Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 70-78, 2008.
Ethnobotanical Studies on
Orchids of Niyamgiri Hill Ranges, Orissa, India
P.K.Dash,1 Santilata Sahoo2 and Subhasisa
Bal3
1Biodiversity
Conservation Division, Vasundhara, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
2P.G.
Department of Botany, Utkal University, Vani
Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
3Regional Plant
Research Center,
Bhubaneswar,
Orissa, India
Corresponding
author: P.K.Dash (Prasad.dash2008@gmail.com)
Issued 16 February 2008
ABSTRACT
Niyamgiri hills, the abode of the
primitive Dongria Kandha
tribe in southwest Orissa, is a unique forest ecosystem harbouring a rich flora and vast natural resources. The
present ethnobotanical study concerns some 20 species of
orchids including 16 epiphytes and 4 terrestrials that are used by the Dongarias of the Niyamgiri hill
range to treat 33 kinds of diseases. This paper also discusses some of the
threats to the orchids of this hill region, as well as some very serious
problems regarding their conservation.
Keywords: Niyamgiri
hill, Dongaria tribe, orchids, ethnobotanical
studies, conservation.
INTRODUCTION
Orchids are herbaceous plants that are classified in their own family,
the Orchidaceae. Aside from the many wild species of this family, the cultivated orchids
constitute an order of royalty in the world of ornamental plants.
Economically, they are of immense importance in horticulture. The wild
species, on the other hand, have been used as
indicators of regions that have a healthy ecosystem (S. Mishra,
2004). However, one often overlooked value of the plants of this family lies
in the role that they have played in medicine. In many countries like China
and in some parts of Europe and America,
Australia and
Africa, orchids have been used as traditional drugs for
a very long time. Recently, it has been reported that orchid molecules are
important in reducing fevers, serving as anti-impotence aids, increasing the
white blood cell count, curing eye diseases, treating fatigue and headaches,
and most importantly, functioning as anti-cancer agents (Bulpitt,
2005). In still another report, Rajendran (1997), cites the medicinal uses of some orchids from South
India. And, according to Reddy et al. (2005), the different
ethnic groups of Andhra Pradesh are known to use some 23 species of orchids
for the treatment of ailments that are associated with different diseases.
Recently in one study conducted at a botanical research institute in India,
scientists evaluated the species Vanda tessellata and discovered its role as a
potent aphrodisiac and fertility booster. This species, grown in abundance
locally, has had a long history of use by the native population for its
anti-inflammatory properties (Kumar et al., 2005). The Indian Vanda orchid
does indeed express antiproliferative effects
against various types of cancers, including those from choriocarcinoma
(cancer of germ cells), lung cancers, and stomach cancers (Ho and Chen, 2003). Still other orchids have been used
in the treatment of epilepsy, flatulence, rheumatism and spasms. They have
also been used for sedatives and flavor enhancers and for everything from
cramps to increased virility (Kong, 2003).
The hill range acts as a meeting ground for the floras of the northern
and southern parts of India.
In a recent study of the hill ranges, R.C. Mishra (2007) reported the occurrence of 663 species of vascular plants belonging to 454 genera and 130 families. The Niyamgiri
hills, evidently, are an important orchid-rich area of Orissa,
next only to Similipal and Rebana
and at par with the Koira (Sundargarh)
forests. S. Mishra (2005), however, accounts for
only 31 species (19 epiphytic, 12 terrestrial) of orchids from Niyamgiri. Bearing in mind the multifaceted importance of
orchids, the majority of the surveys that have been conducted of this group
have focused on species that have been used medicinally. In the present paper
an attempt has been made to collect information on medicinal importance of
orchids traditionally used by the Dongaria Kandha tribes of the Niyamgiri hill
ranges of Orissa.
STUDY SITE
The Niyamgiri hill range lies between 19º
26’ to 19º 43’ N latitude, and 83º
18’ to 83º 28’ E longitude. The hills are
situated within the districts of Rayagada and Kalahandi, and veer off in a NE-SW direction as part of
the Eastern Ghats of India. The region is known for
its innumerable valleys, watercourses and high mountain peaks, as well as for
its very diverse vegetation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
An ethnobotanical survey of the orchids of
this region was undertaken between the years 2005 and 2007. A total of 20
informants were interviewed from a sample pool that included 150 small areas.
In this study, questionnaires were used to collect information on the
informant’s name, sex, age and village. Additional questions included the
vernacular name of the plant, the parts and proportions that were used, the
methods of preparation and approximate doses and modes of administration. As
far as possible, the data was verified by a cross checking method to confirm
the authenticity of the information. The specimens were provisionally
identified on the spot and later confirmed using local floras (Haines, 1921-25; Mooney, 1950; Saxena
and Brahmam, 1994-96; Mishra
S., 2004). The nomenclature of each species follows the principles and
articles of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, or ICBN (Greuter et al., 1994). Our data was checked against such standard reference
works as Kirtikar and Basu
(1935), Chopra et al (1956), Agarawal and Ghosh (1985), Satyavati et al
(1987), Warrier et al (1995), and Jain.S.K, (1964). The
information cited in the present work, however, was not found to be
previously reported by earlier researchers.
ENUMERATION
1.
Acampe carinata
(Griff.) Panig.
Local name: Kano-Kato
Place of collection: Khambesi
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: The root paste
is applied externally on scorpion and snake bites. The leaf paste along with
one piece of garlic is taken once a day for seven days to get relief from
chest pain and stomach disorder caused by hyper acidity.
2.
Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann
Local name: Kano-Kato
Place of collection: Sakata, Kularpeta, Monda
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: Half spoon of fresh
root paste, 1gm root paste of Asparagus racemosus
mixed together and made into paste, of which one spoonful is taken orally on
an empty stomach twice a day for 15 days to cure arthritis.
3. Aerides odorata Lour.
Local name: Hameri
Place of collection: Denguni
Part used: Root and leaves
Mode of administration: One gm of fresh
root, 1gm common salt, 1gm root powder of Saraca
asoca and 2gm bark powder of Azadirachta indica are
mixed thoroughly and made into paste. Half spoon of it is taken orally twice
a day with a cup of water for one month to reduce joint pain and swellings.
The leaf juice is taken orally twice a day for 20 days against tuberculosis.
4. Bulbophyllum cariniflorum Rchb.
Local name: Sumura
Place of collection: Mondanala and Sutanguni
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: Two gm of dried
root, 1gm of black pepper, 5 ml of cow milk are
mixed and made into paste. A half spoon of the decoction is taken orally with
a cup of water by women for 5 to 10 days to induce abortion within 2 to 3 months
of pregnancy.
5. Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw.
Local name: Supurn
Place of collection: Khajuri Kurli
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: Two gm of root
powder mixed with 2gm dried ginger and 1 gm of black pepper mixed thoroughly and
made into a powder. Half spoon of it is taken with cup of cow milk twice a
day for two months to reduce paralysis.
6. Dendrobium herbaceum Lindl.
Local name: Sasanga
Place of collection: Denguni and Jiniguda.
Part used: Leaves
Mode of administration: Ten gm fresh
leaves are made into paste with 10gm young shoot of Andrographis paniculata and
applied on the infected parts twice a day for 7 days to treat syphilis. The
wounds are washed after half an hour with leaf decoction of Azadirachta indicia to avoid over use of the decoction.
7.
Eulophia spectabilis
(Dennst.) Suresh
Local name: Bonga taini
Place of collection: Monda Niyam Raja
Part used: Tuber
Mode of administration: Ten gm of dried
tuber, 5 gm of dried leaves of Withania somnifera, 5 gm dried leaves of Curculigo orchioides and 5 gm of black pepper
are crushed and the powder taken orally with a cup of water for 20 days
against aphrodisiac. The leaf decoction is also used against vermifuse.
8. Eria bambusifolia Lindl.
Local name: Kimar
Place of collection: Mundabai
Part used: Whole plant.
Mode of administration: The whole plant
of Eria bambusifolia
and ripe fruit of Aegle marmelos are sealed in different earthen pots
separately and burnt into ashes. The ash is mixed together in 1:1 ratio. A
half spoon is taken with cup of water on empty stomach twice a day for seven
days to cure hyper acidity and stomach disorder.
9. Flickingeria macraei (Lindl.) Seidenf.
Local name: Sakar
Place of collection: Serkapada
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: One spoonful of
root paste along with 1g seed powder of black pepper is administered orally
on empty stomach twice a day for 21 days to cure diseases including skin
allergy and also applied on affected part to cure eczema.
10.
Geodorum recurvum (Roxb.) Alston
Local name: Tejraj
Place of collection:
Kesarpada
Part used:
Mode of administration: A decoction
made from 100 gm of dried tuber, 15 to 20 gm of black pepper, and 20 to 25
nos. of garlic and taken orally twice a day for 15 days to cure malaria
fever. The root paste is also applied externally to suppress tumors.
11. Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr.
Local name: Kukurmuria
Place of collection: Jarapa,
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: One gm of fresh
root paste, 2 drops of
ghee and 5 ml of honey taken orally twice a day for 15 days on an empty stomach to
regularize menstrual cycle in women.
12. Habenaria commelinifolia (Roxb.) Wall. ex Lindl.
Local name: Devsunda
Place of collection: Khambasi
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: Equal quantity
of dried root of Habenaria commelinifolia and Saraca
indica boiled in 1 liter of water till the
volume is reduced to 100 ml. Then, 6-8 drops of this decoction is
administered orally on an empty stomach for 10 days to cure spermatorrhea.
13. Habeneria longicorniculata Graham
Local name: Devasunda
Place of collection: Kalyanasingpur
Part used: Tuber
Mode of administration: Ten gm of tuber
paste is mixed with an
equal amount of turmeric powder and made into paste. The decoction
is applied externally on affected parts to cure leucoderma.
14. Habenaria marginata Coleb.
Local name: Humari
Place of collection: Jiniguda
Part used: Tuber
Mode of administration: Approximately
250g of tuber are boiled in one liter of water until the volume is reduced to
250 ml. The decoction is then mixed with 5 ml of honey and taken daily on an
empty stomach for 14 days for treatment of malignant ulcer.
15. Luisia trichorhiza (Hook.) Bl.
Local name: Koira
Place of collection: Bhisamkatak
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: A paste is made
from the dried plant, turmeric and ginger and a half spoon of the paste is
taken orally with a cup of water thrice a day for 10 days to cure jaundice.
The root extract is used as an anti-diarrhoea (for
cattle) and to reduce muscular pains in humans.
16. Polystachya concreta (Jacq.)
Garay & Sweet.
Local name: Kakina
Place of collection:
Kucharla
Part used: Tuber
Mode of administration: Approximately
100g of fresh tuber with 500 ml of water is boiled till it reduces to 100 ml.
Then, 3 to 4 ml of this decoction is taken orally with 7 to 8 drops of honey
on an empty stomach twice a day for 2 months for treatment of arthritis.
17. Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Bl.
Local name: Pumam
Place of collection: Pusuguda
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: About 3 to 4gm of root and 2gm of fresh leaf
buds of Pisum sativum are made
into paste. One gm of the paste is taken orally with water on an empty stomach
twice a day for seven days to cure blood dysentery. The plant is also used as
emollient and the leaf paste is applied externally to cure wounds.
18. Seidenfia rheedii (Sw.) Szlach.
Local name: Simil
Place of collection: Tonda
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: About 250gm of
root is boiled in one liter of water till it becomes one third of its volume.
Then, 5 ml of this decoction along with 2 ml of honey is taken orally on an
empty stomach twice a day for 15 to 21 days to cure cholera.
19. Vanda testacea (Lindl.)
Rchb.f.
Local name: Malanga
Place of collection: Khambesi
Part used: Leaves and root
Mode of administration: Leaf paste of Vanda testacea
and the boiled rhizome paste of Rhaphidophora glauca are mixed in equal proportions and tied with a
bandage on bone fractures of cattle. The plant has also been used for ear
ache. A decoction made from the root extracts of this plant and Curculigo orchioides
is taken twice a day for 7 days to cure asthma.
20. Vanda
tessellata (Roxb.) Hook. ex G.Don.
Local
name: Banki
Place of collection: Bhisamkotak.
Part used: Root
Mode of administration: Fifty g of the
root is boiled in 250 ml of water until it is reduced to 100 ml., and filtered and cooled. Then, 5 ml of the decoction
is mixed with 3 to 5 ml of honey taken orally on an empty stomach twice a day
for one month for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. The root paste
is also used to cure rheumatism and nervous disorders.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Traditional and indigenous systems of medicine persist all over the
world. The unique traditional system of healthcare that is passed down from
generation to generation within a society is still the prevalent system found
within the remote rural areas of the country. It is evident that the Dongaria tribes of the Niyamgiri
hill region are very knowledgeable about phytomedecines.
Brought out in the present study are the therapeutic potentials of some 20
species of orchids for the treatment of different diseases and ailments. The
present investigation has also brought to light the therapeutic value of
orchids in curing scorpion and snake bites, as well as in the treatment of
stomach disorders, chest pains, arthritis, tuberculosis, pregnancy, syphilis,
paralysis, cholera, acidity, eczema, tumor, menstrual disorder, spermatorrhea, leucoderma,
wounds and sores, diahorrhea, muscular pain, blood
dysentery, bone fractures, rheumatism, asthma, malaria, earache and sexually
transmitted diseases. According to the Dongarias of
Niyamgiri, orchids are used as an emetic, a
purgative, an aphrodisiac, a vermifuge, a broncho-dialator and an anti-tumor agent. However, the
mode of administration could not be documented for all species due to a lack
of informants. Further studies are in progress to explore the various
medicinal uses of orchids, as well as the problems of their threatened
ecosystems.
Due to the
incredible genetic diversity of the orchid family, future investigators will
undoubtedly find this group a potentially rich area for doing further
research. Many species of orchids, having helpful phyto-constituents,
are currently being used as drugs in the Indian system of medicine. Being
members of a highly advanced family, orchids have a major role to play in the
genetic engineering of new forms that may be useful in the fields of
floriculture, pharmacology and other, as yet unexplored fields of science.
Presently, the Niyamgiri hill ranges are capturing
the interest of scientific communities due to their unique biodiversity. But,
the habitats of the orchids of the hill ranges are presently under threat of
upcoming mining operations. Bearing in mind the rich biodiversity of this
region and the importance of retaining the indigenous knowledge of the
primitive Dongaria kandha
tribes for future generations, long term conservation measures will have to
be taken to preserve this rich orchidarium for the
state. Although the full biodiversity of the hill ranges remains unknown,
preliminary surveys have already given promising results. Therefore,
conservation efforts combined with detailed biodiversity studies must become
a part of a comprehensive plan to ensure the viability of this irreplaceable
resource.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are grateful to Concern Worldwide for providing financial
support to carry out the study. The authors are also thankful to Dr. S. Mishra and Dr. R.C.Mishra for
help with the survey and analysis of the flora and its identification. The
help and co-operation rendered by the local informants of different ethnic
groups (and especially the Dongarias) in providing
first hand information is highly appreciated and acknowledged.
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