ETHNOBOTANICAL EXPLORATION OF MALKANGIRI
*A.B. Prusti & K.K.Behera
*
E-mail: aratibala_prusti@hotmail.com
**Ph.D.Scholar, P.G.Dept.of Botany,
E-mail:kambaska@yahoo.co.in
ABSTRACT
The
association of man with the neighborhood flora starts with human civilization.
Besides food, feed clothes and shelter, plants are important source of drugs.
These plants or its parts therefore used either directly or after processing by
the native people against various diseases, disorders and ailments. A survey
was conducted on the tribal district of Malkangiri of Orissa to identify and
record various ethno medicinally important plants and their medicinal uses. In
the present investigation there are 134 species of plants belong to 69 families
and 128 genera are recorded and used in various ailments by different
tribes of Malkangiri district of Orissa.
INTRODUCTION
Ethnobotany is an
age-old process starting from human civilization .The present paper deals with
the result of exploration of ethnomedicinally important taxa growing in the
tribal locality of Malkanagiri district.The district is
named after its headquarters town Malkangiri .During formation of Orissa
Province in 1936 Malkangiri was a "Taluk"
of Nabrangpur sub-division of Koraput
District of Orissa.In 1962 it was upgraded to a
subdivision of Koraput district. The present Malkangiri district got its identity as an independent
district due to reorganizations of districts of Orissa as per notification on
During the ethno-botanical study among the tribes of the district the following information has been colleted. Frequency, locality of collection and local names of plants have been given for each species. Regarding the folklore claims mostly such information has been gathered from local ‘Baids is given in this paper and the information does not seem to have been recorded in the works of Chopra et al. (1956, 1969), Dastur (1951, 1961) and Wealth of India (1948-1972).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ethnobotanical surveys have been carried out in various tribal pockets of Malkangiri district. First hand information on ethnomedicinal plants were collected in the field and confirm through the tribal healers their location in various forest patches .The plants are arranged family wise followed by botanical name of the plant, locality,ethnomedicinal use in briefs and local name (Warrier,P.K.et al.1993) .The voucher specimen have been deposited in the herbarium of Departments of Botany of P.N. College,(Autonomous) Khurda-752057 ,Orissa,India.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Malkangiri is one of the tribal rich districts of Orissa famous for its Bonda a primitive tribe which are unique in their ethno cultural heritage and far from the modern civilization and mostly depend on the forest and forest produce for their livelihood including the other tribes.Malkangiri is one of the richest botanical treasures in Orissa is under intense biotic pressure owing to forest fire , practice of podu cultivation by the tribal groups ,over exploitation of medicinal plants for drugs and conversion of forest to agricultural lands. These factors of degradation result not only in the depletion of certain valuable interesting medicinal taxa but also leads to substantial reduction in the density and genetic diversity of forest cover. (Tiwari et al, 1999). This rapid damage to natural habitats, thus threatning the very survival of several indigenous species. The present investigation is carried out by the intensive field exploration and interaction with the tribal people for nearly three years to identify the ethnomedicinal plants and their uses. The data when crosschecked with the published literature, it was found that most of the uses are either less known or not recoded earlier. During the survey 134 species belong to 128 genera and 69 families have been collected ,critically studied and mentioned in the paper. The present study was unique in nature so far as the information is concerned. All the medicinal herbs reported in the paper are being employed as herbal drugs in various pharmaceutical preparations. During the study it is observed that the family Fabaceae are dominantly used by the tribals to cure their various ailments followed by Asteracea, Malvacea and Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae and Mimosaceae, Apocyanaceae, Acanthaceae, Verbenaceae, Menispermaceae,Sterculiaceae,Tilliaceae, Convolvulaceae, Caesalpiniacea, Moraceae, Zingiberaceae, Amaranthaceae, Lamiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Solanaceae, Boraginaceae, Ascleiadaceae, Mollaginaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Combretaceae, Rhamnaceae, Meliaceae, Rutaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Cleomaceae, Dillieneaceae and others. It is also found that their are certain species which are discontinuous in distribution and presently occur in the scheduled habitats which are rather becoming endangered/rare either on account of habitat loss or any other factors. So this study will help conserve and to restore the genetic diversity of medicinal plants which are immense potential in indigenous system of Indian medicines.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wishes to acknowledge to the University Grants Commission for providing financial support as Minor Research Project (Xth Plan) and also thankful to the Principal, P.N. College, Khurda (Orissa) and K.S .Murty ,C.R.I(Ay.),Bhubaneswar-751009.for their kind help and co-operation.
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DILLENIACEAE
Dillenia aurea Sm.
Frequent. Chitrakonda.
The paste of stem bark is applied to expel worms from wound sores of cattle.
Local name: Kermetta
Dillenia pentagyna Roxb.
Frequent. Koiguda
Flowers are eaten as vegetable.
Local name: Raayi
ANNONACEAE
Miliusa tomentosa (Roxb.) Sinclair
Rare. Govindpalli
Ripe fruit is eaten.
Local name: Gondhasala
MENISPERMACEAE
Cissampelos pareira L.
Common. Govindapalli
The paste of the leaves is given to produce sterility in females.
Local name: Dindanimada
Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels
Common. Borigumma
The juice of leaves is given in bilious derangements.
Local name: Musakani
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hk.f. & Th.
Frequent. Khairaput
The juice of ripe fruits with a little honey is given to children in colds.
Local name: Guluchilota
PAPAVERACEAE
Argemone mexicana L.
Common. Borigumma
The latex of stem is applied externally to cure wounds of Leprosy.
Local name: Khurokonta
CLEOMACEAE
Cleome
gynandra L.
Common. Kadamguda
The paste of the leaves is applied on the forehead to remove headache.
Local name: Balakutni
Cleome rutidosperma DC.
Common. Kalyaguda
Tender leaves are eaten as ‘sag’.
Local name: Anasorisho
VIOLACEAE
Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F.v.Muell.
Frequent. Koyagiri
The paste of fresh root is given in Spermatorrhoea/Menorrhagia.
Local name: Madanmast
FLACOURTIACEAE
Casearia graveolens Dalz.
Common. Govindpalli
Oil extracted from the seeds is used as cooking medium.
Local name: Khirchi
Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr.
Frequent. Koyaguda
The paste of raw fruit together with a pinch of salt is given in indigestion.
Local name: Konta baincho
PITTOSPORACEAE
Pittosporum wightii A.K. Mukherjee
Frequent. Kattapada, on way to Koyaguda
The paste of bark is given on empty stomach to reduce sexual urge in males.
Local name: Debasunda
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam.
Rare. Chingdaguda
The paste of wholeplant is applied externally to boils to burst open.
Local name: Pasanbhed
PORTULACACEAE
Portulaca pilosa L.
Common. Boipariguda
The plant paste is applied externally in burns.
Local name: Luniya
DIPTEROCARPACEAE
Shorea robusta Gaertn.f.
Common. Boipariguda
The powder of resin is mixed in water and taken to check Diarrhoea due to indigestion.
Local name: Rengali
BOMBACACEAE
Bombax ceiba L.
Frequent. Chitrakonda
The juice of bark mixed in a little honey is given internally in Anaemia.
Local name: Semuli
MALVACEAE
Abelmoschus crinitus Wall.
Frequent. Boipariguda
The fresh root is eaten raw.
Local name: Bonabhendi
Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet
Frequent. Dasmandpur
The juice of fresh leaves is applied on chronic wounds.
Local name: Pedipedika
Kydia calycina Roxb.
Common. Borigumma
The paste of stem bark is mixed in mustard oil, slightly warmed and applied externally in sprains.
Local name: Kapasia
Sida cordata (Burm.f.) Borss.
Common. Sirimillia
The paste of fresh root is used in bleeding piles.
Local name: Biskopri
Sida rhombifolia L.
Common. Mathili
The water extract of root is given as an anti-inflammatory.
Local name: Bajromuli
STERCULIACEAE
Byttneria herbacea Roxb.
Frequent. Boipariguda
The paste of wholeplant is used in fracture of limbs.
Local name: Samarkai
Helicteres isora L.
Common. Bonda Hills
The water extract of root is given in empty stomach to expel intestinal worms in children.
Local name: Alti
Pterospermum xylocarpum (Gaertn.) Sant & Wagh.
Frequent. Balimela
The powder of flowers is smoked as tabacco for mild sedation.
Local name: Muchukunda
TILIACEAE
Corchorus aestuans L.
Frequent. Dasmandpur
The paste of seeds is given together with warm cow milk to relieve congestion in chest.
Local name: Budanolita
Grewia tiliifolia Vahl.
Frequent. Bonda Hills
Ripe fruits are eaten.
Local name: Damana
Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz.
Common. Bonda Hills
The powder of flowers mixed in honey is taken to reduce fevers.
Local name: San kavatimal
ZYGOPHYLLACEAE
Tribulus terrestris L.
Frequent. Pujariguda
The powder of fruits is mixed in water and taken to check Diarrhoea.
Local name: Gokra
OXALIDACEAE
Oxalis corniculata L.
Frequent. Boipariguda
The paste of whole plant is applied locally in insect bites for immediate relief from burning sensation.
Local name: Amblit
RUTACEAE
Atlantia monophylla (L.) Corr.
Frequent. Kalimela
The stem of the plant is advised as a hand stick for patients of Rheunatism.
Local name: Narguni
Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC.
Common. Boipariguda
The juice of fresh leaves is given to children to expel intestinal worms in cattle.
Local name: Chouldua
MELIACEAE
Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
Frequent. Kudumulaguma
The water extract of bark is given in sexually transmitted diseases.
Local name: Nimba
Toona ciliata Roem.
Frequent. On way to Koyagiri from Malkangiri
The water extract of stem bark is given in fevers.
Local name: Mahalimb
RHAMNACEAE
Ventilago entatecal Willd.
Frequent. Bonda Hills
The paste of root is used in blood Dysentary.
Local name: Pitchuli
Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.
Frequent. Dasmandpur
The juice of fresh leaves is given in Jaundice.
Local name: Borkoli
VITACEAE
Ampelocissus tomentosa (Roth.) Planch
Frequent. K. Gumma
The root paste is applied externally in bone fracture and bandaged for healing.
Local name: Katabhonganoi
SAPINDACEAE
Cardiospermum halicacabum L.
Frequent. Bonda Hills
The juice of leaves is applied externally to check blending due to cuts.
Local name:
ANACARDIACEAE
Buchanania lanzan Spr.
Common. Boipariguda
The powder of stem bark is used to heal wounds.
Local name: Charo
FABACEAE
Abrus precatorius L.
Common. Kudumulagumma
The powder of seeds together with old ‘gur’ is given to terminate pregnancy upto 3 months.
Local name: Runjo
Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth
Common. Koyaguda
The juice of leaf is given in Jaundice.
Local name: Ashar
Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC.
Frequent. Chitrakonda
The water extract of root is given in cough and cold.
Local name:Salpani
Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC.
Common. Bonda Hills.
The paste of wholeplant is applied externally to check bleeding due to cuts and head the wound subsequently.
Local name: Kansisra
Erythrina indica Lam.
Frequent. Kalyaguda
The juice of leaf is given to children for its vermicidal properties.
Local name: Pauladua
Flemingia nana Roxb.
Frequent. Bonda Hills
The paste of fresh root is added in ‘Soloppo’ (Toddy of Caryota urens) to increase its enhancing properties.
Local name: Jikdikanda
Milletia extensa (Benth.) Baker
Frequent. Bonda Hills
The paste of fresh root is given to check blood dysentery and water extract of root is given in malaria
Local name: Marda, Majja ,Birchi
Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC.
Rare. Govindpalli
Seeds are roasted, dehusked and used as pulses.
Local name: Dumahirma
Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.
Common. Chitrakonda
The juice of root is swallowed to subside stomach ache.
Local name: Kolathi ponhra
CAESALPINIACEAE
Bauhinia vahlii Wt& Arn.
Frequent. Bonda Hills
The seeds are roasted on fire, dehusked and eaten.
Local name: Siali
Cassia fistula L.
Frequent. Pujariguda
The paste of seeds is given in low B.P.
Local name: Sunart
Tamarindus indica L.
Common. Sirimilla
The ash of bark is given in hyperacidity.
Local name: Thenthuli
MIMOSACEAE
Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn.ex. Benth.
Planted. Govindpalli
The paste of leaf is used as a stupefying agent.
Local name: Akasia
Acacia polycantha Willd.
Frequent. Chitrakonda
The juice of fresh bark mixed in sweetened milk is given to terminate pregnancy upto 3 months.
Local name: Gohereu
Entada rheedii Spr.
Rare. Manjariguda
The paste of seed is applied externally in snake-bite.
Local name: Hanuman lota
Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub.
Frequent. Bonda Hills
Raw seeds are relished as vegetable.
Local name: Kongra
COMBRETACEAE
Combretum roxburghii Spr.
Common. Govindpalli
The ash of mature leaves is used externally in skin troubles.
Local name: Atundi
Terminalia
arjuna (
Common. Indravati
The fresh bark is chewed and the juice swallowed as an antacid.
Local name: Arjun
MYRTACEAE
Psidium guajava L.
Planted. Govindpalli
The paste of immature fruit is used to check loose motions.
Local name: Pijuli
LECYTHIDACEAE
Careya arborea Roxb.
Frequent. Bonda Hills
The paste of fresh bark is applied to cuts and wounds.
Local name: Kumbi
LYTHRACEAE
Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz.
Frequent. Dasmandpur
The paste of root is given to terminate pregnancy.
Local name: Dhataki
ONAGRACEAE
Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) Raven
Common. Baliguda
The paste of wholeplant is applied externally in Eczema.
Local name: Agnijaal
CUCURBITACEAE
Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt
Common. Kodamguda
The juice of fresh leaves is used as ear drops to subside ear ache.
Local name: Kunduru
Momordica charantia L.
Planted. Kadamguda
The paste of seven leaves is given daily on empty stomach in Diabetes.
Local name: Kolara
MOLLUGINACEAE
Glinus lotoides L.
Rare. Boipariguda
The water extract of wholeplant is given to control fever.
Local name: Luduru
Trianthema portulacastrum L.
Frequent. Chingdaguda
Leaf is eaten as vegetable.
Local name: Puruni
APIACEAE
Cuminum cyminum L.
Planted. Boipariguda
Seeds are chewed together with a little sugar in aphthous ulcers in mouth.
Local name: Jeera
ALANGIACEAE
Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wang.
Common. Bonda Hills
The juice of leaf is applied in snake-bite.
Local name:Dhol anku
RUBIACEAE
Anthocephalus chinensis (Lam.) A. Rich.ex Walp.
Rare. Bonda Hills
The juice of fresh bark is given in cardiac ailments.
Local name: Kadamba
Ceriscoides turgida (Roxb.) Tirveng.
Common. Chitrakonda
Immature fruits are eaten as vegetable to overcome gastric problems.
Local name: Kurdu
Paederia foetida L.
Frequent. Malkangiri
The paste of leaf is given in empty stomach to cure low back pain.
Local name: Pasaruni
Tamilnadia uliginosa (Retz.) Tirveng. & Sastre
Frequent. Koyaguda
Raw fruits are eaten as vegetable.
Local name: Kumudmara
ASTERACEAE
Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. King & H. Robins.
Common. Chitrakonda
The juice of fresh leaves is applied externally to check bleeding from fresh cuts.
Local name:Poksunga
Elephantopus scaber L.
Common. Boipariguda
The juice of fresh root is given for 40 days to for conception in women.
Local name: Mayurchulia
Enydra fluctuans Lour.
Rare. Boipariguda
Leaf is eaten as vegetable to reckon Anaemia.
Local name: Hidimich sag
Spilanthes paniculata
Root is chewed and the juice thus obtained is swallowed to check tooth ache.
Local name: Madachhod
Sphaeranthus indicus L.
Common. Malkangiri
Leaf is cooked together with rice and eaten to check rheumatic pains.
Local name: Gondri
Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd.
Frequent. Kalyaguda
The paste of seeds is given to check stomach ache.
Local name: Gondri
Xanthium strumarium L.
Common. Sirimilla
The paste of root is applied externally to heal wounds.
Local name: Kothu
MYRSINACEAE
Ardisia solanacea Roxb.
Rare. Chitrakonda
The juice of ripe fruits is used as eye drops in Conjunctivitis.
Local name: Kunti
SAPOTACEAE
Madhuca indica Gmel.
Common. Koyaguda
The seed oil is applied all over the body daily for a healthy skin.
Local name: Mohuli
EBENACEAE
Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb.
Common. Mathili
Ripe fruit is eaten check Diarrhoea.
Local name: Kendu
OLEACEAE
Nyctanthes arbortristis L.
Frequent. Kudumulagumma
The juice of fresh leaves mixed in honey is given internally in Malarial fever.
Local name: Gongasiuli
APOCYNACEAE
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.
Frequent. Bonda Hills
The paste of stem bark is warmed and applied locally in dog bite.
Local name: Chatyana
Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold
Planted. Kalimela
Leaves are smeared with mustard oil, warmed and applied joints in rheumatic pains.
Local name: Koniari
Holarrhena pubescens Wall.ex G. Don.
Frequent. Khairaput
Latex is mixed in country liquors for de addiction.
Local name: Kurmi
PERIPLOCACEAE