Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 7(2), April 2008, pp. 242-249

Ethnomedicinal plants used by tribes of Kalahandi district, Orissa

Tribhubana Panda'> & Rabindra N Padhl "Kalahandi Institute for Tribology and Ethnobiology, Jilingdar, Dedar 766014, District Kalahandi, Orissa "Departrnent of Botany,Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna 766001, Orissa E-mail: [email protected] Received 6 December 2005; revised 29 August 2007

An ethnomedicinal survey on the traditional knowledge of aboriginal tribes and other non-tribal communities of 400 sq km of Kalahandi district, Orissa and a comparison of the data with the available literature revealed that out of the recorded III flowering plants of 60 families, 49 plants have new uses that were not known here before. Moreover, different uses of known 62 more plants are recorded with new uses. These III plants are in use against 42 human ailments. They use the plant parts as infusions, decoctions and powders.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine, Traditional knowledge, Tribes, Kalahandi 8 IPCInt. C1. : A61K36/00, A61PlI04, A61P1I06, A61PlI08, A6IPI/I0, A61P1112, A61Pl1l6, A61P7/00, A61P7/02, A61P7/04, A61P13/00, A61P15/00, A61P17/00, A61P17I02, A61P19100, A61P I9102, A61P21/00, A6IP25!00, A61P27114, A61P27116, A61P29100, A61P31/00, A61P35/00, A61P39102

Kalahandi is an underdeveloped and poverty stricken lohara, kandra, brahmin, gouda, mali, paika, banka district in western Orissa, inhabiting a number of and many other castes of working rustics, who have different communities. Kalahandi experiences a rich not received the light of modernism. This area is biodiversity and these people consisting of both situated at 82°45" to 83° 45" East Longitude and aboriginal tribes and non-tribal communities depend 19°30" to 19°50" North Latitude and about 300 to 700 on plants around them for their livelihood. They msl (Fig. 1). utilize sustainably the indigenous plant resources for housing and other purposes 1. They have the inherited, Methodology traditional and accumulated knowledge through myth, Several extensive herbal ethnomedicinal surveys folks, proverbs and ancient sayings on the medicinal had been done by visiting the study area with 25 values of plant species for the primary healthcare villages.Indigenous traditional herbal practitioners, system. They still depend largely upon the local chiefs of local communities, some household heads, herbal healer and indigenous flora, notwithstanding old men of communities and patients, amounting to the spread of modern medical facilities. Much 500 persons in total were interviewed in their non- literature on ethnomedicinal uses of indigenous flora common local languages, irrespective of sex. The first by different tribes of several regions have been hand information and views given by them were systematically accumulated". From Orissa, a review recorded as data. With the help of herbal medicinal on the general medicinal uses of plants by the tribals practitioners and some knowledgeable aged people, excluding those of western Orissa has been plant specimens were collected according to their documented". In the paper, an exhaustive study on local name and their taxonomic identifications were ethnobotany in a large patch of area of the district is done'"!'. Voucher specimens were preserved in this documented taking all communities inhabiting the institute. study area. The study had been undertaken from 2003-2005 in 25 villages of Kalahandi district Results and discussion covering an area (Thuamul Rampur and Junagarh Plants with ethnomedicinal uses by backward blocks) of 400 sq km, approximately.The tribal indigenous communities of Kalahandi district are inhabitants of the study area are kandha, ganda and presented (Table 1). Some of the plants were earlier sabara, and the resident non-tribes are harijana, known as medicinal plants, but these people use them differently as recorded herein (Figs 2-12). Kalahandi *Corresponding author district has an undulating terrain with ravines and PANDA & PADHY: ETHNOMEDICINE OF KALAHANDI DISTRICT, ORISSA 243

Table 1 - Plants used ethnomedicinally by the aboriginal tribes

Plant name, Family and Local name Uses

Abrus pulchellus wall. (Fabaceae), Gung, Root pounded with water is sprinkled on head and unripe seed juice is rubbed on kaincha, scalp for baldness.

Abutilon indicum Linn. (Malvaceae), Diarrhoea, vomiting; boils of eye", urinary troubles IS. Paste of one leaf and seven Pedipedica numbers of Piper longum is taken orally for jaundice. If needed, second dose is given after 72 hrs. . Acacia nilotica Linn. (Mimosaceae), Diarrhoea (leaf is used)". Bark juice and resin mixed in milk and about 20-30 ml is Bamur Babul given only once to cure diarrhoea and dysentery. Acacialenticularis Buch.Ham. Ex Benth. In 15-20 ml of bark decoction is given thrice a day for headache and dysentery. Hook (Mimosaceae), Gadha Khaira, Fig. 3 Aegle marmelos correa. ex Roxb. (Rutaceae), Sexual disorders, cholera, smallpox!". Leaves are chewed in the morning to solve Bela stomach disorders and indigestion. Unripe fruit is taken for dysentery and ripe fruit is taken to cure constipation. Aerva lanata Juss. ex schult. (Amaranthaceae), Diarrheas. Whole plant juice is taken once daily for 7 days to cure fever in Kukurabocha children. Alangium salviifolium Linn.f. (Alangiaceae), Antidote for snake bite, mad dog bite and Paralysis". Ankula Teaspoonful of root juice is given orally as purgative. Dried leaf powder along with Gur (molasses) is given for a month or two for piles. Albizia procera Benth. (Mimosaceae), Bark from the east side of the plant is collected in the morning after sunshine, Khin pounded into fine paste with the help of stone. The paste is applied over the infected skin for treating scabies and ring worm.

Allium sativum Linn. (Liliaceae), Rasuna Loose motion 17. Raw bulbets are chewed to suppress stomach acidity and also to expel intestinal worm. Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Agavaceae) Ghikuanri Acute indigestion, headaches. A tablespoon of leaf juice is taken in empty stomach daily for a month for smooth and fair skin. Annona squamosa Linn. (Annonaceae), Boils, postnatal complaint, ant fertility", Seed powder with water is applied in scalp Raikata, ata, sitaphala and ringed after 10 minutes for treating lice. 4 Argemone mexicana Linn. (Papaveraceae), Scabies, eye troubles, menorrhea, spermatorrhoea': jaundice, wound . A Bada gokhura teaspoonful of latex once a day is given for few days during jaundice. Argyreia speciosa Sweet For mad dog bite and, wound,root powder is snuffed and root paste is applied (Convolvulaceae), Brudhadaraka locally. Arisaema tortuosum Schott (Araceae), Rheumatisms. During piles, Corm paste is fried in ghee (animal fat), and made Dhai tablets of green gram size; a tablet thrice daily is taken for 30-40 days.

Aristolochia indica Linn. (Aristolochiaceae), Snake bite (leaf) IS. Root powder is snuffed, root juice is taken orally and root paste Nagbel is applied locally as an antidote for snake bite. Aspidopterys tomentosa Roxb.(Malpighiaceae), Roots boiled in til (Sesamum indicum) oil is applied locally for treating eczema and Keiti laha, Alti laha itches. Astercantha longifolia Nees (Acanthaceae), Antidote, diarrhea, kidney stones. Burns, cuts: Leaves are burnt inside an earthen Koilakha pot, ground, paste with til oil is applied over bums to relief pain and quick healing. Seed paste is applied on cuts to get quick healing. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Skin diseases, blood pressure, tooth problems". Few drops of neem seed oil is Nim, Limba applied on genitals before sexual intercourse for contraception. Bauhinia purpurea Linn.(Caesalpiniaceae), Dysurea, gall bladder stone, flatulences. Fresh bark paste is applied and hold it Katul, Barada, Kanchana tightly for few minutes for three days for piles. Biophytum sensitivum (Linn.) DC. Whole plant is boiled in a bucket of water and children suffering from fever are (Oxalidaceae), Lajkuli bathed in it. Boswellia serrata Roxb. (Burseraceae), Sale For rheumatism, 20-30 ml of bark juice is taken with milk twice daily for seven days. Brassica campestris Linn. (Brassicaceae), Oil boiled with Allium sativum and black cumin seed is rubbed over joints, feet, Sorisa palm and neck to relief from pain and cold. Butea monosperma Lam.(Fabaceae), Paisa, Diarrhoea, worms. For blood pressure, flower is soaked overnight in a glass of Palasa water, filtered and is taken in empty stomach for a month. One table spoon of leaf decoction is given for three days after fifth day of menstruation for conception.

Contd- 244 INDIAN J TRADITIONALKNOWLEDGE, VOL 7, No.2, APRIL 2008

Table 1 - Plants used ethnomedicinally by the aboriginal tribes - Contd

Plant name, Family and Local name Uses

Calotropis procera Ait. R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae), Leprosy, stomach disorders, rheumatism, headache, intestinal worms': flatulence, Arakha stomach pain"'. Small incision is made with a new blade at the same side of fore head and a drop of latex is applied over the cut for migraine. Capparis zeylanica Linn. (Capparidaceae), Scabies". Root powder is applied over wounds. Root powder is snuffed to drive Birankula, Asadhua evil spirit from the body. Capsicum annuum Linn. (Solanaceae), Four to six numbers of red chillies are rubbed in butter milk and sprayed into the Lanka maricha infected eyes twice daily for few days to cure several eye diseases of cattle. Careya arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae), Kum, Dysentery, eye inflammation, postnatal complaint, bone fracture"; enlargement of Kumbhi scrotum, headache, malaria, convulsiori'". For rheumatism, decoction of young fruits is taken thrice daily for a month. Carica papaya Linn.(Caricaceae), Abortion, yellow fever, malaria, diabetic, convolution, headachel8. 2-3 drops of Amrutabhanda, Pap ita latex is applied on swelling of gums. Few drops of latex are applied over the wound due to snakebite for quick healing. Cassia fistula Linn.(Caesalpiniaceae), Amenorrhoea, skin disease, constipation". Bark paste is applied locally for healing Sunari and raw juice of fresh bark is taken orally for dysentery. Cassia tora Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae), Chakunda Ring worm, reduce fat'". Seed paste with resin of Sal (Sorea robusta), fermented rice water or curd is applied over infected skin till disappearance of the disease. Catunaregam spinosa Thunb, (Rubiaceae), For skin itching, root processed in cow urine for seven days and the paste is Kharal applied over the whole body. Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae), Boils, leucorrhoea, piles, spermatorrhoea". Seeds are pounded in stone and applied Pengu on the skin to cure ring worm, scabies and eczema. Chloroxylon swietenia DC. (Rutaceae), Bheruan Bark powder is applied over wound for quick healing.Twig is kept in home to keep lice away from hen. Cissampelos pareira Linn.(Menispermaceae), Cough, leprosy, rheumatism, headache.'; stomach pain, painful urination 16. Root Guapad, Akanbindi powder is taken orally for insect bite, paralysis, abdominal pain and acidity. Citrullus colocynthes Schrad (Cucurbitaceae), Root paste is applied for worm and piles. Root paste is applied over infected parts Saampboda. for skin disease. Cleome viscose Linn.(Capparidaceae), Rheumatism, headache, to tone up musclel6. For earache, two drops of leaf juice Bansoriso are put into the infected ear. Cocos nucifera Linn. (Arecaceae), Nadia Endocarp is burnt and covered with a metal pot while flaming. After few minutes, it is opened. A thin layer of black, oily substance is smeared on the' inner wall of the pot. This oily substance is collected and applied over ring worms and scabies. Combretum nanum Ham.(Combretaceae), Root decoction is given thrice daily for seven days for rheumatism and epilepsy. Bhuindauria Crataeva nurvala Buch (Capparidaceae) Ear trouble". For abortion, 20-30 ml bark juice with hot water or milk is given Baruna thrice for three to four days. Crossandra infundibuliformis Linn. Fever, sex ailments: Whole plant juice or powder is taken thrice daily for at least (Acanthaceae), Cherpipla, Idla seven days. It is also given for acidity and indigestion. Cryptolepis buchanani Roem. & Schult. Rheumatisrrr'. Irregular menstruation: Root paste with milk is given for two to (Asclepiadaceae), Gopakanu three days to regularize menstruation. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (Amaryllidaceae), Boils, impotency, gonorrhoea'. Tuber paste with curd is taken orally for three days Talmuli to regularize menstruation. Curcuma caesia Roxb.(Zingiberaceae), For snakebite, rhizome is rubbed in stone with water and few drops of this is Kalahaldi, Krushna kedara administered into the nostril for two to four times for a day. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Convolvulaceae), Spermatorrhoea, epilepsy, diarrhoea'. Whole plant boiled in tit oil is applied on Nirmuli hair for darkness and shine. Cymbopogon citrates DC. Stapf. (Poaceae), Cold, diarrhoea.'. Half a cup of whole plant juice is given every morning in empty Dhantari, Dhanwantri stomach for few days to cure reproductive disorders.A spoonful roots dried in shade and pounded to fine powders is given twice a day to cure hysteria. Dalbergia paniculata Roxb.(Fabaceae), For dysentery, 20-30 ml of bark juice is taken once, if needed, second dose is given Dhoben in the alternate day.

Contd- PANDA & PADHY:ETHNOMEDICINE OF KALAHANDI DISTRICT, ORISSA 245

Table I - Plants used ethnomedicinally by the aboriginal tribes - Contd

Plant name, Family and Local name Uses Dillenia pentagyna Roxb.(Dilleniaceae), Expel evil spirit". Root paste with milk is given once a day for three days for Kermeta, Raktasabli dysentery, chest pain and waist pain. Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. (Dioscoreaceae), Antidote for bee sting".Roasted tuber is taken orally daily for a month for the Pitakanda treatment of swelling of scrotum. Elephantopus scaber Linn. (Asteraceae), Headache, pyorrhea, diarrhea". Root paste mixed in raw milk is taken 'orally as Mayurchulia, Mayursikha laxative. Root paste with rice washed water is taken in empty stomach for 3-5 days for irregular menstruation. Erythrina suberosa Roxb.(Fabaceae), Toothache, dysentery, rheumatism", For the treatment of shoulder swelling of Baldia, Paladhua bullock, bark paste is applied locally. . Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (Myrtaceae), Gum mixed in raw milk is taken twice daily for three to four days in case of Nilagiri bacillary dysentery. Euphorbia hirta Linn.(Euphorbiaceae), Asthma, cough, dysentery IS, white dot in eye". Whole plant juice is given for three Chitakuti days to enhance lactation. Ficus benghalensis Linn. (Moraceae), Piles, syphilis, spermatorrhoea, gonorrhea''. Adventitious roots made into paste Bara, Bordi with sugar are tied for 15 days in case of bone fracture. Adventitious root powdered with Gur (molasses) is taken orally thrice a day for a month for piles. Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae), Jhair Five to seven numbers of ripe fruits is chewed and swallowed to reduce high temperature during fever. Ficus glomerata Roxb. (Moraceae), Small pieces of unripe fruits fried in ghee are given in small amount 3-5 times Dimiri , Dumer daily to cure sexual debility and nocturnal ejaculation. Gloriosa superba Linn. (Liliaceae), Abortion, fever in children, asthma, wound healing". Tuber paste is applied over Puraful, Lahalangali the abdomen and kept for hrs. It is repeated for few days till abortion. Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Verbenaceae), Dysentery". An aliquot of 20-30 ml bark juice is taken daily for fifteen days or till Gamer, Gambhari the disappearance of white discharge during irregular menstruation. Gossypium arboreum Linn. (Malvaceae), Kapa For abortion, one tablespoon of root bark juice is given in empty stomach thrice daily for 3-4 days. Grewia hirsuta Vahl. (Tiliaceae), Bansola A piece of root is rubbed in stone with water and applied in eyes to cure white spots in children. Heliotropium supinum Linn. (Boraginaceae), Plant juice with young leaf juice of Butea monosperma is taken for 2-3 days in the Pana airi morning for worms. Hibiscus cancellatus Roxb. (Malvaceae), Dry root pounded in stone to fine powder is taken orally once or twice a day for 2- Ban Bhindi 5 days for abortion. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. Piles, headache, burns, eczema". Seven numbers of leaf buds or flower buds with (Malvaceae), Mandar water or milk is given once for puberty. Warm leaf paste is applied over boils for suppuration. Ipomoea nil (Linn.) Roth.(Convolvulaceae), For dandruff, dried seeds roasted and powdered are applied in scalp with water. It Kharkhatia, is kept for 5-10 minutes and rinsed in water. It is repeated thrice in a week. Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb (Lythraceae), Leaf paste is applied over fresh cut or wound as antiseptic and quick healing of the Sina, sidha - wound. Leonotis nepetaefolia R.Br. (Lamiaceae), Half a cup of leaf juice is taken orally twice or thrice a day to get relief from waist Ghodasutha pain, also leaf paste is applied externally as an emollient to get relief from chest and waist pain. Leucas aspera Spreng. (Lamiaccae), Gubi Sinusitis"; headache.'". Warm leaf paste is applied locally for treating scorpion sting. Ludwigia perennis Linn. (Onagraceae), Jaljali Dysentery". Leaf paste with salt is applied locally at infected skin parts to cure scabies and ring worms. Mentha spicata Linn. (Lamiaceae), Leaf paste along with fruits of Tamarindus indica and Gur (molasses) is taken with Pudina, Potna food for digestion and anorexia. Millettia extensa Benth. ex Baker. (Fabaccae), For piles, root paste made with liquor is applied for 5 minuets for 2 days. Root Goral, Godal paste is applied locally for mad dog bite. Momordica charantia Linn. Constipation, piles, burning sole, jaundice". Half to one cup of leaf juice is taken in (Cucurbitaceae), Karla empty stomach for seven days prevent chicken-pox, measles and fever. Contd- 246 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 7, No.2, APRIL 2008

Table I - Plants used ethnomedicinally by the aboriginal tribes - Contd

Plant name, Family and Local name Uses

Moringa oleifera Lam.(Moringaceae), Scorpion sting, antidote'"; antidote, small pox, semen viscosity'". Fresh bark is Mungo, mugna inhaled to clear nasal congestion to get relief from acute cold. Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC. (Fabaceae), For worm infestation, 3-4 numbers of fruit hairs are taken with molasses. Baidanka Musa paradisiaca Linn. (Musaceae), Kadali Fresh leaf sheath is brought and made an incision. One to two drops of sap coming out of the cut is dropped in to the eye to cure conjunctivitis. Nelsonia canes cells (Lam.) Spreng. Burning foot sole, expel intestinal worrrr'. One tablespoonful leaf juice with milk is (Acanihaceae), Brahmadandi, Bada rasana given for 3 days for menstrual irregularity and 7 days for rheumatism. Nicotiana tabacum Linn. (Solanaceae), Scabies I? Processed and dried leaf powder is soaked in water for lOv lS minutes Dhingia, Bhang. and two drops of water is administered into the infected eye. Oroxylum indicum Vent. (Bignoniaceae), Scabies, leprosy, diarrhea, polyurea, vitality'. During measles and swelling of body. Phapen,Phanaphana a small piece of bark is rubbed in stone with water and applied all over the body and a spoonful is given orally to arrest further growth. Water boiled with bark is used for bathing. Oryza sativa Linn.(Poaceae), Some pieces of straw are chewed and juice is swallowed to get rid from burning Dhana, sensation at the time of urination during summer. Ougenia dalbergioides Benth. (Fabaceae), One teaspoonful of bark juice is given once during dysentery. Bandhan Oxystelma esculenta Linn. f. (Asclepiadaceae), Tuber juice with milk is taken daily in the morning for three days to get relief from Dudel pain during menstruation. Paederiafoetida Linn. (Rubiaceae). Sleep inductions. Leaves cooked as curry is taken with food to get relief from joints Pasaruni, Naraksan pain. Stem is tied around waist for two to three days to get relief from waist pain. Pavetta crassicaulis Bremek. (Rubiaceae), Boils, skin diseases",Root bark decoction of P. crassicaulis and Ball Bhindi Gurvelli, Dhangri Char (Hibiscus manihot) is given in the morning for 3 days for abortion. Twig is used as tooth brush, which has contraceptive action. Pergularia daemia Forsk. (Asclepediaceae), Eye trouble, lactation, toothache", For abortion, half cup of leaf juice is taken in Uturudi, uturli empty stomach in the morning for 3 to 4 days. Peucedanum dhana Buch. Ham. ex C.B.Clarke For arthritis, root juice is taken orally. Var. dalzellii C.B.Clarke (Apiaceae), Bansigopal. Tejraj Plumbago indica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae). A piece of root is inserted into the uterus to expel placenta. Chitaparu, Raktachitapara. Psoralia carylifolia Linn.(Fabaceae), Seeds are soaked in cow urine for 3-7 days and dried. Three to five seeds are given Bakuchi orally every day till the symptoms of leucoderma and vitilago disappear. Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. f. (Fabaceae), Blood purifier, diureticl6 During chest pain and TB, paste prepared from wood Rakia chandan rubbed in stone with water is applied over chest, also dissolved in water and taken orally for few months. Punica granatum Linn. (Puniaceae), Diarrohea". Twigs arc used as tooth brush for strong teeth and healthy gum. For Dalimba amenorrhoea, unripe fruit paste with fermented rice water is given for 3-S days. Ricinus communis Linn. (Euphorbiaceae), Constipatiorr': purgative. enhance now of rnilk'", arthritis, spondilitis, diabetes IS. Jac/a Drops of oil are applied locally to relief pain and avoid swelling after insect bite. Rouvol]ia serpentina Benth. ex Kurz. Menstrual irregularities. antidote for snakebiteS. For stomachache and acidity, a (Apocynaceae), Bhuin Karuan, Patalgaruda small root piece is chewed and juice is swallowed. Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken. Anorexia". Bark paste is applied over swelling. Seed oil is applied locally on skin (Sapindaceae), Kusum. for scabies and ring worm. Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f. Eczema, sprains, cuts", A seed is burnt in fire till it oozes oil and immediately (Anacardiaceae), Ban Bhatia, Bholia touched locally around cuts, wound and swelling to get relief from pain. One tablespoon of milk boiled with seeds is given orally to children to get quick relief from asthma. Sesamum indicum Linn. (Pedaliaceae), Sexual vigour': induces fertility in sterile wornen'". Few drops of seed oil is Rasi , Til administered into the nostril to clear nasal congestion. It is repeated for few days to get relief from cold and cough. Oil is rubbed over whole body and head to have resistance over skin and hair infection. Contd- PANDA & PADHY: ETHNOMEDICI E OF KALAHANDI DISTRICT, ORISSA 247

Table I - Plants used ethnomedicinally by the aboriginal tribes - Contd

Plant name, Family and Local name Uses

Sesbania sesban Merrill (Fabaceae), Jayanti Arthritis I. For rheumatism, A cup of bark decoction, or leaf decoction is given thrice daily for a month. Smilax ovalifolia Roxb. (liliaceae), Dental care". Food is given on the plate made up of leaves of the plant and root Muturi laha powder is given thrice daily for seven days to cure bed-wetting. Root powder with sugar candy is given to increase blood. Soymidajebrijuga A.Juss. (Meliaceae), Wound healing". Plant resin with mushrooms found on the dried trunk of the plant Roin, Rohini. is rubbed on a stone and applied over chest to get relief from chest pain. Bark juice is taken orally and bark paste is applied for few minuets in case of piles and dysentery. Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Asteraceae), Blood dysentery",Crushed leaves are applied locally to relieve pain due to Gandharilata scorpion stings. Streblus asper Lour. (Moraceae), Leucorrhea, eczema and ring worm, leucoderma.'. Fresh twigs are used as tooth Sahada, Tiken brush to strengthen teeth. Dried leaf powder is taken with water or milk twice a day for at least two months for piles. Syrygium cumini (Linn.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), For diabetes, seed powder mixed with leaf powder of Gymnema sylvestre is given Gholijamu, Jamu thrice daily for a month. Tagetes erecta Linn. (Asteraceae), Macerated leaves are applied over fresh cuts to stop bleeding and prevent infection. Gendu, Makhmelful Tamarindus indica Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae), Bodyache, dysentery",Five to ten yrs old fruit with Gur is given to the children Tentuli suffering from cough. Fruit paste made with Gur, leaves of Mentha spicta and coriander is taken as appetizer. Seeds rubbed on the stone with water are applied locally for scorpion sting. Tephrosia purpurea Pers. (Fabaceae), Abdominal pain'",Root is chewed and kept within the gum for 0-15 minutes for Kolthia toothache. Root paste is taken with milk twice daily for 7 days for strangury. Terminalia alata Heyne. ex Roth For epilepsy, aliquots of 20-30 ml of bark juice is given thrice daily for a month or (Combretaceae), Sahaj till the symptom disappears. Tinospora cordifolia Willd. Spermatorrhoea.': blood purifier, epilepsy mumps'". Leaf paste or stem juice is (Menispermaceae), Gulchi, Guduchi given orally thrice daily for 5-7 days during fever. Tragia involucrata Linn. (Euphorbiaceae), Acute dysentery!".Fruit is touched at few places on forehead to get relief from Bichhuati, Baikhujren headache. Whole plant paste is applied over the wound of cattle to expel worms and for quick healing. Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Zygophyllaceae), One to two spoonful of root paste is taken with milk after third day of menstruation Gokhra for 4-7 days to regularize irregular menstruation. Trichosanthes bracteata Lam. (Cucurbitaceae), Ear infection.'. Root paste processed in cow urine is used for hair falling due to Mahakal infection and regeneration of new hair. Tylophora fasciculata Buch.-Ham. ex wight Fever, body pairr'.Five to 10 gm of root powder thrice daily is taken for IS days (Asclepediaceae), Bisamjodi, Bishnujadi for rheumatism. Root paste is applied in children to expel intestinal worm. Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill Flowers fried in ghee are taken after s" day of menstruation to prevent conception. (Aselepediaceae), Chanur Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr Cough, unconsciousness', Plant juice (about IS ml) is taken thrice daily for 5 days (Asteraceae), Bhamra for treating waist pain. Woodjordiajruticosa Kurz. (Lythraceae), Root paste is applied at the face of the anus for few minutes to expel intestinal Dhatki, Dhatu worm. Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnaceae), Dysentery, nausea, vomiting". Two to three young leaf with leaf bud is given thrice Buro, Barakoli daily for 5 days to cure cough. Dry fruit powder with salt and chili is taken with food as appetizer. tributaries of 3 major rivers along with hillocks with causes damages to the phytodiversity. Reports from dense forest. The area is inaccessible and supports some other backward and aborigin tribes found in about 13 major ethnic tribes. These people, South India, Iran, Morocco, Sudan, and Italy are constituting about 48% of the district population live frequent In. I·iterature:1:419-22 . M ost reports recor d uses in nature as a part of it, as known from their of local plants as medicines and the scientific phytodiversity requirements of an exemplary tribe, communities do not know them being used by Kandha'. Secondly, the rich flora is still preserved to aborigines earlier. Not only in developing but also in a large ex}ent and only natural and induced forest fire developed countries, there has been a renewal of 248 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, Vol?, No. 2,APR.IL 2008

Fig.1 Location map of the study area Fig.2 Abrus pulchellus Fig.3 Acacia lenticularis

FigA Alangium salviifolium Fig.5 Arisaema tortuosum Fig. 6 Biophytum sensitivum

Fig.? Capparis zeylanica Fig.8 Combretum nanum Fig.9 Erythrina suberosa

Fig.10- Leonotis nepeteetolie Fig.11 Sphaeranthus indicus Fig .12 Woodfordia fruticosa PANDA & PADHY: ETHNOMEDICINE OF KALAHANDI DISTRICT, ORISSA 249 interest towards the use of herbal medicine for a 2 Udayan PS, George S, Tushar KV & Balchandran I, common/non-common ailment. Unfortunately, the Medicinal plants used by the Kaadar tribes of Sholayar forest, Thrissur district, Kerala, Indian J Traditional commercial utilization of forest resources and forest Knowledge. 4(2) (2005) 159-163. lands for developmental activities, displacements of 3 Singh V & Chauhan NS, Traditional practices of herbal indigenous communities from their resource base and medicines in the Lahaul valleys, Himachal Himalays, Indian ignorance of the skeptic elite mass the indigenous art J Traditional Knowledge. 4(2) (2005) 208-220 .. 4 Rothe SP, Ethnomedicinal plants from Katepurna wildlife of primary healthcare practices, as well as protection sanctuary of Akola district, Indian J Traditional Knowledge. and conservation of forest resources, are under threat. 3 (2003) 378-382. Modernism has slowly crept in to these tribal belts 5 Das S, Dash SK & Padhy SN, Ethnomedicinal Information from Orissa State, JHum Ecol, 14 (2003) 165-227. resulting in migration of people and the knowledge on 6 Haines HH, The Botany of Bihar and Orissa, Part I-VI, (MIS traditional herbal health practice is slowly vanishing. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun), 1988. Thus, ethnobotany and pharmacognosy of herbs and 7 Saxena HO & Brahmam M, The flora of Orissa, Vol I-IV, their products in the tribal belt is a priority. This (Orissa Forest Development Corporation Ltd, Bhubaneswar), 1994-1996. problem is aggravated by loss of phytodiversity due to 8 Anonymous, Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda, (National forest fire and loss of natural habitat of plants due to Academy of Ayurveda, New Delhi), 1998. deforestation. Several rare and endangered plant 9 Anonymous, Database on Medicinal Plants, Vol I-V, species are often affected by unsustainable collections (Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, New Delhi), 2001. from the forest. A depository for rare plants or 10 Anonymous, The Treaties on Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol l- reserved forest would be essential for saving the VI, (National Institute for Science Communication, CSJR, endangered plant species. New Delhi), 1992-2001. Out of 111 plants documented herein, uses of 49 11 Bedi R, Jungle Ki Jadibutian, (Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt Ltd, New Delhi), 2000. plants were never reported or published as medicinal 12 Nayak SC, Abhinaba Ayurveda Darpan, (Dasarathi uses from the state. These plants are unique to these Pustakalaya, Cuttack), 1970, 1-665. tribes surveyed. Medicinal uses of 53 plants are new, 13 Sharma KP, Ayurveda Darpan, (Arunodaya Press, Cuttack), but their other uses were recorded elsewhere.'. Rest 9 1945,1-440. 14 Natarajan B, Paulsen BS & Pushpangadan P, An plants (A. marmelos, C. papaya, G. superba, L. ethnopharmacological study from the Coimbatore district, parviflora, M. oleifera, P. indica, S. cumini, T. erecta Tamil Nadu, India: Traditional knowledge compared with and T. purpurea) have been documented as medicinal modern biological science, Pharmaceut Biol, 37 (1999) 378- 390. plants in ethnomedicinal literature without any 15 Katewa SS, Chaudhary BL, Jain A & Galav P, Traditional specific uses against any ailment and new uses are uses of plant diversity from Aravali hills of Rajasthan, Indian recorded herein". J Traditional Knowledge, 2(1)(2003) 27-29. Medicinal uses of each plant recorded in Indian 16 Pushpangadan P & Atal CK, Ethnomedicinal and Ethnobotanical investigations among some scheduled caste Ayurveda System of healthcare and those reported by communities of Travancore, Kerala, India, J local inhabitants are more often differenrf". The Ethnopharmacol, 16 (1986) 175-190. tribal people use these plants for a number of diseases 17 Chantia A, Traditional knowledge of ethnomedicine in recorded against these plants and have potentiality Jaunsar-bawar, Dehradun district, Indian J Traditional Knowledge, 2(4)(2003) 397-399. towards the development of new active compounds. 18 Ajibade LT, Fatoba PO, Raheem VA & Odunuga BA, There precious knowledge which is of course on the Ethnomedicine and primary healthcare in Ilorin, Nigeria, verge of disappearance along with these plants. The Indian J Traditional Knowledge, 4(2) (2005) 150-158. study includes medicines known to aboriginal 19 Miraldi E, Ferri S & Mostaghimi V, Botanical drugs and preparations in the traditional medicine of West Azerbaijan schedule tribes and other non-tribal communities of (Iran). J Ethnopharmacol, 75 (2001) 77-87. Kalahandi. The data recorded can possibly be used as 20 Jouad H, Haloui M, Rhiouani H, El Hilaly J & Eddouks M, the potential source for making herbal or modem Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes, cardiac and renal diseases in the North medicine against some diseases and can be treated as center region of Morocco (Fez-Boulemane), a document for preserving the vanishing JEthnopharmacol, 77 (2001) 175-182. ethnomedicinal knowledge for future. 21 Almagboul AZ, Basir AK, Salih A, Karim M, Fariyj A & Khalid SA, Antimicrobial activity of certain Sudanese plants used in folkloric medicine, screening for antibacterial activity References (V), Fitoterapia, 59 (1988) 57-62. 1 Panda T, Panigrahi SK & Padhy RN, A sustainable use of 22 Moscolo N, Autore G, Capasso F, Menghini A & Fasulo MP, phytodiversity by Kandha tribe of Orissa, Indian J Biological screening of Italian medicinal plants for anti- Traditional Knowledge, 4(2)(2005) 173-178. inflammatory activity, Phytother Res, 1 (1987) 28-31.