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Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 12: 391-400. 2008. Ethnomedicinal and Ethnoveterinary Plants
from Boath, Adilabad district,
Andhra Pradesh, M. Venkat Ramana
Plant Systematics Laboratory, Department of Botany, Email:
venkat.botany@gmail.com Issued Abstract The present
paper deals with the traditional uses of 57 plant species employed in ethnomedicine and ethnoveterinary practice by tribal and local people
of the Boath Revenue Division of Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh, to treat different ailments
affecting both human and livestock. For each plant species, details on the
scientific name, botanical family, local name and use are provided along with
parts harvested for treatment, the manner of processing and the mode of
administration. Key words: Ethnomedicine, ethnoveterinary medicine, Boath
Revenue Division, Adilabad district, Andhra
Pradesh. Introduction Boath Revenue Division, located in the southwest of the Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh, with an area of
30,878 ha, is primarily a forested tract (40% of the total land area) north
of River Godavari characteristically having a rocky
and gently undulating topography that continues in to the adjoining districts
of Maharashtra. It enjoys the typical The
Methodology The study was carried out from
April 2006 to March 2007. The information on plants were
collected by interviewing traditional practioners
and village heads. Plants were identified in the field by trekking different
areas of the forests along with some of the members of the community who
already practiced traditional medicine3-5. During the field trips,
plant specimens were collected, properly tagged with field numbers, and
brought to the Plant Systematics Laboratory,
Department of Botany, Results The plant
species are arranged in alphabetical order according to scientific names for
convenience. 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
and mode of administration. We follow recent trends in nomenclature (IT IS,
2007). Ethnomedicinal Plants Burning
sensation at time of urination Aerva lanata Juss. Family: Amaranthaceae Local name: Pindikura 5-10 gms of root with zeera made into juice mixed with pinch of sugar and
administered once a day until relief.
Injuries,
cuts and scorpion bites Achyranthus aspera L. Family:Amaranthaceae Local name: Uttereni Handful of
leaves made into paste and
bandaged over the bites, cuts and injuries for three days.
Stomachache Allium sativum L. Family: Liliaceae Local name: Velli-ulli, garlic 4-5 scale
leaves were made into paste mixed with pinch of water and salt taken twice a day till
relief.
Backache Aegle marmelos Correa Family: Rutaceae Local name: Maredu Handful of
young leaves were made into paste and bandaged over night, on the backbone
region for immediate healing.
Cataract Aloe barbadensis Mill. Family: Aloaeceae Local name: Kalabanda Mucilage
applied on the eye-lids before going to bed, for seven days till eyes clear.
Dog
bites Acacia
farnesiana Willd. Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae Local name: Murikitumma 5-10 gm of
leaves ground with water and made into juice mixed with cow milk administered
once in fortnight.
Boils Argemone mexicana L. Family: Papavaraceae Local name: Pichikusuma Handful of
Leaves were made into paste and applied daily over the boils until cure.
Reduce
heat Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Family: Meliaceae Local name: Vepa 5-10 gms of stem bark were made into
juice mixed with pinch of sugar and ½ glass of juice administered.
Kidney
stones Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae Local name: Moduga 10-15 gms of stem bark were made into
juice mixed with pinch of pepper powder and cow milk administered once in a
month to dissolve stones in kidneys.
Lice
eradication Bauhenia purpurea L. Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae Local name: Devakanchana, Pedda Are Dried seed paste mixed with coconut oil applied once before taking bath
will eradicate the lice.
Fertility
in women Caesalpinia
cristata L. Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae Local name: Gachhkaya 5-10 gms of stem bark ground with
pinch of water and made into juice and half tea cup juice administered during
menses period.
Hydrocoel Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br. Family: Asclepiadaceae Local name: Jilledu 2-3 Leaves mildly heated with castor (Ricinus communis) oil and bandaged over the testicles, changed every day until cured.Fertility
in women & Joint pains Citrus aurantiifolia (Christ.) Swingle
Family: Rutaceae Local name: Nimma 15-20 gm of
roots dried and made into paste mixed with cow milk, 2 teaspoonful
given daily for one month.
Juice made
from the ripened fruit added with pinch of sesame oil (Sesamum
indicum) applied over the joints to cure.
Seminal
disorders and Leucorrhea Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Family: Hyoxidiaceae Local name: Nelathadi Gaddalu Powder made
from the root tubers and mixed with cow milk, administered twice a week
Diarrhoea
and dysentery Cocos nucifera L. Family: Arecaceae Local name: Kobbari One glass of tender coconut
water given twice in a day will cure Diarrhoea and
dysentery. Heart
ailments Coccinia indica Wight & Arn. Family: Cucurbitaceae Local name: Dhonda Handful of leaves ground and made into juice mixed with 10 ml of brandy given twice in a week.Snake
bite Dregea volubilis Benth. Family: Asclepiadiaceae Local name: Peddaguriza Aaku 4-5 leaves
with 5-10 leaves of Nelagulimidi
(Enicostema axillare) were made into juice added with
pinch of pepper powder, administered immediately bandaged over the
bite and the juice is given orally.
Cataract Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Family: Euphorbiaceae Local name: Usiri Ripened fruit juice is applied on the eyelids externally everydayFamily
planning Ficus religiosa
L. (Moraceae) 5-10 gms of stem bark were made into juice is mixed with pinch
of sugar, administered, ½ tea cup from the third day on menses.
Anti-cancer
& Heel cracks Ficus racemosa L. Family: Moraceae Local name: Medi 5-10 gms of stem were made into paste
added with pinch of soil from the termite mounds and
brass dust made into tablets, given daily one for one month.
Latex applied
externally to heel cracks.
Toothache Gossypium herbaceum L. Family: Malvaceae Local name: Patti Seeds burned
and ash made into
paste with water used to wash the teeth early morning every day
till fortnight will cure toothache.
Lice
eradication and hair growth & Improves fertility in women Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Family: Malvaceae Local name: Mandara 1 or 2 flowers
petals boiled in coconut oil applied to head before going to bed, once in a
day.
Fragrance of
the flowers early morning and late evening times improves fertility in
women
Diarrhoea
and dysentery in children Ipomoea obscura Ker-Gawl. Family: Convolvulaceae Local name: Gollagiddi Aaku Part of the
fresh plant tied over the wrist of children.
Bronchitis Justicia adhatoda L. Family: Acanthaceae Local name: Addasaram 3-4 leaves
ground and made into juice added with water and pinch of pepper powder, 1 or
2 tea-spoonful given internally once in a day for a month.
Cuts
and injuries Lagascea mollis Cav. Family:Asteraceae Local name: Moddualamu Leaf paste is
prepared and applied over the wounds will help to cure.
Toothache Momordica charantia L. Family: Cucurbitaceae Local name: Kakara Handful of
leaves ground and made into juice added with pinch of sugar administered, 2-3
tea-spoonful twice in a week.
Headache Mentha arvensis L. Family: Lamiaceae Local name: Pudina 5-10 leaves
were made into juice added with donkey milk administered once in a day.
Bone
fractures Mucuna pruriens Bak. Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae Local name: Dulakaya 10-15 seeds
were soaked overnight, in water and the water is given in empty stomach twice a week until cure.
Abdominal
pain and male reproductive disorders Madhuca indica Wight Family:Sapotaceae Local name: Ippa 5-10 gm of
stem paste is mixed with water and sugar given once in a day.
Joint
pains and Foot pains Opuntia elatior Mill. Family: Cactaceae Local name: Brammajemudu Burned stem
ash is applied on joints to cure pain.
Stomachache Plumeria
rubra L. Family: Apocynaceae Local name: Adavi Ganneru 5-10 gm of
fresh root made into paste is mixed with ghee administered once in a day.
Boils and Joint pains & Sore
throat Plumbago zelanica L. Family: Plumbaginaceae Local name: Chitramulamu Tender portion
of the roots made into juice added with pinch of water given 2-3 tea spoonful twice a day.
5-6 gm of
roots made into paste bandaged over the boils and joints.
Joint pains Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) Amudamu Two teaspoonful seed oil mixed with equal quantity
of cow urine, given orally once in a day.
Anti-cancer Sesamum indicum L. Family: Pedaliaceae Local name: Nuvuulu Gargling with
oil extracted from the seed, every day early morning after mouth wash in
empty stomach for six months.
Neck
and joint pains Semecarpus anacardium L. f. Family: Anacardiaceae Local name: Nalla Jidi Exudations from the ripened seed is
directly applied on the affected area.
Kidney
stones Syzygium cumini (L.)
Skeels Family: Myrtaceae Lsocal name: Allaneredu Handful of
stem bark is made into juice added with a pinch of pepper powder, along with
cow milk, administered twice in a month to dissolve stones in kidneys.
Reduce
heat Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers Family: Menispermaceae Local names: Tippa Tega 10-15 cm of
the fresh plant powder is mixed with cumin (zeera) and sugar is
administered.
Dysentery in children & Snakebite Tamarindus indica L. Family: Fabaceae / Leguminosae Local name: Chinta Five gms of leaf juice is added with sugar and given
twice in a day.
Ruptured seed is applied on the snake bite. Stomachache Zizyphus xylopyrous (Retz.) Willd. Family: Rhamnaceae Local name: Gotti 5-10 gm of stem bark were made into juice administered once a day. Obesity & hair growth
(not diseases) Trigonella
foenum-graceum L. Family: Fabaceae / Leguminosae Local name: Menthi Fresh stems
and leaves eaten directly and made into curry and taken with rice reduce the
obesity
Ethnoveterinary PlantsInternal
bleeding in the digestive system or digestive hemorrhage [For cattle] Argemone mexicana L. Family:
Papavaraceae Local
name: Pichikusuma, Udugu 100 gm leaves
crushed and pounded with 15 gm pepper, mixed with butter milk, given orally
twice in a week.
Digestive
disorders [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Family: Meliaceae Local name: Vepa 50 gm leaves
crushed and mixed with water, given orally once in a day.
Foot
and mouth diseases [For cattle] Aegle marmelos Correa Family: Rutaceae Local
name: Maredu Pulp of the
fruit is mixed with pulp of the tamarind along with pinch of calcium is
applied externally.
Bone
fractures [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] & Grinding of teeth
[For cattle]: Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.
Family:
Fabaceae / Leguminosae Local
name: Modugu 250 gms stem bark crushed well and
applied externally on the fractured area
Mixing of bark powdered with 15 gms pepper is given orally twice a week.
Rheumatism
[For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep]: Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Family:
Poaceae Local name: Garika 100 gms of plant with 10 gms of pepper mixed with toddy and given orally twice a day for one week will
cure rheumatism.
Bronchitis
and asthma [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep]: Cissus quadrangularis L. Family: Vitaceae Local name: Nalleda Mixing of 100 gms of aerial plant parts along
with 50 gm of leaves of Justicia adhatoda
(Addasaramu)
mixed with water, given orally once a day to cure asthma.
Staggering [For
cattle] Dreagea volubilis Benth. Family:
Asclepiadecaceae Local
name: Peddagurizaku 50 gm
leaves and 50 gm of root pounded with Cuminum ciminum (Jeera) and sugar is given orally once in a week. Swellings
[For cattle] Erythrina suberosa Roxb. Family:
Fabaceae / Leguminosae Local
name: Munumoduga 100 gm of stem
without bark, crushed and extract is applied on the swollen region.
Impaction
[For cattle] Holarrhena pubescence (Buch. Ham.) Wall. Family: Apocynaceae Local name: Palakodisa 10 gms of leaves with a pinch of
calcium and jaggery is given direct.
For
ability to take food [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] Jatropha curcas L. Family: Euphorbiaceae Local
name: Adaviamudamu 50 gems of
leaves are crushed well and mixed with water which is given orally twice a week.
Bronchitis
and Asthma [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep]: Justicia adhatoda L. Family: Acanthaceae Local name: Addasaram 100 gms leaves pounded with Allium sativum
(garlic) and Carum coptium
(voma) mixed with water, given orally twice a day.
Ruminating
and digestive disorders [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] Lagenaria
siceraria (Molina) Standley Family: Cucurbitaceae Local
name: Chedu Burrakaya Unripe fruit
pounded with 10 gm of pepper and mixed with butter milk, given orally once a
day.
Bone
fractures and rheumatism [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] Opuntia elatior Mill. Family:
Cactaceae Local
name: Brammajemudu Burned ash of
the plant is applied externally.
Muscle
disorders [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] Pergularia daemia (Forsskal) Chiov. Family:
Asclepiadaceae Local name: Dustaputeega Latex or leaf
extract applied locally.
Ruminating and
digestive disorders [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] Solanum nigrum L. Family: Solanaceae Local name; Kasipandlu 100 gms of ripened fruits pounded with 15 gm of pepper mixed with butter milk, given orally once a day for 15 days. Psychic
disorders [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] Sterculia urens Roxb. Family: Sterculiaceae Local name: Tapasi 100 gms of stem bark pounded with 10 gm of pepper mixed with
toddy, given orally twice
a week.
Bone fractures [For
cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep] Terminalia arjuna Wight & Arn.
(Combretaceae) Tella Maddi 250 gms of stem bark crushed and applied over the fractures. Kill
the lice and insects [For cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep]: Vitex negundo L. Family: Verbenaceae Local name: Vavili Spray leaf extract over the animalsto erradicate lice. Conclusion The present paper documents the ethnomedicinal and ethnoveterinarian uses of 57 plant species from Boath area of Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh. Forty species of plants belonging to 39 genera and 27 families were recorded being used to treat 27 different ailments and diseases affecting tribals of this area. Most of the plant species are in local distribution and few species are in cultivation in home gardens. Different parts of medicinal plants are used in preparation of medicinal pastes or concoctions, the leaves and stem were the most frequently used parts followed by whole plant, fruits, roots and latex or exudes. Most of the species are used to treat only one disease. Only few diseases treated with more than one species. The present observation is match with the earlier reports with respect to ethnomedicine6-7 and ethnoveterinary medicine8-10. Some major ailments and diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, kidney-stones and obesity were being effectively treated using traditional knowledge and locally available plant resources. Ficus raemosa and Sesamum indicum are used to treat cancer, Coccinia indica is used to treat heart ailments, Butea monosperma and Syzygium cumini are used to treat kidney-stones problem and Trigonella foenum-graceum is used as anti-obesity. Keeping in view the traditional knowledge and beliefs, we propose phytochemical and pharmacological studies of these plants in conjunction with treatments of these diseases. As many as 17 species of plants belonging to 18 genera and 17 families are used in ethnoveterinary medicine to treat 15 diseases of livestock in general. Different parts of medicinal plants are used in veterinary practices, but the most used part are the leaves. These traditional knowledge help the local and tribals of this area immensely as there are no functional veterinary hospital in the Boath Revenue Division. Scientific studies on these plants too would yield interesting results and help us in understanding the pharmacological actions of the active compounds found in these plants that the local and tribals of the region had been using for so long. Acknowledgements I am thankful to Prof. P. Satyanarayana Reddy for his guidance and encouragement at every level. And also acknowledge the help provided by the tribals and local medicinal practioners of Boath Revenue Division, Adilabad District for sharing information and traditional knowledge.
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