Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 12: 896-911. 2008.
Ethnomedicinal Recipes for Respiratory and Bronchial diseases from Tribals of Sriharikota Island,
Andhra Pradesh
*R.
Bharath Kumar and **B. Suryanarayana
*
Associate Professor, Dept.Biotechnology, Vignan’s
Guntur-522213. email:
drbharathravuru@gmail.com
**Associate Professor (Retd.), # 8-307, Karnakamma Street, Venkatagiri Town –524132
email: dr_bsnarayana@yahoo.com
Issued
ABSTRACT
Introduction
An aboriginal
tribe called ‘Yanadi’dwells in Sriharikota. It is
similar Chenchu community elsewhere in Andhra
Pradesh. Inspite of the community being drifted from
the natural way of life due to agro-rural development activities a few aged
tribal men are still able to furnish traditional ethno medico-botanical data.
In
Topography
Materials and
Methods
An intensive
medico-ethnobotanical survey of
Medicinal Plant Species -Used By Tribal for
Respiratory and Bronchial Diseases
|
|
Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. |
Ocimum americanum L. = O.
canum Sims |
|
|
Ocimum tenuiflorum L. = O.
sanctum L. |
Pergularia daemia (Forssk.) Chiov.
= Pergularia extensa (Jacq.) N.E. |
|
|
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. = Pongamia
glabra Vent. |
Sapindus emarginatus Vahl. |
Results and
Discussion
During these studies
a good number of ethnomedicinal plants were
collected. However, in this paper, 20 species having remedial effect on
respiratory and bronchitis and diseases are enumerated. Latest Scientific name
followed by relevant synonyms if any, local name, habit flowering &
fruiting season and ethnomedicinal data are furnished
for each species. Their other medicinal uses adopted in the
Enumeration:
Atalantia monophylla (Roxb.) DC. (RUTACEAE)
Ln: Munkudu, Adavinimma.
Thorny shrubs or small trees.
Common in and forests. F1.
& Fr.: June-October.
Ld: Penubakam:
Fresh roots cleaned, dried and cut into small pieces. Root pieces mixed with black pepper and decoction is prepared 10-15 ml decoction is given orally twice a day to get relief from cough with phlegm. (Antitussive)
Cassine glauca (Rottb.) Kuntze. (CELASTRACEAE)
= Eleodendron glaucum (Vahl.) Pers.
Ln: Neridi, Nerini.
An evergreen tree, densely foliaceous.
Common
in forests. F1. & Fr.:
July-November. Ld: Beripeta:
50g of fresh leaves taken in 200 ml of water with 1 spoonful of turmeric powder, boiled to prepare decoction. 5-10 ml of decoction is taken orally twice a day to get relief from cough with phlegm, for about a fortnight. (Bechic)
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. (APIACEAE)
= Hydrocotyle asiatica L.
Ln: Saraswathi aku, Valluriaku. Sn: Manduka parni.
Pretty herbs, stems creeping, rooted at nodes.
Occasional in the
island, trailing in moist places often forming mats. F1: October-
November. Ld: Keepakam.
100g of dried leaves taken and pounded into powder. 1-2 spoonfuls of powder taken orally twice a day for 20-25 days to get relief from cold, cough. This treatment is also taken for asthma for 35-40 days to get relief from asthma. (Antiasthmatic)
Dichrostachys cineraea (L.) Wight & Arn. (MIMOSACEAE)
Ln: Veluturu chettu. Sn: Dirghamula, Veerataru, Viravriksha.
Shrubs or small trees, branchlets modified into thorns.
Common in open dry
scrub jungles. F1. & Fr.: September - December. Ld: Chengalpalem:
100g of fresh leaves ground to paste and applied on head throughly twice a day for 5 - 7 days. After 1 hour of application head bath is taken with warm water. Relief from cough and phlegm will be effective. (Bechic)
Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. (CONVOLVULACEAE)
Ln: Vishnukrantham. Sn: Vishnugandhi.
Appressed hairy, prostrate herbs.
Common
in dry pasture lands. Fl. & Fr.: December-April. Ld: Palarevu:
9462.
100g fresh plant material squeezed and obtained juice. 10 ml of juice given orally 2-3 times a day for 3-4 days to get relief from fever with cold.
Geniosporum tenuiflorum (L.)
Merr. (LAMIACEAE)
= Geniosporum prostratum (L)
Benth.
Ln:
Bhootulasi
Prostrate herbs, branches many, hispid, radiating from a woody root stock.
Common
on open sandy coast. Fl &
Fr: August – November. Ld: Beripeta:
100g of fresh leaves squeezed and obtained juice. 10-15 ml of juice taken orally twice in a day for 30-40 days to get relief from asthma. (Antiasthmatic, Bechic)
Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F.v.Muell. (VIOLACEAE)
= Ionidium suffruticosum (L.) Roem. & Schult.
Ln: Dagguchettu. Sn: Ratnapurusha.
Herbs. Leaves elliptic, entire or minutely
toothed.
Common in
waste moist places. F1. & Fr.:
November-January. Ld: Keepakam:
Fresh leaves powdered and mixed with
one teaspoonful turmeric powder. 5g of
the
mixture is taken orally twice a day to get relief from cough. It is continued for 3-4
days to get good relief from cough. (Bechic)
Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. (LAMIACEAE)
Ln: Konda tulasi.
An erect aromatic undershrub, stems tetragonal, leaves cordate, denticulate, acute.
Common along road
sides in pure stands. Fl & Fr: October – January. Ld:
Chengalpalem:
100g of leaves ground
to paste mixed with 1 spoonful of turmeric powder. It is warmed and applied on head throughly wait for an hour and take head bath with warm
water. It is repeated for 3-4 days to
get relief from cold with cough. (Bechic)
Justicia adhatoda L. (ACANTHACEAE)
=Adhatoda vasica Nees.
Ln:
Addasaram, Sn: Vasaka.
An erect shrub.
Occasional on hedges
and especially near colonies. Fl.
& Fr.: October - February. Ld: Kothachenu:
Leaves as 100g of fresh leaves taken and made into paste, it is mixed with 1tsp turmeric powder taken orally twice in a day for 30 days to get relief from cough, asthma. (Antiasthmatic)
Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight & Arn.
(ASCLEPIADACEAE)
Ln: Mukkupala, Mukkutummuduteega.
Twining herbs, latex watery.
Common on hedges or trailing on ground. F1. & Fr.: April- December. Ld: Beripeta:
Fresh twigs
crushed and obtained sap; 10-15 ml sap taken orally twice a day for 1 week to
get relief from cold with phlegm. (Bechic)
Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. (LAMIACEAE)
Ln: Tummi. Sn: Drona pushpi.
A diffusely, branched, annual herb; stems hispid.
Common in waste
places and fields. Fl &
Fr: Through out the year. Ld: Kothachenu:
50g of leaves squeezed and obtained juice. 2-3 drops of juice dropped into nostrils to get relief from heavy cold. This treatment is continued at regular intervals to get relief from cold.
Ocimum americanum L. (LAMIACEAE)
= O. canum Sims
Ln: Kukka tulasi. Sn: Ajaka, gambhira, kuthera.
Erect, annual, aromatic herbs puberulous.
Common in waste
places and as weed in fields. Fl
& Fr: September – March. Ld: R.V. Chatram:
100g of fresh leaves taken squeezed and
obtained juice. It is mixed with 1
spoonful of turmeric powder. 10 ml of
juice taken orally 2-3 times a day for 4-5 days to get relief from cough. (Bechic)
Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (LAMIACEAE)
= O. sanctum L.
Ln: Tulasi, Manchitulasi. Sn: Ajaka, brinda, manjari, patra pushpa.
Erect aromatic herbs, branches hispid.
Usually cultivated as a sacred plant
and also found as weed in fields and waste places. Fl & Fr: Through out the year. Ld: Malavalamvagu:
Leaf juice as 100g of fresh leaves squeezed, juice obtained is mixed with 1 spoonful of turmeric powder. 10 ml of juice is given orally twice a day for 30-40 days to get relief from asthma. (Antiasthmatic)
Pavonia zeylanica (L.) Cav. (MALVACEAE)
Ln: Chirubenda.
Erect viscid herbs. Leaves entire or lobed.
Common in open fields
and in scrubs. F1. & Fr.:
October-February. Ld: Penubakam:
50g of fresh leaves
taken in 250 ml of water boiled and prepared decoction. 5-10 ml decoction taken
orally twice a day for 4-5 days to get relief from cough with phlegm. (Bechic)
Pergularia daemia (Forssk.) Chiov.
(ASCLEPIADACEAE)
= Pergularia extensa (Jacq.)
N.E.
Ln: Juttipala, Juttepaku,
Dustaputeega. Sn: Phala katanka, Yugma thalika.
An extensive twining herb, latex milky.
Common in hedges near colonies and
waste places F1. & Fr.: June-December.
Ld: Keepakam:
100g of fresh leaves cut into small pieces crushed and obtained juice. 10 ml of juice taken orally with 1 spoonful of turmeric powder along 50 ml warm water twice a day for 3-4 days to get remedy from cold.
Pongamia pinnata
(L.) Pierre. (FABACEAE)
= Pongamia glabra Vent.
Ln: Kanuga.
Sn:
Angaravalli.
Trees.
Common especially near water bodies. F1. & Fr.: August-December. Ld:
Penugaripalem:
Fresh dried
fruits are dipped in turmeric water, made them into garland. It is
tied
around the neck of a child suffering from whooping cough for relief.
Sapindus emarginatus Vahl. (SAPINDACEAE)
Ln: Kunkudu. Sn: Arishta.
Deciduous trees.
Common all over the
island. F1. & Fr.:
January-April to May. Ld: Chandrasikupam:
100g of fresh leaves are ground to fine paste. It is slightly warmed and gently applied on temples and forehead for relief from heavy cold. Recipe is continued once a day for 4-5 days to get complete relief from heavy cold.
Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt. (ASCLEPIADACEAE)
= Sarcostemma brevistigma
Wight & Arn.
Ln: Pullakadalu, Jemudukadalu.
Sn: Soma.
A straggling leafless shrub, stems succulent jointed latex milky.
Common, extensively
spreading on bushes. F1. &
Fr.: July-December. Ld: Penubakam:
200g of fresh stem bits ground and
obtained juice. 10-15 ml of juice
slightly warmed administered orally to children for 4-5 days to get relief from
cold.
Sida cordata (Burm.f.) Borssum.
(MALVACEAE)
= Sida veronicifolia Lam.
Ln: Bala, Kakkuvaidaggu chettu.
A wiry ascending woody herb, branchlets hispid.
Common ascending in
the under growth among bushes or
trailing on waste places. F1. & Fr.:
October-November. Ld:
Chengalpalem:
50g of fresh leaves and 1 spoonful of turmeric powder ground and made into pills of groundnut seed size. 2-3 pills twice a day taken with 1 glass of milk. Recipe is continued for 5-7 days to get remedy from whooping cough. (Antitussive)
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. ex. HK.f. & Thoms. (MENISPERMACEAE)
Ln: Kotari teega, tippa teega. Sn: Amritha, Guduchi.
An elaborate climber with succulent stem with papery bark.
Common in forests on
large bushes and trees. F1 & Fr.: August-January. Ld: Kothachenu:
Fresh
roots taken and cleaned. Root
pieces ground and obtained sap. 5-10 ml
of sap 3 times a day given to children to get good relief from cough with
phlegm. (Bechic)
Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merr. (ASCLEPIADACEAE)
= T. asthamatica (L.f.) Wight. & Arn.
Ln: Kukkapala, Sn: Ajadvishta.
A much branched climbing shrub, branchlets pubescent, latex milky.
Common on bushes and
hedges also spreading on ground. F1.
& Fr.: March-September. Ld: Ellanthugunta:
100g of leaves and roots made into small pieces and ground to paste. 1-2 spoonfuls of paste taken orally with 10-15 ml of milk twice a
day, for 30-40 days to get relief from asthma and other bronchial complaints.
(Antiasthmatic)
A critical study
of 20 plant species having respiratory and antiasthmatic
properties collected from the tribals of
Acknowledgements
The authors are
pleased to record their gratitude to DOS-ISRO for financial assistance to
conduct the project. The authors are also grateful to the Principal,
S.No. |
Scientific Name and Family |
Local Name (s) |
Other uses
|
|
In |
Elsewhere
|
|||
1. |
Atalantia monophylla RUTACEAE |
Munkudu, Adavinimma. |
Seed oil - antiarthritic
and rheumatism |
Seed oil- for chronic rheumatism and paralysis |
2. |
Cassine glauca = Eleodendron glaucum CELASTRACEAE |
Neridi, Nerini. |
Wood used in making cots -
used for to avoid evil spirits and bad dreams |
Root paste applied for swellings |
3. |
Centella
asiatica = Hydrocotyle asiatica APIACEAE
|
Saraswathi aku,
Valluriaku. |
Leaf juice taken orally
for nervine pains, it is also taken for 40-60 days
to improve memory power. |
Whole plant is used as an alterative, skin
diseases, tonic and diuretic. |
4. |
Dichrostachys cineraea MIMOSACEAE |
Veluturu chettu. |
Leaf paste administered for emmenogogue Fruit decoction for family planning. |
Root astringent, rheumatism |
5. |
Evolvulus alsinoides CONVOLVULACEAE
|
Vishnukrantham/ Vishnugandhi. |
Leaf paste vulnerary agent. It is applied on
wounds and cuts. |
Whole plant as tonic, vermifuge
and for asthma |
6. |
Geniosporum
tenuiflorum = Geniosporum prostratum LAMIACEAE |
Bhutulasi |
Leaf decoction taken orally to get relief from
fevers. |
Plant considered as febrifuge |
7. |
Hybanthus enneaspermus
= Ionidium suffruticosum
VIOLACEAE |
Dagguchettu. |
Leaf powder is mixed with honey taken orally as
Tonic. |
Plant as tonic, diuretic |
8. |
Hyptis suaveolens LAMIACEAE |
Konda tulasi. |
Leaf juice administered for to get relief from
fevers. |
Plant used for parasitical diseases |
9. |
Leptadenia reticulata ASCLEPIADACEAE |
Mukkupala teega |
Leaf paste with butter milk taken orally for
indigestion |
Leaf & Rt. as antiseptic, rheumatism and
insecticide |
10. |
Leucas aspera LAMIACEAE |
Tummi |
Leaves used in curry preparations. Leaf decoction administered for body pains. |
Whole plant extract is used for cough and cold |
11. |
Ocimum
americanum = O. canum LAMIACEAE |
Kukka tulasi |
Leaf smoke as mosquito repellent. |
Leaf decoction used for cough, dysentery and mouth
wash (toothe ache) |
12. |
Ocimum
tenuiflorum = O. sanctum LAMIACEAE |
Tulasi, Manchitulasi |
Plant is considered sacred
and worshiped. |
Leaf juice catarracht, dyspepsia and skin diseases
|
APPENDIX:
Other Medicinal Uses for Plants of Respiratory and Antiasthmatic
Properties Reported First Time from Sriharikota
S.No. |
Scientific Name and Family |
Local Name (s) |
Other uses
|
|
In |
Elsewhere
|
|||
13. |
Pergularia daemia = Pergularia extensa ASCLEPIADACEAE |
Juttipala,
Dustaputeega |
Fresh
leaf juice with lime stone (Caco3) water,
slightly warmed and applied for body pains. |
Leaf juice catarrhal
affections, diarrhoea and asthma
|
14. |
Pongamia pinnata = Pongamia glabra FABACEAE |
Kanuga |
Fresh stem bark used for
fish poison. Wood used for making chappals
are used by tribals to get relief from scraches of feet.
|
Seed oil is used in
treatment of skin diseases and rheumatism
|
15. |
Sapindus emarginatus SAPINDACEAE |
Kunkudu |
Seed kernel is
edible. Leaf sap used as a
medicine to prevent eye diseases. |
Sd.
kernel is used for diarrhoea, paralysis.
Root expectorant |
16. |
Sarcostemma
acidum = Sarcostemma
brevistigma ASCLEPIADACEAE |
Pullakadalu, Jemudukadalu |
Latex dropped into eyes in
case of early stages of catarracht. (Suklamu). |
Whole plant alterative,
emetic, gen. debility
|
17. |
Tinospora cordifolia
MENISPERMACEAE
|
Kotari
teega, Tippa teega |
Fresh
and clean warmed leaves applied on painful swellings. (Analgesic) |
Dried stem powder used
as tonic and in diarrhoea
|
18. |
Tylophora
indica = T.
asthamatica ASCLEPIADACEAE
|
Kukkapala |
Root acts as snake
repellent. |
Leaf
& Root. emetic,
expectorant and in diarrhoea. |
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&