Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 674-80, 2010.

 

 

Ethnobotanical Observations of Euphorbiaceae Species from Vidarbha region, Maharashtra, India

 

G. Phani Kumar* and Alka Chaturvedi#

 

Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DRDO), Leh-Ladakh, India

#PGTD Botany, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, India

*corresponding author:

 

Issued: 01 June, 2010

 

 

Abstract

 

An attempt has been made to explore traditional medicinal knowledge of plant materials belonging to various genera of the Euphorbiaceae, readily available in Vidharbha region of Maharasthtra state. Ethnobotanical information were gathered through several visits, group discussions and cross checked with local medicine men. The study identified 7 species to cure skin diseases (such as itches, scabies); 5 species for antiseptic (including antibacterial); 4 species for diarrhoea; 3 species for dysentery, urinary infections, snake-bite and inflammations; 2 species for bone fracture/ dislocation, hair related problems, warts, fish poisons, night blindness, wounds/cuts/burns, rheumatism, diabetes, jaundice, vomiting and insecticide; 1 species as laxative , viral fever and arthritis. The results are encouraging but thorough scientific scrutiny is absolutely necessary before being put into practice.

 

Key words: Ethnopharmacology; Vidarbha region; Euphorbiaceae; ethnobotanical information.

 

Introduction

The medicinal properties of a plant are due to the presence of certain chemical constituents. These chemical constituents, responsible for the specific physiological action, in the plant, have in many cases been isolated, purified and identified as definite chemical compounds. Quite a large number of plants are known to be of medicinal use remain uninvestigated and this is particularly the case with the Indian flora. The use of plants in curing and healing is as old as man himself (Hedberg, 1987). Natural products are also of great interest in the process of drug discovery. Their large diversity in nature, permit the identification of lead molecules of great interest for the development of new therapeutic agents, as well as biochemical and molecular mechanism of action involved in most physiological and pathological processes. Furthermore, a growing world-wide interest in the use of phytopharmaceuticals as complementary or alternative medicine, either to prevent or to ameliorate many diseases, has been noted in recent years.

Species of Euphorbiaceae have been used by local population of many countries in folk medicines as remedies against several diseases and complaints such as cancer, diabetes, diarrhoea, heart diseases, hemorrhages, hepatitis, jaundice, malaria, ophthalmic diseases, rheumatism and scabies etc., (Ayensu, 1978; Baslas, 1982). In India, following genera of Euphorbiaceae are reported as medicinal plants: Acalypha, Aleurites, Andrachne, Antidesma, Bridelia, Chrozophora, Hippomanae, Hura, Jatropha, Mallotus, Manihot, Phyllanthus, Putranjiva, Ricinus, Tragia and Trewia (Ambasta, 1986; Nandkarni, 1954; Chopra et al., 1992, 1992; Kirtikar and Basu, 1975). Apart from these many of Euphorbiaceae members have been used in traditional folk medicines such as Aclaypha indica for rheumatic arthritis, Phyllanthus fratarnus for treatment of leprosy (Chaturvedi and Diwanji, 1995). The plants of Euphorbiaceae are also known to cure gonorrhoea, urino-genital infections, jaundice and are used as diuretic and astringent (Siwakoti and Varma, 1996).

 

Materials and Methods

Plant materials belonging to various genera of the Euphorbiaceae, readily available in Vidharbha region of Maharasthtra state were collected from Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts. Specimens were satisfactorily identified and confirmed with the help of the herbarium at Department of Botany, Nagpur University, Nagpur. One sample of all these plant herbarium specimens were submitted to the Department of Botany, Nagpur University campus, Nagpur. For the present investigation, Gond, Kawar and Halbi tribes were selected. Gond tribe comprises of different sub-tribes. However, present study was restricted to only two sub-tribes viz., Madiagond and Rajgond. Madiagonds of all the three districts were surveyed. Whereas, Rajgonds, Kawar and Halbi tribes inhabiting Gadchiroli district were included in present investigation. The survey was conducted according to the methods evolved and adopted by different ethnobotanists. The methodology used by various investigators is based on the emphasis of the nature of information sought. The methods adopted for investigation are those of Schultes (1962) and Jain (1984, 1987 and 1991).

 

Results and discussion

It is evident that many valuable herbal drugs have been discovered by knowing that particular plant was used by the ancient folk healers for the treatment of some kind of ailment (Ekka & Dixit, 2007). In the present investigation, ethonobotanical observations of tribal areas of Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts of Maharashtra State were listed in table-1. Several plants of Euphorbiaceae are being used by the tribals of this area for treating their diseases and disorders. In the present investigation, Euphorbia thymifolia was found to be used as an anti-inflammatory agent and in cases of bone dislocation of animals. It gives relief from joint pains. This is in conformity with the findings of Binoj Kumar and Balakrishnan (1996). Croton bonplandianum has been used in a varied ways by various tribals. Its oil is used as a violent purgative, vesicant and counter irritant (Kapoor et al., 1986). In present investigation, however, it was found to be used also to control scabies, catarrh, bronchitis and asthma. It is observed that the same plant/ part of plants are used for different purposes by different tribes. Disease wise information with regard to the number of plants included in the present study are: 7 species to cure skin diseases (such as itches, scabies); 5 species for antiseptic (including antibacterial); 4 species for diarrhoea; 3 species for dysentery, urinary infections, snake-bite and inflammations; 2 species for bone fracture/ dislocation, hair related problems, warts, fish poisons, night blindness, wounds/cuts/burns, rheumatism, diabetes, jaundice, vomiting and insecticide; 1 species as laxative , viral fever and arthritis. The therapeutic efficacy of the plants, as claimed by the tribals, has so far been confirmed through subsequent surveys and cross-investigations as well with other ethnic groups. The results are encouraging but thorough scientific scrutiny is absolutely necessary before being put into practice.

 

Table 1. Ethnobotanical observations of Euphorbian species.

 

S.No

Botanical name

Local Name

Part used

Medicinal Uses

1

Acalypha indica L.

Kupi

Leaf

Antidiabetic

2

Cicca acida (L.) Merr.

Raiawla

Fruit

Remove dandruff, cure night blindness, anti vomting

3

Cleistanthus collinus Benth.

Garari.

 

Leaf

Antidote against snake bite

Leaf & Stem

Insecticide, fish poison

4

Croton bonplandianum Baill.

 

Leaf & Stem

Control scabies,catarrh,

bronchitis & asthma

5

Euphorbia geniculata Orteg.

Dudhani

Leaf

Cure diarrhoea, dysentery

6

Euphorbia hirta L.

Dudhanali

Leaf

Urinary disorders, itches, gonorrhoea

Latex

Remove warts

Whole plant

Cure scabies (Skin diseases), burns, antiseptic, antidysentric, antidiarrhoea

7

Euphorbia nivulia Buch-Ham

 

Stem

Cure bone fractures

Latex

Antiseptic

8

Euphorbia perbracteata Gage

 

Whole plant

Insecticide.

9

Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotz

Lalpatta

Latex

Cure rhuematic pain

10

Euphorbia thymifolia L

Sher

 

Whole plant

Relieve joint pains, antiinflammatory agent, applied on bone dislocation of animals

Leaves

Antidote for snake bite, astringent, anathelmatic, againest ring worm

Seeds

Laxative for children

11

Euphorbia tirucalli L.

 

Latex

Remove warts, cure skin diseases, fish poison

12

Kirganelia reticulata (Poir.)., Etudes

Pitouri / Pitundi

Whole plant

Stimulant, Astringent, Anathelmatic, Antidote for snake bite & antimicrobial

Leaf

Cure diarrhoea & diuretic

13

Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.,) Poil

 

Latex

Cure headache

Stem & Root

Cure skin diseases

14

Phyllanthus asparulatus Hutch.

Bhui awli.

Whole plant

Cure urinary problems

leaf

Cure jaundice, remove white spots on skin

Root

Cure stomach ache

15

Phyllanthus emblica L.

Awla

Fruit

Used in general weakness, cure night blindness, cough, control vomiting, removing dandruff

Leaf

Antibacterial & antiviral

Stem

Antiinflammatory agent

Bark

Cure diarrhoea & dysentery

16

Phyllanthus maderaspatensis L.

Ranavati.

Whole plant

Used in cure jaundice, anti diabetic

Leaf

Cure wounds & burns

17

Phyllanthus urinaria L.

 

Whole plant

Control gonorrhoea, rheumatic fever

18

Phyllanthus virgatus Forst.

 

Whole plant

Antiseptic, antiinflammatory agent

19

Putranjiva roxburghii Wall,

Putravati

Leaf

Viral fever

20

Securinega virosa (Willd.) Mull. Arg

Pandharphali.

Leaf

Control scabies, other skin diseases, vermifuge

 

Conclusion

Herbal therapy is not only cost effective but also provides means for the treatment of many diseases, which are considered to be incurable in other system of medicines. From the foregoing account it is very clear that the tribes of Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts are using number of medicines of plant origin. They are consuming various species of family Euphorbiaceae for various diseases related to skin, bowl complaint, joint pains, diabetes and jaundice. These plants are also in use as insecticides, against snake bite and as fish poison.

 

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the inhabitants of the surveyed areas for their cooperation and help during field study. Thanks to local medicine men for identifying plants and clarifying medicinal uses.

 

References

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