Traditional medicines knowledge in Dharmabad taluka of Nanded district, Maharashtra, India

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1 Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources Vol. 2(4), December 2011, pp Traditional medicines knowledge in Dharmabad taluka of Nanded district, Maharashtra, India Dnyaneshwar P Ghorband* and Sharad D Biradar Research and Post Graduate Studies, Department of Botany, Dnyanopasak College, Parbhani , Maharashtra, India Received 11 November 2010; Accepted 16 March 2011 The present paper deals with the observations on ethnomedicinal uses of plant wealth of Dharmabad tehsil of Nanded district. The herbal vendors and rustic people use mainly herbal medicines to cure different ailments and diseases. Altogether 32 plants were recorded which are used by them for curing 38 different types of diseases and ailments. Many of these ethnomedicinal preparations are new. Among the 38 ethnomedicinal preparations, 20 are administered in the form of monoherbal preparations used in curing colic pain, jaundice, scabies, dropsy, etc. while the remaining 18 are polyherbal preparations used to cure cataract, leucorrhoea, eczema, leprosy and debility. Their botanical name, local name, uses, name of ailments and diseases are provided in this paper. Some noteworthy medicinal plants of this area are: Achyranthes aspera Linn., Bombax ceiba Linn., Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers., Plumeria rubra Linn., etc. Keywords: Dharmabad, Ethnomedicine, Folklore, Medicinal plants, Nanded district, Maharashtra. IPC code; Int. cl. ( ) A61K 36/00 Introduction Medicine is one of the four basic needs (i.e. food, clothing, shelter and medicine) of humans which are being full-filled to a large extent by the plants and plant products. Plants have been used in medicines since times immemorial. Herbal medicines form an integral part of healing practiced by the traditional healers. India has a rich heritage of using medicinal plants in traditional medicines, as in the Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems besides folklore practices. The earliest inscription of the medicinal uses of plants is found in the Rigveda, which is one of the oldest repositories of human knowledge. Fairly comprehensive information on the curative propertives of some herbs has been found recorded in Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. The plant kingdom is a virtual goldmine of biologically active compounds and it is estimated that only 10-15% of of existing species of higher plants have been surveyed. Many plants have been successfully used in the treatment of various diseases 1. *Correspondent author: dnyaneshwarghorband@gmail.com; biradarsd@yahoo.com In Marathwada there are some places which are rich in medicinal plants. The Dharmabad taluka of Nanded district is one of them. This place is located at coardinates 18.9 N and E adjoining the Nizamabad and Adilabad districts of Andhra Pradesh. The rustics of this area have been using various plants and their parts as medicine. The knowledge of the use of the plants has been followed traditionally. Literature survey shows that little ethnomedicinal work has been done from this district in the past 2-5. Therefore, present study was planned to explore the medico-botanical knowledge of this area. The present paper is a segment of this study documenting the information on 32 species. These medicinal folkloric uses appeared worth reporting. Methodology The present data is an outcome of ethnobotanical studies during 2007 to The ethnomedicinal information was collected according to standard ethnobotanical methodology 6-8. During medicobotanical exploration 11 rustic informers were interviewed who practice and have experience in the use of ethnomedicine. Out of which 9 informers are men and 2 are women whose age ranges between 50 to 75 years. The collected plant specimens were

2 GHORBAND & BIRADAR: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN DHARMABAD TALUKA OF NANDED DISTRICT 499 identified with the help of renowned floras The voucher specimens are housed in Department of Botany, Dnyanopasak College, Parbhani (Plate 1). Information of medicinal plants with botanical name, local name, family, and part(s) used medicinal uses and formulation along with dose and duration is enumerated below: Enumeration 1. Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae), Aghada (DPG 46). Paste of leaves is applied externally on body for three days to cure jaundice. 2. Argemone mexicana Linn. (Papaveraceae), Bilayati (DPG 58). Paste of 20 g root along with 20 g petiole of Maharukh (Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.) is applied on the snake bite area as an antidote. About half cup of root extract along with 25 ml of buttermilk is consumed early in the morning for three days to increase sperm count. 3. Allium cepa Linn. (LiIiaceae), Kanda (Onion) (DPG 10). One spoonful of bulb extract is mixed with spoonful of honey. Few drops of this mixture are poured in eyes to cure cataract. 4. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Kadulimb (Margosa) (DPG 15). 200 g of fresh leaves are crushed along with water. One cup of this extract is administered against snake bite as an antidote. 100 g of bark is grinded with water. Two table spoonful of extract is given orally twice a day for four days to cure colic pain. 5. Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Del. (Balanitaceae), Hinganbet (DPG 40). A small piece of seed is chewed along with betel leaf once a day for three days to cure asthma and phelgm. 6. Bombax ceiba Linn. (Bombaceae), Katesawar (DPG 152). 100 g of bark crushed with water and add 3 g powder of Zire (Cuminum cyminum Linn.). One cup of this mixture is given for three days to cure rheumatism. 100 g of bark crushed with water and extracted juice is mixed with 10 g of sugar candy. One cup of this mixture is taken early in the morning for three days to control leucorrhoea. 7. Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae), Safed rui (Calotropis) (DPG 98). One fresh flower is chewed along with betel leaf at night before sleeping for three days to cure asthma and phelgm. 8. Cassia sophera Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae), Dev tarota (DPG 94). Warmed leaves are tied on head overnight for three days to cure headache, neck and waist pain. One table spoon of flower powder is mixed with one cup of tea and is given orally twice a day for seven days to cure eczema. 9. Cleome gynandra Linn. (Capparidaceae), Tilwan (DPG 112). Paste of fresh leaves is applied on head once a day for two days to control cephalagia. Juice of fresh leaves is applied on head once daily for eight days to cure scabies. 10. Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae), Indryan (DPG 121). About 10 g of fruit powder is mixed with 10 ml of water. This mixture is given twice a day for three days to cure colic pain. 11. Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. (Poaceae), Durwa (DPG 119). Half cup of plant extract is given in the morning for five days to reduce abdominal heat. 12. Cyperus rotundus Linn. (Cyperaceae), Nagar motha (DPG 64). About 20 ml extract of rhizome is mixed with 10 g of sugar candy and 25 ml of butter milk. This mixture is taken early in the morning for ten days to cure piles. 13. Datura metel Linn. (Solanaceae), Kala dhotra (DPG 66). Juice prepared from 100 g fresh leaves is applied externally on leg twice a day for two days to reduce dropsy. 14. Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (Mytraceae), Nilgiri (DPG 32). Oil (50 ml) extracted from the leaves is mixed with 50 ml Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera Linn.) and applied externally on body or used for massage once a day for eight days to cure skin diseases. 15. Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae), Umbar (DPG 23). Fresh bark (100 g) is grinded with little water and half cup of this mixture is taken early morning for three days to control leucorrhoea. Similarly 100 g of fresh leaves are crushed with water and half cup of this juice is given early morning for three days to cure arthritis. Leaf paste is also applied on waist and knee for arthritis.

3 500 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, DECEMBER 2011 Plate 1 Some important ethnomedicinal plants of Dharmabad tehsil

4 GHORBAND & BIRADAR: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN DHARMABAD TALUKA OF NANDED DISTRICT g of bark is crushed with water and the juice is mixed with 50 ml of cow milk and this mixture is given twice a day for three days to control red discharge. 16. Momordica charantia Linn. (Cucurbitaceae), Karela (DPG 162). Fresh leaves (20 g) are crushed with water and one tablespoon of this juice is given once a day for two days to cure abdominal pain. 17. Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Lamiaceae), Tulas (DPG 29). Fresh eight leaves are chewed early morning for five days to cure fever. 18. Opuntia elatior Mill. (Cactaceae), Nagphan (DPG 136). Five fresh roasted flowers are taken orally twice a day for five days to cure haemorrhoide. 19. Pergularia daemia (Forsk) Choiv. (Asclepiadaceae), Utran (DPG 89). One teaspoonful juice of leaves is mixed with half cup of cow milk and is taken orally early in the morning for three days to cure dysentery. 20. Plumeria rubra Linn. (Apocynaceae), Pandhra chafa (DPG 70). A small piece of fruit is chewed along with betel leaf once a day for three days for conception. 21. Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre (Fabaceae), Karanj (DPG 98). Fresh bark (100 g) crushed with water and the extracted juice is mixed with 25 ml of cow s milk. One cup of this mixture is given twice a day for three days to cure leprosy. The leaves are warmed along with safflower oil (Carthamus tinctorius Linn.) and are tied on head overnight for three days to stop cephalagia. Leaves (100 g) are boiled with 100 g leaves of Shankasur [Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linn.) Swartz] and tied in cloth covers and kept on the body to reduce dropsy. 22. Phoenix sylvestris (Linn.) Roxb. (Arecaceae), Shindi (DPG 52). A piece of rhizome is consumed early morning for three days to increase lactation in women. 23. Raphanus sativus Linn. (Brassicaceae), Mula (Radish) (DPG 09). Fresh leaves (50 g) are crushed with little water and extracted juice is mixed with 10 g of sugar candy along with 25 ml of butter milk. One cup of this mixture is given twice a day for ten days to cure piles. 24. Ricinus communis Linn. (Euphorbiaceae), Erand (Castor) (DPG 17). Fresh leaves (20 g) are crushed with water and one tablespoon juice is given orally twice a day for three days to cure abdominal pain. Similarly 50 g of fresh leaves are crushed with water and then add 25 ml cow s milk. One cup of this mixture is taken early morning for three days to cure jaundice. 25. Solanum americanum Mill. (Solanaceae), Kamuni (DPG 104). About 20 ml decoction of leaves is mixed with 30 ml of cow s milk. One cup of this mixture is given early morning for six days to cure jaundice. One cup decoction of fresh leaves is taken orally early morning for three days to cure jaundice. Few drops of leaf extract are poured in the ear to get relief from earache. Paste of leaves is applied on the wound to reduce swellings. 26. Solanum virginianum Linn. (Solanaceae), Bhui Ringani (DPG 105). Half leaf is chewed along with two betel leaves and clove [Syzygium aromaticum (Linn.) Merr. & Perry] once a day for two days to cure ague (fever such as malaria). 27. Tagetes erecta Linn. (Asteraceae), Zendu (Marigold) (DPG 125). A paste of leaves is applied externally once a day for three days to cure swellings. 28. Terminalia catappa Linn. (Combretaceae), Desi badam (DPG 118). The leaves are warmed along with Groundnut oil (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) and then these leaves are tied on head overnight for three days to cure flu and phelgm. 29. Thespesia populnea Soland. ex Correa (Malvaceae), Parsapimpal (DPG 170). About one spoonful extract prepared from the fruit is given orally three times a day for three days to regularize menstrual cycle. 30. Triumfetta pentandra A. Rich (Tiliaceae), Zunjad (DPG 114). About 20 ml extract of root is mixed with 10 g of sugar candy. One cup of this mixture is taken early morning for six days to increase sperm count. 31. Vitex negundo Linn. (Vitaceae), Nirgudi (DPG 75). A paste of leaves is applied on wound once a day for two days to reduce dropsy. 32. Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal (Solanaceae), Ashwgandha (DPG 90).

5 502 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, DECEMBER g fresh leaves are grinded with water and one tablespoon is given early morning for three days against asthma. 50 g of fresh leaves are grinded with water and one tablespoon juice of this mixture is given orally twice a day for three days to cure dysentery. Two tablespoon of root powder is mixed with 5 g of sugar candy, 5 g of Coconut powder (Cocos nucifera Linn.) and 5 g of Desi badam powder (Terminalia catappa Linn.). This mixture is given early morning for seven days to reduce waist pain. 100 g of root powder is mixed with 50 g of rhizome of Jatashankar (Dioscorea bulbifera Linn.), 250 g Gum of Dhawada [Anogeissus latifolia (DC.) Wall.], 250 g powder of Desi badam, 250 g seeds of Bibba (Semicarpus anacardium Linn. f.), 250 g sugar candy and 500 g Kharik (Phoenix dactylifera Linn.). Then it is baked in cow s milk and this mixture is eaten early morning for eight days for debility. Discussion Present study reveals the ethnomedicinal uses of 32 plant species belonging to 27 families. Some important herbal plants which occur in this region have exhibited remarkable ethnomedicinal properties. Extract of plant, decoction, infusion or powder obtained from different plant parts like root, stem, stem bark, leaf, flower, fruits and seeds are used to treat various ailments related to various diseases. Twenty species are administered in the form of monoherbal preparations used in curing colic pain, jaundice, scabies, dropsy, etc. and remaining 18 are polyherbal preparations used to cure cataract, leucorrhoea, eczema, leprosy, debility, etc. by aborigines of Dharmabad tehsil. Ethnomedicine is safe and less expensive therefore, the rural people of this area still practice the traditional therapy. The enumeration has been compared with important published literature and it was found that many of the usages listed were not recorded earlier Similar work on medicinal plants in relation to their utilization and conservation has been conducted in many parts of India The most noteworthy plants and their usages recorded during this investigation are as follows: the root extract of Argemone mexicana and Triumfetta pentandra used to enhance sperm count; the bark extract of Bombax ceiba is used to treat leucorrhoea; the leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera and Solanum americanum are used to cure jaundice; the fruit of Plumeria rubra is given for conception and the fruit extract of Thespesia populnea is advised to regularize menstrual cycle. Conclusion This ethnobotanical study will provide a new data on the application of plants for medicinal purposes. They may be more effective in curing certain diseases than the conventional ones. This folklore should be cited and fully documented. This traditional knowledge will become a recognized utility in the quest for new sources of drugs in future. However, even if plenty has been published already, there is still much more to be done so that the folkloric knowledge can be really used to determine or to find novel agents. The pharmacological, phytochemical and antimicrobial studies should be taken up in medicine to open up new frontiers in the phytomedicine. Acknowledgements Authors express thanks to Principal, Dr. P. L. More, Dnyanopasak College, Parbhani, for encouragement and provision of necessary facilities. The authors are also thankful to Gangadhar Dakhore, Laximan Budhiwant, Prakash Lakhe, Baliram Waghmare and Dropatibai Gaikwad for kindly sharing their knowledge with us. References 1 Chopra R N, Chopra I C, Handa K L and Kapur L D, Chopra s Indigenous Drugs of India, U. N. Dhur and Sons, Calcutta, 2 nd Edn, Rathor O S, Chavan V B, Zare M K and Kagne R M, Ethnomedicinal uses of some uncommon angiospermic plants of Nanded district in Maharashtra, Dr. B.A.M.U. J Sci, 2001, 31(8), Kasture S W and Rathor O S, A sacred groove from Marathwada, Bioinfolet, 2006, 3(1), Biradar S D and Ghorband D P, Ethnomedicinal wisdom of tribals of Kinwat forest of Nanded district (Maharashtra), Indian J Nat Prod Resour, 2010, 1(2), Kanthale Prakash and Biradar Sharad, Some herbal remedies used by the tribals of Mahur range forest of Nanded district, Maharashtra, Bionano Frontier, 2010, 3(1), Jain S K, The role of a botanist in Folk-lore research, Folklore, 1964, 5, Jain S K, Manual of Ethnobotany, 2 nd Edn,1995, Scientific Publishers, Jodhapur, India. 8 Sinha R K, Ethnobotany, Shri Publisher, Jaipur, India, Naik V N, The Flora of Osmanabad, Venus Publishers, Aurangabad, Naik V N and Associates, Flora of Marathwada, Amrut Prakashan, Aurangabad, Cook T, The Flora of The Presidency of Bombay, Vols I-III, BSI, London, Reprint Calcutta, 1958.

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