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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 1434-42, 2009.
Ethnobotanical Studies on Dental Hygiene in District Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh (H.P.), India
Dhiraj S. Rawat* , Anjna D. Kharwal** and Suman Rawat***
*Assistant Professor, Deparment of Botany, Shoolini Institute of Life Sciences and Business Management, Solan (H.P.) ** Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Govt. P. G. College, Solan (H.P.) *** Reseach Scholar, Dept. of Botany, H.P.U. Shimla Corresponding author : E mail: rawatdhirajhpu@ gmail.com
Issued 01 December 2009
Abstract
The present study was carried out to assess and document ethnobotanical knowledge of plants of District Hamirpur (H.P.) used for dental care, as the area has diverse flora and high ethnobotanical potential. It was found that 32 different plant species belonging to 24 families were used for dental hygiene. The studies reveal the use of 18 trees, 9 shrubs, 2 under-shrubs and 5 herbs for dental hygiene.
Key words: Dental hygiene, ethnobotanical explorations, dental caries, gum inflammation, toothache.
Introduction Hamirpur district is situated between 76˚18΄- 76˚44’ East longitudes and 31˚52΄30” North latitudes. The track is hilly covered by Shivalik range and the elevation varies from 450-1,100 metres (3). This region is rich in diverse flora and suitable for ethnobotanical explorations. Various plants are used for many diseases and for dental hygiene. The mouth is a mirror that can reflect the health of the rest of your body i.e. there is a connection between oral health and general health. A survey conducted by Synovate India, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive (India) limited revealed that dental problems in India are due to low awareness levels and poor oral hygiene habits in people (EHM News Bureau, Mumbai (2009). According to the survey over 50% were unconcerned about curing dental problems. Due to the increasing demand for herbal remedies as these have no side effects and are eco-friendly, the present study has been undertaken in relation to dental hygiene. So far little and scattered information is available on plants used for dental hygiene (1-2), (4-7) and (9); so an attempt has been made to compile these plants in one format.
Materials and Methods Ethnobotanical explorations were carried out in the study area several times to ensure correct information about plants used in dental problems. For a better understanding of local beliefs, habits and uses of plant, different categories of people like family heads, healers, old experienced and knowledgeable informants were repeatedly interviewed. Specific questions based upon Proforma designed by Jain and Goel (1995) were asked and the resultant informations were recorded in the ethnobotanical field notebook (8). The plants were collected, pressed and later on identified.
Results
The ethnobotanical investigations revealed the use of 32 species of plants for dental hygiene.
Botanical Name: Achyranthes aspera Linn. Family: Amaranthaceae Local Name: Puthkanda Habit: Herb Part Used: Root Folk use: Root used as a toothbrush, good for dental caries.
Botanical Name: Argemone mexicana Linn. Family: Papaveraceae Local Name: Kandayi Habit: Herb Part Used: Seeds Folk use: Pulverized seeds good for gum troubles.
Botanical Name: Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Family: Meliaceae Local Name: Neem Habit: Tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs used to clean teeth; considered good for dental caries and gum infection.
Botanical Name: Berberis lycium Royle Family: Berberidaceae Local Name: Kashmal Habit: Shrub Part Used: Stem Folk use: Peeled stem considered good for scouring teeth.
Botanical Name: Boehmeria platyphylla Don Family: Urticaceae Local Name: Handa Habit: Shrub Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring teeth.
Botanical Name: Calotropis procera R. Br. Family: Asclepiadaceae Local Name: Ak Habit: Shrub Part Used: Latex Folk use: Latex used for toothache due to dental caries.
Botanical Name: Capsicum annum Linn. Family: Solanaceae Local Name: Mirch Habit: Shrub Part Used: Fruits Folk use: Fruits boiled in ‘sarson’ oil and oil is poured in ear; good for toothache.
Botanical Name: Cassia occidentalis Linn. Family: Fabaceae Local Name: Relu Habit: Under-shrub Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring teeth
Botanical Name: Cinnamomum tamala Nees & Eberm Family: Lauraceae Local Name: Tej-patta Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring teeth; good for gum inflammation.
Botanical Name: Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Galgal Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring teeth and good as a mouth freshener.
Botanical Name: Citrus medica Linn. Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Nimbu Habit: A small tree Part Used: Leaves, fruits Folk use: Leaves and rind of fruits recommended for scouring teeth along with a pinch of rock salt.
Botanical Name: Curcuma angustifolia Roxb. Family: Zingiberaceae Local Name: Haldi Habit: Herb Part Used: Rhizome Folk use: Powdered rhizome mixed with potash alum and mustard oil is applied on gums for pyorrhea.
Botanical Name: Engelhardtia colebrookiana Lindl. Family: Juglandaceae Local Name: Samma Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Scouring teeth with leaves considered good for dental caries.
Botanical Name: Ficus hispida Linn. Family: Moraceae Local Name: Daagrein Habit: Tree Part Used: Latex Folk use: Latex used for toothache.
Botanical Name: Ipomoea carnea Facq. Family: Convolvulaceae Local Name: Ghodan Habit: Shrub Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaf juice recommended for toothache.
Botanical Name: Jatropha curcas Linn. Family: Euphorbiaceae Local Name: Japhrota Habit: A small tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs used as a toothbrush; good against dental caries.
Botanical Name: Juglans regia Linn. Family: Juglandaceae Local Name: Khod Habit: Tree Part Used: Bark, leaves Folk use: Bark and leaves used for scouring teeth.
Botanical Name: Mangifera indica Linn. Family: Anacardiaceae Local Name: Aam Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring teeth.
Botanical Name: Murraya koenigii Spreng. Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Gandhela Habit: Shrub Part Used: Stem Folk use: Stem used for scouring teeth and for healthy gums.
Botanical Name: Murraya paniculata (Linn.) Jack. Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Gandhela Habit: Shrub Part Used: Stem Folk use: Stem used for scouring teeth and for healthy gums.
Botanical Name: Carya illenoesis (Wang.) Koch. Family: Juglandaceae Local Name: Kagji-khod Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves used for scouring teeth; good for gums.
Botanical Name: Pistacia integrimma J. L. Stewart ex Brand. Family: Anacardiaceae Local Name: Kakarsingi Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves Folk use: Leaves chewed to check toothache
Botanical Name: Plumbago zeylanica Linn. Family: Plumbaginaceae Local Name: Chitra Habit: Under-shrub Part Used: Stem, root Folk use: Stem recommended for scouring teeth and root paste to check toothache.
Botanical Name: Prunus cerasoides D. Don Family: Rosaceae Local Name: Paza Habit: Tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs used for scouring teeth.
Botanical Name: Psidium guajava Linn. Family: Myrtaceae Local Name: Amrood Habit: Tree Part Used: Leaves, stem Folk use: Leaves and stem used for scouring teeth
Botanical Name: Robinia pseudo-acacia Linn. Family: Fabaceae Local Name: Rasinia Habit: Tree Part Used: Bark Folk use: Powdered bark recommended for toothache
Botanical Name: Salix oxycarpa Anderss Family: Salicaceae Local Name: Beunce Habit: Tree Part Used: Root Folk use: Root bark chewed for toothache; good for pyorrhea and dental caries.
Botanical Name: Spilanthus oleracea Linn. Family: Asteraceae Local Name: Karkara Habit: Herb Part Used: Inflorescence Folk use: Inflorescence used for gum inflammation
Botanical Name: Thalictrum reniforme Wall. Family: Ranunculaceae Local Name: Garvin Habit: Herb Part Used: Root Folk use: Root chewed to check gum inflammation.
Botanical Name: Vitex negundo Linn. Family: Verbenaceae Local Name: Bana Habit: A small tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs recommended to clean teeth; considered good for pyorrhea, gum inflammation, dental caries and other problems.
Botanical Name: Wendlandia heynei Sant. & Merch. Family: Rubiaceae Local Name: Panseera Habit: A small tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs used as a tooth-brush.
Botanical Name: Zanthoxylum armatum DC Family: Rutaceae Local Name: Tirmir Habit: A small tree Part Used: Stem Folk use: Twigs considered as a best source for scouring teeth and considered good for any dental problem.
The different parts used for dental hygiene are represented by the histogram (Fig. 1).
 FIGURE 1: The number of different parts used for dental hygiene.
Discussion
The present study revealed information of plants used for dental hygiene. These plants are arranged in alphabetical order; with their family, local name, habit, part / parts used and folk use. Present study includes 32 plants (Table 1) used for dental hygiene belonging to 24 families. The predominant families are Rutaceae with 5 plant spp, Juglandaceae with 3 plants spp, Anacardiaceae and Fabaceae with 2 plant spp each. Among various plants, 18 trees, 9 shrubs, 2 under-shrubs and 5 herbs are used for dental hygiene. Out of 32 plant spp leaves of 12, stem of 11, root of 4 are predominantly used for the purpose while latex, fruits, and stem bark of 2 plant spp each are used (Figure 1). Rhizome, seeds and inflorescence of 1 plant each are used for dental hygiene.
Acknowledgement
Authors are thankful to Dr. (Col.) Sunit Rana, for his valuable guidance and help at each stage of the work.
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