Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 11: 148-163. 2007.
Ethno-Medico Botanical Study of Sundargarh
District, Orissa, India
A.B. Prusti1 and K.K. Behera2
1P.N.
College, Khurda-752057 (Orissa) India
E-mail:
aratibala_prusti@hotmail.com
2Ph.D.Scholar,
P.G. Dept.of Botany,
Utkal University,
Vanivihar (Bhubaneswar)
India.
E-mail:kambaska@yahoo.co.in
Issued 19 July 2007
ABSTRACT
Ethnomedicinal
plant wealth of Sundargarh district is one of the
richest in Orissa state of India.
The knowledge of the tribal associated with the traditional healing practices
using wild plants is now fast disappearing due to modern healthcare system.
Ethnobotany is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the interaction
between plants and people throughout the world since time immemorial. It
concerns itself with not only how people use plants and what plants people
use, but also what people think about plants and how plants affect human
culture and history, all within the context of modern botany, anthropology,
biochemistry, linguistics, plant genetics etc. It also relates how people of
a particular culture and region make use of indigenous plants as food,
shelter, medicine, clothing etc. Ethnobotany became established as a genuine
academic and research activity in the second half of the twentieth century,
i.e. about the period when certain concerns about the application of
indigenous knowledge for the discovery of new molecules for curing diseases
is accepted by the World Health Organisation.The
tribal people and ethnic races throughout the world have their own cultures;
customs; cults; religious rites; taboos; legends; witchcrafts & foods and systems of medical
practices. They know enormous use of wild plants for their basic needs,
sustenance and livelihood and have developed a unique understanding of forest
resources. The total Scheduled Tribe population of Orissa
state, according to 1991 Census is 70,32,214, which
accounts for 22.21 percent of the total population of the State. The total
population of Sundargarh district one of the 30th districts
of Orissa is 15, 73617(1991) which constitutes
50.7% of the tribal population of the district. Of the 62 designated
Scheduled Tribes in Orissa state as many as 40
tribes are found in this district. The present paper is the outcome of the ethnobotanical observations and survey conducted amongst
the tribals residing in Bonai,
Sundargarh and Panposh
Forest Divisions of Sundargarh district related to
plants used for food, diseases, pesticides, stupefiers,
industrial, and other related aspects during2001-2005, by the second author
which accounts for 83 plant species with 78 genera in 42 families. Most of
the claims are found to be new and interesting.
Key words: Ethnobotanical, Sundargarh,
Orissa
Introduction
For millennia, human in
every corner of the world have accumulated knowledge about plants. This
knowledge has been gathered and transmitted orally and textually through
generations. Some of the knowledge is the product of modern science; a
precise method for learning about plants. Ethnobotanical research is
providing fundamental information in the search for new drugs, foods,
pesticides, natural products, gene resources and chemicals. The tribals, in general are endogamous groups sharing common
language and culture. They are living under varying geo-ecological setting of
hills and forest areas and far away from modern convenience of life. They are
the economically backward ethnic group. They are food gatherers; hunters,
forest-land cultivators, and minor forest produce collectors. They live-in isolation
near to nature. Various scientists have described them by different names,
Aboriginals(1904 Herbert Risley
and Lacey), Jungle People or Hill tribe (1941V.Elwin & Thakar). They have vast knowledge of plants, which they
apply, on their daily life.
Orissa
with its 7 million tribal population of 62 different
ethnic groups inhabiting in the dense and thick tropical forest areas
possesses rich empiric knowledge about plant wealth. Sundargarh
district one of the 30th districts of Orissa state occupies
the northwestern portion of Orissa state in India
was first constituted a district on 1948.This district is situated between 210
35/N and 220 32/ N latitudes and 830
32/ and 850 22/ longitudes. The
district is bounded on the north by the Ranchi district of Jharkhand state, on the west and northwest by the Raigar district of Chattisgarh,
on the south by Jharsuguda, Sambalpur
and Debgarh districts of Orissa,
on the east by Singhbhum district of Jharkhand and also Keonjhar and
Angul districts of Orissa.
It extends over an area of 9675 Sq.km.Geographically
the district is not a compact unit, it is an undulating table-land of
different elevations, vast inaccessible forests and broken rugged hill ranges
with rocky streams, rivers, and springs. The important rivers are Ib and Brahmani.The district is
rich in mineral and plant wealth besides cave paintings. The rainfall is
fairly uniform in the district and receives high rainfall during Southwest
monsoon (June to September) and retreating Northeast monsoon (.December-January).
Average annual rainfall ranges between 160-200cm.The minimum and maximum
temperatures are in the range of 110 to 440C.May is the
hottest month and December is the coldest month.36% of the geographical area
of the district has semi evergreen or tropical dry deciduous forest. The
district has a large tribal population. Nearly 50.7 % of the rural population
consists of tribal population represented by 40 ethnic tribal communities.
The numerically important Scheduled tribes are Oraon,
Munda, Kharia, Kisan, Bhuiyan, and Gond etc.
A detailed perusal of
the ethnobotanical records reveals that a number of
outstanding botanists led several ethnobotanical
studies in different parts of Orissa (Bal 1942;Jain,
1971 & 1987;Brahmam&Dutta.1981; Chaudhury Rai. et al
1975;Brahmam. &Saxena.1990; Das &Mishra, 1987;Das&Kant.1998;
Girach et al1998;
Mukherjee&. Namhata.1990; Murty
et al & Chopra 1997;Prusti 1998; Prusti & Mishra 2005;Saxena & Dutta,
1975. Reports on Sundargarh district (Satapathy &Panda.1992; Kulkarni.
et al, 1993, Satapathy & Brahmam.1996; Satapathy & Chand. 2003, Prusti, & Panda.2005) are available. From the
literature it reveals that Sundargarh district with
rich flora has remained botanically almost unexplored. Therefore study has
been undertaken to record less-known ethnobotanicals
from different tribal communities of this district.
Materials and Methods
During
the ethnobotanical field survey of the district the
second author carried out extensive field studies (2001-2005) in the
tribal areas of Bonai, Panposh
and Sundargarh Forest Divisions, and recorded
tribal use of plants for various purposes, such as for food, fodder,
medicines, household materials etc. The methodology followed for the study
was that of Jain& Mudgal (1999). The local
doctors Baids
or medicine men of different tribal communities and tribals
having knowledge on plant use were taken to the forest areas, the local name
of the plants, their uses and method of preparations and dose was noted from
them. The information gathered was crosschecked from other persons who
actually use the plants. The plants were correctly identified with the help
of Flora book (Haines, 1921-25;Saxena & Brahmam, (1996.4 Vols.). Matching of voucher specimens
was done with the authentic herbarium specimens available at Regional
Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar.In the enumeration
a disease-based approach is given to understand the health-profile of the tribals of the district giving the binomial nomenclature
of the plant, family name, and locality from where the plant was collected,
followed by method of preparation and dose if available. The local name of
the plant is given in inverted commas at the end of each claim.. The Specimens are preserved in the herbarium of P.N.College.In the enumeration a disease-based approach
is given to understand the health-profile of the tribals
of the district giving the binomial nomenclature of the plant, family name,
and locality from where the plant was collected, followed by method of
preparation and dose if available is also given.
Results and Discussion
The tribals
of Sundargarh district have developed vast
knowledge of plants as observed by the authors during their field survey from
2004 to 2006 of ethnobotanical work which they have
acquired through their traditional practices since time immemorial. Use of
certain plants for some particular purposes (e.g. Insect repellants, Stupefiers, Cancer,
Rheumatism, Diabetes etc) is restricted to some people only and normally they
are quite reluctant to share their knowledge with any outsider. There is an
urgent need of documentation of this irreplaceable knowledge. It may be lost
when traditional cultures collapse with advent of modernization. g. The present studies aimed at
documenting all Ethnobotanical
Products data covering most important eco-sensitive zones of Sundargarh district .The video graphic documentation is more useful in identification of
plant species in the field and it may also useful for conservation
strategies. Generally, it was noted that
Non-Timber Forest Products were under threat, due to decline of forests in
various ways and the disappearance of traditional knowledge and values
which accounts for 83 plant species with 78 genera in 42 families. Most of
the claims are found to be new and interesting to the indigenous system of
Indian medicine.
Enumeration
Accidents
& derangements
Croton bonplandianus
Baill.
F: EUPHORBIACEAE
Locality:San Beura,
Sap is applied locally to treat cuts due to sharp-edged tools. Gondri.
Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC.
F: FABACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Dried powder of wholeplant and toasted rice
powder in equal quantities is mixed well. The mixture thus obtained is taken
on empty stomach to cure bone-fracture. Hadjodi.
Dose: 5-10 g twice daily.
Simultaneously, the whole plant together with an egg is ground to a
fine paste, applied over the fractured limb and bandaged for bone setting.
Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.
F: APOCYNACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
The root is rubbed on a stone with a few drops of water and the paste
thus obtained is given internally and applied externally in snakebite. Kurai.
Calotropis gigantea R.Br.
F: ASCLEPIADACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
The fresh root, together with milk of cow, is ground to a fine paste
and taken as an antidote for snakebite. Arka
Adiantum philippense L.
F: ADIANTACEAE
Locality: Dhumsara,
The whole plant (green) is pounded to a fine paste and applied to the
fracture, and bandaged. Oran
Cassia
obtusifolia Linn.
F: CAESALPINIACEAE
Locality: Lefripara, Jayashree,
239
The whole plant is pounded to a fine paste and applied to the fractured
portion of the limb. Chakunda
Careya arborea Roxb.
F: BARRINGTONIACEAE
Locality: Lefripara,
Bark paste is tied over the cuts due to sharp-edged instruments. Kumbi
Rauvolfia tetraphylla Linn.
F: APOCYNACEAE
Locality: Lefripara,
Root paste (25 g) is fed to the victim slowly in snakebite. Patalagarudi.
Alopecia & allied illness
Streblus
asper Lour.
F: MORACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
The root, together with the juice of the leaf is ground to a fine paste
and applied daily on the head. Sahada.
Note: Before the application the bald portion
of the head is rubbed with the lower portion of a fresh leaf.
Tridax procumbens Linn.
F: ASTERACEAE
Locality: San Beura,
Juice of wholeplant is mixed in equal
quantity of the fruit juice of Phyllanthus emblica and the whole mixture is transferred into an
earthen-pot and buried deep underground for one month. The admixture thus
obtained is used as hair tonic to prevent immature graying of hair and also
to maintain it in black with luster. Kesadudura.
Cancer
Phyllanthus lawii Grah.ex Muell.- Arg.
F: EUPHORBIACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Dried root powder (10g) and fresh juice (25 ml) of the bark of Moringa
oleifera together with old gur
(molasses) (10 g) is eaten on empty stomach twice daily for three days only.
Followed by the above treatment the root
powder (10 g) together with same quantity of powdered sugar candy is taken
orally for another 7 days in stomach and other cancers barring brain and lung
cancer. Jhar.
Cardiac
Symphorema
polyandrum Wight
F: VERBENACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Bark is grounded to a fine paste and the paste thus obtained is mixed
in cows ghee and applied externally to treat cardiac ailments of rheumatic
patient. Mahasindu.
Chest
Hiptage
benghalensis (L.) Kurz.
F: MALPIGHIACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Dried flowers (50 g) and dried bark (50 g )
made in to a fine powder. The powder along with a glass of cow milk is taken
on empty stomach to treat tuberculosis. Madhavilata.
Dose: 5-6 g twice daily for 40 days.
Solanum
virginianum Linn.
F: SOLANACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Fresh-root juice is mixed in pure honey and taken internally on empty
stomach to treat Asthma. Bejibaigan.
Terminalia chebula Retz.
F: COMBRETACEAE
Locality: Kurlokhaman,
Rind of fruit is wrapped with young leaves
of mango and tied with the stem of Abrus precatorius. The rind thus cooked is eaten as an expectorant. Harida.
Vitex negundo Linn.
F: VERBENACEAE
Locality: Kello Raipuri,
a) Fresh leaf-juice
mixed in honey is taken on empty stomach in Asthma.
Dose: 5ml twice daily.
b) Fresh leaves are
boiled in water till vapourisation. The vapours are inhaled through mouth to reduce cough. Begunia.
Dental
Argemone mexicana Linn.
F: PAPAVERACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Fresh root is made in to a fine paste and applied to the caries teeth
for relief from pain. Odosmari.
Solanum
virginianum Linn.
F: SOLANACEAE
Loc: Bonai,
Powder of seeds is smoked in a pipe to get rid of worms in the caries
teeth. Bejibaigan.
Jatropha
gossypifolia Linn.
F: EUPHORBIACEAE
Locality: Kurlokhaman,
Stem is regularly used as toothbrush in swollen gums and caries
teeth. Bondrijotta.
Pongamia
pinnata (L.) Pierre
F: FABACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Twigs are employed as toothbrush regularly for healthy gums and
sparkling teeth. Karanja.
Diabetes
Catharanthus
roseus (L.) G.Don
F: APOCYNACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Leaves (only 3nos) are soaked in water overnight and filtered. The
solution thus obtained is taken orally on empty stomach in Diabetes Mellitus.
Sadabihari.
Galactogogue
Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.
F: CONVOLVULACEAE
Loc: Kulposh, Jayshree381
Leaf is eaten as vegetable regularly by lactating mothers to increase
the secretion of milk.
Kalum.
Plumeria rubra L.
F: APOCYNACEAE
Locality: Kurlokhaman,
a) Fruit (follicle) is grounded to a fine paste and given internally
on empty stomach to improve secretion of mothers milk.
b) Seed-paste with sugar candy water is also given to improve
secretion of mothers milk.Kathchampa.
Sida acuta Burm.f.
F: MALVACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Wholeplant together with rice washed water is
grounded to a fine paste and the paste is given internally to check diarrhoea due to indigestion. Bachuramuli.
Dose: 3-5 very 2 hours.
Holarrhena
antidysenterica Wall.
F: APOCYNACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Water-extract of bark is given internally in blood dysentery. Kurai.
Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet.
F: MALVACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Leaves (7
nos) together with 7 black peppers are grinded to a fine paste and the paste thus obtained is taken on empty
stomach with rice-washed water in jaundice. 'Chotapedi
pedica'.
Desmodium
triflorum (L.) DC.
F: FABACEAE
Locality: Kurlokhaman,
Wholeplant paste is.given,to
lactating mothers for de-worming
of children. 'Kuradia'.
Dose: 2-3
g once daily for 10 days.
Soymida
febrifuga (Roxb.) A. Juss.
F:
MELIACEAE
Locality: Kello Raipuri,
Stem bark is grinded to a fine paste and taken
together with curds on empty
stomach in water stools. 'Roin.'
Punica
granatum Linn.
F:
PUNICACEAE
Locality: KelloRaipuri,
Fruit- skin paste with curds is taken orally to
check diarrhea and water stools. 'Dalimb'.
Ardisia solanacea
Roxb.
F: MYRSINACEAE
Locality: KelloRaipuri,
Water-extract of root is give
infernally in Blood dysentery. 'Narasingha koda'.
Phoenix accaulis Buch-Ham. ex
Roxb.
F: ARECACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
a) Immature-fruit is made in to a fine paste and
the paste thus obtained is taken with rice washed water to check
vomiting.
b) Leaf-juice is mixed in honey and is taken on
empty stomach as a vermifuge. Bui khajuri
Cucumis trigonus Roxb.
F: CUCURBITACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Fruit is cooked and eaten to act as drastic
purgative. Bengdimbu.
Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.
F: COMBRETACEAE
Locality: Kello Raipuri,
Pulp
of raw fruit is pounded and consumed to check Dysentery. Bahada'.
Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb.ex DC.)Wall.ex Guill. &Perr.
F: COMBRETACEAE
Locality: Kello Raipuri,
Root-bark is pounded to a fine paste and given internally to
check Diarrhoea.
'Dhaunla'.
Dose: 5 g
thrice daily.
Tamarindus
indica Linn.
F: CAESALPINIACEAE
Locality: San Beura,
Root barks of Tamarindus
indica
and Anogeissus latifolia in equal quantities are given
internally to check Diarrhoea. Tentuli'.
Dose: 3-4
g thrice daily.
Achyranthes aspera Linn.
F: AMARANTHACEAE
Locality: San Beura,
Fresh 'root-paste is taken internally to relieve
stomachache due to indigestion. 'Apamaranga'.
Dose: 3-5 g daily for 3 days.
Phyla nodiflora
(L.) Greene
F: VERBENACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Wholeplant (10 g) and 7
black peppers are grounded to a fine paste and the paste thus obtained is
taken on empty stomach, along with rice washed water of 3 consecutive
days in Jaundice. Gosinga.
Note:
Bland diet is advised for 40 days.
Erycibe paniculata Roxb.
F: CONVOLVULACEAE
Locality: Kurlokharna,
Ripe fruits are eaten in between the meals to act
as a mild laxative. 'Dud koli'.
Gynecology
Clitorea ternatea Linn.
F: FABACEAE
Locality: Bonai ,
100 g of root together with a little milk is
grounded to a fine paste and the paste thus obtained is taken orally on empty
stomach on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, day of menstruation for sure conception.Aparajita.
Note: The
above treatment can
be repeated till desired result is obtained.
Portulaca oleracea Linn.
F: PORTULACACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Root together with milk is grounded to a fine paste
and the paste thus obtained is taken orally on empty stomach on 2nd,
3rd and 4th day of menstruation, for 6month to effect fertilisation.' Lunlunia'.
Dose: 10 g
once daily.
Zingiber
officinale Rose.
F:
Z1NG1BERACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Dried
rhizome powder and
dried whole plant powder of Phyllanthus
fraternus
in equal quantities is boiled in milk down to one-fourths and
filtered. Pregnant woman takes the solution thus obtained on empty stomach
only once in 7th, 8th and 9th month to overcome
pre-natal diseases and for easy delivery. ' Sunthi.
Tephrosia
purpurea (L.Pers.)
F: FABACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Dried leaf powder and pasted rice powder in equal
quantities is-taken orally on empty stomach followed by rice washed water to
treat Leucorrhoea Haematuria as well. 'Onakulthia'.
Dose: 10 g
powder once daily for 20-30 days.
Homonoia riparia Lour.
F:
EUPHORBIACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Fresh root-paste is consumed on empty "stomach
with 2 black. peppers to, treat post-delivery complaints. 'Pani
Begunia'.
Dose: 5 g
once daily for 3 days only.
Insect repellants
Argemone
mexicana L.
F: PAPAVERACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Whole plant is cut into small pieces and placed in
an earthen pot. Then the pot with the contents is heated on fire till it turns into ash. The
ash thus obtained is used to drive away
bed bugs. 'Odosmari'
Annona
squamosa Linn.
F: ANNONACEAE
Locality: San Beura,
Leaf paste is applied on the doorframes to check
the entry of insects in to the house. 'Ata'.
Celastrus
paniculata Willd.
F: CELASTRACEAE
Locality; Kurlokhaman .
A piece of root is tied around the neck of cattle
to ward off flies. 'Pengu'.
Intoxicants
Schleichera
oleosa (Lour.) Oken
F:
SAPINDACEAE
Locality: Dhumsara R.F.,
Seeds after,
moving the coat, are pounded and added to the brew of Madhuca
indica
to improve the quality. 'Kusum.
Physalis minima Linn.
F:
SOLANACEAE
Locality:
San Beura,
Juice of wholeplant (500
ml) is mixed in 1.5 1 of toddy obtained from the stem of Phoenix
sylvestris to enhance its intoxicating properties. 'Phuttika'.
Note: It is dangerous to exceed the ratio, as the
whole beverage might become poisonous.
Malaria
Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) Hook.ex
G.Don.
F: ORCHIDACEAE
Locality: Dhumsara R.f.,
Water-extract of leaves is given orally together with
honey .to prevent Malaria. 'Rasna'.
Andrographis
paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees.
F: ACANTHACEAE
Locality: Dhumsara R.F.,
Water extract of leaf is taken with honey to treat
Malaria. 'Chiraita'
Phyllanthus
amarus Schum. & Thonn.
F: EUPHORBIACEAE
Locality: Dhumsara R.F.,
Whole plant is pounded to a fine paste and given in
malarial fevers.
Dose: 5 g
thrice daily for 5 days. Badi onla
.
Neurological
Phyllanthus
fraternus (Buch.
-Ham.ex Roxb.) Webster
F: EUPHORBIACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Water-extract of
wholeplant of Phyllanthus
fraternus
and the seeds of black gram in equal quantities is mixed in a little gingelly oil and the mixture is
used for local application
to treat Paralysis. 'Badi onla'.
Note: Dried fish and chicken is prohibited.
Mammea
suriga Kosterm
F: CLUSIACEAE
Locality: Kulposhi,
Root-paste is applied to forehead for relief from partial headache. Churiana
Calotropis
gigantea R.Br.
F: ASCLEPIADACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
The
temporal part is pricked with a clean needle so that some blood oozes out.
After cleaning the blood milky latex of the plant is applied to relieve pain
due to Migraine. 'Arka'.
Gardenia
turgida Roxb.
F: RUBIACEAE
Locality: Kulposh, Jayashree 209
Juice of wholeplant is
mixed in equal quantity of gingelly oil and applied
on head to increase the power of Memory. Above juice is mixed in equal
quantity of leaf juice of Bacopa moinieri and 'applied on" head for
greater memory power. 'Kurdu'.
Vetiveria
zizanioides (L.) Nash
F: POACEAE.
Locality: Kulposh,
Root-paste mixed in mustard oil is applied on the
head as a remedy for reeling of head and headache. 'Bena'.
Vitex negundo Linn.
F: VERBENACEAE
Locality:
Kello Raipuri,
Fresh leaf juice mixed in- castor oil and applied
on the head for relief from headache. 'Begunia'.
Ophthalmic
Blepharispermum
subsessile DC.
F:
ASTERACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Expressed juice of leaf is used as eye drops in eye troubles. 'Rasha'.
Spilanthes
calva DC.
F: ASTERACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Juice of wholeplant, gingelly oil and cow milk in equal quantities and mixed together. The admixture is,
applied to head to stop reddening of 'eyes
with burning sensation. Roipur.
Ocimum canum Sims
F:
LAMIACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Seeds are soaked in, water overnight and the
swollen seeds are placed in the eyes
as a cure for
Conjunctivitis. 'Banatulasi'.
Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.
F: FABACEAE
Locality: Kell.
Juice of bark is applied in the mouth. Piasal.
Vitex negundo Linn.
F: VERBENACEAE
Locality: Kello Raipurii,
Leaves are
chewed to promote healing of ulcers
in the mouth. Begunia.
Pesticides
Haldinia cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsd.
F:
RUBIACEAE
Locality:
San Beura,
Green bruised leaves are spread evenly all over the
watered field before sowing the rice. This will act as pesticides for the
crop. ' Kurmi'.
Chloroxylon
swietiana DC.
F: RUTACEAE
Locality:
San Beura,
Leaflets are spread all over, the field before ploughing and watering the rice held. This will act as a
pesticide. ' Bherua'.
Cleistanthus
collinus (Roxb.) Benth ex Hook.f.
F:
EUPHORBIACEAE
Locality: Dhumsara R.F.,
Green leaves one evenly sprayed on the land
before ploughing'and sowing rice to act as a pesticide.' Korda.
Rheumatism
Symphorema polyandrum Wight.
F:
VERBENACEAE
Locality: Bonai ,
a) Dried bark is, grounded to a fine powder and
powder is taken with honey to check backache
and Rheumatism.
b) Above
powder together with the earth of anthill is mixed well and slightly warmed
on fire and applied externally to treat joint pain. 'Mahasindu'.
Pygmaeopremnaherbacea
(Roxb.)Mold.
F:
VERBENACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Root together with the bark of Symphorema
polyandrum and the root of Cissampelos pariera in
equal quantities is made in to a fine powder. The powder is mixed in cow's
milk and taken orally to treat Rheumatism for 30-40 days once daily. 'Ghantiana'.
Sphaerahthus indicus Linn.
F: ASTERACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Powder of whole plant is given internally to treat
Rheumatism. 'Gondru mundi'.
Dose: 5 g just before lunch and dinner
for 20 days.
Blepharispermum subsessile DC
F: ASTERACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Water-extract of root is taken with honey to
relieve backache due.to Rheumatism. 'Rasna'
Moringa oleifera Lam.
F: MOR1NGACEAE
Locality: Kurlokhamani,
Bark-paste is taken orally with raw rice-washed
water on empty stomach to treat Rheumatism. .'Sajana'.
Dose: 5 g
of bark powder once daily for 30 days.
Note: Bark does not include dead
tissue.
Rabies
Clerodendrum viscosum Vent.
F:
VERBENACEAE
Locality: Kello Raipuri ,
One ripe fruit is taken internally and one ripe
fruit, made in to a paste is applied externally in dog bite for 3 days only.
'Komutia'
Skin
Argemone mexicana Linn.
F: PAPAVERACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
a) Latex is applied externally to treat Eczema.
b)
Seeds grounded to a fine paste together with equal quantity of turmeric
powder and the paste thus obtained is applied externally to treat Eczema, 'Odosmari'
Evolvulus nummularius (Linn.) L.
F: CON VOLVULACE AE
Locality: Kulposh,
Wholeplant-pasteisapplied
locally for suppuration of boils. Hadsunga.
Mangifera
indica Linn.
F: ANACARDIACEAE
Locality: Kurlokhaman
Gum is slightly heated on gentle fire and applied
locally to treat cracks of soles
that appear in winter. 'Amba'
Note:
Application is made before going to bed.
Ludwigia octovalvis
(Jacq.) Raven
F:
ONAGRACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Ash of wholeplant is
mixed in mustard oil. The '
ointment thus Obtained
is
applied externally to
treat Eczema. and.skin
diseases. 'Panidhataki'.
Ixora pavetta Andr.
F:
RUBIACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Bark powder is applied, locally to treat-chronic
wounds. 'Telkurma.
Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken
F: SAPINDACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Seed-oil is applied externally to Scabies. 'Kusum.
Stupefiers
Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.
F: MIMOSACEAE
Locality: Bonai
a) Leaf-paste is thrown into the pond as a
stupefying-agent to catch fish easily.
b) Seed-paste is also used as a fish-poison. 'Akasia
Urino-genital
Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene
F: VERBENACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Whole plant-juice (10ml) followed by sweetened milk
is taken on empty stomach to treat Spermatorrhoea.
'Gosinga'.
Terminalia
arjuna (Roxb.ex DC.)
Wight & Arn.
F: COMBRETACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Dried bark- powder is taken along with
rice-washed water to check blood in urine. 'Arjuna'.
Wild Food
Argemane mexicana Linn
F: PAPAVERACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Stem is cut into pieces of 3 inches and the pieces
are cooked into a curry. (The curry prepared and offered to the senior author
by local people at Bonai was very delicious)'Odosmari'.
Phoenix
acaulis Buch. -Ham. ex Roxb.
F:
ARECACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Apical bud is eaten in times of famine. It is said
to be nutritious. 'Buikhajuri
Erycibe
paniculata Roxb.
F:
CONVOLVULACEAE
Locality: Bonai,
Ripe fruits are eaten. 'Dud koli'.
Bombax ceiba Linn
F: BOMBACACEAE
Locality: San Beura,
Fresh bark pulp is added to boiling sugarcane juice
to obtain a clean 'gur', jaggery. 'Sima.
Diospyros
melanoxylon Roxb.
F: EBENACEAE
Locality: San Beura,
Fresh leaves are used to cover the mouth of the
earthen pot for quick ripening of the fruits inside. 'Kendu
Note: This
does not change the taste of the fruit unlike Carbide spraying for the
purpose.
Acacia pennata
(L.) Willd.
F: MIMOSACEAE
Locality: Kulposh,
Seed is rubbed on a. stone with a "little
water and the paste thus obtained is added to muddy water to obtain clean
water. 'Gohira'.
Abelmoschus
esculentus (L.) Moench
F: MALVACEAE
Locality: San Beura
Whole plant powdered to a fine paste and added to
the boiling sugarcane juice to obtain a clear,gur,'jaggery.
'Bhindi
Conclusion
Even though the tribals use most of the wild plants in different ways in
their day-to-day life, The food habits and healing systems are fast changing
due to non- availability of genetic resources. The rich and untapped flora,
which tribal societies have been using for food, medicine, etc need to be
investigated with a view to develop new sources of proteins, fats, starches,
alkaloids, therapeutic agents etc. The tribals of Sundargarh district represent an invaluable, indigenous
knowledge base, some of which are documented but by large to be explored. The
ethnomedical knowledge of these tribals
may provide a strategy for discovery of clinically useful compounds from
plant sources.
Acknowledgement
The authors are thankful to D.F.Os and Forest Officers of Bonai,
Sundargarh and Panposh
Forest Divisions for their co-operation. Thanks are also to K.S.Murty, Survey Officer, Plants
Unit, Central Research Institute for Ayurveda, Bhubaneswar, -751018 for his help during
investigation. The authors are thankful to the Principal, P.N.College,
and Khurda for laboratory facilities.
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