Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 1337-47, 2009.
Ethnomedicinal Uses of Leaf Preparations in Adilabad District, Andhra Pradesh, India
V. Madhu* and DS Ravindra Naik
Plant Systematics Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kakatiya University,
Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India. 506009
*Corresponding author:
Issued November 01, 2009
Abstract
Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted from June, 2008 through May, 2009 in the Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Information on 67 angiosperms belonging to 38 families was gathered with regard to their ethnomedicinal use in leaf preparations. This paper reports for the first time the uses of leaf preparations by the tribal people in the form of extracts, decoctions, pastes, etc.
Keywords: Leaf preparations, Medicinal Plants, Ethnomedicine, Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh.
Introduction
India is very rich in ethonobotanical information. About 80% of the Indian population lives in villages and a considerable proportion comprises tribals living in remote forest areas. The population of several districts in central and eastern India is predominantly tribal. The different traditions, beliefs, needs and cultures of various tribes and the diversity of flora in India richly contribute to plant folklore. Ethnomedicine is the study of the beliefs and practices concerning illness in different human populations (Genest, 1978). A number of investigators (Shanker and Henry, 1992; Pullaiah, Prasanna, and Obeulesy, 1998; Madhu, 2009) have published notes on the medicinal plant wealth of Adilabad district and near areas. Ravishankar (1990), in his Ph.D. thesis, reports on "Ethnobotanical studies in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts of Andhra Pradesh, India," while Mubeen, Fatima, Khanum, Alikhan and Anwar (2004-2005) studied the medicinally important plants growing in and around Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. In the present work, we report the leaf preparations used by the tribal people to treat various disorders in Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Study Area
Adilabad district lies between 770 47 and 800 0 of the eastern longitudes and 180 40 and 190 56 of northern latitudes. The district is bounded on North by Yeotmal, on the East by Chanda districts of Maharashtra and on the South by Karimnagar and Nizamabad and on the West by Nanded district of Maharashtra State. These harbour mainly dry deciduous forest and aborigines. These forests occupy about 44.5 percent of the total geographical area of the district. The total forest area in the district is 7218.86 sq.km. The total population of the district is 24,88,003 out of which the tribal population is 4,16,511 (Census of India 2001). The main occupation of the people is agriculture. The important rivers in the district are the Godavari, the Penganga, the Wardha, the Pranahitha, the Kadam and the Peddavagu. The Godavari is the largest river in peninsular India. The most important crop in the district is Jowar, followed by cotton. Other crops include Maize, Pulses, dry Paddy, Soybean and Sunflower.
Methodology
Field trips were conducted from June 2008 through May 2009 in tribal parts of Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Collection data included local name, plant part used and mode of administration. The information was given by tribal medicine people and the local rural informants, who are the Vaidhya or elderly village people in this district, and who have knowledge about folk medicines.
At the time, actual applications were also observed during the field work. Herbarium Voucher specimens are deposited in Department of Botany (KUH) at Kakatiya University, Warangal, Anhra Pradesh, India. The plant species are enumerated alphabetically by family followed by their tribal names and uses.
Results & Discussion
In the present account, 67 species of angiosperms belonging to 38 families are reported (Table 1). They are used as ethnomedicines for various severe diseases like jaundice, cancer, etc. by employing the leaf preparations in the form of extracts, pastes, juices, etc. Other common diseases and health complaints like cough, piles, fever, bone fracture, rheumatic pains, stomachache, blood pressure, diabetes, dandruff, gonorrhea, filaria, mumps, skin diseases, ring worm, asthma, sun stroke are cured by using the leaf preparations of various plants found in the Adilabad district region. The leaf is employed in the form of decoctions, extracts, pastes, juice or some times in combination with other parts of same or different plants, viz. Sesamum, Trigonella, Curcuma, Phyllanthus amarus, Zingiber officinalis, Piper nigrum, Terminalia chebula etc. Other substances, such as sugar candy, curd, honey, hair oil, milk and turmeric powder, are also used in various preparations.
Table 1 : Ethnomedicinal uses of leaf preparations in Adilabad district.
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Sl. No.
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Plant Name / Family
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Local Name
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Disease Treated
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Mode of Administration.
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1
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Acalypha India L. (Euphorbiaceae)
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Muripinda
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Jaundice
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Leaves crushed with Sugar candy and Curd and taken orally early in the morning for 3 days.
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2
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Adhatoda Zeylanica Medic. (Acanthaceae)
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Adda Saramu
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Cough
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Leaf extract administered orally in 2 spoonfuls a day for 3-4 days.
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3
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Alianthus excelsa Roxb. (Simaroubaceae)
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Pedda manu
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Post-Partum problem
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Leaves boiled with Sugar Candy and administered orally to women for debility after child birth.
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4
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Aloe Vera (L.) Burm.f. (Agavaceae)
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Kalabanda
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Piles and fistula
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Leaf juice administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 20 days.
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5
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Ampelocissus Latifolia (Lam.) Planch. (Vitaceae)
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Pule-teega
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Opthalmia
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Leaf juice poured into eyes in 1-2 drops twice a day for 3 days.
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6
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Andrographis Paniculata (Burm.f.) wall.ex Ness (Acanthaceae)
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Nela Vemu
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Fever
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Leaves grind with Sugar candy and given orally in 1 spoonful twice a day for children for about 3 days.
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7
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Asparagus racemosus Willd (LiLiaceae)
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Pilli teegalu
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Rheumatic pains
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Leaf paste massaged gently on Painful parts twice a day till relief from suffering.
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8
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Azadirachta indica A.Juss. (Meliaceae)
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Vepa
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Worm killing
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Leaf extract given orally at bed time for 3-4 days.
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Chicken-Pox
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Leaf paste applied over the body for 3-4 days.
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9
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Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd. (Graminae)
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Veduru
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Abortion
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Leaves ground with seeds of Sesamum and Trigeonella and the paste mixed with honey is taken of pregnancy to abort three months twice a day for 3 days.
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10
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Boerhavia erecta L. (Nyctaginaeae)
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Galijery
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Jaundice
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Leaf extract mixed with Sugar and Curd and administered early in the morning for 3-4 days.
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11
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Cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp. (Leguminosae)
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Thogarlu
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Stomach ache
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Leaf extract administered in 2-3 spoonfuls twice a day for 3 days.
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12
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Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae)
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Tella Jilledu
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Arthritis
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Leaf extract applied externally on painful parts.
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13
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Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold (Apocynaceae)
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Pachaganneru
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Bone fracture
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Leave ground and the paste plastered till cure.
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14
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Cassia auriculata L. (Leguminosae) Sf: Caesalpiniaceae
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Tangedu
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Bone fracture
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Leaf paste with egg albumen plastered over the parts of human as well as cattle till cure.
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Eye infection
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Leaf Juice poured in 2-3 drops thrice a day for 3 days.
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15
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Cassia fistula (L.) (Leguminosae)
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Rela
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Amenorrhea
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Tender leaf juice taken in 2 spoonfuls once in morning for abut 10 days.
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16
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Cassia Occidentalis (L.) (Leguminosae)
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Kasinta
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Cough
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Leaf juice given in 2 spoonfuls thrice a day for 3 days.
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Eye infection
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Leaf Juice poured in 3-4 drops once at night for 3-4 days.
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17
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Catharanthus roseus (L.) Don. (Apocynaceae)
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Billa ganneru
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Blood pressure
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Tender leaves with dall cooked and eaten as vegetable for cure.
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Cancer
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Leaf paste applied on tumors and the decoction given orally in 30ml twice a day for about 1 month.
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18
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Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. (Umbelliferae)
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Saraswati Aku
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Blood Purification
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Leaf paste taken in a spoonful once in morning for a month.
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Memory power
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Leaves ground with jaggery and taken in morning for 30-45 days.
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Nervous weakness
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Leaf paste administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 40 days.
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19
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Cleome gynandra (L.) (Capparidaceae)
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Vaminta
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Ear ache
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Leaf juice poured in 2-3 drops thrice a day till cure.
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20
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Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt. (Cucurbitaceae)
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Kaki donda
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Diabetes
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Leaf extract administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 10 days.
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21
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Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels. (Menispermaceae)
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Dushta teega
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Gonorrhea
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Leaf juice administered in 2 spoon fuls with a glass of Sugar water twice a day for 10-15 days.
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Syphilis
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Leaf juice administered in 2 spoon ful with a glass of Sugar water twice a day for 15 days.
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22
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Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston (Cochlospermaceae)
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Konda Gogu
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Dandruff
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Leaf paste applied to head, 1-hour before bath twice a week for 3-weeks.
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23
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Crataeva magna(Lour.) DC. (Capparidaceae)
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Vulimiri Chettu
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Piles and fistula
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Leaf extract administered during the bleeding condition in 2 spoon fuls twice a day for 15 days, the paste applied externally as ointment.
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24
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Datura metal (L.) (Solanaceae)
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Erri Ummetta
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Muscular pains
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Leaves ground into pulte and massaged gently on painful parts.
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Sprains
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Leaves ground and applied externally till cure.
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25
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Dodonaea viscosa(L.) Jacq. (Sapindaceae)
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Puuli-vairu
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Bone fracture
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Leaf paste mixed with turmeric and plastered over the broken parts of human beings as well as cattle.
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26
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Eclipta Prostrata (L.) L.Mant. (Compositae)
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Gunta galagra
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Filaria
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Leaf paste applied externally in initial stages, also administered orally in 2 spoonful once a day for about 30 days.
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Jaundice
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Leaf juice with curd and sugar given orally early in the morning for 3-4 days.
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27
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Emilia Sonchifolia (L.) DC. (Compositae)
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Pisapatri
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Night Blindness
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Leaf juice extract poured in 1-2 drops thrice a day till cure.
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Ear Sores
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Leaf juice poured in 2-3 drops thrice a day for 3-4 days or till cure.
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28
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Euphorbia hirta(L.) (Euphorbiaceae)
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Reddivari Nanubalu
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Jaundice
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Leaf extract in combination with leaf extract of phyllantus amarus, sugar and curd is administered in 2 spoonful thrice a day for 2-3 days.
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29
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Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L.f. (Convolvulaceae)
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Vishnu Krantha
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Hair growth
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Leaf extract mixed with hair oil and used for promoting the growth.
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Liver disorders
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Leaf extract taken in 2 spoonfuls with a glass of milk once a day for 15-20 days.
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30
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Gloriosa Superba(L.) (Liliaceae)
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Agnisika, Kondanabi
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Mumps
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Leaf paste applied externally on effected areas till cure.
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31
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Gymnema Sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br.ex Schutt. (Asclepiadaceae)
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Poda Patri
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Diabetes
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Leaf decoction administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 2 months.
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32
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Hibiscus cannabinus (L.) (Malvaceae)
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Gogu
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Purgative
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Leaves ground with seeds of Sesamum and log of paste orally taken once at bed time for 3-4 days.
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33
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Hyptis Suaveolens (L.) Poit (Labiatae)
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Sima Tulasi
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Eye infection
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An infusion of leaves poured in 1-2 drops thrice a day for 3-4 days or till cure.
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34
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Indigofera tinctoria (L.) (Leguminosae)
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Neeli, Konda Neeli
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Dog bite
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A glassful of leaf juice administered in the morning with milk for 3 days.
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Burns
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Leaf paste applied on effected areas.
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35
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Ipomoea Carnea Jacq. (Convolvulaceae)
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Besharam, Tutikada
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Blood pressure
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Leaf juice with honey administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 3 months.
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36
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Jatropha curcas(L.) (Euphorbiaceae)
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Adivi Amudamu
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Piles
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Leaf paste applied externally as Ointment in bleeding stages.
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Mouth sores and Ulcers
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Leaf paste applied with honey on tongue of babies for 3-4 days or till cure.
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37
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Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. (Acanthaceae)
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Nalla Vavili
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Hair growth
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Leaf paste applied on head 1 hour before the bath for black and dense hair growth weekly once for about 2 months.
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Leucoderma
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Leaves ground with the leaves of Lawsonia inermis and the paste applied on patches and exposed to morning sun light for 30-45 minutes for about 2 months.
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38
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Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceae)
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Maidaku
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Alopecia
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Leaf paste applied on effected areas till growth of hair.
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Dandruff
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Leaf paste applied to head, 1-hour before bath twice a week for one month.
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39
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Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. (Labiatae)
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Tella Tummi
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Pasoriasis
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Leaf juice mixed with turmeric powder and applied on effected areas for 2-3 months or till cure.
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40
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Melia azedarch L. (Meliaceae)
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Turaka Vepa
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Anthelmintic
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Leaves ground into powder with epicarps of Terminalia Chebula and administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 2-3 days.
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41
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Mimsa Pudica L. (Leguminosae); Sf:Mimosoideae
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Atti Patti
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Filaria
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Leaf paste applied on effected parts to prevent pain and swelling.
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42
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Mullugo Pentaphylla L. (Molluginaceae)
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Verri Chatarasi
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Anti Periodic
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Leaf juice mixed with turmeric and honey and administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day based on days requirement but not for more than a week.
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43
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Mukia Maderaspatana (L.) Roem. (Cucurbitaceae)
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Potti budama kai
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Dandruff
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Leaf paste applied to head 1 hour before the bath twice or thrice a week.
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44
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Muraya Koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae)
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Kare maku, Karivekpaku
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Dyspepsia
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Leaves dried in shade and ground into powder and take in 1 spoonful twice a day for about week.
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45
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Nerium oleander(L.)
(Apo cynaceae)
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Ganneru
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Tuberculosis
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Leaves boiled and the extract administered in 2 spoonfuls thrice a day for about a month.
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Whooping cough
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Boiled leaf extract administered in 2 spoonfuls thrice a day for 10 days.
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46
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Ocimum tenuiflorm (L.) (Labiatae)
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Tulasi
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Cold and cough
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Leaf juice mixed with juice of Zingiber officinale and honey and administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 3-4 days or till cure.
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Fever
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Leaves ground with seeds of piper nigrum and the extract administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 3-4 days.
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Skin allergy
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Leaf juice applied on effected areas till cure.
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47
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Orthosiphon rubicundus (D.Don) Benth. (Labiatae)
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Nela tappidi
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Ring worm
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Leaf paste applied on effected areas
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48
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Ottelia alsi noides (L.) Pers. (Hydrocaritaceae)
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Edakula Thamara
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Fever
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Leaf poultice applied and gently massaged on arms and legs for refrigeration.
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49
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Oxalis corniculata (L.) (Oxalidaceae)
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Nela Chinta
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Jaundice
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2-3 spoonfuls of leaf extract given with a glass of butter milk once early in the morning for about one week.
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50
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Pavonia odorata Willd. (Malvaceae)
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Teega benda
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Gonorrhea
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Leaf juice given in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 10 days.
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51
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Pedalium murex Willd. (L.) (Pedaliaceae)
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Pedda palleru, Yenugu palleru
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Hydrocele
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Leaves and fruits ground togetherly into paste and applied on testicles for a week.
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52
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Pergularia daemia (Forssk.) Chiov. (Asclepiadaceae)
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Dustapu teega
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Asthma
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Leaf decoction taken in 2 spoonfuls 2-3 times a day for about 15 days.
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Bone fracture
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Leaves ground with leaves of Plumbago Zeylanica and the paste is plastered till cure.
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53
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Plumbago Zeylanica (L.) (Plumbaginaceae)
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Chitra moolam
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Chest Pain
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Leaf paste mildly heated and gently massaged.
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54
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Psidium guajava (L.) (Myrtaceae)
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Jami, Jama
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Dyspepsia
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Tender leaf extract taken in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 5 days.
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55
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Ricinus Communis (L.) (Euphorbiaceae)
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Amudamu
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Sun Stroke
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Leaf paste applied on forehead for relief.
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Jaundice
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Leaf paste administered in 1 spoonful with buttermilk early in the morning for 5-7 days.
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56
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Stereo Spremum Personatum (Hassk.) Chatterjee (Bignoniaceae)
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Kod, Kala-goru
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Arthritis
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Leaf decoction given in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 20 days.
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57
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Strychnos nux - Vomica (L.) (Loganiaceae)
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Esha mushti
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Blood pressure
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Leaves, ground with ginger and make into small pills, administered in 2 pills thrice a day for 10-15 days.
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58
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Syzygium Cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae)
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Alla neredu
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Diarrhea
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Leaf juice with Sugar water given to children.
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59
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Tamarindus indica (L.) (Leguminosae) Sf:Caesalpionoideae
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Chinta
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Fever
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Tender leaves ground with leaves of justicia adhatoda and ocimum tenuiflorum and the juice given in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 3 days.
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60
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Tiliacora acuminata (Lamk.) Miers
(Menispermaceae)
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Kappa teega
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Snake bite
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Leaf paste applied on bitten area and also root decoction given in 50ml immediately and thrice a day till relief from suffering.
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61
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Tragia involurata (L.) (Euphorbiaceae)
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Durada gondi, Durdha gondi
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Contraceptive
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Leaf paste dissolved in rice cleaning water is taken by women in 2-3 spoonfuls once in morning for 5 days from 5th day of menses.
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62
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Tridax procumbens (L.) (Compositae)
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Gaddi Chamanti
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Hemorrhage
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Leaf juice applied externally for cuts, sores, ulcers and wands to arrest the bleeding.
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63
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Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) Hook.ex.G.Don (Orchidaceae)
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Badanika
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Ear ache
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2-3 into ear leaf juice with Brassica oil is poured for 3 days.
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64
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Vicoa indica (L.) DC. (Compositae)
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Adavi poddu tirugudu
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Asthma
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Leaf juice administered in 2 spoon fuls twice a day for 15 days.
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65
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Vitex negundo (L.) (verbenaceae)
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Vavili
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Post partum problems
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It is believed that all kinds of problems such as debility, head ache and body pains will be cured if bath is taken with boiled water containing leaves.
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66
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Waltheria indica (L.) (Sterculiaceae)
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Nalla Benda
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Harshness of voice
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Leaves and flowers are chewed adns said to be effective.
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67
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Ziziphus Oenoplia (L.) Mill. (Rhamnaceae)
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Pariki
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Bone fracture
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Leaf paste mixed with gum of sterculia urens and plastered over the effected parts of human and domestic animals till cure, also the decoction with leaf decoction of Acacia chunara given with ghee and applied externally till cure.
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Conclusions
The data collected from the tribal people of Adilabad district pertaining to the treatment of various ailments by leaf preparations in the form of decoctions, extracts, paste, etc., should prove useful for researchers in the field of medicine, biotechnology, pharmacology, etc.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the tribal and rural herbalists of Adilabad district who whole heartily co-operated in sharing their knowledge and in helping the collection of the plant material for study. Our thanks also go to the University Grants Commission (UGC) New Delhi for providing the financial assistance in the form of Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, and to the Head of the Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal for the facilities provided.
References
1) Genest, S. 1978. Introduction l'ethnomdecine. Essais de synthse. Anthropologie et Socits, 2-3, 5-28.
2) Mubeen, Rizwana, Sadia Fatima, Atiya Khanum, Irfan Ali Khan and S. Y. Anwar. 2005. Medicinally important plants growing in and around Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh used in the treatment of different ailments. (Eds.), III, 118--180.
3) Ravishankar, T. 1990. Ethnobotanical studies in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. Ph.D., Thesis, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.
4) Ravishankar, T. and A. N. Henry. 1992. Ethnobotany of Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh, India, Ethnobotany 4, 45-52.
5) T. Pullaiah, P.V. Prasanna and G. Obulesu. 1992. Flora of Adilabad District (Andhra Pradesh, India) x, 284 p., map, Details No. 6962.
6) V. Madhu and C. Suvartha. 2009. Ethnobotanical and Ethnomedicinal Observations in Nirmal Division of Adilabad District, Andhrapradesh, India. Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 1003-16.
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