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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 942-51, 2010.
Ethnobotanical Studies on Malayali Tribe in Nalamankadai, Chitteri Hills, Eastern Ghats, India
P. Amudha and R. Prabakaran*
Department of Botany, Vivekanandha College of Arts and Sciences for Women Elayampalayam, Tiruchengode- 637 205. Tamilnadu, India *corresponding author. E-mail: neempraba@yahoo.com
Issued : August 01, 2010
Abstract
The ethnomedicinal plants used by Malayali tribes of Nalamankadai, Chitteri hills, Eastern Ghats were assessed. First-hand information on ethnomedicinal recipes was gathered from the knowledgeable elders of the tribal community and herbal healers. During field visits the tribals were contacted, interviewed and information on 31 plant species belonging to 21 families were gathered. Details regarding plant species, scientific name, family, local name and uses were provided along with parts taken for treatment, the mode of processing and the mode of administration. For most of the ailments fresh plant materials were invariably used to cure different ailments such as cold & cough, paralysis, blood clotting, vertigo, cut wounds, skin diseases etc. Key words: Ethnobotany, Tribes, Traditional Knowledge.
Introduction Ethnobotany is the study of plants in relation to the inhabitants of an area. Ethnobotanical research can provide a wealth of information regarding both past and present relationships between plants and the traditional societies. There are altogether 427 tribal communities all over India. According to 2001 census, scheduled tribes population in the country was 84 million constituting about 8.2% of the total population. Tribals have vast knowledge about tradicinal medicine for various diseases. Since the tribes have some superstitious beliefs they do not reveal the medicinal secrets to others. The knowledge about tribal medicine is on the way to extinction because of the negligence and the absence of documentation. Higher plants as source of medicinal compounds have continued to play a dominant role in the maintains of human health since ancient times ( Farombi, 2003). This paper will help to store and retrieve the information on traditional knowledge for the benefit of mankind.
Materials and Methods Chitteri hills present in Southern Eastern Ghats of Pappirettipatti (Tk), Dharmapuri district, Tamilnadu. It is located about 78°51’10” longitude and 12°4’48” latitude and 78°32’40” E 11°55’14”N. There are about 60 hamlets in Chitteri hills and average height is about 3600 ft. Chitteri hills falls under tropical belt and is generally hot. The average maximum temperature is 32°C and average minimum temperature is 10°C. The average annual rainfall varies from 800mm to1000mm and gets rainfall both from southwest and northeast monsoons. Tribes present in the study area is Malayali tribe and speak Tamil. The major employment is agriculture. Ethnobotanical field work is carried out with the knowledgeable informants are taken to the field and uses of the plants as given by them is recorded. Plants were collected for voucher specimens and deposited in Department of Botany, Vivekanandha college of Arts and Sciences for Women. Information on collection of plant parts and used exclusively or with other ingredients. Mode of administration, dosage, processing and preparation of crude drug were documented. Flora of Tamilnadu Carnatic (Matthew, 1983-1986), An Excursion Flora of Central Tamilnadu (Matthew, 1991) and Flora of the Presidency of Madras (Gamble & Fischer, 1921-1928) were used to ascertain the nomenclature of the plant species. Results and discussion Enumeration of Ethnomedicinal plants Human diseases
Cold & cough
1. Plant name : Eucalyptus grandis ,Hill ex maichen. Local name : Thylamaram Family : Mrytaceae Plant part used : Leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Leaves boiled with water; white stone is added to the boiling water and vapour is inhaled to cure cold and cough.
2. Plant name : Vitex negundo, Linn. Local name : Vennochi Family : Verbenaceae Plant part used : Leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Leaves boiled with water; white stone is added to the boiling water and vapour is inhaled to Cure cold and cough. 3. Plant name : Ocimum sanctum, Linn. Local name : Tulasi Family : Labiatae Plant part used : Leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Leaf paste applied externally to young children chest to cure cough.
4. Plant name : Ocimum gratissimum ,Linn. Local name : Kanavalai Family : Labiatae Plant part used : Leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Leaves ground with mother milk and given orally to children to cure cold and cough.
Paralysis
5. Plant name : Drynaria quercifolia, (L). Local name : Attukal khilangu Family : Polypodiaceae Plant part used : Rhizome Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Fresh rhizome grounded with jiggery into paste form and mixed well with gingely oil. The paste isgiven orally for 2-3 months.
6. Plant name : Pergularia daemia ,(Forsskal) Chiov. (=Pergularia extensa ,(Jacq) N.E.Br). Curcuma longa, Linn. Alangium salviifolium ,Wang. (=Alangium lamarckii ,Thw). Strychnos nux-vomica ,Linn. Evolvulus alsinoides ,(L) L. Calotropis gigantea, (,L) R.Br. Tarenna asiatica,(L)Kuntze ex schumann. (=Chomelia asiatica ,(,L) Kuntze). Local name : Velly paruthi, Manjal, Alangi, Yetti, Vishnuganthi, Erukku, Kura. Family : Asclepiadaceae, Zingiberaceae, Alangiaceae, Loganiaceae, Convolvulaceae,Asclepiadaceae, Rubiaceae. Plant part used : Young leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : The young leaves of above mentioned plants were ground and made into paste and applied externally to affected portion on Sunday and Tuesdays for two to three months. Hemorrhoids or Clotting
7. Plant name : Artocarpus hirsuta ,Lamk. Local name : Pila Family : Moraceae Plant part used : Stem bark Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Equal amount of bark powder is mixed with ragi powder, boiled with hot water and made into paste form. The paste is applied externally to affected portion of body for 12 hours. Vertigo
8. Plant name : Adhatoda vasica ,Nees. Local name : Adatodai Family : Acanthaceae Plan part used : Leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Fresh young leaves boiled with one liter of water and filtered. The ¼ tumbler of decoction give orally for 3- 4 days. Cut wounds & Swelling gum
9. Plant name : Lantana camara ,Linn. (=L.aculeata, Linn). Local name : Unnichedi Family : Verbenaceae Plan part used : Young leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : (i). Young leaves ground with turmeric and made into paste and applied externally on wounds. (ii). Ventral side of the leaves scratched on swelling gum. Skin disease & Insect bite
10. Plant name : Nerium oleander, Linn (=N.odorum, Linn). Local name : Arali Family : Apocynaceae Plan part used : Leaf latex Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : (i). Latex is mixed with coconut oil in equal proportion and this mixture is processed up to 6 days and this is applied on skin externally to treat skin disorders. (ii). Latex mixed with coconut oil and gingely oil. This is applied on beetle bitten site.
Dog bites – Rabies
11. Plant name : Toddalia asiatica, Lamk (=T.aculeata ,Pers). Capsicum annum, Linn. Premna tomentosa, Wild. Local name : Kindu mullu, Chilly, Kolakatta. Family : Rutaceae, Solanaceae, Verbenaceae Plan part used : Young leaves Status : Wild, cultivated, Wild. Mode of Preparation : (i). The above plant leaves, pepper and garlic in the same amount ground into paste form apply to the dog bitten site. (ii).The above ingredients paste is mixed with neem oil and give dought on the dog bitten site. Eye diseases
12. Plant name : Ocimum gratissimum ,Linn. Local name : Kanavalai Family : Labiatae Plan part used : Seeds Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Dry seeds were cleaned, applied to retina of human eyes and close the eyes for some time. It cleans the eyes and improves eye site.
13. Plant name : Clausena dentate ,(Willd) Roemer. (=C.willdenowii ,Wight & Arm). Local name : Potti Family : Rutaceae Plan part used : Leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Young fresh leaf juice is taken and 2-3 drops of juice is applied to eye to cure eye diseases.
Tumor
14. Plant name : Hardwickia binata, Roxb. Local name : Acha Family : Leguminosae Plan part used : Root latex Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Root latex and mud soil made into paste. It is applied externally to the female breast to cure breast cancer.
Piles & Jaundice
15. Plant name : Phyllanthus amarus, Schum & Thonn Local name : Vellai Keelanelli Family : Euphorbiaceae Plan part used : Entire plant Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Leaves grounded with goat urine and made into paste form. Paste is given orally for few days.
Toothache
16. Plant name : Capparis zeylanica, Linn (=C.horrida, Linn). Local name : Athandai Family : Capparidaceae Plan part used : Stem bark Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Small piece of bark is applied to affected tooth, rotten teeth portion to kill the germs and also relieve the toothache.
Stomachache
17. Plant name : Caesalpinia bonduc ,(L) Roxb (=C.crista ,L). Local name : Kalarchi Family : Caesalpiniaceae Plan part used : Seeds (endosperm) Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Endosperm is boiled with hot water and filtered. A tumbler of decoction is given orally to cure stomachache.
Animal diseases Dysentery& Constipation in Goat
18. Plant name : Ipomoea staphylina, Roem & Sch. (=I.racemosa, Roth). Local name : Oonankodi Family : Convolvulaceae Plan part used : Young leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : (i). Young leaves ground with pepper and given orally. (ii).Young leaves, garlic, onion and pepper were grounded and is mixed with warm water and given orally to animals.
Constipation in Cow & Buffalo
19. Plant name : Premna serratifolia, L. Local name : Pay minnay Family : Verbenaceae Plan part used : Young leaves Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Young leaves, 3 onion, 3 garlic, 3 pepper were ground and it is boiled with water and give orally to cows and buffaloes.
Dog bites – Rabies
20. Plant name : Toddalia asiatica, Lamk (=T.aculeata ,Pers). Capsicum annum, Linn . Premna tomentosa, Wild. Local name : Kindu mullu, Chilly, Kolakatta. Family : Rutaceae, Solanaceae, Verbenaceae Plan part used : Young leaves Status : Wild, cultivated, Wild. Mode of Preparation : (i). The above plant leaves, pepper and garlic in the same amount ground into paste form apply to the dog bitten site. (ii).The above ingredients paste is mixed with neem oil and give dought on the dog bitten site.
Increase Lactation
21. Plant name : Cryptolepis grandiflora ,Wight. Local name : Mattankodi Family : Asclepiadaceae Plan part used : Entire plant Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Entire plant directly given to domestic animals for increase lactation. 22. Plant name : Cardiospermum halicacabum ,L. Local name : Mudakkattan Family : Sapindaceae Plan part used : Entire plant Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Entire plant freshly given to animals or internally in paste form. Haemorrhoeid or Clotting
23. Plant name : Artocarpus hirsuta ,Lamk. Local name : Pila Family : Moraceae Plant part used : Stem bark Status : Wild Mode of Preparation : Equal amount of bark powder is mixed with ragi powder, boiled with hot water and made into paste form. The paste is applied externally to affected portion of body for 12 hours.
Edible fruits
24. Plant name : Premna tomentosa, Willd. Schleichera oleosa (Lour)Oken Glochidon zeylanicum A.Juss. Local name : Kolakatta, Puvan, Family : Verbenaceae, Sapindaceae, Euphorbiaceae Plan part used : Fruit Status : Wild Uses : Fruits are edible.
Narcotics
25. Plant name : Hiptage benghalensis ,(L) Kurz. Local name : Boromali Family : Malpighiaceae Plan part used : Leaves Status : Cultivated Uses : Leaves used in narcotics.
Medicinal plants used by tribes have listed disease wise, for each plant vernacular name as spelled by the tribes, binomial, family name, plant parts used, mode of preparation, dosage were given. In the study 31 ethnomedicinal plant species distributed to 29 genera, 21 families have been documented. Out of 31 plant species 24 plants were used to cure various ailments for human beings and 7plants were used to cure various ailments for domestic animals. Tribes mostly use fresh plant materials for the preparation of medicine. Generally young leaves and bark were frequently used when compared to other parts of the plant. Tribals consume decoction, infusion (oral treatment) and paste for external application. In most ailments internal use of plants predominates the external application. Paste formulations were quite common in external application. Tribes mix several plants, as ingredients to cure disease but detailed information on the role of the components used in such formulation are obscure. In few ailments single plant is used to cure the disease. Tribals use different species to cure various ailments like cold & cough (4 species), paralysis (8 species), cut wounds (1species), skin disease (1species), Insect bite (1species), dog bite (3 species), stomachache (1species), toothache (1species), tumour (1species), eye disease (2 species), vertigo (1species). Tribes use different plants to cure various ailments in domestic animals such as dysentery (1species), constipation (2 species), Increase lactation (1species), and viral fever (1species). Tribes use Premna tomentosa, Schleichera olersa, Glochidon zeylanicum fruits as food and Hiptage benghalensis leaves as narcotics. Though Malayali tribes still depend upon plant resources to cure various ailments, the young generation is almost ignorant or least interested in their traditional knowledge. Hence documentation of valuable traditional knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants were recorded in this study.
Conclusion
Ethnobotanical research provides information regarding plant wealth to cure difficult and chronic diseases. Tribes mostly use fresh plant material for the preparation of medicine. Young leaves and bark were more frequently used when compared to other part of the plant. Tribes depend upon plant resources to cure various ailments, but younger generation almost ignorant or least interested. So documentation of ethnobotanical plants knowledge is needed.
Acknowledgement The Authors thank the Chairman and the management for the permission to undertake this work. They also thank Mr. P. Manikandan and Mr. Murugesan for their help and support.
References
Farombi, E.O. (2003). African Indigenous Plants with Chemotherapeutic potentiallllls and biotechnological approach to the production of bioactive prophylactic agents. African J. Biotech., 2: 662-671. Gamble, J.S. & Fischer, C.E.C. (1921-1928). Flora of the Presidency of Madras. 3 vol. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun. Matthew, K.M. (1983-1986). Flora of Tamilnadu Carnatic. Rapinat Herbarium, St.Joseph’s College, Tiruchirapalli. Matthew, K.M. (1991). An Excursion Flora of Central Tamilnadu. Oxford and IBH publishing Co., New Delhi.
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