EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE OF KANI TRIBAL’S BOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE IN

AGASTHIAYAMALAI BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SOUTH INDIA

A. John De Britto* and R. Mahesh

PG & Research Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology

St.Xavier’s College (Autonomous) Tirunelveli – 627 002, Tamilnadu, India

*E-mail: bjohnde@yahoo.co.in: Tel: 0462-2560813; Fax: 0462-2561765.

December 30, 2007

ABSTRACT

Agasthiayamalai Biosphere Reserve in Tirunelveli zones have had five Kani tribal settlement surveys of ethnomedicinal utilization with more than 480 species of which only 70 species are been reported during the field study 2006-2007. Collected ancestral knowledge was documented in database format by the software Visual Basic 6.0 and M.S Access. Kani tribes reveal that they are capable of treating various diseases. Exploitation and documentation of traditional medicine is essential for the future. Such study will be useful to understand the role and importance of the tribal botanical knowledge in the conservation of medicinal plants of this area.

Key: Agasthiayamalai, Kani tribes, Software, Medicinal plants.

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INTRODUCTION

The most ancient and celebrated treatises on Hindu medicine are no doubt the Ayurveda. India also possesses a great heritage of other ancient systems of medicine such as Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy. Nearly 2500 species of plants are used in one way or other by some of these systems. In addition to these traditional systems, there also exists in India a vast knowledge of tribal and folk medicine, which utilize around 7500 species of plants as medicine. Some of the ethno botanically important species have also provided leads for production of modern drugs by pharmaceutical companies. It is estimated that in India 90% of the prescriptions contain plant products. Ayurvedic and other traditional system of Indian medicines fully depend on wild plants for preparation of drugs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 80% of the population of developing countries still rely on traditional medicines, mostly plant drugs, for their primary health care needs. Demand for medicinal plant is increasing in both developing and developed countries due to growing recognition of natural products being non-toxic, having no side-effects, easily available at affordable prices. The medicinal plant sector has traditionally occupied an important position in the socio cultural, spiritual and medicinal area of rural and tribal families (WHO., 2002- 2005).

India is known for ancient civilizations and deep-rooted traditions. It is also known for its rich diversity, both cultural as well as biological (Ravikumar et al., 2000). Totally 427 tribal communities are in India (Kala., 2005) having 36 states of Tamilnadu with scheduled tribes. The different ethnic groups settled throughout this place have their own way of life style even in using the plant resources.

Bioprospecting is the search of useful products derived from bioresources. The useful products may be chemical compounds, genes, micro & macro organisms and other valuable products that are useful in medicinal, industrial, agricultural and food sectors. Traditional medicine is also known as “Evolutionary medicine.” (Pamplona roger., 2000).

OBJECTIVES

v This study focuses on the collection of primary data relevant to the experience of the Kani tribes of the Agasthiyamalai especially in the region of Tirunelveli.

v To establish a database of the plants used by Kani tribes with special reference to their indigenous traditional knowledge.

v To create awareness to the local communities about the conservation strategies of these valuable genetic resources.

METHODOLOGY

Agasthiayamalai Biosphere Reserve (Kalakakad Mundanturai Tiger Reserve-Map 1) located in Tirunelveli zones have Kani tribes practicing traditional medicine were interviewed in five settlements (Figure 1), Servalar, Agasthiar Kanikudiyiruppu, Mayilar, Periyamayilar and Inchikuzhi (Henry et al., 1984). The native plants used for the preparation of crude drugs and their administrations along with doses were recorded through 15 field trips carried out in 52 days during 2006-2007 academic year. Plant voucher specimens were matched, deposited (Diane Bridson and Leonard forman., 1992) in Xavier’s College Herbarium (XCH)-Tirunelveli. Plants were identified by using relevant floras (Gamble., 1935 & 1994; Gopalan and Henry., 2000; Mohanan and Sivadasan., 2002; Nair and Nayar., 1986 & 1987). Collected information was documented in software using Visual Basic 6.0 and MS Access.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Plants have been used as traditional medicine for several thousand years. Traditional knowledge is a divine gift to humanity. Tribal’s, even today, depend on wild plants and animals for their livelihood. Kani tribals are primarily a semi-romantic community and originated from Kerala. They have slowly shifted and settled in the forest of Tirunelveli region. The ethnomedicinal survey held on tribal doctors suggest they use 70 species. The ethnomedicines of the species are arranged in alphabetical order. The database includes the Botanical name, Family, Vernacular name (Viswanathan et al., 2006), Habit, Description, Parts used, Ethnobotanical use, Ethnomedicinal use, Herbal formulation, Dosage and Pictures of the plants. Sample software screens (Figure 2) and Medicinal Plants (Table 1) are given. Identity and their various indigenous technological knowledge are also presented here (Figure 3).

Traditional knowledge is not protected within the patent system as it stands today. So, it needs for us to protect the biological traditional knowledge. The “turmeric case” highlights the problems faced by India in preventing bio-piracy. The recording of traditional knowledge seeks to reduce the possibility of bio-piracy, but looks to future legislation to effectively protect the rights of the people. Some important structural changes based on sound legal footing are proposed, which can be easily incorporated within the present database, and would go a long way in preventing bio-piracy and protecting the interests of the knowledge-holders (Sangeeta Udgaonkar., 2002).

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The present population has little knowledge about the medicinal plants of the area because most of the knowledgeable, older persons have passed away and the younger ones are not as informed of traditional methods. However, as in the past, some empirical knowledge of medicinal plants among the tribes continues to be developed and transmitted orally from one generation to the next. The deterioration of the wild flora of this area is to be blamed on population pressure, forest fires, overgrazing, and browsing.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ministry of Environment and forests in Government of India, is acknowledged for the financial support for this research work.

REFERENCES

Diane Bridson and Leonard Forman (1992). The Herbarium handbook. Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew.

Gamble JS (1993 & 1994). Flora of the Presidency of Madras. Vol I-III. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh. Dehra Dun-India.

Gopalan R and Henry AN (2000). Endemic plants of India. (Camp for the endemics of Agasthiyamalai hills, SW ghats). Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh. Dehra Dun-India.

Henry AN, Chandraboss M, Swaminathan MS and Nair NC (1984). Agasthyamalai and its Environs. A potential area for Biosphere reserve. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society. 81: 282-90.

Kala CP (2005). Ethnomedicinal botany of the Apatani in the Eastern Himalayan region of India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.1:11.

Mohanan N. and Sivadasan M (2002). Flora of Agasthyamala. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh. Dehra Dun-India.

Nair KKN and Nayar MP (1986 & 1987). Flora of Courtallum I-III. Botanical Survey of India. Calcutta.

Pamplona roger GD (2000). Encyclopedia of medicinal plants. Education and Health Library I & II. Spain.

Ravikumar K, Ved DK, Vijaya sankar R and Udayan PS (2000). 100 Red-listed medicinal plants of conservation concern in south India. FRLHT. Bangalore- India.

Sangeeta Udgaonkar (2002). The Recording of Traditional knowledge; will it prevent “bio-piracy”. Curr Sci. 82(4): 413-419.

Viswanathan SN, Harrison Prem Kumar E. and Ramesh N (2000). Ethnobotany of the Kanis. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh. Dehra Dun-India.

World Health organization (2002- 2005).WHO Traditional Medical Strategy. Geneva.

Map 1. Area of the study

Figure 1. Kani tribal settlements

Figure 2. Sample software screens

Figure 3. Indigenous technological knowledge

Table 1. Medicinal Plants used as Ethnomedicine

S.NO	BOTANICAL NAME	VERNACULAR NAME	FAMILY	HERBAL FORMULATION
Antidote
1.	Achyranthes aspera L.	Naayuruvi	Amaranthaceae	Grains are ground and eaten.
2.	Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott.	Paalcheambu	Araceae	Leaf pastes are applied on the surface of body.
Asthma
3.	Martynia annua L.	Nagathali	Martyniaceae	Leaf paste is consumed with milk.
Body temperature
4.	Borassus flabellifer L.	Panaimaram	Arecaceae	Toddy regulates body temperature.
5.	Cocos nucifera L.	Thennu	Arecaceae	Toddy regulates body temperature.
Cough and Cold
6.	Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton.	Ellakai	Zingiberaceae	Leaves are boiled with water, applied on the face.
7.	Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet.	Thuthi	Malvaceae	Leaf juice is administered orally.
8.	Datura discoalor Bernh.	Kattu karuoomathai	Solanaceae	Leaf juice is consumed.
9.	Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.)Spreng	Omavalli.	Lamiaceae	The seeds are inhaled to reduce cough.
10.	Anisomeles malabarica (L.) R.Br. ex Sm.	Sampalthmbai	Lamiaceae	Leaf pastes are consumed with hot water.
11.	Alpinia calcarata Roscoe.	Kattusitharthai	Zingiberaceae	Plant juice is consumed.
12.	Justicia adhatoda L.	Adadodai	Acanthaceae	Leaf juice is drunk.
Cuts and Wounds
13.	Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd ex Del.	Karuvelam	Mimosaceae	Flower juice applied on the surface.
14.	Argemone mexicana L.	Aathparappi	Papaveraceae	Plant twig resins are applied on the surface.
15.	Centratherum anthelminticum Kuntze.	Malaigambi	Asteraceae	Leaf decoction is applied on wounds.
16.	Celastrus paniculatus Willd.	Peruthi	Celastraceae	Leaf juice is applied on the body.
17.	Tridax procumbens L.	Kattunilamparathipachilai	Asteraceae	Leaf juice is applied on the surface.
18.	Eupatorium odoratum L.	Anavathanchedi	Asteraceae	Leaf powder is mixed with hot oil is applied externally.
Energy stimulant
19.	Trichopus zeylanicus Gaertn.	Arokiyapachai	Dioscoreaceae	Leaves are consumed.
20.	Cucurbita moschata (Decne ex Lam.)Decne ex Poir.	Poosani	Cucurbitaceae	The fruit is consumed to increase weight.
21.	Cyperus rotundus L.	Koraipullu	Cyperaceae	The tubers are consumed for cattle.
Fever
22.	Baccaurea courtallensis (Wight) Muell.Arg.	Maraootipazham	Euphorbiaceae	The pericarp of tender fruit is consumed.
Giddiness
23.	Adenostemma lavenia (L.) Kuntze.	Kattusiruvanthanpatchilai	Asteraceae	Plants paste is consumed with milk.
24.	Asystasia chelonoides Nees.	Kattumaniculiki pachillai	Acanthaceae	The leaves and flowers are consumed with honey.
25.	Derris benthamii (Thw.) Thw	Kattusirukodipachillai	Fabaceae	Leaves and flowers are eaten with honey.
Hair tonic
26.	Helicteres isora (L.) W &A.	Valampuri	Sterculiaceae	Fruits are boiled with coconut oils applied on the head.
27.	Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.	Karisilanganni	Asteraceae	The leaf extract is boiled and applied on the hair.
28.	Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.	Chembaruthi	Malvaceae	The raw petals are eaten.
29.	Lawsonia inermis L.	Maruthani	Lythraceae	Leaf juices boiled the extract is applied with hair oil.
Menstrual disorder
30.	Aloe vera (L.)Burm.f.	SothuKatthalai	Liliaceae	The outer layer is peeled and the inner fleshy layer is eaten directly.
31.	Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) ex DC.Wight & Arn.	Marutha maram	Combretaceae	Park juice is consumed.
Mumps
32.	Azadirachta indica A. Juss.	Vemppu	Meliaceae	Leaf cures mumps.
Nemeticidal
33.	Carica papaya L.	Pappalipayam	Caricaceae	Fruits are consumed.
Piles
34.	Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicol.	Karaunaikilangu	Araceae	The rhizomes are consumed twice a day.
Rheumatism
35.	Aegle marmelos Corr.	Vilvam	Rutaceae	The fruit resin is used.
36.	Amaranthus spinosus L.	Mullukirai	Amaranthaceae	Leaves are boiled and juice is mixed with pinch of pepper powder.
37.	Allium cepa L.	Ulli	Liliaceae	Rhizome juice is used.
Scabies
38.	Acalypha indica L.	Kuppaimeni	Euphorbiaceae	Leaves are ground and applied on the sores of scabies.
39.	Acacia sinuate (Lour.) Merr.