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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13 : 1003-16, 2009.
Ethnobotanical and Ethnomedicinal Observations in Nirmal Division of Adilabad District, Andhrapradesh, India
V. Madhu* and C. Suvartha
Plant Systematics Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India. 506009 *Corresponding author:
Issued August 01, 2009
Abstract In the present work an attempt is made to document the ethnobotanical remedies for various ailments of the ethnic tribes inhabiting the Nirmal division of Adilabad. Andhrapradesh, India. We reported more than 75 ethnomedicinal plants used by the tribal people in alleviating diseases. Our collections of ethno medicinal plant specimens from this area were deposited in the Kakatiya University Herbarium (KUH) Warangal, India.
Key words: Ethno medicine, Nirmal division, Adilabad District, Andhrapradesh.
Introduction Evolution of human life and culture has directly or indirectly been associated with and influence by the surrounding environments. Primitive man closely associated in the nature and directly depended on it for his survival i.e., for food, fuel medicine, and fodder, Heamcee, his life and diet system totally depended on plats, made him to acquire the knowledge of economic and medicinal properties of many plants by gradual growth of thinking, later he became enriched knowledge has been transferred from one generation to another without any written documents, now it is necessary that unwritten folk-lore uses of plants and plant product must be documented and preserved . It is important to document and understand the medical heritage of a changing culture before it is lost entirely to future generations. (Brumot & Naidu, 2007 ) Ethnomedicine is the study of the beliefs and practices concerning illness in different human populations. It observes and describes hygienic, account temporal and spatial references. Among scheduled tribes of Andhra Pradesh, Gonds, Lambada, Kolams, Pradhans, Manne, Naikpods, Thoties, Yerikalas, Koyas are the major communities in the Nirmal Division of Adilabad District , Andhra Pradesh, India of several natural forest ecosystems in the district , Swarna , Sadharmat and Kaddam are well known for their medicinal flora. Ravi Shanker. and Henry(1992) were publish a note on the medicinal plant wealth of Adilabad district. Later Pullaiah, Prasanna, and Vand Obulesu ( 1998 ) reported Ethanomedicinal plants, the scientific and vernacular names of the District Mubeen, R. Sadia Fathima, Atiya Khanum, Irfan Ali Khan and S.Y. Anwar (2004 - 2005) studied the Medicinally important plants growing in the around Adilabad,District of Andhra Pradesh, used in the treatment of different ailments. Swamy, NSNS (2008) reported 366 ethnomedicinal plants used by tribes in the Adilabad District, in UGC Minor research project under plan. In the present work, an attempt is made to present some interesting ethno medicinal observations recorded in Nirmal forest division, Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Study Area The Nirmal division situated in between 770 58 of the eastern longitudes and 180 48 and 190 24 of northern latitudes and is bounded on north by Adilabad. and utnoor divisions. On the south by Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts and on the west by Nanded district of Maharastra State. The most important river that drains the divisions is the river Godavari,which is the largest river in peninsular India.The Kadam Vagu is tributary of the Godavari. Besides these Swarna Vagu, and Sudda Vagu which drain the division.The average annual normal rain fall of the Nirmal division is 1114.6 mm and average number of rainy days in the year is 55 63 days, the forest of this district falls under tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn forest types consisting of mixed teak and miscellaneous type of corporation. As for the census 2001 Nirmal division has a population of 6,22,322 in which tribal population is 60,166 Lambada, Gonds and Naikpods are major tribes of this region and traditional practices for curing ailments using plants and animal resourceas are practiced by all these communities Data on ethno medicinal plants, collected through frequent interviews tribes. The specimens of ethnomedicinal plants were collected and kept at Kakatiya University Herbarium, Warangal for further reference.
Reesuls Data pertaining to 79 Ethnomedicinal plants species belonging to 43 families are arranged in alphabetical order according to scientific names for convenience followed by family, local name in telugu and ethnomedicinal use. For each plant species given in the following enumeration, details on the scientific name, botanical family, local name and use are provided along with the parts harvested for treatment and the manner of processing mode of administration.
Diuretic 1. Abutilon Indicum. L. Family: Malvaceae. Local name: Thuthura Benda Ethno medicinal use: Stem bark decoction given with boney in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 20 days. Leprosy 2. Acacia Chundra (Roxb. exRott ) wild. Family : Mimosaceae ( Leguminosae) Local name : Sundra Chettu Ethno medicinal use: Bark ground with leaf base of neem and the paste apply on ulcers of leprosy. Anti emetic 3. Acalypha Indica. L. Family : Euphorbiaceae Local name: Muripinda Ethno medicinal use: Roots ground with black pepper and 2 3 spoonfuls are administered orally once or twice. Foot mouth 4. Achyrathes aspera. L. Family: Amaranthaceae Local name: Uttareni Ethno medicinal use: Entire plant grounds with Jaggery and the paste administered twice a day for one week days. Asthma, cough 5. Adhatoda Zeylanica. L. Family: Acanthaceae Local name: Addasaramu Leaf extract administered orally in 2 Spoonfuls a day for 3 4 days. Diarrhoea 6. Aegle marmelos (L) Corr Family : Rutaceae Local name : Maredu Stem bark extract and fruit pulp is administered in 3 spoonfuls twice a day for about 3 days. Gallbladder Kidney and uretaral stones 7. Aerva Lanata ( L.) Juss. Family: Amaranthaceae Local name: Pindikura 10 grms. of shade dried plant powder taken along with the barley water thrice a day for about 45 days to dissolve stones. Also plant decoction used for the same. Anthelmintic 8. Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wang Family: Alngiaceae Local name: Ooduga, Udugu. Root bark decoction taken orally before going to bed for 3 4 days. Abortion 9. Bambusa arundincea (Retz.) wild. Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) Local name : Veduru Leaves ground with seeds of Sesamum and Trigonella and the paste mixed with honey is taken of pregnancy to abort three months twice for 3 days. Anaemia 10. Boerhavia diffusa L. Family: Nyctaginaceae Local name: Atikamamidi Whole plant extract mixed with Cow milk and sugar candy and administered Orally in a spoonful twice a day for a month. Ringworm 11. Butea monosperma (Lam) Taub Family: Fabaceace (Leguminosae) Local name: Modugu Seeds ground with lemon juice and applied on effected area. Arthritis, stomachache 12. Calotropis gigantean (L) R.Br. Family: Asclepiadaceae Local name: Jilledu Leaf extract applied externally on painful parts, Roots ground with black pepper and made into small pills and given in 2 pills twice a day for 7 days. Dysentery 13. Canthium parviflorum. Lam. Family: Rubiaceae Local name: Balusu Root bark decoction is administered to infants in a spoonful twice a day for 3 days. Abortion 14. Carica papaya L. Family: Caricaceae Local name: Boppai, Coppadi The milky Juice [Late like] and rhizomes of Gloriosa are ground and the paste is taken in 2 spoonfuls once in morning for 5 days to abort pregnancy up to 3 months. Bone fracture 15. Cassia auriculata. L. Family: Caesalpiniaceae Local name : Tangedu Leaf paste with egg albumen plastered over the parts of human as well as cattle till cure. Cancer 16. Catharnthus roseus (L.) Don Family: Apocynaceae Local name: Billa ganneru Leaf paste applied on tumourus and the decoction given orally in 30 ml twice a day for about 1 month. Labourpains 17. Cayratia pedata (Lamk) Juss. Ex Gange P. Family: Vitaceae Local name: Erukala sani Dried branches ground with dried ginger and 2 spoonfuls of powder with a glass of milk is given for easy and fast delivery. Whitlow 18. Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) Swingle. Family: Rutaceae Local name: Nimma Fruit is filed with turmeric powder and common salt and a hole is made to insert finger tip of affected area kept it for 5 7 days or till cure. Ear ache 19. Cleome gynandra L. Family: Capparidaceae. Local name: Vaminta Leaf Juice poured in 2 3 drops thrice a day till cure. Filaria 20. Clitoria ternatea L. Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Local name: Shanku pushpalu Root paste applied externally on effected parts. Alopecia 21. Cocos nucifera Family: Arecaceae Local name: Kobbari Chettu Oil is extracted from dried endosperm and applied effected area, till cure. Fever 22. Cyperus rotundus. L. Family: Cyperaceae Local name: Tunga gaddi Tuber extract given in 2 spoonfuls twice a day about 3 days. Muscular pains 23. Datura metal L. Family: Solanaceae Local name: Errimmetta Leaves and fruits ground in to popltice and massaged gently on painful parts. Anaemia 24. Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb Family: Ebenaceae Local name: Tuniki Stem bark extract given to pregnant women in 2 spoonfuls with a glass of rice cooked water once in morning for about 2 months from 6th or 7th month of pregnancy. Fever, jaundice 25. Eclipta prostrata (L) Mant. Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) Local name: Gunta galagara Whole plant ground with black pepper and made in to small pills 2 pills twice a day for about 3 days will be administered to infants. Leaf juice with curd and sugar given orally early in the morning for 3 days. Burns, lip cracks 26. Euphorbia hirta L. Family: Euphorbiaceae Local name: Reddivari nanubalu, chukka bottu Latex applied externally till cure of burns and lip cracks. Mental disorders 27. Evolvulus alsinoides (L) L.f. Family: Convolvulaceae Local name: Vishnu krantha Dried plant powder administered in 2 spoonfuls twice for a day about 2 months. Piles 28. Ficus benghalensis L. Family: Moraceae Local name: Marri Chettu Tender prop root decoction given in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 3 months. Smallpox 29. Ficus racemosa. L. Family: Moraceae Local name: Medi The small blister like galls which are present on the leaves are soaked in milk and honey and eaten as refrigerant. Appendicitis 30. Ficus tinctoria Fforst. F. Family: Moraceae Local name: Tellabaranki The root bark decoction administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about a week to relieve the pain. Purgative 31. Givotia rottleriformis Griff Family: Euphorbiaceae Local name: Puniki, Tella puniki Ripe fruits eaten as remedy. Abortion, Mumps 32. Gloriosa superba L. Family: Liliaceae Local name: Konda nabi Tuber extract taken orally in one spoonful twice a day for 5 days to about pregnancy up to 3 months. Leaf paste applied externally on effected areas till cure. Dyspepsia 33. Grewia tilefolia Vahl. Family: Tiliaceae Local name: Tada chettu Ripe fruits eaten and said to improve digestion. Diabetes 34. Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Schult Family: Asclepiadaceae Local name: Podapatri Leaf decoction administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 2 months. Blood purification 35. Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. Family: Asclepiadaceae Local name: Sugandh pala Root extract mixed with honey and administered in 2 spoonfuls thrice a day for 2 3 weeks . Alpecia 36. Hibiscus rosa sinensis L. Family: Malvaceae Local name: Mandara Leaves and flowers ground in equal proportion and the popultice applied on effected areas till growth of hair. Rheumatic pains 37. Holoptelea intergrifolia (Roxb.) planch. Family: Ulmaceae Local name: Thamsi chettu, Nemlinara Chettu. Stem bark decoction administered in 20 ml twice a day for about 7 days. Malaria 38. Lantana camara L. Family: Verbenaceae Local name: Gajukampa Leaf decoction given in 2 3 spoonfuls twice a day for 4 days. Psoriasis, skin eruptions 39. Leucas aspera ( Willd. ) Link. Family: Lamiaceae (Labiate) Local name: Thummikura Leaf juice mixed with turmeric powder and applied on effected areas for 2 3 months or till cure. Rheumatic pains 40. Madhuca indica Gmel. Family: Sapotaceae Local name: Ippa Oil extracted from seeds massaged on painful parts Cold and cough 41. Mangifera indica L. Family: Anacardiaceae Local name: Mamidichettu Fumes from the burning leaves are inhaled for relief. Piles 42. Manilkara zpota (L.) Royen Family: Sapotaceae Local name: Sapota Stem bark ground with black pepper and make in to powder, it is mixed with sugar candy and cow milk and administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 3 4 months. Chestpain 43. Mimusops elengi L. Family: Sapotaceae Local name: Pogadachettu Bark juice given in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 10 days, also the fruit paste applied on chest. Dandruff 44. Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. Family: Cucurbitaceae Local name: Boda kakara Tender paste applied on head 1 hour before bath. Blood pressure 45. Moringa oleifera Lam Family: Moringaceae Local name: Munaga chettu Leaf Juice administered in one spoonful twice a day for about one month. Lice killing, dandruff 46. Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng Family: Rutaceae Local name: Karevepaku Dried leaf powder mixed with hair oil and applied to head. Fertility 47. Musa Paradisiaca L. Family: Musaceae Local name: Aratichettu Rhizome boiled with sugar candy and the extract administered men in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for one month. Asthma 48. Nerium oleander L. Family: Apocynaceae Local name: Ganneru Flowers ground with Jiggery and the extract administered in 2 Spoonfuls twice a day for about 2 months. Goiter 49. Nymphaea pubescens Willd Family: Nymphaeaceae Local name: Kaluvapuvvu Rhizome ground with seeds of piper nigrum and the paste applied externally on swelling part of the neck. Rat bite, skin allergy 50. Ocimum tenuiflorum Family: Lamianceae (Labiatae) Local name: Tulasi Leaf paste applied on bitten area for Rat bite, leaf juice applied on effected areas till cure of skin allergy. Jaundice 51. Oldenlandia corymbosa L Family: Rubiaceae Local name: Chiru veru Whole plant decoction given with a glass of butter milk in 3 spoonfuls twice a day for about 5 days. Scabies 52. Oxystelma esculentum ( L. f. ) R. Br. ex Schult. Family: Asclepiadaceae Local name: Tella doodipala Leaves boiled in Brassica Oil and the paste applied on effected areas. Hydrocele 53. Pedalium Murex L. Famlily: Pedallaceae Local name: Pedd palleru, Yenugu palleru Leaves and fruits ground together in to paste and applied on testicles for a week. Tooth ache 54. Phonix Sylvestris (L) Roxb. Family: Arecaceae Local name: Eetha Chettu Main rachis of leaf and roots are used as tooth stick. Jaundice 55. Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn. Family: Euphorbiaceae Local name: Nela Usiri Whole plant extract mixed with curd given in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for a week. Purgative 56. Physalis minima L. Family: Solanaceae Local name: Budda busara, Kupanti One spoonful of fruit Juice mixed in a glass of milk is taken at bed time for 3 4 days. Dog bite 57. Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) Benth Family: Mimosaceae (Leguminosae) Local name: Seemachintha Tender leaves crushed with Cuminum cyminum and mixed with Sesamum Oil and administered in 2 spoonfuls early in the morning for about 5 days. Abortion 58. Plumbago zeylanica L Family: Plumbaginaceae Local name: Chtra moolam Root paste made in to pills and 2 pills taken twice a day for 5 days before to abort pregnancy up to 3 months. Piles 59. Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Local name: Kanuga Stem bark ground with bark of syzygium cumini and Termination arjuna and the extract with sugar candy administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for 20 30 days. Leucorrhoea 60. Prosopis Cineraria (L) Druce Family: Mimosaceae (Leguminosae) Local name: Jammi Chettu Root bark decoction taken in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 10 days. Fertility 61. Pttero carpus marsupium Roxb. Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Local name: Pedda eggi, Pedda Eggashi Chettu, Stem bark ground with bark of Mitragyana parvi flora and the paste made in to pills and administered to women in 4 pills twice a day for 5 days after menses for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. Blood Pressure 62. Rauvolfia Serpentina (L) Benth. ex Kurz. Family: Apocynaceae Local name: Sarpa Gandhi, Patala Garidi. Roots dried in shade and made in to powder and administered in 1 spoonful twice a day for about 20 days. Purgative, Jaundice 63. Ricinus Communis L. Family: Euphorbiaceae Local name: Amudamu Seed oil mixed with milk in equal proportions and taken at bed time for purgative. Leaf paste administered in 1 spoonful with butter milk early in the morning for 5 7 days to controlling jaundice. Dandruff 64. Sapindus emagrinatus Vahl Family: Sapinaceae Local name: Kunkudu Chettu Fruit Juice applied on head and washed once or twice in a week till cure. Bone fracture 65. Sida acuta Burm. F. Family: Malvaceae Local name: Parasu Kampa, Mirpa Alum Leaf paste mixed with egg albumen and plastered on effected parts till cure. Fertility 66. Sphaeranthus indicus L. Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) Local name: Bodasaramu Inflorescence and roots ground with goats milk and one of extract taken spoonful at night for sexual potency about one month. Rheumatic pains 67. Sterculia urens Roxb. Family: Sterculiaceae Local name: Tapsy Chettu Stem bark ground with turmeric Powder and the warmed poultice administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day for about 7 days. Tooth powder 68. Streblus asper Lour Family: Moraceae Local name: Baranki Leaves dried in shade and made in to powder is used as tooth powder. Branches used as tooth stick. Eye infection 69. Tabernaemontana divaricata (L) R. Br. Family: Apocynaceae Local name: Nandi Vardhanam The milky juice from tender branches is poured in to eyes till cure. Dyspepsia 70. Tectona grandis. L.f. Family: Verbenaceae Local name: Teku Chettu Wood powder mixed with honey and taken once in the morning in 1 spoonful for 5 days. Obesity 71. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.exDc.) Wt. et Arn. Family: Combretaceae Local name: Tella maddi, Arjuna Chekka Bark powder taken in 1 spoonful once in the morning for about 3 weeks. Leucoderma 72. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd) Hook.f.et Thoms. Family: Menispermaceae Local name: Tippa teega Tuberous and aerial root paste applied on patches and exposed to morning sunlight for 30 45 minutes. Asthma 73. Tragia involucrate L. Family: Euphorbiaceae Local name: Durada gondi Root powder cigared with leaves of Diospyros melanoxylon and smoked to reduce suffering. Heamorrhage 74. Trida procumbens L Family: Astaraceae (Compositae) Local name: Gaddi Chamanti, Moddlam Leaf juice applied externally for cuts, sores, ulcers and wounds to arrest the bleeding, leaf juice applied on cuts and wounds till cure. Scorpion sting 75. Vigna trilobata (L) Verdc. Family: Fabaceae ( Leguminosae) Local name: Pilli pesara Leaf paste applied over the stringed area. Arthritis 76. Vitex negundo L. Family: Verbenaceae Local name: Vavili chettu Leaves boiled in water and leaves used for bathing and said to be effective. Goiter 77. Xanthium strumarium L. Family: Aasteraceae (Compositae) Local name: Marula matangi 50 ml of root juice administered in the morning about a week. Asthma 78. Zaleya decandra (L.) Burm.f. Family: Aizoaceae Local name: Tella garijelu Root Juice administered in 2 spoonfuls twice a day about 20 days. Stomach ache 79. Zingiber Officinale Rose C. Family: Zingiberaceae Local name: Allam Rhizome ground with lemon juice and administered in 2 3 spoonfuls for immediate relief.
Conclusion The present study revealed an important and alarming situation with regard to utilization of morphological plants in ethnobotanical practices of 79 plant species from Nirmal area of Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh to treat 57 different ailments and diseases. Among these plant species only few species are used to treat more than one disease. Medicinal pastes are prepared from stem, root, leaves to treat diseases by the tribal people.
Acknowledgements The author is thankful to the university Grants Commission (UGC)New Delhi for providing the financial assistance in the form of Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship. Thanks to Head, Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal for facilities.
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