Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 12: 1116-23. 2008. Ethnomedicinal Observations among *Sarada P. Mohapatra,** Gagan B. Prusty and ***Hara P. Sahoo *Lecturer In Botany, E Mail Id- Babuni0808@Yahoo.Co.In **Lecturer in Botany, M.P.Mahavidyalaya, Erkana, ***Reader in Botany, Issued ABSTRACT Studies
on hill tribes’ dependence on forest for their livelihood security are few
for Orissa. Ethno medicinal observations in
the state with a rich diversity of medicinal plants are still meager. The present study enumerates 21 plant
species belonging to 18 families used in the treatment of various diseases
among the tribes of Daitari Hill ranges of Orissa. The forest dwellers usually collect those rare
plants from the nearby forest which is easily accessible and the medicines
are prepared under the guidance of Vaidya or the
village medicine man and are applied according to the dosage prescribed by
the Vaidya. So this article gives an idea about the
application of traditional medicines against various common and serious
diseases. INTRODUCTION The
Indian subcontinent is well known for its rich diversity of medicinal plants
and age old healthcare tradition. Medicinal plants provide affordable means
of primary health care to the rural poor and marginalized people. A great
deal of traditional knowledge about the uses of different plant species is
still intact with these ethnic people. About 200 plant species are used in Siddha, Unani and Ayurvedic medicines and over 150 species are used
commercially on a fairly large scale. Orissa has a rich diversity of medicinal plants. But the
medicinal plant sector is less documented (1-6). Researches on
medicinal plant diversity in Orissa, therefore,
have great potentials to contribute to the sustainable livelihood of the
indigenous communities living in different ecological habitat, by ensuring
access to affordable traditional medicines for common ailments. As
part of a comprehensive study on the biomass utilization pattern in a village
eco-complex, this paper deals with the traditional uses of medicinal plants
by the indigenous people living in the Daitari
range of hills of Orissa, India. STUDY This
ethno botanical study was conducted in the Daitari
range of hills of Keonjhar and Jajpur
districts of Orissa.
The district of Keonjhar, lying between 21o1'N
and 22o10'N latitude and 85o11' E to 86o22'
E longitude presents a panorama of millennia, both from the geographical and anthropological
point of view. Spread over an area of 8,240 Sq. kms,
it is as varied as the whole of Orissa with
water-falls roaring gorges, mountains and minerals. The manifold expressions
of nature in this district are unique in Orissa.
About half of the area of this district spreading about 4043 sq.kms. Is covered by forests of Northern tropical moist deciduous type and
contains Sal, Asan, Piasal,
etc. The
river Baitarani comes out of Gonasika
Hills and flows to the north touching the border of Singhbhum
district of Jharkhand. It again flow East entering Anandapur Sub-division and the district of Bhadrak. The soil is mostly red throughout the district
and in the South there is a small patch of black cotton soil. The important
minerals available in huge quantity in the district are Iron-ore, Manganese
and Chromites. The
climate of the district is characterized by an oppressively hot summer with
high humidity. Summer generally commences in the month of March. Temperature
begins to rise rapidly attaining the maximum in the month of May. During the summer
maximum temperature is 38.20 C. The weather becomes more pleasant
with the advent of the monsoon in June and remains as such up to the end of
October. The temperature in the month of December is lowest i.e. 11.70
C. Sometimes it even drops down to 70 C. The average annual
rainfall is 1534.5 mms. The Scheduled Tribes of Keonjhar
district which totaled 4,99,657 in 1981 census
increased to 5,95,184 in 1991 census thus registering a growth of 11.90% in a
decade (1981-1991). As per 1991 census there were 46 Scheduled Tribes in the
district. Out of these the principal tribes were Bathudi,
Bhuyan, Bhumij, Gond, HO, Juang, Kharwar, Kisan, Kolha, Kora, Munda, Oraon, Santal, Saora, Sabar and Sounti. These sixteen
tribes constituted 96.12 % of the total tribal population of the district. METHODOLOGY The
Ethno medicinal observations were carried out in the five selected hamlet
villages of Baliparbat area of Daitari
Hill range of Keonjhar district, The
voucher specimens of the medicinal plants collected from the area were
numbered and deposited in the Herbarium of the P.G. Department of Botany, OBSERVATIONS 1. Abrus precatorius
L. (Fabaceae) Kaincha (O), Crab’s eye (E),
Champanagar – 25 *About 20 mg dry leaf powder is taken with cold water once daily for about
15 days to cure Leucorrhoea. *Freshly prepared and gently warmed
leaf paste along with mustard oil is applied on the affected part to get
relief from rheumatic pain. *About 10 mg of juice extract from
seeds is taken orally twice daily for 2-3 days for abortion in early stage of
conception. 2. Achyranthes aspera.
L. (Amaranthaceae) Apamaranga (O), Prickly Chaff Flower
(E), Nuasahi-70 *Stem juice is applied on the root of the teeth
to stop bleeding from the gum. *About 20 mg. of leaf juice is
administered orally to the pregnant woman for easy delivery. *The leaves and inflorescence are
boiled and the decoction is taken twice daily to cure fever. *Root or leaf paste is applied to
cure boils in their early stage. 3. Acorus calamus. L. (Araceae) Bacha
(O), Sweet Flag (E), Bandhasahi – 55. *About a half teaspoonful of powder prepared
from dried rhizome is taken twice daily to cure asthma. *Half teaspoonful of rhizome powder
is taken in empty stomach once in morning to increase appetite. *Freshly crushed rhizome is chewed
for the treatment of dysentery. 4. Aegle marmelos Lorr. (Rutaceae) Bela (O),
Bael tree (E), Champangar – 32 *Two or three fresh leaves are chewed daily in
empty stomach to cure severe gastritis and to reduce blood sugar level. *About one teaspoonful of dried leaf
powder prepared from the leaves of Baels and Neem in equal proportion to reduce blood sugar level. *Leaf paste is applied in the
affected part to cure burn injuries. 5. Bauhinia
vahlii Wt. & Arn. (Caesalpeniaceae) Siali (O), Camel’s foot
climber (E), Bandhasahi – 88 *Seed decoction (10 ml) is taken twice daily in
empty stomach for the treatment of diabetes. *About 20 mg dried seed powder is
taken orally along with water to cure diarrhoea. *Leaf paste is applied to cure
pimples on the face. 6. Bombax ceiba L. (Bombacaceae) Simili (O),
Red Silk Cotton Tree (E), Nuasahi – 80 *Fresh roots are grinded with water
and applied on the affected part to get relief from pain due to boils. *Paste prepared from fresh root
along with sugar candy is taken by females to restore fertility. 7. Dendrocalamus strictus Nees
(Poaceae) Salia
Baunsa (O) Solid Bamboo (E), Hurlabahali – 42, *Wounds and cuts are treated with powder
prepared from leaves and outer layer of stem. 8. Erythrina
variagata L. (Fabaceae) Paladhua
(O), Indian coral tree (E), Nuasahi – 74. *Inhaling of well crushed leaves by nostrils
relieves from the headache. 9. Fucus
benghalensis L.
(Moraceae). Bara
(O), Banyan tree (E), Nuasahi – 72. *About 20 ml of juicy paste prepared from tender
tips of prop root is taken in empty stomach once daily for 21 days for treatment
of nocturnal emission and restores vigour and
strength in nerves if taken along with goat milk. 10. Gymnema sylvestre R.Br.ex.Sch. (Asclepiadaceae) Gudamari (O), Gudmani
(E), Champanagar – 28 *Seven fresh leaves are chewed daily in the
morning in empty stomach for seven days to reduce blood sugar level. 11. Hemidesmus indicus L. (Asclepiadaceae). Anantamula(O),
Indian Sarsapa rilla (E),Bandhasahi-98 *About 10 mg of root paste is taken with coconut
water in empty stomach for seven days to cure jaundice. *Leaf juice (10 ml) is taken thrice
a day to cure fever. *About 5 mg of root powder is taken
with Luke warm water thrice daily for about 21 days to cure rheumatic pain. 12. Justicia adhatoda. L. (Acanthaceae). Basanga
(O), Justicia (E), Daitari Hill top – 102. *Leaf decoction (about 20 ml) taken with honey
twice daily in empty stomach for 7–10 days to cure acute cough and cold. *Powder made from leaf is taken with
warm water once daily for 20 days to get relief from rheumatic pain. 13. Madhuca
indica. Gmel. (Sapotaceae) Mahula
(O), Butter tree (E), Vatisahi – 50 *Powder obtained from dried leaves is applied to
cure burn injuries. *Flower decoction (20ml) is taken
twice daily for about 2 weeks for treatment of asthma. 14. Ocimum
sanctum L. (Lamiaceae) Tulsi
(O), Sacred basil (E), Nuasahi – 78 *Leaf juice with honey is taken in empty stomach
for treatment of cold and cough. * *About 10 ml of leaf juice is taken
in empty stomach for 15 days to check excess urination. 15. Pongamia
pinnata L. Pierre.
(Fabaceae) Karanja
(O), Indian Beech (E), Nuasahi – 79 *Tender twig is used as tooth brush to cure pyorrhoea. *Oil extracted from seed in massaged
on the body to cure skin disease. 16. Rauvolfia
serpentina. L. Benth.ex.Kurz. (Apocynaceae) Patalagaruda
(O), Rauvolfia (E), Bandhasahi – 53 *About 10 ml of root paste is taken orally for
treatment of snake bite. *Bark obtained from root is grinded
with water and about 10mg of this paste is taken with cold water to cure
stomach ache. *About 5mg root paste is taken twice
daily in empty stomach for a week for the treatment of high blood pressure. 17. Saraca
asoca (Roxb.)deWilde
(Caesalpiniaceae) Ashoka (O),
Ashoka tree (E), Champanagar – 20. *Powder prepared from dried petals of the flower
is taken with cold water twice daily in empty stomach to cure dysentery. *About 20 ml. of bark decoction is
taken in empty stomach twice daily for about a month to cure irregular
menstruation and excessive bleeding. 18. Smilax
zeylanica L. (Liliaceae) Muturi
(O),Muter(E), Nuasahi – 75 *About 20 ml of root decoction is taken for 15
days to cure rheumatic pain. *Root paste is taken for a week to cure
venereal disease. *Powder of dried root is applied on
chronic ulcers. 19. Streblus
asper Lour. (Moraceae) Sahada
(O), Nuasahi – 76 *Regular brushing of teeth by fresh tender twigs
cure toothache. *Root paste is used against dog-bite. *Leaf paste with castor oil is
applied to cure eczema. 20. Syzygium cumuni L. Skeels. (Myrtaceae) Jammu Coli (O), Java
plum (E), Champanagar – 15. *About 20 ml fruit juice is taken once daily in
empty stomach to cure dysentery. *About 10 mg of dry seed powder is
taken in empty stomach for 7-10 days reduce blood sugar. 21. Terminalia
bellirica Gnerta. Roxb.
(Combretaceae) Bahada (O).
Beleric myrobalan (E), Bandhasahi – 51 *Powdered fruit is taken orally to get relief
from indigestion and acidity. *100 ml of decoction of fruit is
taken once in the early morning for 7 days for the treatment of piles. DISCUSSION The
floristic wealth of the tribal habitat provides various plant species which
are used by the tribal people as food, fuel, fiber, house building materials
etc. Besides these basic needs, which
are met with, the tribal of the study area heavily depend on the ecosystem
for their primary healthcare. They use
the local Herbal medicine prepared from plant materials
with strong religious-spiritual belief. The
study reveals the data on the uses of 21 plant species of 18 families for the
treatment of different diseases. The herbal medicines are mostly administered
in the form of juice, decoction, paste or powder, prepared in a crude method
from different plant parts such as root, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds
and whole plant. Tradition and beliefs are the only basis of use of the
herbal medicines. The
knowledge of this traditional healthcare system is passed from generation to
generation in oral form. The plant species identified as such for the
treatment of different diseases, need chemical analysis to prove their
efficacy. This will definitely help the Pharmaceutical industry to develop
some wonder drug in a hygienic way for the betterment of the mankind. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The
authors are thankful to the tribal people of Baliparbat
area for providing ethno medicinal information on the plant and are also
indebted to the Head of the Department of Botany, REFERENCES 1. Behera, S.K.
and M.K.Misra, 2005. Indigenous phytotherapy
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Some ethno medicinal plants of Koraput
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M.Brahnam, M.K.Misra and M.Ahmed, 2001.
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