Some Ethno-medicinally important Pteridophytes of India

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1 , ISSN Vol. 1, No. 1, pp , June 2011 REVIEW ARTICLE Some Ethno-medicinally important Pteridophytes of India Pratibha KUMARI 1, Arman Mahmoudi OTAGHVARI 2, H. GOVINDAPYARI 1, Yateesh Mohan BAHUGUNA 3, P.L. UNIYAL* 1 1 Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi , India 2 Department of Biology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran 3 Department of Botany, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal , Uttarakhand, India Article History: Received 20 th May 2011, Revised 6 th June 2011, Accepted 11 th June Abstract: Pteridophytes mainly the ferns have been used by different tribal communities and folklore as a source of food, fibre, craft, abrasives, decoration material and medicines. The tribal groups have been using rhizomes, stem, fronds, pinnae and spores in various ways for the treatment of various ailments since ancient time. The underground rhizome of fern is a storage organ for the reserve food as well as variety of secondary metabolites. Being a group of lower plants and their restricted distribution pteridophytes remain unattended and their useful aspects are largely ignored. In the present study we have reviewed the ethnomedicinal uses of pteridophytes from different parts of India and listed the medicinally important species of pteridophytes. A total of 66 species of pteridophytes were found to be used as a medicine in the different parts of the country. They were found to be used to cure various diseases by the rural and tribal communities. Keywords: Ferns; Ethno-medicine; Pteridophytes; India; Tribal communities. Introduction Pteridophytes are one of the oldest and primitive vascular plant groups on earth. They make an important contribution to earth s plant diversity and form a significant dominant component of many plant communities especially in the tropical and temperate regions. The pteridophytes (ferns and fern allies) are represented by over 1200 taxa, belonging to 204 genera in the world. They grow in varied climatic zones of different phytogeographical regions. In India pteridophytes are particularly distributed in temperate Himalayan and south Indian regions. They prefer shady and moist habitats with moderate temperature, but also occur throughout an extraordinary range of habitats including high altitude (Shanker and Khare 1994; Vasudeva 1999; Srivastava 2007). Caius (1935) described the medicinal utility of ferns of India. Chowdhury (1973), Vyas and Sharma (1998) and Padala (1988) contributed to the knowledge of et h- nobotanical and medicinal uses of pteridophytes. Biochemically Pteridophytes are less versatile than angiosperms may be because they do not require chemicals for dispersal or to attract pollinators. Generally ferns do not synthesize alkaloids except few species of Lycopodium. On the other hand various kinds of phenolic compounds, acylphoroglucinols, a few nonprotein amino acids and cyanogenic glycosides and a large number of peculiar flavanoids have been reported in pteridophytes. Psilotaceae have amentoflavone, Selaginellaceae show presence of amentoflavone and hinokiflavone, and Isoetacae contain mainly flavanols. Some species of pteridophytes are poisonous which may cause thiamine deficiency resulting in death of certain animals. There are also evidences that it contains carcinogenic factors. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are relatively less abundant in pteridophytes, though they produce a singular series of triterpenoids and phytoecdysones. Betri and Bottari (1968) listed the known chemical compounds found in the pteridophytes, and Swain and Cooper-Driver (1973) discussed their significance in biochemical systematics. Keeping the aforesaid facts in view, the present study was undertaken with the aim of enlisting the medicinally important species of Pteridophytes used by the tribal communities in different parts of India. *Corresponding author: ( ) uniyalpl@rediffmail.com 2011 Open Access Science Research Publisher

2 Material and methods The wide range of literature reporting ethnoethnomedicinal uses of pteridophytes was surveyed. The different species of pteridophytes, their distribution and uses in different parts of India were listed. Results and discussion 19 A total of 66 species of Pteridophyte were found to be used as a medicine in the different parts of the country. They were found to be used to cure various diseases by the rural and tribal communities of India. The list of some of the medicinally useful Pteridophytes with their distribution and ethnomedicinal uses in India is provided in table 1. Table 1. Some of the ethno-medicinally useful Pteridophytes with their uses and distribution in India. S.No. Species Distribution in India Ethno-medicinal uses 1. Acrostichum aureum Linn. Rhizome paste is applied to heal the wounds and boils. 2. Adiantum caudatum Linn. Western Himalaya, Fronds extract is effective in wound healing. 3. Adiantum incisum Forsk. Kumaun Himalaya, The leaf powder is mixed with butter and used for controlling the internal burning of the body. Also used in cough, fever and skin diseases. 4. Adiantum philippense L. Kumaun Himalaya,, Melghat (Maharashtra) Rhizome is used to reduce glandular swelling, leaf juice is given in dysentery, ulcers and burning sensation. 5. Adiantum venustum D. Don Kumaun Himalaya Fronds are used as tonic, expectorant, astringent, emetic, diuretic, etc. and decoction of fronds is given in fever also used in scorpion bite. 6. Angiopteris evecta (Forst.), Kumaun Himalaya, Leaf extract is used in the treatment of dysentery. Hoffm., Tripura Spores are effective in the treatment of leprosy and other skin diseases. 7. Asplenium trichomanes L. Kumaun Himalaya This is a laxative medicine. The leaf is smoked for colds in head and chest, used as an expectorant. 8. Adiantum lunulatum Burm., Melghat (Maharashtra), Leaf and root decoction is used for treatment of chest pain. Rhizome powder is used as antidote against snakebite. 9. Adiantum poiretii Wikstr Leaves are used to cure coughs, fever, diabetes and skin diseases. 10. Alsophila glabra Sensu Bedd Rhizome used against snake bite. 11. Blechnum orientale Linn., Kumaun Himalaya, Fronds are used as poultice in boils and rhizome as Tripura, anthelmintic, rhizome is used in typhoid. 12. Cheilanthes bicolor (Roxb. Kumaun Himalaya Plant powder mixed with cow s ghee is used as incense in Griff.) Griff. ex Fras.- Jenk. to keep off fear in children. Root used in sick- ness. 13. Ceratopteris thalictroides (L) Brongn 14. Cheilanthes tenuifolia (Burm. f.) Sw. 15. Christella parasitica (L.) Lev., 16. Cyathea spinulosa Wall. ex Kumaun Himalaya Hook. 17. Cyathea contaminans Wall. Tripura ex Hook 18. Dicranopteris linearis Kumaun Himalaya, Tripura (Burm. f.) Fronds are used as poultice in skin diseases; reported to de toxic and styptic. Tripura,, Fronds cut into pieces, made to a paste and applied on abscess in the form of poultice to liberate pus and also used as antiseptic. Root is used in treatment of gout and rheumatism. Soft pith and roots are used in the preparation of local drinks. Apical soft portion paste is applied locally on major cuts or wounds for immediate clotting of blood. Fronds are used in asthma and aqueous extract of fronds possesses antibacterial activity. Young fronds are used to remove sterility in women by grinding them with milk.

3 Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Rw. Kumaun Himalaya, Tripura, The rhizomes are kept in the granaries to check them from insect and pests. 20. Diplazium maximum (D. Don) C.Chr Kumaun Himalaya Young fronds are eaten as vegetables after cooking and are commonly sold in the local market in high price. 21. Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J.,, Tripura Plant is used in typhoid fever and fronds are useful Sm. in poulticing swellings. 22. Dryopteris cochleata (Ham, Whole plant extract is given orally twice daily in ex D. Don) C. Chr. case of snakebite. Powdered rhizome is taken with 23. Drymoglossum heterophyllum (Linn.) Trimen 24. Equisetum ramosissimum Desr. Tripura Melghat (Maharashtra), Kumaun Himalaya, Western Ghats, water twice daily in rheumatism and leprosy. Paste obtained by crushing pinnae applied externally in the form of poultice on fractured bones after setting up the bones. Entire plant is used for cooling in gonorrhoea. Plant paste applied in bone fracture. 25. Gleichenia linearis L. Extract of whole plant administered internally to little children suffering from convulsion after which a cold bath is given to reduce high body temperature. 26. Helminthostac-hys zeylanica Kumaun Himalaya, Western (L.) Hook. Ghats 27. Hymenophyllm javanicum Spring. 28. Hypodematium crenatum (Forssk.) 29. Isoetes coramandeliana L.f. 30. Leucostegia immersa (Wall. ex Hook) 31. Lygodium flexusoum (L.),, Kumaun Sw. Himalaya Plant is considered as intoxicant, anodyne and used in sciatica. Fronds used as aphrodisiac. The local people smoke the dried plant mixed with garlic and onions to cure headache. Rhizome is used as antibacterial agent. Leaves are used to facilitate conception in women. Plant gives out a melancholy fluid used by in the treatment of spleen and liver diseases. Rhizome paste is applied on boils and act as antibacterial and is used in constipation. Plant is used as expectorant. Rhizome boiled with mustard oil is locally applied to carbuncle, ulcers, eczema and coughs. Aqueous rhizome extract is used for treatment of gonorrhoea. 32. Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br., Leaf decoction is given in dysentery. Leaf poultices are applied for skin diseases and swelling. 33. Lygodium scandens Sw. Leaf paste with Curcuma longa applied for joint pain. 34. Lycopodium cernum (L.) Melghat (Maharashtra), Tripura The whole plant is pounded and the paste prepared so applied externally over the cut portion to reduce swelling and itching. 35. Lycopodium clavatum (L.) Melghat (Maharashtra) Spores are used against rheumatism, cramps and varices. The plant is chewed to induce vomiting in case of food poisoning. 36. Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Kumaun Himalaya The decoction of the plant is used in beri-beri as lotion, used in cough and skin eruption. 37. Marsilea minuta (L.) Kumaun Himalaya, Western Ghats, Plant is used in cough. Spastic conditions of leg muscles, in sedation and insomia. Used in psycopathy, opthalmia, strangury, diarrhoea, leprosy, skin diseases, haemorrhoids, dyspepsia and fever. 38. Marattia fraxinea Sw. Plant used as a remedy for ankylostomiasis. 39. Microsorium superficiale (Bl.) Ching. 40. Microsorium punctatum (L.) Copel. 41. Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presl. Tripura, Kumaun Himalaya, Western Ghats Fresh crushed rhizome with Piper nigrum is taken orally to cure cough and cold. Leaf and juice are used as purgative, diuretic and for healing wound. Rhizome is antibacterial and used in cough, rheumatism, chest congestion, nose blockage and loss of appetites. Pinnae are antitussive, styptic, antifungal used in coughs, wounds and for the treatment of jaundice, fresh fronds decoction is given as drink.

4 Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J. Smith 43. Oleandra musifolia (Bl.) Presl. 44. Ophioglossum gramineum Willd. 45. Ophioglossum reticulatum (L.), Kumaun Himalaya, Leaves are used internally for chronic enteritis. Plant is used as an anthelmintic. Rhizome is used in snakebite. Plant yields a mucilaginous and astringent decoction is used in angina. The fronds are considered toxic and styptic and are used in contusions, wounds and haemorrhages. Used as a cooling agent and in the treatment of inflammations and wounds. Fronds are used as tonic and styptic. Used in contusions and haemorrhages. 46. Ophioglossum vulgatum (L.) Melghat (Maharashtra) The plant posses antiseptic, detergent and antiinflammatory properties. 47. Osmunda regalis (L.) Melghat (Maharashtra) Whole plant is used in the treatment of rheumatism, intestinal problems and rickets. 48. Osmunda hugeliana Presl. Fronds are used as tonic, styptic and also for the treatment of rickets, rheumatism, and for intestinal gripping. 49. Phlebodium aureum (L.) J.Sm. Rhizome is used for the treatment of cough, fever and reported to be sudorific. 50. Psilotum nudum (L.) Oily spores are given to infants to arrest diarrhoea. Herb juice showed antibacterial activity against Miocrococcus pygenes and Pseudomonas nerugionsa and also used as purgative 51. Pteris cretica (L.), Fronds are antibacterial; made into paste is applied in wounds. 52. Pteris quadiaurita Retz., Rhizome paste is applied to take out the pus and hasten the healing of boils. 53. Pteris vittata (L.), Kumaun Himalaya, Plant extract is used as demulcent, hypotensive, tonic, antiviral and antibacterial. 54. Pteris biaurita (L.) Kumaun Himalaya, A decoction of rhizome and fronds has been given in chronic disorders. 55. Pyrrosia lanceolata (L.) Plant decoction is used for curing colds and sore throats. Tea prepared from the fronds is used as itch guard. 56. Selaginella wallichi (Hook & Grev.) Melghat (Maharashtra) Plant extract given to the women after child birth as protective tonic. 57. Selaginella bryopteris (L.) Kumaun Himalaya Plant is used as diuretic and in gonorrhoea. The dried plants along with tobacco are smoked by tribal people for inducing hallucination used as witch craft and worship. 58. Selaginella delicatula (Desv. ex Poir) 59. Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring Plant juice is antibacterial and is used for healing of wounds by the tribals. Plant is considered to help to rejuvenate life, also used in the prolase of rectum, prevents cough, bleeding piles, gravel amenorrhoea and as antibacterial. 60. Selaginella repanda (Desv. Root paste is applied on the white patches in case of ex Poir.) leprosy. 61. Salvinia molesta Mitch. Plant used as an antifungal agent. 62. Sphenomeris chinensis (L.) Kumaun Himalaya, Paste of plant used in swelling and sprains. Dried fronds used as a substitute for tea leaves used internally for chronic enteritis and used as diuretic. 63. Tectaria coaudunata (J., Kumaun Himalayzome Plant decoction used in colitis. Decoction of rhi- Sm.) is given to children in stomach-ache. 64. Thelypteris arida (D.Don) Kumaun Himalaya Plant paste applied in wounds and cuts. 65. Trignospora caudipinna Rhizome juice is given in case of fever. (Ching) Sledge 66. Vittaria elongata Sw. Tribals of Andaman Islands use leaves of this fern for the treatment of rheumatism.

5 22 References Berti, G., Bottari, F Constituent of Ferns. In: Progress in photochemistry. Vol.1, London Academic Press, pp Caius, J.F Medicinal and poisonous Ferns of India. Bombay Natural History Society, 83: Chowdhury, N.P The pteridophytic flora of the upper Gangetic plain. Navyug Traders, New Delhi. Padala, S Ethnobotanical euphony in some pteridophytes. In: P. Kaushik (Ed.), Indigenous medicinal plants including microbes and fungi. Today and tomorrow s printers and publishers, New Delhi, pp Shankar, R., Khare, P.K Ethnobotanical studies of some ferns from Panchmarhi hills (M.P). Higher plants on Indian sub-continent. Vol.111, pp Shrivastava, K Importance of ferns in human medicine. Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 11: Swain, T., Cooper Driver, G Biochemical systematic. In the Phylogeny and Classification of the ferns, ed. A.C. Jermy, J.A. Crabbe, B.A. Thomas (Eds.), Botanical Journal of Linnean Society. London 67, Suppl.1: Vasudeva, S.M Economic importance of Pteridophytes. Indian Ferns Journal, 16(1-2): Vyas, M.S., Sharma, B.D Ethnobotanical importance of the Fern of Rajasthan. In: P. Kaushik (Ed.), Indigenous medicinal plants including microbes and fungi. Today and tomorrow s printers and publishers, New Delhi, pp

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