Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 642-647, 2010.

Ethno-medicinal Plants Used for Gonorrhoea Diseases in Danta Taluka (Gujarat)

N.K. Patel

Department of Biology

Sheth M. N. Science College, Patan -384265, India

Issued May 01, 2010

Abstract

The present paper deals with species of flowering plants commonly used by different Aadeevasee communities to cure gonorrhoea diseases. The cause of disease, its symptoms, and plant organs utilized and methods of preparation of remedies are provided. Tribes associated with specific remedial preparation have been mentioned, however, they may not be always exclusive since Adeevasee communities are of wide distribution in Danta taluka and have considered communication with each other. It is hoped that the present study will not only confirm earlier findings recorded in literature, but also provide additional clues in this field of vital interests.

Introduction

The Danta taluka is situated between 24° - 24’’ to 24° - 30’’ N latitudes and between 72° - 45’’ to 73° - 30’’ E longitudes. In the north it is bounded by Rajasthan State, in the south by the Mehsana District, in the east by the Sabarkantha district and in the west by Palanpur and Vadgam taluka (Fig.1.). The total area of the Danta taluka is 86074.75 sq.km. Danta taluka has 187 villages and forest area of 47941.97 hectare.

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Tribal in Danta taluka mainly cast Adeevasee which sub-tribes are Bumbadiya, Bhemiyat, Dabhi, Dhrangi, Gamar, Kodarvi, Laur, Makvana, Parghi, Parmar, Rohisa, Solanki and Taral are main tribal group inhabiting this area.

Fig 1. Gujarat State showing the Danta taluka

During recent years, there has been a wide concern to collect more and more ethno botanical information. Such information provide clues for materials to be tested by pharmacological and clinical researches, provide new distribution areas for raw drugs and a broad base for interaction with other systems of medicines.

During present study the authors have collected ethno medicinal information on 7 species of flowering plants local vaids (physicians) and herbalists, forest officers and different tribal communities in the taluka. The uses recorded by the authors. Voucher specimens have been cited.

It is hoped that this effort will not only provide additional support to the earlier findings recorded in the literature, but also provide clues for new materials having medicinal potentially for traditional Indian system of medicine.

Materials and Methods

During the present works we have gone in the various villages and forests area including hill and hillocks for collection of angiosperm plants taxa. Good number of the trips where arrange in connection of the season. The collected plants were brought to the laboratory, identified up to species level where ever possible and then dried with customary method which was mounted on herbarium sheet and label. The information data on ethno botanical were collected through the dialogue and arranging night meting with local tribal and knowledgeable people of the villages. Each plant has been enumerated on the basis of classification of Bentham and Hooker system.

Results

It is an inflammatory disease of generative organs common in male and female, caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoea. The following 7 species are commonly used by Adeevasee in Danta taluka to treat gonorrhoea:

Abutilon indicum (L.)Sweet

(Malavaceae)

Local name: Kanski

A fresh decoction of plant is taken orally

Before dinner for about a month by the bhil

And damor tribes.

Aerva lanata (L.) juss. ex. Schult.

(Amarnthaceae)

Local name:

Flowers are boiled in water. The latter is

Taken 2 to 3 times a day for 20-30 days by

The garasia tribe.

Clerodendrum phlomidis L .f.

(Verbenaceae)

Local name: Arni.

Decoction of fresh roots is considered

Very effective by the bhil.

Corchorus capsularisL.

(Tiliaceae).

Local name: Dodali

Mucilaginous decoction of plant is given by

Local vaids. Some rural people also use

C.olitorius L. For this purpose.

Hemidesmus indicus

(L). R.Br.

(Asclepiadaceae)

Local name: Anantmool

Roots are dried powdered and mixed with sugar

and Cuninum cyminum L; this mixture is taken

orally by the garasia and damor tribes.

Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn) Thw.

(Annonaceae)

Local name: Asopalav

Stem-bark is dried, ground and mixed with butter and

Taken 2 times a day for a few weeks. It is usually

Prescribed by local vaids.

Pedalium murex L.

(Pedaliaceae).

Local name: Gokhru-kanti.

Mucilaginous sap of fresh leaves is considered very

Effective and taken orally early in the morning.

Discussion

Adivashis are habituated in herbal practices. Ethno pharmacological analysis is required for proper usage and doses.

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the notified and denotified adeevasee groups, their vaids, ojhas; bhopas etc.and forest officials whom provided valuable information on this subject. We are also thankful to the authorities of various herbaria and musea for their help and co-operation extended in several ways.

References

Patel, N.K. (2001) Study of Angiosprmic Plants with Relation to Phytosociological &

Ethnobotanical Study of Danta taluka, Dist. Banaskantha", Ph.D. Thesis for North

Gujarat University, Patan.

Saxton W.T. and Sedgwick L.J. (1918).Records of Botanical survey of India.

Vol. IV-No. 7. Plants of Northern Gujarat. Calcutta superintendent Government

printing, India.

Shah G.L. (1978)Flora of Gujarat State, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidhyanagar