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Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 14: 584-92, 2010. Ethnobotanical
Studies on Dental Hygiene in District Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh (H.P.), Dhiraj
S. Rawat*, Anjna D. Kharwal** and Suman Rawat*** *Assistant
Professor, Department of Botany, Shoolini **Assistant
Professor, Department of Botany, ***Reseach Scholar, Dept. of Botany, H.P.U.
Shimla Corresponding author E mail:
rawatdhirajhpu@ gmail.com Issued Abstract The present study was
carried out to assess and document ethnobotanical knowledge of plants of
District Hamirpur (H.P.) used for dental care, as the area has diverse flora
and high ethnobotanical potential. It
was found that 32 different plant species belonging to 24 families are used
for dental hygiene. The studies reveal the use of 18 trees, 9 shrubs, 2
under-shrubs and 5 herbs for dental hygiene. Key words: Dental hygiene,
ethnobotanical explorations, dental caries, gum inflammation, toothache. Introduction
Hamirpur district is situated
between 76˚18΄-76˚44’ East longitudes
and 31˚52΄30” North latitudes. The track is hilly covered by
Shivalik range and the elevation varies from 450-1,100 metres (3). This region
is rich in diverse flora and suitable for ethnobotanical explorations.
Various plants are used for many diseases and for dental hygiene. The mouth is a mirror that can reflect the health of
the rest of your body i.e. there is
a connection between oral health and general health. A survey conducted by
Synovate Materials
and Methods Ethnobotanical explorations
were carried out in the study area several times to ensure correct
information about plants used in dental problems. For a better understanding
of local beliefs, habits and uses of plant, different categories of people
like family heads, healers, old experienced and knowledgeable informants were
repeatedly interviewed. Specific questions based upon Proforma designed by
Jain and Goel (1995) were asked and the resultant informations were recorded
in the ethnobotanical field notebook (8).The plants were collected, pressed and
later on identified. Results The ethnobotanical
investigations revealed the use of 32 species of plants for dental hygiene. Botanical Name: Achyranthes
aspera Linn. Family: Amaranthaceae Local Name: Puthkanda Habit: Herb Part Used: Root Folk use: Root used as a
toothbrush, good for dental caries. Botanical Name: Argemone
mexicana Linn. Family: Papaveraceae Local Name: Kandayi Habit: Herb Part Used: Seeds Folk use: Pulverized seeds good
for gum troubles. Botanical Name: Azadirachta
indica A. Juss. Family: Meliaceae Local Name: Neem Habit: Tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs
used to clean teeth; considered good for dental caries and gum infection. Botanical Name: Berberis
lycium Royle Family: Berberidaceae Local Name: Kashmal Habit: Shrub Part Used: Stem Folk use: Peeled stem considered
good for scouring teeth. Botanical Name: Boehmeria
platyphylla Don Family: Urticaceae Local Name: Handa Habit: Shrub Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring
teeth. Botanical Name: Calotropis
procera R. Br. Family: Asclepiadaceae Local Name: Ak Habit: Shrub Part Used: Latex Folk use: Latex used for toothache
due to dental caries. Botanical Name: Capsicum
annum Linn. Family: Solanaceae Local Name: Mirch Habit: Shrub Part Used: Fruits Folk use: Fruits
boiled in ‘sarson’ oil and oil is poured in ear; good for toothache. Botanical Name: Cassia
occidentalis Linn. Family: Fabaceae Local Name: Relu Habit: Under-shrub Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring
teeth Botanical Name: Cinnamomum
tamala Nees & Eberm Family: Lauraceae Local Name: Tej-patta Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring
teeth; good for gum inflammation. Botanical Name: Citrus
limon (L.) Burm. f. Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Galgal Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring
teeth and good as a mouth freshener. Botanical Name: Citrus
medica Linn. Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Nimbu Habit: A small tree Part Used: Leaves, fruits Folk use: Leaves
and rind of fruits recommended for scouring teeth along with a pinch of rock
salt. Botanical Name: Curcuma
angustifolia Roxb. Family: Zingiberaceae Local Name: Haldi Habit: Herb Part Used: Rhizome Folk use: Powdered
rhizome mixed with potash alum and mustard oil is applied on gums for
pyorrhea. Botanical Name: Engelhardtia
colebrookiana Lindl. Family: Juglandaceae Local Name: Samma Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Scouring teeth with
leaves considered good for dental caries. Botanical Name: Ficus
hispida Linn. Family: Moraceae Local Name: Daagrein Habit: Tree Part Used: Latex Folk use: Latex used for
toothache. Botanical Name: Ipomoea
carnea Facq. Family: Convolvulaceae Local Name: Ghodan Habit: Shrub Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaf juice recommended
for toothache. Botanical Name: Jatropha
curcas Linn. Family: Euphorbiaceae Local Name: Japhrota Habit: A small tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs used as a
toothbrush; good against dental caries. Botanical Name: Juglans
regia Linn. Family: Juglandaceae Local Name: Khod Habit: Tree Part Used: Bark, leaves Folk use: Bark and leaves used for
scouring teeth. Botanical Name: Mangifera
indica Linn. Family: Anacardiaceae Local Name: Aam Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring
teeth. Botanical Name: Murraya
koenigii Spreng. Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Gandhela Habit: Shrub Part Used: Stem Folk use: Stem used for scouring
teeth and for healthy gums. Botanical Name: Murraya
paniculata (Linn.) Jack. Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Gandhela Habit: Shrub Part Used: Stem Folk use: Stem used for scouring
teeth and for healthy gums. Botanical Name: Carya
illenoesis (Wang.) Koch. Family: Juglandaceae Local Name: Kagji-khod Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring
teeth; good for gums. Botanical Name: Pistacia
integrimma J. L. Stewart ex
Brand. Family: Anacardiaceae Local Name: Kakarsingi Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves chewed to check
toothache Botanical Name: Plumbago
zeylanica Linn. Family: Plumbaginaceae Local Name: Chitra Habit: Under-shrub Part Used: Stem, root Folk use: Stem
recommended for scouring teeth and root paste to check toothache. Botanical Name: Prunus
cerasoides D. Don Family: Rosaceae Local Name: Paza Habit: Tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs used for scouring
teeth. Botanical Name: Psidium
guajava Linn. Family: Myrtaceae Local Name: Amrood Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves, stem Folk use: Leaves and stem used for
scouring teeth Botanical Name: Robinia
pseudo-acacia Linn. Family: Fabaceae Local Name: Rasinia Habit: Tree Part Used: Bark Folk use: Powdered bark
recommended for toothache Botanical Name: Salix
oxycarpa Anderss Family: Salicaceae Local Name: Beunce Habit: Tree Part Used: Root Folk use: Root
bark chewed for toothache; good for pyorrhea and dental caries. Botanical Name: Spilanthus
oleracea Linn. Family: Asteraceae Local Name: Karkara Habit: Herb Part Used: Inflorescence Folk use: Inflorescence used for
gum inflammation Botanical Name: Thalictrum
reniforme Wall. Family: Ranunculaceae Local Name: Garvin Habit: Herb Part Used: Root Folk use: Root chewed to check gum
inflammation. Botanical Name: Vitex
negundo Linn. Family: Verbenaceae Local Name: Bana Habit: A small tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs
recommended to clean teeth; considered good for pyorrhea, gum inflammation,
dental caries and other problems. Botanical Name: Wendlandia
heynei Sant. & Merch. Family: Rubiaceae Local Name: Panseera Habit: A small tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs used as a
tooth-brush. Botanical Name: Zanthoxylum
armatum DC Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Tirmir Habit: A small tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs
considered as a best source for scouring teeth and considered good for any
dental problem. The different parts used for dental hygiene
are represented by the histogram (Fig. 1):
FIGURE
1: The number of different parts used for dental hygiene. Discussion The present study revealed
information of plants used for dental hygiene. These plants are arranged in
alphabetical order; with their family, local name, habit, part / parts used
and folk use. Present study
includes 32 plants (Table 1) used for dental hygiene belonging to 24
families. The predominant families are Rutaceae with 5 plant spp, Juglandaceae with 3 plants spp, Anacardiaceae and Fabaceae with 2 plant spp
each. Among various plants, 18 trees, 9 shrubs, 2 under-shrubs and 5 herbs
are used for dental hygiene. Out of 32
plant spp leaves of 12, stem of 11, root of 4 are predominantly used for the
purpose while latex, fruits, and stem bark of 2 plant spp each are used
(Figure 1). Rhizome, seeds and
inflorescence of 1 plant each are used for dental hygiene. Acknowledgement Authors are thankful to Dr. ( References 1. Ahluwalia, K.S. 1952.
Medicinal plants of Kangra valley. Indian
Forester 78(4): 181- 194. 2. Ambasta, S.P. (ed.)1986.
The Useful Plants of 3. Balokhra, J. M. 2002. The
Wonderland Himachal Pradesh. H.G. Publication, 4. . 5. Dhiman, D.R. 1976. Himachal Pradesh Ki Vanoshdhiya Sampada.
Imperial Printing Press. Dharamsala, H.P. 6. Ganai, K.A. & Nawachoo,
I.A. 2003. Traditional Treatment of Toothache By The Gujjar And Bakerwal
Tribes of 7. Jain, S.K. 1991. Dictionary of Indian Folk Medicine and
Ethnobotany. Deep Publications, 8. Jain, S.K. & Goel, A.K.
1995. Workshop Exercise-1. Proforma for Field Work, 142-147. In: Jain, S.K. (ed.). A Manual of Ethnobotany. Scientific
Publ., 9. |
