Int. J. Int. J. Cur. Tr. Res (2015) 4 (1):29-34 ISSN:2278-8042 www.injctr.com Ethnobotanical study of common medicinal plants used by the people of village Fubgaon, District - Amravati (Maharashtra), India Yatoo Ghulam M *., S.R. Manik, Nikita Shravagi, V.N. Nathar, S.A.A.G. Saudagar, Malik Aabid and John Mohd Department of Botany, S. G. B. Amravati University, Amravati 444 602 Maharashtra, India. Received: 5 June, 2015 Accepted: 25 June 25 2015/ Published online 30 June 2015. INJCTR 2015 Abstract Traditional medicine is widely used and accounts for around 40 % of all health care delivered. In India, medicinal plants are widely used by all sections of the population with an estimated 7500 species of plants used by several ethnic communities. Village Fubgaon, located 38 Kms towards East from Amravati has an area of 1156.22 hectares with great diversity of medicinal plants. This paper represents the ethnobotanical survey carried on the use of medicinal plants in Fubgaon village of District Amravati. The information was gathered using an integrated approach of Botanical collection, group discussion and by discussion with Hakims and people of the village having traditional knowledge. A total of 48 medicinal plant species distributed among 27 families were documented of which 14 species were trees, 18 as herbs, 13 as shrubs and 03 as climbers. The documented ethnomedicinal plants were mostly used to cure skin disease, fever, cough, stomach infection and ulcer. Keywords: Diversity, Ethnobotanical, Fubgaon village and Medicinal plants. Introduction The history of traditional practice of plants against the various ailments in India can be traced to remote past. Primitive tribes who still eke out their living as food gathered by dwelling in remote inaccessible forest areas far away from modern civilization possess quite good knowledge of plants from curative purposes. Their knowledge gives excellent clues for modern drug development programme (Brahmam, 2000). About 85 % of traditional medicines are plant derived ( Fransworth, 1988). Ethnobotany is a multidisciplinary science defined as the interaction between plants and people. The relationship between plants and human cultures is not limited to the use of plants for food, clothing and shelter but also includes their use for religious ceremonies, ornamentation and health care (Schultes, 1992). According to Igoli et al., (2005), ethnobotanical survey is one of the major approaches for selecting plants for pharmacological screening. The continuous search for natural plant products and drug development is encouraged by ethbotany. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people in developing countries still depend on local medicinal plants to fulfill their primary health needs (WHO, 2002). In India, medicinal plants are widely used by all sections of the population with an estimated 7500 species of plants used by several ethnic communities and it is known that India has the second largest tribal population in the world after Africa (Kala, 2005; Jagtap et al., 2006). With enormously diversified ethnic groups and rich biological resources, India represents one Corresponding author* E.mail: yatoobotany@gmail.com
30 Yatoo Ghulam et al. Int. J. Cur. Tr. Res (2015) 4 (1)29:34 of the great emporia of ethnobotanical wealth. Even today, tribal communities in India still collect and preserve locally available wild and cultivated plant species and practice herbal medicine to treat a variety of diseases and disorders (Mahishi et al., 2005). Due to poverty, ignorance and unavailability of modern health facilities, most people especially rural people are still forced to practice traditional medicines for their common day ailments (Khan, 2002). The aim of the present study was to document all of the ethnobotanical knowledge related to the use of plants in local folk medical practices which is reported first time for village Fubgaon. Materials and Methods Description of the study area The present study is based on the field survey of Fubgaon village of District Amravati during October-November 2012. Fubgaon is located in the Nandgaon Khandeshwar Tehsil of Amravati District of Maharashtra, India. The temperature ranges from 13 o C to 40 o C. April, May and June are the hottest months of the year. The mean annual rainfall recorded in the study site was 812 mm. The bulk of the rainfall is received during the months of October, November and December. Village Fubgaon, located 38 Kms towards East from Amravati has an area of 1156.222 hectares. The village is small having a total population of 2730 individuals and 450 families. Most people of the village still believe in herbal medicine for treating various ailments. Data collection The ethnobotanical data (Botanical name, common name, family, habit, ethnomedicinal aspects and plant part used) were collected using an integrated approach of Botanical collection, group discussion and by discussion with Hakims and people of the village having traditional knowledge regarding medicinal plants. The field work in the village Fubgaon, Amravati District was done between October and November, 2012. First local administrative officers were consulted with the explanation of aims and objectives of the study. They gave advice regarding the people who would be the best sources of information. We interviewed people from variety of age groups, sex, socioeconomic and ethnic community. The criteria for the selection of informants for the interview were their reputation in the society regarding their knowledge about herbal medicines and traditional healthcare system. Total 20 informants were identified from village Fubgaon and surrounding areas. They are reputed knowledgeable persons of the society and the collected data from these informants represent the whole community, because they are knowledgeable healers, senior citizens, teachers, social workers etc. Enumeration of Ethno Plants In the following enumeration, the various plant species are arranged by their Botanical names followed by locall name, family, habit, etnnomedicinal uses and plant parts used. Results and Discussion The present investigation has revealed that 48 Angiospermic plant species of 27 families were used by the peoplee of Fubgoan in their traditional medicine (Table 1). Out of which, 14 species were trees, 18 as herbs, 13 as shrubs, 03 as climbers (Figure 1). Fubgaon villagers use specific plant parts and specific dosages for the treatment of various diseases and ailments like wounds, cuts, stomach pain, diabetes, fever etc. The plant products are consumed raw or in the form of a decoction, juice extract, as infusion for oral treatment and as burnt product, ointments or raw paste when applied externally. Plant part mostly used for medicinal purposes are leaves, root, stem, fruits, the complete aerial parts, the whole plant, barks (root and stem) and flowers in decreasing order. People use more than one plant either separately or mixed together. They mix several plants as ingredients to cure diseases immediately. Generally, fresh part of the plant is used for the preparation of medicine. When fresh plant parts are not available, dried parts are also used. It is interesting to note thatt such a way of life, particularly with respect to healthcare practices has hardly undergone any change even in the present day. 20 18 16 14 12 10 Fig. 1 Ethnobotanical plant categories of village 8 6 4 2 0 14 Trees 18 Herbs 13 s medicinal 3 Climbers
Int. J. Cur. Tr. Res (2015) 4 (1): 29-34 Yatoo Ghulam et al. 31 Table 1: Ethnobotanical medicinal plants used by the village Fubgaon continued.. S.No. Botanical Name Common Name Family Habit Ethnomedicinal Aspects Plant part/parts Used 1 Benincasa hispida L. Kohla Cucurbitaceae Climber Wounds, burns and headache. fruits 2 Ricinus communis L. Aerandi Euphorbiaceae Induces milk secretion and used for abdominal pain. 3 Vitex negundo L. Nirgundi Lamiaceae Stomachic, antiseptic, antiflammatory, asthama 4 Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash Vala Poaceae Climber Ulcer, skin diseases, cough, fever, low back pain, headache 5 Cordia dichotoma Forst. f. Bhokar Boraginaceae Tree Bark is used as antidyspeptic and febrifuge, leaves used for ulcers and headaches and fruit is used for coughs 6 Azardirachta indica A. Juss Neem Meliaceae Tree 7 Curcuma longa L. Halad 8 Momordica charantia L. Karela Cucurbitacea Climber 9 Lawsonia inermis L. 10 Aegle marmelos Corr. Henna Bael 11 Calotropis procera (Ait) R. Br. Rue 12 Aloe vera L. 13 Ocimum sanctum L. Aloe Tulasi 14 Ficus religiosa L. Peepal Moraceae Tree 15 Ficus glomerata Roxb. Umbar Zingiberaceae Herb Antiseptic, fever, cough and in skin diseases Wound healing, cough. Antihelmintic, Antimalarial, Antidiabetes, fevers, burns, Lythraceae Tree Anti-fungal, chicken pox Rutaceae Asclepiadiaceae Liliaceae Lamiaceae Moraceae Tree Herb Tree Arrests secretion or bleeding, digestive Wound healing. Sun burn, wound healing Aantiseptic, analgesic Roots prevent gum diseases, leaves are used in treating boils and wounds and bark is administered for jaundice, Stomachic, carminative, antiinflammatory. Bark, leaves and fruit Oil and leaves Powder Fruit Sap Roots, leaves, bark Fruit
32 Yatoo Ghulam et al. Int. J. Cur. Tr. Res (2015) 4 (1):29-34 Table 1: Ethnobotanical medicinal plants used by the village Fubgaon Continued.. 16 Mimosa pudica L. Lajalu Fabaceae Herb 17 Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Aawla Phyllaninaceae Tree Burning sensation, asthma, bleeding piles and urinary infections. digestive system, antiseptic, snakebite Root Fruit, seed, leaves, root, flowers. 18 Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Ashwagandha Solanaceae Colds, skin rashes, gonorrhoea 19 Tagetes erecta L. Marigold Asteraceae Herb Anthelmintic, digestive, coughs, ulcers, sore eyes colds., berries and roots. 20 Tectona grandis L. Teak Lamiaceae Tree Piles, headache, burning sensation, urinary discharges. Roots 21 Jasminum grandiflorum L. Jasmine Oleaceae wounds, ulcers, skin diseases, Flowers 22 Cassia tora (L.) Roxb. Tarota Caesalpinaceae Herb Fever, skin ailments. Fruit and leaves 23 Nerium indicum Mill. Oleander Apocynaceae 24 Thevetia nerifolia Juss. Yello Oleander Apocynaceae Tree 25 Punica granatum L. Pomegranate Lythraceae 26 Cyperus rotundus L. Nagarmotha Cyperaceae 27 Carica papaya L. Papaya Caricaceae Tree 28 Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. Bitter gourd Cucurbitaceae Herb Vata, skin diseases, renal or vesical calculi, stomatitis, arthritis, pruritus, cough, bronchitis, cardiomyopathy and ulcers. Cardiac glycoside peruvoside, cardiac insufficiency. Syphilis, jaundice, diarrhoea, diabetics, nose bleed, astringent and anthelmintic properties. Hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, diuretic. digestion problems, intestinal parasite infections.. jaundice, diabetes, ulcer, piles, colitis, skin diseases. Root and leaves Flower Seed, fruit, leaves, stem bark and roots Fruit Fruits and leaves 29 Sapindus trifoliatus L. Ritha Sapindaceae Tree Anti inflammatory, Fruit 30 Mentha spicata (L.) Mentha Lamiaceae Herb Fever, upper respiratory tract infections in children, migraines, asthma, bronchitis
Int. J. Cur. Tr. Res (2015) 4 (1): 29-34 Yatoo Ghulam et al. 33 Table 1: Ethnobotanical medicinal plants used by the village Fubgaon 31 Foenieulum vulgare Mill. Fennel Apiaceae Herb 32 Anethum sowa (L.) Dill Apiaceae Herb Digestion, weight loss, stomach cramps, Carminative, Digestive stomachic, piles and mental disorders. and seeds and seeds 33 Ficus carica (L.) Fig Moraceae Tree Skin viral infections. Fruit 34 Acacia arabica (Lam.) Babul Mimosaceae Herb 35 36 37 Trachyspermum ommi Sprague. Ajowan Apiaceae Herb Gastric trouble, spasms, migraine Seeds and leaves Datura metel L. Dhatura Solanaceae Herb Asthma, chronic bronchitis, and fruit Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Palash Fabaceae Tree 38 Achyranthes aspera L. Aaghada Amarenthaceae Herb Piles, scabies, gonorrhoea Roots, leaves 39 Nyctanthes arbour L. Parijat Oleaceae 40 Asparagus racemosus Wild. Shatavari Asparigaceae Hyperacidity, stomach ulcers and dysentery 41 Cynodon dactylon (L.) pers. Dub grass Poaceae Herb 42 Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton Mogra Oleaceae Injuries, diarrhoea, swelling of the nose and throat, bleeding. Ulcers, diarrhoea anthelmintic, bleeding and piles. Cough, asthma, Wounds, haemorrhages, burning sensation and dispigmentations of the skin. Fever, Ulcers, diarrhoea, swelling pain in the eye. Stem bark and leaves, flowers Flowers and leaves 43 Cuccumis sativus L. Cucumber Cucurbitaceae Herb Diuretic, catarrhal affections and diseases of the bowels and urinary passages. Seeds and fruits 44 Ficus bengalesis L. Banyan Moraceae Tree Diarrhea, diabetes, ulcers and allergy., Fruits and Latex
34 Yatoo Ghulam et al. Int. J. Cur. Tr. Res (2015) 4 (1):29-34 Conclusion The results of the present study provide evidence that medicinal plants continue to play an important role in the health care system of Fubgaon village community. Generally, the people of the study area still have a strong belief in the efficacy and success of herbal medicine. Many people still have faith in the herbal remedy which plays an important role in the life of these communities. However, the traditional use of plants is declining due to economic factors such as displacement and urbanization processes. References Brahmam M. (2000). Indigenous medicinal plants for modern drug development programme: Revitalization of native health tradition. Advances of plant sciences, 1391: 1-10. Fransworth N.R., (1988). Screening plants for new medicines, In: Bi odiversity, edited by Wilson EO (National Academy Press, Washington DC) p.p. 83-97. Igoli J.O, Ogaji O.G, Tor-Anyiin T.A. and Igoli N.P, (2005). Traditional medicine practice amongst the Igede people of Nigeria. Part II. Afr. J. Trad. CAM. 2, 134-152. Jagtap S.D., Deokule S.S., Bhosle S.V., (2006). Some unique ethnomedicinal uses of plants used by the Korku tribe of Amravati district of Maharashtra, India. J Ethnopharmacol, 107: 463-469. Kala C.P., (2005). Current status of medicinal plants used by traditional vaidyas in Uttaranchal State of India. Ethnobot Res Appl, 3: 267-278. Khan A.U., (2002). History of decline and present status of naturaltropical thorn forest in Punjab Pakistan Biological Conservation, 63: 210-250. Mahishi P., Srinivasa B.H. and Shivanna M.B., (2005). Medicinal plant wealth of local communities in some villages in Shimoga District of Karnataka, India. J Ethnopharmacol,98: 307-312. Schultes, R.E., (1992). Ethnobotany and technology in t he Northwest Amazon: A partnership. In Sustainabl harvest and marketing of rain forest products, Eds. Plotkin and Famolare, Island Press, CA, p.p.: 45-76. World Health Organization, (2000): WHO traditional medicine strategy, 2002-2005. World Health Organization.village community.