepsia, anemia, jaundice, constipation, asthma, fever, eye diseases, chronic ulcers, general debility, as tonic, leucorrhoea, pyorrhea, skin diseases, acne vulgaris, leucoderma and laxative. Combretaceae Kadukkai Fruits Used as antioxidant to treat anemia, mild laxative, fever, eye diseases, chronic ulcers, dysentery, jaundice, constipation, cough, asthma, leucorrhoea, pyorrhea and also as astringent, skin diseases, dyspepsia. Zygophyllaceae Nedungimul Roots In alopecia areata, spasmolytic, plant cardiotonic, urinary disorders and impotency, infusion for cough, asthma, heart diseases, blood purification, kidney related diseases, rheumatism, wounds. Asteraceae Manjal karisali Whole plant Tooth ache, in uterine, haemorrhage, menorrhagia and swelling of abdomen; to dye and to promote growth of hairs. Solanaceae Ashvagandha Roots Major role in cosmetics and skin care, for leucoderma, in nervous disorders, amenorrhoea, nutritional disorders, scabies, ring worm, diuretic Zingiberaceae Sukku Rhizomes It improves growth of body, aphrodisiac, appetizer, carminative, used in gastric problems, stomach ache, head ache, cough, bone fracture, heart diseases.

7 382 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, SEPTEMBER 2010 Habit-wise analysis of these plants indicates that these are well distributed across different life forms with the majority belonging to the herbaceous category (Table 2). The highest proportion of herbs (40%) is followed by trees (32%), shrubs (18.6%) and climbers (7.3%). It was interesting to note that these 72 traded plants are distributed among 41 families. Of these 88% belongs to the dicots (36), while the monocots (5) constitute the remaining percentage of 12. The family wise representation of these species indicates that the families like Fabaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Solanaceae, Zingiberaceae, Moraceae, Acanthaceae, Malvaceae and Asteraceae are the dominant families (Table 3). Analysis of different plant parts are used as crude drugs is given in Table 4. It was noticed that the following drugs have higher market potential: Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, Andrographis paniculata, Eclipta prostrata, Adhathoda zeylanica, Zingiber officinale, Acorus calamus, Centella asiatica, Phyllanthus amarus, Solanum nigrum and Gymnema sylvestre. The plants, viz. Terminalia chebula, T. bellirica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Piper longum, Adhatoda zeylanica, Withania somnifera, Cyperus rotundus, Tribulus terristris, Aegle marmelos, Saraca asoca and Acorus calamus are used in more than 50 pharmaceutical preparations 16. The plants like Piper longum, Hemidesmus indicus, Rauvolfia serpentina, Hygrophilla auriculata, Nymphaea nouchali, Zingiber officinale fetch higher prices in the market. But at the same time, the other plants even though having lesser market value, people use to buy in bulk either for preparations of drugs or for personal consumptions. Conclusion These plants are in much demand and if the same trend continues, farmers would have a good opportunity to commercially cultivate these medicinal plants and protect over exploited and endangered species. There is an urgent need to meet the ever growing demand of medicinal plants in the market and it will pose a challenge for conservationist, policy makers, researchers, industry and farmers to manage and use our natural resources wisely. Table 2 Habit wise representations of crude plant drugs Habit No. of plants Percentage Herbs Trees Shrubs Climbers Total Table 3 Family wise representation of crude plant drugs Family Number of species Fabaceae 5 Caesalpiniaceae 5 Zingiberaceae 4 Solanaceae 4 Acanthaceae 3 Moraceae 3 Malvaceae 3 Asteraceae 3 Table 4 Plant part-wise representation of crude plant drugs Plants used No. of plants Whole plant 22 Fruits 11 Leaves 10 Roots 9 Bark 8 Stem 5 Rhizome 3 Flowers 2 Seeds 2 Total 72 References 1 Farnsworth NR and Soejarto DD, Global importance of medicinal plants, In: The Conservation of Medicinal Plants, by O Akerele, V Heywood and H Synge (Eds), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991, pp The Wealth of India: A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products Raw Materials, Publications & Information Directorate, CSIR New Delhi, Vol. І- XІ, Gedif T and Hahn HJ, Use of medicinal plants in self-care in rural central Ethiopia, J Ethnopharmacol, 2003, 87 (2-3), Jain SK, Notable foreign medicinal uses for some plants of Indian traditions, Indian J Trad Knowledge, 2003, 2(4), Vedavathy S, Scope and importance of traditional medicine, Indian J Trad Knowledge, 2003, 2(3), Jain SK, Dictionary of Indian folk medicine and ethno botany, Deep publications, New Delhi, Gamble JS and Fisher CEC, Flora of the Presidency of Madras, Calcutta, Vols І- ІІІ, (Reprint Edn). 8 Mathew KM, Flora of Tamil Nadu, Carnatic, Tiruchirapalli, Vols 1-3, Indian Medicinal Plants, A compendium of 500 species, by PS Varier s Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, Orient Longman Ltd., Hyderabad, Vols 1-5, Kiritikar KR and Basu BD, Indian Medicinal Plants, International Book Distributors, India, Reprint,

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