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Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 14: 715-20, 2010. Ethnomedicinal Observations Among the Bheel and Bhilal Tribe of Jhabua
District, Madhya Pradesh, India Vijay V. Wagh and Ashok. K. Jain School of Studies in Botany, Jiwaji University, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) Issued: July 01, 2010 Abstract The
paper highlights uses of 15 ethnomedicinal plants
traditionally utilized by the Bheel and Bhilala tribes of Jhabua
district. The plant species are used as herbal medicines for treatment of
various ailments and healthcare. Keywords:
Ethnomedicine; Jhabua
district; tribal. Introduction Human
culture has been augmented by plant and plant products since time immemorial.
Perhaps ethnobiology is the first science that
originated with the evaluation or existence of man on this planet. Natural
products as medicines, although neglected in the recent past, are gaining
popularity in the modern era. On a global scale, the current dependence on
traditional medical system remain high, with a majority of world’s population
still dependent on medicinal plants to fulfil most
of their healthcare needs. Today, it is estimated that about 64 percent of
the global population remain dependent on traditional medicines (Farnsworth
1994; Sindiga 1994). Nearly 8000 species of plants
were recognized as of ethnobotanical importance (Anonymous 1994). Jhabua
district is situated in the western most part of Madhya-Pradesh state. Most
of the village inhabitants of Jhabua district
belong to tribal communities. Major part of the district is covered by dense
forest area in which various tribes, like Bheel,
Bhilala and Pataya
are living in majority. Out of these tribes Bheel
and Bhilala stand high in strength,
scattered in most of the villages of the district. These tribal’s live close
to the forest and are largely dependent on the wild biological resources for
their livelihood. They utilize various plant parts like root, bark, leaves,
fruits, etc. to make themselves comfortable and prepare simple formulations
with single plants or combinations of two or more plant resources which are
easily available. Literature survey of medico-ethnobotanical work done in
Madhya Pradesh was done (Jain 1962, Bhall et al. 1986, Jain 1988, Maheshwari 1990, Singh 1993, Sikarwar
1998, Jain and Patole 2001, Samvatsar
and Diwanji 2004 and Jain and Vairale
2007). The present communication gives result of ethnobotanical survey done
in western Madhya Pradesh covering 15 herbal remedies used against various
disorders among the Bheel
and Bhilala tribe of Jhabua
district. Material and Methods Ethnobotanical
surveys were conducted during June 2007- May 2010 in tribal inhabitant
forests localities of Jhabua district for recording
first hand information regarding the therapeutic properties of wild plants in
the area. The collected information was cross checked with the help of
available literature. Detailed information regarding local names, part used
and mode of administration was recorded in field note books. The specimens
were collected from the field and identified with the help of local/ regional
floras and deposited at herbarium of Enumeration of plant species The species
are arranged below alphabetically with family in parenthesis, local name,
followed by folklore claim.
Local
name: Chirchita Plant
twig is used as a toothbrush in toothache and also in mouth disorder.
Local
name: Chichwa The
dried leaf powder is sprayed on the wound for healing soon.
Local
name: Semala Flower
is used for making curry and given in mouth ulcers.
Local
name: Chaksu The
seed powder is put it in eye in eye disorder.
Local
name: Puadiya The
decoction of Cassia tora
and Plantago ovata (Isabgol) is given orally twice a day in constipation. 6.
Desmodium gangeticum
(L.) DC.
(Fabaceae). Local name: Rinzado Fresh leaf juice is applied on a affected part in
scabies and ringworm. 7.
Euphorbia nerifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) Local name: Hathlo thuvar The latex of plant is given with Piper betel leaf in asthma. 8.
Gloriosa superba
L. (Liliaceae) Local name: Kalihari Tuberous root powder is given to the cattle in
stomach disorder. 9.
Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) Local name: Ratanjyot Root bark decoction is given in diarrhea and
dysentery. 10. Mitragyna parviflora (Roxb.) Korth. (Rubiaceae) Local name: Kalam Seed paste is applied on forehead in half
headache. 11. Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) Local name: Karela Seed pounded in water overnight, the extract is
given to expel the intestinal worm. 12. Ocimum basilicum
L.
(Lamiaceae) Local name: Safed Bhabdi Fresh leaf juice is put in eye in eye disorder. 13. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre.
(Fabaceae) Local name: Kanji Seed oil is rubbed on affected part in joint pain. 14. Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae) Local name: Makoi The fruits are eaten thrice a day in jaundice. 15. Wrightia tinctoria
R. Br.
(Euphorbiaceae) Local name: Kueda Plant latex is given with water in Malaria. Result and Discussion The present communication documents 15 plant
species belonging to 12 families under 14 genera that are traditionally
valued. The plants used are found growing and are available in the vicinity
and in many cases are immediately available as therapeutic, edible, fodder
and fibre. The herbal remedies are effective
against cuts and wounds, fever, joint pain, headache ache, constipation, diarrhoea, eye disorder etc. This
survey revealed that the tribals and other
inhabitants of the area have sound knowledge about the uses of medicinal
plants available in the region. Unfortunately, the tribals
are not interested to share their traditional knowledge with others and their
lore ends with the end of their life. However, after developing intimacy with
some knowledgeable and experienced medicinemen and
other traditional healers, some information on medicinal uses of the plant
species has been reported earlier. Although a brief account on ethnonomedicinal uses of documented plant species has
been verified by cross-checking with the medicinemen,
knowledgeable persons, healers and experienced informants of the region, even
then further investigations on pharmaceuticals, therapeutic as well as safety
aspects are very much desired for human welfare. Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to
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