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Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 13: 123-30. 2009. Homeopathic Flora of Bilaspur
Ajay K. Gautam and Rekha Bhadauria Issued Abstract � The present study was made in nine villages of Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, a north Indian state known for its vast herbal flora. About 23 plant species belonging to 18 families used in the homeopathic system of medicine are highlighted in the present study along with their taxonomic description including botanical name, medicine name, plant part used and ailment against which the medicines are used. The collected plant specimens were identified, taxonomically defined and submitted to the herbarium for future records. Key words: Homeopathy, medicinal plants, Bilaspur
(HP). Introduction Homeopathy derived its name from the Greek words homoios,
"similar"
+ pathos, "suffering" or "disease"
is a form of alternative medicine first defined by Samuel
Hahnemann in 1796 (abchomeopathy.com).
Homeopathy came to Homeopathy is one of the alternative
systems of medicines having a well documented pharmacopoeia (Ashvin and Mishra, 2007). About two percent of people in the United
Kingdom and the United
States using homeopathy in any one year while it is about fifteen
percent in India,
where it is considered part of Indian traditional medicine. This system of medicines relies
mainly on plants and mineral components as drug (Ashvin
and Mishra, 2007). According to homeopaths, serial dilution,
with shaking between each dilution, removes the toxic
effects of the remedy while the qualities of the substance are retained by
the diluent
(water, sugar, or alcohol). The end product is often so diluted that it is
indistinguishable from pure water, sugar or alcohol. Practitioners select
treatments according to a patient consultation that explores the physical and
psychological state of the patient, both of which are considered important to
selecting the remedy (Hahnemann
Samuel, 1833; Ernst, �2002 and Wayne et al, 2003). ����������������������
������������������������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������� Fig. 1 Map of study area (Source: Internet) Himachal Pradesh, a hilly North- West Himalayan state, known for its wide diversity of plants. The state is situated at 31�19'N latitude and 76�50'E longitude. The total area of the district is 1.167 Sq. Km and average height of the area is 673 meters (map of India.com). Out of total 45,000 species found in country, 3,295 species are reported in state (Manisha Bhardwaj, 2006). District Bilaspur of the state also have wide diversity of flora.� The maximum population of the district is resides in rural areas. They use folk methods to cure different diseases through folk herbal medicines. But, they are not much aware about the homeopathic uses of these folk herbal medicines. Keeping this aspect in view, we have started a survey work on medicinal plants of district Bilaspur (H.P.) used in homeopathy system of medicine. The abundance of homeopathically useful herbal flora in the district attracted our attention to identify and highlight these herbal plants used in homeopathic system of medicine to cure diseases, so that awareness about their homeopathic importance could be enhanced and these rare medicines can be conserved. Methodology More than nine villages were visited during
different time intervals to gather useful information about these plants. The
collected specimens were identified, 23 important medicinal plants of
homeopathy were selected with the help of available literature and discussion
with the homeopathic practioners. After their
identification, a herbarium was prepared to preserve them under optimum
climatic conditions before submitting them in herbarium records for future
use. Herbariums of these plants were deposited in Enumeration The plants were arranged alphabetically by their botanical name,
family, medicine name and therapeutic potential. 1)
Achyranthes
aspera L. (Acanthaceaee) Common Name: Latjira,
Aghada, Kutri, Apamarg. Parts Used: Fruit juice Medicine name: Achyranthes Aspera Uses in Homeopathy: Diarrhoea, dysentery, diuretic, menorrhagia, astringent, bad effects of dog and snake bites and skin diseases. 2)�������� Adhatoda zeylanica Medik. (Acanthaceae) ����������� Common
Name: Adusa, Vasaka ����������� Parts Used: Whole Plant. Medicine name: Justica Adhatoda ����������� Uses in Homeopathy: Headache and respiratory disorders. 3)
Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Rutaceae) Common Name: Beel, Belpatra, Shriphala, Bilwa. Parts Used: Fruits Medicine name: Aegle Folia Uses in Homeopathy:� Bleeding pills, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever with dropsy and impotence. 4)�������� Allium cepa
L. (Liliaceae) ����������� Common Name: Onion, Piyaz ����������� Parts Used: Fresh Bulb Medicine name: Allium Cepa Uses in Homeopathy: Cough
and cold, injury, nasal polypus, diarrhoea,
influenza, throat affection. 5)�������� Allium sativum L.
(Liliaceae) ����������� Common Name: Garlic, Lahsun ����������� Parts Used: Fresh Bulb Medicine name: Allium Sativum ����������� Uses in Homeopathy: Stomach, head, respiratory affection. 6)�������� Aloe- vera
L.(Liliaceae) ����������� Common Name: Gwarpatha ����������� Parts Used: Leaves ����������� Medicine name: Aloe Socotrina Uses in Homepathy: Abdominal
disorders, anal affection, colic, constipation, cough, dysentery, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids skin
affections. 7)�������� Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
(Meliaceae) Common: Name: Neem, Nimba, Margosa tree. Parts Used: Whole plant and bark. Medicine name: Azadirachta Indica Uses in Homeopathy: Eczema, fever and stomachache, scabis, leprosy, helminthiasis, gonorrhoea, glossitis. 8)�������� Calotropis
gigentea (L.) R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae) Common: Madar, Aak, Akauwa, Arka Parts Used: Roots Medicine name: Calotropis Gigantea Uses in
Homeopathy: Toothache,
elephantiasis, purging, vomiting. 9)�������� Cannabis sativa (L.) (Cannabaceae) ����������� Common Name: Bhang, Ganja, Charas, American Hemp. Medicine name: Cannabis Sativa Parts Used: Whole plant Uses in Homeopathy: Constipation, respiratory disorders, urinary affections, gonorrhoea. 10)������ Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Apiaceae) ����������� Common Name: Brahmi ����������� Parts Used: Juice Medicine name: Hydrocotyle Asiatica Uses in Homeopathy: Acne, eczema, uterus affection, elephantiasis, leprosy. 11)������ Citrus vulgaris Risso (Rutaceae) ����������� Common name: Bitter orange ����������� Parts used:
fruit and fruit peel� ����������� Medicime name: Citrus Vulgaris Uses in Homepathy: Headache with nausea, vomiting and vertigo, facial neuralgias mostly right-sided, thoracic oppression, frequent and irresistible yawning. 12)������ Cynodon dactylon (L.)
Pers. (Poaceae) ����������� Common Name: Grandhi, Durva, Dub, Talla ����������� Parts Used: Bukni, Juice. Medicine name: Cynodon Dactylon ����������� Uses in Homeopathy: Haemorrhage, dysentery, dropsy, leucorrhoea, Scabies 13)������ Ficus benghalensis
L. (Moraceae) Common Name: Banyan tree Parts used: Hanging aerial roots Medicine name: Ficus Indica Uses in
Homeopathy: Headache, respiratory
disorders. 14)������ Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) ����������� Common name: Peepal tree ����������� Parts used: Tender leaf ����������� Medicine name: Ficus Religiosa ����������� Uses in Homeopathy: Headache, respiratory disorders, monorragia. 15)������ Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae) ����������� Common Name: �Tulsi, Shiva, Bharti, ����������� Parts used: Seeds Medicine name: Ocimun Sanctum Uses in
Homeopathy: Asthma, catarrh,
tonsillitis, cold, ophthalmia neonatum,
typhoid, worm affection. 16)������ Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) ����������� Common Name: Arand, Castor. ����������� Parts Used: Seed and seed oil Medicine name: Ricinus Communis Uses in
Homeopathy: The digestive system is the primary focus of this remedy.
Typical symptoms treated include nausea,
profuse vomiting,
constipation.
and diarrhoea. 17)������ Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae) ����������� Common Name: Black night shade, Makoi ����������� Parts Used: Whole plant Medicine name: Solanum Nigrum ����������� Uses in Homeopathy: Head, eye, nose,
respiratory, fever, skin and stomach. 18)������ Tinospora cordifolia (Wilad.)
Miers ex Hook. And Thoms.
( Menispernaceae) ����������� Common Name: Giloy, Ninjara, Guluchu, Gulwali, Gharal ����������� Parts used: Stem Medicine name: �Tinospora Cordifolia Uses in
Homeopathy: Seminal debility,
fever, jaundice, spleenic affections, leprosy,
leucorrhoea, rheumatism, gonorrhoea. 19)������ Vitex nigundo L. ( Verbenaceae) ����������� Common Name: Nirgundi ����������� Parts Used: Roots, root, flowers, leaves,
bark Medicine name: Vitex nigundo Uses in
Homeopathy: �Abscess, alcohlism,
anaemia, asthma, fever, heart affection, kidney,
skin affection 20)������ Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae) ����������� Common name: Aam Parts used: Seed, Bark Medicine name: Mangifera Indica Uses in Homeopathy: One of the best general remedies for passive hemorrhages, uterine, renal, gastric, pulmonary and intestinal. Rhinitis, sneezing, pharyngitis, and other acute throat troubles, suffocative sensation as if throat would close. 21)������ Syzygium cumini L. (Myretaceae) ����������� Common name: Jambool ����������� Parts used: seeds ����������� Medicine name: Syzygium
Jambolanum ����������� Uses in Homeopathy: Diabetes mellitus and ulcer. 22)������ Terminalia chebula Retz.
(Combretaceae) ����������� Common name: Haritiki, Harara ����������� Parts used: Fruits ����������� Medicime name: Terminalia chebula Uses in
Homeopathy: Bleeding, pile, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, constipation, billary colic, glossitis,
headache, vertigo, dropsy, skin disorders. 23)������ Viola odorata L. (Violaceae) ����������� Common name: Banfasan ����������� Parts used: fresh blooming aerial parts ����������� Medicime name:
Viola Odorata Uses in Homeopathy: Head, eye, ear, urinary and respiratory disorders. � Conclusion The present preliminary survey revealed that Bilaspur
district of Himachal Pradesh ( Acknowledgements Authors are
thankful to Mr. Mohan G. Vairale, References 1. Ashvin V.D. and Mishra S.H. (2007). In-vitro antioxidant activity of an adaptogenic homeopathic formulation. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 3 (10):124-129. 2.
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