Download Indigenous traditional knowledge recorded on some medicinal

Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources
Vol. 2(1), March 2011, pp. 110-115
Indigenous traditional knowledge recorded on some medicinal plants in Narendra
Nagar Block (Tehri Garhwal), Uttarakhand
L R Dangwal* and Antima Sharma
Herbarium and Plant Systematic Laboratory, Department of Botany, H.N.B. Garhwal Central University,
S.R.T. Campus Badshahi Thaul, Tehri Garhwal – 249 199, Uttarakhand, India
Received 16 February 2010; Accepted 6 October 2010
Garhwal Himalaya has been the reservoir of enormous natural resources including vegetational wealth. Local natives and
tribes who live in the vicinity of forest, being close to the nature, possess a deep practical knowledge on indigenous flora,
pertaining to curatives, culture, customs, ethos, cults, religion, belief, legends, myths as well as other miscellaneous uses.
The people in remote villages and tribal areas depend upon the folk medicines and household remedies to a great extent. The
prevalent practice of herbal remedies has descended down from generation to generation and includes the cure from simple
ailments to the most complicated one. The present communication pertains to the traditional knowledge on some medicinal
plants used for the treatment of various diseases i.e. dysentery, dysmenorrhea, obstetrical problem, piles, leucorrhoea, nasal
bleeding, ophthalmic disorder, alopecia, scabies, urinary disorder, bronchitis, lumbago, epilepsy, sleeplessness,
splenomegaly, galactagogue, etc.
Keywords: Medicinal plants, Narendra Nagar block, Natural resources, Traditional Health Care System, Traditional
knowledge, Vaidyas.
IPC code; Int. cl. (2011.01)  A61K 36/00
Introduction
Plants have been used in traditional medicine for
thousands of years ago. The knowledge of medicinal
plants has been accumulated in the course of many
centuries based on different medicinal systems such
as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. In India, it is
reported that traditional healers use 2500 plant species
and 100 species of plants serve as regular sources
of medicine1.
During last few decades there has been an increasing
in the study of medicinal plants and their traditional
uses in different parts of the world2. Herbal remedies
are considered the oldest forms of health care known to
mankind on this earth. Prior to the development of
modern medicine, the traditional systems of medicine
that have evolved over the centuries within various
communities, are still maintained as a great traditional
knowledge base in herbal medicines3. Traditionally,
this treasure of knowledge has been passed on orally
from generation to generation without any written
document4 and is still retained by various indigenous
groups around the world.
——————
*Correspondent author:
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Documenting the indigenous knowledge through
ethno-botanical studies is important for the
conservation and utilization of biological resources.
Ethno-botanical survey has been found to be one of
the reliable approaches to drug discovery5. Several
active compounds have been discovered from plants
on the basis of ethno-botanical information and used
directly as patented drugs6. As an indigenous cultures
are closely maintained by the tribal and other forest
dwellers throughout the world, the ethno-botanical
investigation is a prerequisite for any developmental
planning concerned with the welfare of tribal and
their environment. It is an urgent necessity to record
all the possible information about the plants and the
role of peoples in conserving them. The main focus of
the present study is to ascertain the detailed
information on the use of plants and their therapeutic
practices among peoples of study area.
Uttarakhand Himalaya is the most spectacular in its
natural assets, landform, water sedges, lush green
forest and floristic diversity. Uttarakhand state
comprises 13 districts and lies in between 28° 43′ to
31° 8′ N latitude and 77° 35′ to 81° 2′ E longitude. It
is surrounded to the North-west by Himachal Pradesh,
to the north by Tibet (China), to the east by Nepal and
DANGWAL & SHARMA: ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN NARENDRA NAGAR BLOCK, TEHRI GARHWAL
111
to the south by Uttar Pradesh. The large human
populace with diverse life styles, beliefs, traditions and
cultural heritage inhabiting in hilly region of
Himalayas has learnt to utilize natural resources and
products in various ways. Tehri Garhwal is one of the
hilly district of Uttarakhand state, India. It has nine
blocks. Out of these one of the block in the district
Tehri Garhwal is Narendra Nagar which sustains
unique and diverse vegetation in wide range of habitats
from Tarai- Bhabar tracts (275-1900m asl) to the high
range of lesser Himalaya. It lies in between 30° 10′-30°
17′ N latitude and 78° 18′-78° 30′E longitude and
covering in the area of 6, 8123 ha. It stretches from
Dhalwala to Than, Amsera, Jaikot, Gaja to Marora,
Nigyer and Dhalwala to Kauriyala, etc. Nomadic tribes
are Gujjars and Bhotiyas, the former dwelling in the
sub-montane zones during winters and moving towards
high altitude during the summer seasons. Bhotiyas less
often visit to the block.
Traditional Health Care System (THCS) is the only
accessible form for majority of the population, both
logistically and economically. Medicinal herbs are the
main ingredients of local medicine and are thus of
vital importance in Traditional Health Care System.
Traditional Health Care System as practiced in the
region consists of two system, viz. Folk stream and
Classical stream. The folk stream system is based on
oral tradition, practiced by local villagers and tribal
communities (Non Codified System-NCS). The
classical stream is based on theoretical knowledge,
experimental and philosophical explanation provided
by many learned physicians and surgeons of earlier
time like Charak, Sushruta, Galen and Rhazes, etc.
(Codified System–CS).
Ethno-medicinal plants have offered immense
scope and opportunities for the development of new
drugs. Some modern drugs have been deducted from
folklore and traditional medicine7-8. Several ethnobotanist have been work out the traditional uses of
plants in the Uttarakhand Himalaya9-14. The study on
ethno-medicinal plants used to cure different diseases
by the peoples has not been adequately worked out by
earlier workers in a particular area. Therefore, the
present communication deals with attempt to gather
information on some traditional uses of medicinal
plants from different villages of the Narendra Nagar
block to document the medicinal uses of plants to cure
the common diseases.
across various villages in the block. The information
was gathered using semi-structured questionnaires
about the types of ailments treated by the traditional
use of medicinal plants and the preparation of herbal
medical formulations. This information was also
gathered from 60 traditional Vaidyas living in
different villages of Narendra Nagar block, Tehri
Garhwal. For interviews, the Vaidyas were selected
randomly from a list of 200 traditional Vaidyas who
were identified during community workshops. These
Vaidyas resided across various villages of Narendra
Nagar block such as Than, Amsera, Khari, Jajal,
Jaikot, Ghar-gaon, Kathur (Gaja), Marora, Nigyer,
Dhalwala, Shivpuri, Byasi, Bachelikhal, Chaka,
Pokhari, etc. Five workshops were organized in
different villages of Narendra Nagar block in various
groups of indigenous people including Vaidyas were
invited to participate through helping document their
indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants. However,
the information was also gathered in order to
understand the attitude of the younger generation
towards learning Ayurveda and also to identify the
causes of decline in the tradition. The data were cross
checked by interviewing more than three Vaidyas on
the uses of specific plant species and preparation of
herbal formulations. A participant observation method
was employed to understand the methods and
techniques adopted by Vaidyas in preparation of
various herbal formulations. In order to verify the
identity of local names of medicinal plant species
field visits were undertaken with Vaidyas.
Standard method of collection, preservation and
maintenance of specimens in the herbarium
were followed15,16. All the collected plant specimens
(Plate 1) were identified with the help of recent and
relevant floras and confirmed from the authentic
specimens, housed in the Herbaria of Botanical
Survey of India, Northern Circle (BSD), Dehra Dun,
Forest Research Institute (DD), Dehra Dun and
Garhwal University Herbarium (GUH), Srinagar
Garhwal. All the collected plant specimens have been
deposited in the Herbarium of H.N.B. Garhwal
Central University, SRT Campus Botany Department
Badshahi Thaul, Tehri Garhwal and Botany
Department Herbarium (GUH), Srinagar Garhwal.
The plant species were arranged alphabetically with
their botanical names with citations, family in brackets,
local names, voucher specimen no. (SRTH), part used,
diseases and mode of applications (Table 1).
Materials and Methods
Field surveys have been made during 2008-2010 to
gather data on traditional uses of medicinal plants
Results and Discussion
Although our ancient sages through hit and trial
method developed herbal medicines, the reported uses
112
INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2011
Plate 1Some of the medicinal plants used in Narendra Nagar Block (Tehri Garhwal)
of plant species do not certify efficacy17. The present
preliminary report on ethno-medicinal uses of some
plant species need to pharmacologically screened,
chemically analyzed and tested for bioactive
activities18. Pharmacological screening of plant
extracts provides insight to both their therapeutic and
toxic properties and helps in eliminating the medicinal
plants or practices that may be harmful. The study
provides information on 25 plants species belonging
to 24 genera and 21 families (Table 1). Out of these
plant species, 7 species are herbs, 7 are trees, 5 are
under shrubs, 4 are shrubs and 2 are climbers. The
plant parts used for medical preparation were bark,
flowers, rhizomes, root, leaves, seeds, gum and whole
plant. In some cases the whole plant including roots
were utilized. The most frequently utilized plant parts
were leaves, followed by root, flower, bark, seeds and
whole plant.
Some information recorded in the study
particularly for Swertia chirayita, Calotropis procera
and Solanum nigrum were found to be either not
known or little known. The study area is rich in
medicinal plant resources. An attempt was made
to collect information on the traditional medicinal
DANGWAL & SHARMA: ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN NARENDRA NAGAR BLOCK, TEHRI GARHWAL
113
Table 1Important ethno-medicinal plants of Narendra Nagar block
Botanical Name/Family
Local name
Voucher specimen no. Part used
Acacia catechu (Linn.f.)
Willd. (Mimosaceae)
Khair
AS-SRTH -03
Bark, pod
and gum
Achyranthes aspera Linn.
(Amaranthaceae)
Lichkuri
AS-SRTH -01
Leaves
Adhatoda vasica Nees
(Acanthaceae)
Baisingu
AS-SRTH -02
Leaves
Argemone mexicana Linn.
(Papaveraceae)
Pili kateli
AS-SRTH -12
Seed and
rhizome
Artemisia nilagirica
(C.B Clarke) Pamp.
(Asteraceae)
Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.
(Nyctaginaceae)
Kunja
AS-SRTH -13
Leaves
Punarva
AS-SRTH -14
Root
Calotropis procera
(Ait.) W. T. Aiton
(Asclepiadaceae)
Aak
AS-SRTH -75
Flower
Cassia fistula Linn.
(Caesalpinaceae)
Simaru
AS-SRTH -46
Leaves
Cedrus deodara
(Roxb.ex D. Don)
(Pinaceae)
Devdar
AS-SRTH -49
Wood
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
(Cuscutaceae)
Amerbel
AS-SRTH -60
Whole plant
Datura Stramonium Linn.
(Solanaceae)
Datura
AS-SRTH -61
Euphorbia hirta Linn.
(Euphorbiaceae)
Duthi
AS-SRTH -62
Fruit,
branches
and leaves
Leaves and
flower
Gnaphalium affine D. Don
(Asteraceae)
Grewia optiva J.R. Drumm.
ex Burret (Tiliaceae)
Bugla
AS-SRTH -15
Whole plant
Bhimal
AS-SRTH -10
Leaves
Disease/Mode of administration
Equal quantities of bark, pod and gum are
grinded and one teaspoonful of this powder is
given thrice a day with water in lumbago. It
gives relief from pain in the waist.
a) In dysmenorrhoea 3 ml of fresh leaves
extract is given orally twice a day for 7 days.
This therapy is started on first day of beginning
of menstrual cycle and repeated for 5-7
consecutive cycle.
b) In leucorrhoea 3 ml of fresh leaves extract
mixed with curd is given orally before sunrise
for 21 days.
Decoction of leaves (20-30 g) mixed with 1g
powder of Piper nigrum Linn. is given to cure
severe bronchitis, bronchial asthma and
tuberculosis.
Pounded seeds (2 g) of A. mexicana along with
rhizome of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (1g) and
Acorus calamus Linn. (2g) made into paste are
applied on all kinds of skin diseases twice a day
till recovery.
The leaves are crushed and 2-3 drops of the
extract are dropped in the nostrils to stop nasal
bleeding and it also cures the sinus problem.
a) Decoction of 50-100ml plant root is given to
the patient of sleeplessness.
b) Root paste mixed with ghee is applied as
eyeliner. It cures redness of eyes.
300g of fresh flower extract mixed with 300 g
of Piper nigrum powder and make its tablets. In
epilepsy these tablets are given 3-4 times a day
till recovery.
One teaspoonful of leaves extract is
administrated orally against jaundice thrice a
day after meals.
Small pieces of heart wood (100-200 g) of
mature tree is dipped over night in 100-200 ml
of hot water, the resulting extract is given orally
for about 30 days to the patient suffering from
piles.
40-60g of plant decoction is given to the
pregnant women. It helps in easily eliminating
the placenta.
The powder of dry fruits, branches and leaves
cures bronchial asthma.
15 g of leaves extract mixed with 5-7 pieces of
Piper nigrum is given to the patient as an
antidote of snake bite. It nullifies the venom
immediately.
Whole plant is crushed and given orally to
infants suffering from diarrhoea.
Fresh leaves are boiled in water to prepare
decoction which is further concentrated at low
temperatures. The concentrated paste is applied
to cure joint pains.
(Contd.)
INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2011
114
Table 1Important ethno-medicinal plants of Narendra Nagar block—Contd.
Botanical Name/Family
Lantana camara Linn.
(Verbenaceae)
Pinus roxburghii Sargent
(Pinaceae)
Plumbago zeylanica Linn.
(Plumbaginaceae)
Rhododendron arboreum
Smith (Ericaceae)
Local name
Kuri
Chir
Voucher specimen no. Part used
AS-SRTH -17
Leaves and
flowers
AS-SRTH -20
Needles
Chitrak
AS-SRTH -22
Whole plant
Burans
AS-SRTH -31
Leaves
Rubia manjith
Roxb.ex Flem.
( Rubiaceae)
Manjeet
AS-SRTH -24
a) Root
b)Whole plant
Rubus ellipticus Smith
(Rosaceae)
Shorea robusta Roxb. ex
Gaertn. (Dipterocarpaceae)
Solanum nigrum Linn.
(Solanaceae)
Hinsaar
AS-SRTH -26
Root
Disease/Mode of administration
Decoction of leaves and flowers given for 21
days to cure rheumatism
The green needles are grinded and sap is
extracted. It is taken to increase urine flow.
2 g powder of plant mixed with honey is given
to stop nasal bleeding.
50-60 ml decoction of its leaves mixed with
blacksalt and cumin seeds is given to the patient
of splenomegaly.
a) A decoction of roots (10-20 g) as one dose is
used 2 -3 times daily in case of jaundice.
b) Sufficient amount of whole plant is mixed
with jaggery and given to the cattle for
increasing lactation.
Root is administrated orally for abortion.
Sal
AS-SRTH -27
Gum
The gum mixed with curd is used in dysentery.
Makoi
AS-SRTH -28
Leaves
Solanum surattense
Burm. f. (Solanaceae)
Bhutakhanderi AS-SRTH -29
Leaves
Swertia chirayita
(Roxb. ex Flem.)
Karst. (Gentianaceae)
Chirayita
AS-SRTH -30
Twigs
Woodfordia fructicosa
(Linn.) Kurz
(Lythraceae)
Dhaula
AS-SRTH -32
Flower
50-60 ml of leaves decoction, rock salt and
cumin seeds are added and given to the patient
of splenomegaly. Or juice of ripe mango with
honey mixed in it is given for the same purpose.
20-50 ml juice of its leaves is mixed with honey
to use for massage in alopecia. Within few days
it kills the microorganism and skin becomes soft.
Twigs of the plant are soaked in the water
overnight and the same water is applied on
infected part of the skin. It cures severe itching
due to scabies.
In leucorrhoea, 2 teaspoonful powder of its
flower mixed with honey is given on empty
stomach in the morning and 1 hour before
dinner in the evening.
knowledge present with the local peoples. However,
more in depth information may be explored from the
peoples residing in the remote villages of the block.
This type of study will give new impetus to the
traditional system of healthcare. In view of the
importance of traditional medicine which provides
health services to 75-80% of the world population,
demand of herbal drugs by the pharmaceutical and
depleting natural plant resources is increasing. It is
high time to document the medicinal utility of less
known plants available in remote areas of the country.
able to treat some of the chronic ailments and still
depend on traditional medicinal therapy as an
alternative therapy. The present investigation reveals
that most of the Vaidyas who retained this traditional
knowledge have crossed more than 70-75 years of
age, therefore, if documentation of their knowledge
will not be done urgently a day will come when this
science will be lost irretrievably with the passing
away of such people. Thus, it is expected that this
investigation will be helpful to conserve the heritable
knowledge in the field of herbal treatment and general
uses of plants in village ecosystem.
Conclusion
Today, though the modern civilization is at high
pedestals in the field of medicine and treatment of
various ailments, these facilities have not reached to
aborigines or the people who live far away from the
towns, thus these societies still completely depends on
the traditional methods of treatment. It has been
observed that in some cases modern sciences is not
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to the people of Narendra
Nagar block for sharing their ethno-botanical
knowledge and also thankful to the Botanical Survey
of India, Northern Circle (BSD), Dehra Dun, Forest
Research Institute (DD), Dehra Dun and the
Department of Botany, S.R.T Campus Herbarium
(GUH) for providing us herbarium facilities.
DANGWAL & SHARMA: ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN NARENDRA NAGAR BLOCK, TEHRI GARHWAL
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