Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 13: 388-98 , 2009.
Traditional
Uses of Some Medicinal Plants by tribals of Gangaraju Madugula Mandal of
Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh
J. Lenin Bapuji* and S. Venkat Ratnam
Department
of Botany, Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam,
Andhra
Pradesh, India
*Corresponding
author E-mail: Leninbapuji@gmail.com
Issued 01 March 2009
Abstract
During the years 2007-2008 several field trips were conducted to
document the ethnomedicinal remedies for 47 diseases with 90 plant species of
Angiosperms from three major tribes viz: Bagatas, Konda Doras and Valmikis
who have been residing in Gangaraju Madugula Mandal of Visakhapatnam district.
The plants were deposited as herbarium specimens in Andhra
University, Visakhapatnam,
India.
Key words : Traditional
uses, medicinal plants,
Introduction
Some
tribes are adhering to traditional way of life, native culture and customs,
the tribal have vast store of information and knowledge on potentially useful
medicinal plants. The traditional knowledge system in India
is fast eroding due to steady decline in human expertise capable of
recognizing various medicinal plants. Much of this wealth of knowledge is
totally becoming lost as traditional culture is gradually disappearing
because it is mostly oral (Hamilton,
1995). Therefore, effort should be initiated for the documentation and computerization of useful
medicinal plants and their traditional knowledge (Mehrotra & Mehrotra,
2005).
The value of medicinal plants to the mankind
is very well proven. It is estimated that 70 to 80% of the world population
rely chiefly on traditional health care system and largely on herbal
medicines (Shanley and Luz, 2003). Only 15% of pharmaceutical drugs are
consumed in developing countries (Toledo,
1995). The affluent people have little alternative to herbal medicine, and
they depend on traditional health care system (Marshall,
1998).
From
the ethnomedicinal point of view Visakhapatnam
district in Andhra Pradesh remained unexplored and no comprehensive account
particularly on folklore of this region is available. Banerjee (1977)
published a note on ethnobotanical observations of Araku valley. Rao et al. (2000) collected about 110
plant species of medicinal interest used by the tribals of Paderu division.
Rao et al. (2001) reported 160
medicinal plants that occur in the same region. There is urgent, immense need
to inventories and record all ethnomedicinal information among the diverse
ethnic communities before the traditional cultures are completely lost (Rama
Rao and Henry, 1996). Ethnomedicinal activities on different aspects in
Indian sub-continent has been put forth by Jain (1981). Therefore continuous
efforts should be made to collect this information which will provide avenues
for future generation. It is thus paramount importance that the native plant
genetic wealth need to be maintained for posterity.
There
is very little or no documentation of this ethnomedicinal knowledge was carried
out pertaining to tribal of the Mandal. All the more, several wild medicinal
plants are fast disappearing due to the destruction of forest by inhabitants,
invasion of exotic flora and introduction of new crops. Hence, there is an
urgent need for exploration and documentation of this traditional knowledge
in order to ascertain the conservation value of the local ethnomedicinal
plants of the forests. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to present
some interesting ethnomedicinal observations recorded in Gangaraju Madugula Mandal,
Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Study Area
Gangaraju
Madugula with an area of 544 sq. km. (4.8% of the area of the district) is
one of the mandals of the Visakhapatnam
district of Andhra Pradesh. It lies between 180 011 N
latitude and 820 301 E longitude (Fig. 1). According to
2001 census the total population in the mandal is 50685. Of these 47625 are
scheduled tribes (% of ST is 93.96). From centuries the forests of G.
Madugula mandal have been inhabited by a number of tribes who have been maintaining
distinct ways of life, beliefs, traditions, cultures, customs and myths. Such
tribes include Bagatas, Konda Doras and Valmikis.

Materials and Methods
Exploration
and survey work among the tribes of G. Madugula Mandal were conducted in all
the tribal inhabited areas along the margin of forests during 2007-2008. Efforts
have been made to collect the medicinal plants which were in flowering and
fruiting conditions and were identified with the help of local flora. During
the course of survey, first hand information on the medicinal uses of the
plants was gathered from local people and vaidyas. The uses of plants
particularly for medicinal, were confirmed by many cross checking as possible
in different localities.
Collection of information: The information on folk medicinal uses
of plants was obtained through direct filed interviews with traditional
healers. The data regarding names of plants, parts used and their method of
preparation and mode of administration of various remedies were also noted
down. When recording the names of
plants, forest visit was made with the informant for identification of the
specific plants. The inventory involved collection of plant specimens and
then interviewing informants for vernacular names and uses.
Identification: The plant materials were identified with the help
of standard local floras preliminary identification was done by examining
fresh plants procured from the forest with the help of tribal. Few respondents
were more informative and co-operative; they have shown fresh plants in the
habitat, which was useful for the final identification. The identification of
plant materials was confirmed at the herbarium in the Botany department of Andhra
University.
Preservation: The
collected materials were preserved in air tight containers and labeled
individually. Various medicinal plant parts collected were broadly
categorized as leaves, stem, bark, root, flower, fruit, seed, rhizome, bulb
etc.,
Results
In the present study 90 species of plants
included in 86 genera and 43 families have been recorded which are being
potentially exploited by the tribal groups in curing different human ailments
as shown in Table 1 and Figure 2. Of the 43 families Fabaceae is found to be
dominant ethnomedicinally with 11 species used in various ailments, followed
by Asclepiadaceae (6), Euphorbiaceae and Rutaceae (5), Moraceae and
Verbenaceae (4) respecetively.
Table 1. Some medicinal plants with their
traditional uses
S.
No.
|
Scientific name and Family
|
Vernacular
Name
|
Life form
|
Part used and uses
|
1
|
Annona reticulata L.
Annonaceae
|
Ramaphalam
|
T
|
Leaf paste is applied on the affected area of scabies.
|
2
|
Annona squamata L.
Annonaceae
|
Seethaphalam
|
T
|
Seed powder is applied to scalp to treat dandruff
|
3
|
Polyalthia longifolia Thw.
Annonaceae
|
Naramamidi
|
T
|
Stem bark used as febrifuge
|
4
|
Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels.
Menispermaceae
|
Dusara teega
|
C
|
Leaf juice is applied on the affected areas of eczema till cure.
|
5
|
Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce.
Capparaceae
|
Chikondi
|
S
|
Root decoction is administered during helminthiasis
|
6
|
Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) Muell.
Violaceae
|
Ratna purusha
|
H
|
Roots are diuretic and given in the urinary disorders
|
7
|
Cochlospermum religiosum(L.) Alston.
Cochlospermaceae
|
Konda gogu
|
T
|
Stem bark paste is applied over the bone fractured areas
|
8
|
Casearia elliptica Willd.
Flacourtiaceae
|
Girugudu
|
T
|
Leaf paste is applied over the bone fractured areas
|
9
|
Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr.
Flacourtiaceae
|
Mandiakodi
|
S
|
Leaf juice is given internally to treat jaundice till cure
|
10
|
Urena lobata L.
Malvaceae
|
Peddabenda
|
S
|
Roots are diuretic
|
11
|
Waltheria indica L.
Sterculiaceae
|
Nalla benda
|
H
|
Roots chewed to control internal haemorrhages
|
12
|
Grewia tiliaefolia Vahl
Tiliaceae
|
Charachi
|
T
|
Stem bark is used in dysentery
|
13
|
Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq.
Tiliaceae
|
Thithera
|
H
|
Leaf paste is applied on the affected areas of scabies and eczema
|
14
|
Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa.
Rutaceae
|
Maredu
|
T
|
Half ripe fruits used for diarrhoea and dysentery
|
15
|
Atlantia monophylla (L.) Correa.
Rutaceae
|
Gaja nimma
|
T
|
Oil from the fruit used in Rheumatism
|
16
|
Chloroxylon swietenia DC.
Rutaceae
|
Billa chettu
|
T
|
Leaves used in Rheumatism
|
17
|
Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa
Rutaceae
|
Konda gilugu
|
S
|
Juice of leaves used in fever, liver complaints and other skin
troubles
|
18
|
Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam.
Rutaceae
|
Konda kasinda
|
S
|
Root bark is diaphoretic and used in stomach ache.
|
19
|
Azadirachta indica A.Juss.
Meliaceae
|
Vepa
|
T
|
Stem bark used for skin troubles
|
20
|
Cissus quadrangularis L.
Vitaceae
|
Nalleru
|
C
|
Stem paste used to cure rheumatoid arthritis
|
21
|
Sapindus emarginatus Vahl
Sapindaceae
|
Kunkudu chettu
|
T
|
Fruits useful in treating asthma, diarrhoea, paralysis of limbs
|
22
|
Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken
Sapindaceae
|
Posuku
|
T
|
Seed oil is used for massage in rheumatism
|
23
|
Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.
Anacardiaceae
|
Deva ganneru
|
T
|
Stem bark used as astringent
|
24
|
Mangifera indica L.
Anacardiaceae
|
Mamidi
|
T
|
Stem bark is decoction is administered for diarrhea
|
25
|
Semecarpus anacardium L.f.
Anacardiaceae
|
Nalla jeedi
|
T
|
Gum used in leprosy and nervous debility.
|
26
|
Abrus precatorius L.
Fabaceae
|
Guriginja
|
C
|
Root decoction used for coughs and cold, diuretic.
|
27
|
Butea superba Roxb.
Fabaceae
|
Teega moodugu
|
C
|
Decoction of shoots used in piles
|
28
|
Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.
Fabaceae
|
Kandulu
|
S
|
Leaf extract is administered for stomach pain
|
29
|
Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.
Fabaceae
|
Adavi chikkudu
|
C
|
Leaf juice used in
case of abdominal pains
|
30
|
Desmodium gangeticum(L.) DC.
Fabaceae
|
Bhumi ippa
|
H
|
Root paste used in whooping cough
|
31
|
Desmodium triflorum(Retz.) Merr.
Fabaceae
|
Muntha mandhu
|
H
|
Leaves used for dysentery and diarrhoea
|
32
|
Mucuna monosperma DC. ex Wight
Fabaceae
|
Thilli teega
|
C
|
Seeds used in cough, asthma
|
33
|
Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.
Fabaceae
|
Vempali
|
H
|
Decoction of roots given in diarrhoea, rheumatism and asthma
|
34
|
Cassia fistula L.
Fabaceae
|
Rela chettu
|
T
|
Dried fruits used as laxative
|
35
|
Tamarindus indica L.
Fabaceae
|
Chinta chettu
|
T
|
Fruit pulp is used as a laxative
|
36
|
Albizia lebbeck ( L. ) Benth.
Fabaceae
|
Dirisanamu
|
T
|
Leaf juice administered orally to treat night blindness
|
37
|
Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn.
Mimosaceae
|
Velthuru chettu
|
T
|
Root paste is applied during bone fracture
|
38
|
Xylea xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub.
Mimosaceae
|
Konda tangedu
|
T
|
Root bark paste is applied on the affected areas of syphilis
|
39
|
Kalanchoe lanceolata (Forsk.) Pers.
Crassulaceae
|
Ranapala
|
H
|
Leaf juice given during dysentery
|
40
|
Calycopteris floribunda Lam.
Combretaceae
|
Adavi jama
|
C
|
Leaf juice used as laxative
|
41
|
Quisqualis indica L.
Combretaceae
|
Tiga-ganneru
|
S
|
Seeds used for treating helmenthiasis
|
42
|
Terminalia bellarica (Gaertn.) Roxb.
Combretaceae
|
Tadi
|
T
|
Decoction of fruits is administered for haemorrhoids
|
43
|
Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz
Lythraceae
|
Jaji
|
S
|
Flowers used in menorrhagia
|
44
|
Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt
Cucurbitaceae
|
Kaki donda
|
C
|
Leaf paste applied on the affected areas of scabies
|
45
|
Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl) Haw
Cactaceae
|
Nagajemudu
|
S
|
Paste of phyllode and stem bark is applied on the area of snake bite
|
46
|
Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wang.
Alangiaceae
|
Uduga chettu
|
T
|
Root bark is applied for skin troubles
|
47
|
Haldinia cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsdale
Rubiaceae
|
Bandari
|
T
|
Stem bark extract is administered orally for stomach pain
|
48
|
Ixora pavetta
Rubiaceae
|
Papidi
|
S
|
Roots used in urinary diseases
|
49
|
Tridax procumbens L.
Asteraceae
|
Gaddi chamanti
|
H
|
Leaves used in dysentery and diarrhea
|
50
|
Sphaeranthus indicus L.
Asteraceae
|
Bhatti poolu
|
H
|
Whole plant juice is used for gastric disorders
|
51
|
Plumbago zeylanica L.
Plumbaginaceae
|
Tella chitramoolam
|
H
|
Root paste applied on the affected areas of rheumatism
|
52
|
Diospyros melonoxylon Roxb.
Ebanaceae
|
Tumki
|
T
|
Decoction of stem bark used in diarrhea
|
53
|
Diospyros sylvatica Roxb.
Ebanaceae
|
Gada
|
T
|
Root extract used in malaria
|
54
|
Holorrhena antidysentrica (Buch.-Ham.) Wallich ex Don
Apocyanaceae
|
Aaku pala
|
S
|
Stem bark used in amoebic dysentery and diarrhea
|
55
|
Plumeria alba L.
Apocyanaceae
|
Nooru varahalu
|
T
|
Latex applied to treat scabies
|
56
|
Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R. Br.
Apocyanaceae
|
Pala ankudu
|
T
|
A decoction of stem bark administered during stomach pain
|
57
|
Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br.
Asclepiadaceae
|
Jilledu
|
S
|
Leaf extract is applied on the affected area of rheumatoid arthritis
|
58
|
Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Schult
Asclepiadaceae
|
Podapathri
|
C
|
Leaf paste used as diuretic
|
59
|
Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult.
Asclepiadaceae
|
Sugandhi pala
|
S
|
Root powder mixed in water is administered orally for rheumatism
|
60
|
Leptadenia reticulate (Retz.) Wight & Arn.
Asclepiadaceae
|
Mukku
Tummudu
|
S
|
Leaf paste applied on the affected areas of eczema and scabies
|
61
|
Pergularia daemia (Forssk.) Chiov.
Asclepiadaceae
|
Juttipaku
|
C
|
Root powder mixed in water is given for helminthiasis
|
62
|
Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merrill
Asclepiadaceae
|
Verripala
|
C
|
Root powder mixed in milk used for asthma
|
63
|
Coldenia procumbens L.
Boraginaceae
|
Hamsa padu
|
H
|
Leaves ground and applied to rheumatic swellings
|
64
|
Heliotropium indicum L.
Boraginaceae
|
Nagadanthi
|
H
|
Leaf paste is applied on the area of snake bite
|
65
|
Merremia tridentata (L.) Hallier f.
Convolvulaceae
|
Sitasavaram
|
C
|
Roots used for urinary disorders
|
66
|
Datura metel L.
Solanaceae
|
Nalla umetha
|
H
|
Leaves applied on the affected areas of scabies and other skin diseases
|
67
|
Scoparia dulcis L.
Scrophulariaceae
|
Goddu tulasi
|
H
|
Leaf paste is administered for dysentery
|
68
|
Sesamum indicum L.
Pedaliaceae
|
Nuvvulu
|
H
|
Fresh leaves used in affections of kidney and bladder
|
69
|
Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees
Acanthaceae
|
Nela vemu
|
H
|
Leaf powder mixed with water and given for menstrual disorders,
malaria, typhoid and helminthiasis
|
70
|
Barleria prionitis L.
Acanthaceae
|
Mulla gorinta
|
S
|
Leaf paste is applied on the affected area of tooth ache
|
71
|
Justicia procumbens L.
Acanthaceae
|
|
H
|
Infusion of herb is used in asthma
|
72
|
Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon
Verbenaceae
|
Bommala marri
|
S
|
Root paste applied on the affected areas of rheumatism
|
73
|
Gmelina asiatica L.
Verbenaceae
|
Nela gummadu
|
S
|
Fruit paste is applied on scalp to treat dandruff
|
74
|
Lantana camara (L.) Moldenke
Verbenaceae
|
Deva ganneru
|
S
|
Root paste mixed with water is given for body pains
|
75
|
Premna tomentosa Willd.
Verbenaceae
|
Nagaru
|
T
|
Leaves are used in diuretic conditions
|
76
|
Celosia argentea L.
Amaranthaceae
|
Gunugu
|
S
|
Seeds used in diarrhea
|
77
|
Cassytha filiformis L.
Lauraceae
|
Nulu tega
|
S
|
Leaf juice used for eye inflammations
|
78
|
Bridelia retusa (L.)
Spreng.
Euphorbiaceae
|
Koramanu
|
T
|
Stem bark powder is mixed with water and given during fever
|
79
|
Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) Benth. & Hook. F.
Euphorbiaceae
|
Gavine
|
T
|
Stem bark paste is applied on sores of cattle
|
80
|
Croton bonplandianum Baill
Euphorbiaceae
|
Kukka tulasi
|
S
|
Leaf paste is applied for skin diseases
|
81
|
Euphorbia hirta L.
Euphorbiaceae
|
Pacha rodda
|
H
|
Latex is applied to warts
|
82
|
Jatropha gossypifolia L.
Euphorbiaceae
|
Nepalam
|
S
|
Seed oil is applied to hair to eradicate lice
|
83
|
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.
Moraceae
|
Panasa
|
T
|
Root extract is administered for diarrhea
|
84
|
Ficus benghalensis L.
Moraceae
|
Marri
|
T
|
Latex is applied in rheumatism
|
85
|
Ficus racemosa L.
Moraceae
|
Karuku bodda
|
T
|
Latex of root is applied on affected areas of cuts and muscle pain
|
86
|
Streblus asper Lour.
Moraceae
|
Barinki
|
T
|
Stem bark decoction is administered for diarrhea and dysentery
|
87
|
Sanseveria roxbhurgiana Schult. F.
Agavaceae
|
Gaju kura
|
H
|
Tuberous root paste is applied on the area of snake bite
|
88
|
Borassus flabelifer L.
Araceae
|
Thadi chettu
|
T
|
Fruits are useful as laxative
|
89
|
Caryota urens L.
Arecaceae
|
Jeeluga
|
T
|
Toddy is taken in limited to control body pains and cooling effect
|
90
|
Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd.
Poaceae
|
Veduru
|
T
|
Decoction of roots are administered for diabetes
|
Note : T – Tree ; H – Herb; S –
Shrub; C – Climber.
Among the 90 plant species that are
recorded trees include 37, followed by shrubs 22, herbs 19 and climbers 12 as
shown in the Figure 3 and Table 1. The traditional vydhyas administer
medicine by way of oral decoction, poultice and plant parts as paste.
For the preparation of the traditional
medicine, these tribal vydhyas used different parts of the plant species.
Depending upon the plant part used leaf constitutes the highest percentage of
utilization i.e., 32 % and gum the lowest 1%, while others being in between
these two. Root is used in the quantum of 23% in curing ailments follower by
Stem bark 17%, Fruit 9%, Seed 7%, latex 4%, root bark 3%, whole plant and
flower 2% respectively (Figure 4).

Figure 2: Spectrum
of the taxa of the ethnomedicinal plants

Figure 3: Graph
showing habit wise analysis of medicinal plants

Figure. 4.
Plant part-wise ethnomedicinal uses
Discussion
In the present investigation 90 plant
species used by the different tribal vydhyas of the G. Madugula mandal of Visakhapatnam
district for different ailments and posterity have been identified. Forty
seven different ailments/diseases are being treated by these plant species
(Table 1). The tribal communities residing here have a wide range of remedies
for asthma, body pains, bone fractures, cold, cough, cuts and wounds,
dysentery, diarrhoea, eczema, gastric ulcers, night blindness, skin troubles,
stomach ache, syphilis etc.,
From the enumeration it is clear that
tribals of the G. Madugula mandal still depend, partially, on nature for
their livelihood. No doubt civilization has touched almost all villages, but
for economic backwardness they depend on forest for food, fuel, other
requirements and an important one is the medicinal practices. These practices
and knowledge treasures are transferred to these generations from their
forefathers. Of the scheduled tribes in the study area, Bagatas, Konda Doras
and Valmikis are found to possess reasonable sound ethnomedicinal knowledge
than other tribal communities.
Pharmaceutical researchers acknowledge
that screening plants on the basis of information derived from traditional
knowledge saves billion dollars in time and resources (Hafeel and Shankar,
1999). However, the traditional knowledge has been eroding in these tribal
societies of G. Madugula mandal. The crucial factors responsible for such
erosion are the pressure of modernization and migration of youth from tribal
area to semi urban or urban areas to take up job and employment. If such
things are continue to happen in these communities then knowledge related to
ethnobotany will vanish from the region. Similar factors were believed to be
the reason for the loss of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge in Iban
community in Sarawak, Malaysia
(Jarvie and Perumal, 1994) and Raji tribal community of Central Himalaya,
India (Negi et al., 2002).
The collection, identification and
documentation of ethnomedicinal data on biological resources are inevitable
steps for bioprospecting. These plants may serve as source of some important
medicine against some major diseases. Therefore, these tribal claims should
be further validated scientifically.
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