Traditional herbal knowledge on reproductive disorders and sexually transmitted diseases in the Adilabad district of A. P.

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1 Available online at J. Nat. Prod. Plant Resour., 2014, 4 (2):1-5 ( ISSN : CODEN (USA): JNPPB7 Traditional herbal knowledge on reproductive disorders and sexually transmitted diseases in the Adilabad district of A. P. N. Ramakrishna 1 and Ch. Saidulu 2 1 Department of Botany, SAP College Vikarabad, Ranga Reddy Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India 2 Department of Botany, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India ABSTRACT Forests of Andhra Pradesh harbors diversity of medicinal plants which are being used in different ways by local residents. Field studies were conducted to document the ethno botanical remedies of the tribes inhabiting in the Adilabad Forest Division, Andhra Pradesh. India. Here we reported more than 23 ethno medicinal plants from the tribal people. They are remedies for Reproductive disorders and sexually transmitted ailments. Keywords: Ethno botanical remedies, Adilabad District, Andhra Pradesh. INTRODUCTION Since time immemorial human beings have been using plants for their survival and development. In the beginning they were food gatherers and hunters of food, but subsequently concentrated on plants that are useful for other purposes, such as for shelter, health care and artifact. The understanding of the use of plants for food, health care, shelter, agriculture and other purposes got accumulated over generations as traditional knowledge. The indigenous people of various regions have developed their own way of using plants for their health care and following their own culture, customs, folk songs and food habits. This knowledge is transferred through orally from one generation to another. People all over the world are still dependent on the traditional plant based healing practices as it is cheap and easily available. Rural people and tribal communities who live in the forest areas predominantly depend up on locally available medicinal plants to take care of their health and has become an integral part of their culture. Thus the accumulated diversified traditional knowledge has led to the dawn of a science called Ethno botany. The term Ethno botany was first coined by an American scientist John William Hershberger in He defined that Ethno botany as the study of the relationship that exists between the people and plants. The word ethno means a group of people sharing common origin, culture, language, customs, beliefs and traditions. Ethno botany is studying plants through an anthropological approach. Later on many Ethno botanists explored that how plants are used for various purposes such as food, medicine and religious use. Documentation of traditional knowledge through ethno botanical studies is very important for conservation and utilization of indigenous people s knowledge. Initial studies in the last 50 years have been primarily devoted to the 1

2 preparation of inventories of plants of a certain region or specific ethnic groups. Many scientists, naturalists and thinkers from outside the community of ethno botanists, started emphasizing the importance of ethno botanical inquires and explorations. Faulk (1958) wrote the first book on Ethno botany entitled An introduction to Ethno botany, from India Jain (1981) published a book with the title Glimpses of Indian Ethno botany" and it is a compilation of various ethno botanically related articles of different phyto geographical area as and the tribes of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS STUDY AREA Adilabad district is one of the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh and situated in the north western corner of the state. The district derives its name from Adilabad, its head quarters town which was named after Ali Adil Shah, the ruler of Bijapur. The district was for long not a homogenous unit and its component parts were ruled at different periods by different dynasties, namely the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas of Kalyani, Yadavas of Davagiri, Kakatiyas, Bahmanis, Imam Shahis of Ahamadnager, Mughals, Bhosle Rajas of Sirpur and Chanda. Originally this was not a fully fledged district but a sub district named Sirpur-Tandur which was created in A.D 1872 with Edulabad (Adilabad), Rajura and Sirpur as its constituent talukas. In 1905 the status of this sub-district was raised to that of an independent district with head quarters at Adilabad. Adilabad is one of the most backward districts of A.P. It is known for its characteristic presence of Sahyadri hills (locally called as Satnala Range) in its northern boundary, richness of forests as well as rich hydrocarbon resources like coal mines. The district encompassed with most ancient and innocent Aadivasis. The rural folk are known for their famous carved wooden work, the most internationally known art of rural painting, small scale industry is well established in Nirmal town, popular as Nirmal paintings. The district is also having a Tiger reserve second of its kind in A.P at Kawal known as Kawal Tiger Reserve and bestowed with number of scenic waterfalls at various places of the district like Kuntala waterfalls and Pochara waterfalls. METHODOLOGY Intensive field work was undertaken by the author for a period of five years from January 2007 to December Locally well known herbal healers and poojaris belonging to Kolams, Naikpods, Pardhans, Gonds, Thotis, Chenchus and Mathuras tribal communities of the district who are still practicing traditional medicine are identified. The author has visited nearly 30 habitations belonging to Bellampalli, Chinnur, Ichoda, Jaipur, Jannaram, Kerimeri, Sirupur (u), Tiryani, Utnoor and Wankidi Mandals, the author has also visited villages and habitations like Gondu gudems, Naikapu gudems. Standard methods of botanical collection and techniques of herbarium preparations were followed as suggested by [12]. Plants have been collected in flowering and fruiting stages for the preparation of herbarium. Herbarium specimens were identified and accessed as per the norms laid down. The vouched specimens will be deposited in the Herbarium, Department of Botany, Osmania University, and Hyderabad. Observations were made of the plant species with respect to their location and other field characters. The plant specimens were identified using district, regional and state floras like Flora of Adilabad District by [17].Flora of the Presidency of Madras by [6] and other relevant literature. The approaches and methodologies described by [12] have been followed systematically for Ethno botanical enumeration of the herbal treatments recorded in the present study. The traditional healers who are practicing traditional medicine were interviewed from time to time to record the firsthand information. Information was gathered regarding plants or their parts, preparation of the medicine, dosages, method of administration and described recipe for human recorded. REVIEW OF ETHNOBOTANICAL EXPLORATIONS OF ADILABAD DISTRICT Ethnobotanical studies in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts of Andhra Pradesh, India [22]. Madhu (2010) submitted his thesis on Ethnobotanical studies in Adilabad forest area medicinal plants and community. The medicinal plant wealth of Adilabad district [21]. Previous authors had done some exploratory studies on ethno botany of the district [11] published Shastravettalanu Akarshistunna girijana vaidyam. In the above studies inventories of medicinal plants used for human ailments were documented from few localities. [27]: Tribal Medicine of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh (India), Herbal Folk Research Centre, Tirupati, Ethnomedicinal plants of the district and they provided scientific and vernacular names for each species [17]. An inventory of important medicinal plants of Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh [15]. Some ethno medicinal plants used by tribes in the Nirmal forest division Adilabad District of Andhra Pradesh [26]. The study aimed to record 2

3 some interesting ethno medicinal plants available and which are practiced by surrounding local advises of Nir+mal forest division for their health care. ENUMARATIONS: The plants are arranged alphabetically by genus and species name. The botanical name is followed by family and vernacular names. The vernacular names of the medicinal plants are spelled out by the healers in their local dialect. Table 1: Ethno botanical uses of some plants used by tribals Botanical name and Family Vernacular name Part used Preparation Disease Ceiba pentandra (Linn) Tella buruga Stem bark 10 ml of stem bark juice is given with goat milk every day during bed time for a period Impotency Gaertn. (Malvaceae) of month. Strychnos potatorum L. Chilla chettu Seeds Chew a nut once a week for 4 weeks. Impotency (Loganiaceae ) Tribulus terrestris L. ( Palleru Seeds Ground 10g seeds with 10g dry roots of Withania somnifera to make powder. One tea Impotency Zygophyllaceae ) spoonful powder is given internally daily with milk during bed time for 30 days. Ficus bengalensis L. Marri Leaves Handfuls of young leaf buds are shade dried and make powder and it is mixed into Impotency (Moraceae) milk daily once for 15 to 20 days. Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) Ravi chettu Fruits 6 or7g fruits powder is given along with cow milk daily once for a month. Impotency Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Nela thadi Roots 8 g roots powder is given internally along with 100ml goat milk once daily during bed Impotency (Hypoxidaceae) time for 15to 20 days. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Nelatadi Tubers of Curculigo orchioides, leaves of Hemidesmus indicus, tubers of Withania Impotency (Hypoxidaceae) Somnifer aredried and powdered separately, equal parts of these powders put together, made if to globules and given twice in a day for 3-4 days. (Avoidences: Alcohol and sexual contact). Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels Dussari thega Leaves Handful leaves are ground to paste adding water, extract is filtered through white cloth, freshly prepared juice is given orally twice in a day particularly on menses days. Menorrhea Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. Pedda manu Stem bark Make stem bark juice by adding 5to 6g of Piper longum and 7g of Cuminum Luecorrhoea (Simaroubaceae) cyminum. 10 to 15ml juice is given thrice a day for one day. Cassia auriculata L. Nela thangedu Flowers Decoction of flowers (25 ml) is given internally to control white dischare during Luecorrhoea (Caesalpiniaceae) menstrual time in women. (Many tribal l women). Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels Dusudu teega, Leaves Leaf juice is given by adding sugar internally once daily for 20 days. Luecorrhoea Dusara teega, Telladusura Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels. Dussari thega Roots and Leaves Roots and leaves are ground adding water, extract is filtered through white cloth, 25 ml of freshly prepared juice is given orally twice in a day particularly on menses days. Luecorrhoea Ceriscoides turgid (Roxb) Tella elka Stem bark Stem bark extract mixed with curds and administered twice a day for 3 days. Luecorrhoea (Rubiaceae) Prosopis Cineraria (L) Druce Jammi Chettu Root bark Root bark decoction taken in 3 spoonfuls twice a day for about 15 days. Luecorrhoea (Mimosaceae (Leguminosae) Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. (Acanthaceae) Nalla Vavili Leaves Leaves ground with the leaves of Lawsonia inermis and the paste applied on patches and exposed to morning sun light for minutes for about 2to 3 months. Luecorrhoea Streblus asper Lour. (Moraceae) Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels. Barrenka Stem bark Grind 50g of stem bark with 7to 8 black pepper and 2 garlic to make juice. 10ml juice is given internally once a day till cured. Menstrual Dussari thega Leaves Leaves are ground to paste adding water; extract is filtered through white cloth, 50 ml freshly Prepared juice is given orally twice in a day particularly on menses days for maternal pain. Menstrual Dundillum, Stem bark 2 spoons of stem bark decoction is given orally at night to regulate menstruation. Menstrual Pampini Muduchu thamara Root 10 ml of root decoction is given internally once daily in the morning for 4 weeks. Gonorrhea Oroxylum indicum (L) Vent. (Bignoniaceae) Biophytum sensitivum (L.)DC., ( Oxalidaceae ) Cocculus hirsutus (L) Diels Dushta teega Leaves Leaf juice of administered in 2 spoon fuls with a glass of Sugar water twice a day for Gonorrhea days. Pavonia odorata Teega benda Leaves Leaf juice of given in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 10 days. Gonorrhea Willd. (Malvaceae) Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) Thella gadda Bulb Bulb paste is applied on the affected part once day till cured. Swelling Abrus precatorius L. Guruvinda Seed Seed paste is applied on swellings to heal. Swelling (Fabaceae) Stragglers Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) Ravi chettu Stem bark Stem bark paste is applied on the affected part once daily till cured. Skin allergy Euphorbia tirucalli L. Kada jamudu Stems Stems are pounded and applied on the infected areas. Skin allergy (Euphorbiace) Gymnosporia montana (Roth) Danthi Young Young leaves are fried and powdered, mixed with coconut oil and applied on the parts Skin allergy Benth. (Celastraceae) leaves infected. DISCUSSION The present study encompasses the in-depth investigation on medicinal plants which are used in reproductive disorders and sexually transmitted diseases by the local healers in the district of Adilabad, AP. Majority of the rural people of the district population depend on livestock rearing and agriculture farming activities. Illiteracy, ignorance, superstition, taboos are common among the rural population. An attempt is made to gather information from the 3

4 Tribal communities such as Kolam, Naikpod, Pardhan, Gond, Thoti, Chenchu and Mathura communities have been made with a view that these communities are directly interlinked with nature and having symbiotic relationship with the medicinal plants in the region. The author has recorded 26 species of medicinal plants which are used by the herbal practitioners for treating reproductive disorders and sexually transmitted diseases. About 19 remedies were recorded under reproductive disorders and sexually transmitted diseases. Out of the totals, 9 remedies were recorded for impotency, 1 for menorrhea, 8 for leucorrhoea and 3 for menstrual pains. About 6 sexually transmitted diseases were recorded (3 for gonorrhea, 2 for swelling and 3 for skin allergy). Traditional herbal medicine is commonly opted by rural communities and they first consult the local healers for their ailments. It is due to the illiteracy, fear, totem or taboo or non availability of health facilities at their reach and high cost of the medicine. Some of the plants which are used by the healers are Aerva lanata, Ailanthus excelsa, Asparagus racemosus, Ceiba pentandra, Cocculus hirsutus, Combretum decandrum, Curculigo orchioides, Hybanthus anneaspermus, Plumbago zeylanica, Strychnos potatorum, Sphaeranthus indicus, Streblus asper and Zingiber officinalis. Healers predominantly use fresh plant materials like leaves, barks (of roots and stems), tubers, rhizomes either to make juice, paste and decoction. Fresh juice of plants (main drug) is mixed with water, goat milk, butter milk and is a common practice by the healers of the district. The findings of the author have revealed that about 70 to 80 percentages of the patients have obtained permanent cure. REFERENCES [1] Anonymous, Wealth of India, Vols I-XI. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, [2] Arora, R.K, Ethno botany, 1995, 7, 1, [3] De, J.N, Ethno botany a new science in India. Science & Culture., , [4] Fransworth, N.R., Loud, W.D., Soejarto, D.D., Cordell, G.A., Quinn, M.L. & Mulholland, K, Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy, 1981, 12, [5] Furer-Haimendorf, C. von, The Chenchus. MacMillan and Co, London, [6] Gamble, J.S. & C. E. C. Fischer, Flora presidency of Madras, (Repr.ed Calcutta). Moresdale, London, [7] Harshberger, J.W, The purposes of ethnobotany-1. Botanical Gazette, 1895, 21, [8] Hemadri, K, Andhra Pradesh lo Mandumokkalu. Telugu Akademi, Hyderabad. (in Telugu) [9] Hemadri, K & S.S. Rao, Jaundice: Tribal medicine. Anc. Sci. Life, , [10] Hemadri, K, Contribution to the medicinal flora of Karimnagar and Warangal districts, Andhra Pradesh. Indian Medicine, 1990, 2, [11] Hemadri, K, Shastravettalanu Akarshistunna Girijana Vaidyam (Tribal Pharmacopoeia). Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute, Hyderabad (in Telugu), [12] Jain, S.K (Assisted by S. Srinivasa), Dictionary of Ethno veterinary Plants of India. Deep Publications, New Delhi [13] Jain, S.K, Dictionary of Indian Folk Medicine and Ethno botany. Deep Publications, New Delhi, [14] Kapoor, S.L. & L.D. Kapoor, Medicinal plant wealth of the Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. Bull. Medico-Ethnobot. Res., , [15] Mubeen et al., Prepared an inventory of important medicinal plants of Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh, [16] Padmarao, P. & P. R. Reddy, Ethnobotany., 1999, 11, [17] Pullaiah, T., P.V.Prasanna, G.Obulesu, Flora of Adilabad district, Andra Pradesh, CBS Publishers & Distributors, 485, Jain Bhawan, Bhola Nath Nagar, Shahdara, Delhi (India) [18] Rama Krishna. N, Ethnobotanical Studies of Adilabad District, A.P. India Ph.D, Thesis, Osmania University, 2013 [19] Rao, P.P. & Reddy, P.R, Journal of the Swamy Botanical Club. 2000, 17, [20] Rao, R.R, Ethno botany , [21] Ravishankar, T. & A.N. Henry, Ethno botany, 1992, 4, [22] Ravishankar. T, Ethno botanical studies in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. Ph.D. thesis, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, [23] Reddy, K.N., C.S. Reddy & V.S. Raju, Ethno botanical observation on some Orchids of Andhra Pradesh. J. Non-Timber Forest Products, 2002, 9 (3/4), [24] Reddy, P.R. & Rao, P.P, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 2002, 1(1), [25] Reddy, P.R., Rao, P.P. & Prabhakar, M, Ethnobotany., 2003, 15,

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