Indian.Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vo!. 2(3). July 2003, pp. 292-296

Traditional knowledge on plants from Toranmal plateau of

PP Sharma* and A M Mujumdar Plant Science Division, Agharkar Research Institute, G G Agarkar Road, PlIne 411004 Received 4 Septelllber 2002; revised 19 December 2002

Plant based traditional knowledge has beco me a recognized tool in the search for new sources of drugs and neutraceuticals. During last few decades various Government agencies. NGOs and pharmaceutical companies have carried out several explorations in search of nc\\ drugs. Present communication deals with the traditional knowledge of tribals residing in Toranmal plateau of Maharashtra. The tribals of this region are using plants/plant parts or th e ir suitable preparations for treating various ailments. According to present survey the most prevalent ailments in this region are gastrointestinal disorders, and in treating majority of the m underground parts like rhizome, root, tubers. etc. are used. In the present study traditional uses of species of I () I plants were documented. Out of these uses of 25 plants are not cited ill the major literature consulted hence, are considered as less known and are enumerated ill thi s paper.

Keywords: Traditional knowledge. Medicinal plants, Toranmal plateau.

Herbal medicine is widely practiced from malarial) and Trichopus (anti-fatigue). ancient period throughout the world. etc. These medicines are comparati vely safe On one hand drug di scovery and environment friendly than synthetic programmes based on information ones. Since last couple of decades through traditional knowledge tS intensive work is being carried out on the emphasized and on other hand rapid phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, pharma­ urbanization, modernization alld cology and toxicology of various herbal industrialization are posing threats to the drugs. Attempts are also made to validate existence of native population and their ethnobotanical claims. Some of the recent traditional knowledge. In most parts or examples in drug development relate to the country, forests are being degraded at the species of Commiphora an alarming rate and monoculture (hypolipidaemic agent), Picrorhiza plantation is resulting into the loss of (hepatoprotective), Bacopa (psycho- plant diversity, hence there is an urgent active), Curcuma (anti-inflammatory), need for documentation of tradi tional Asclepias (cardiotonic), Artemisia (anti- knowledge and conservation of plants. Realizing these facts, the authors took up "' Correspondent author the present task. SHARMA & MUJUMDAR: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE FROM TORANMAL PLATEAU 293

The study area Method of survey Toranmal, one of the higher elevation For documentation of ethnobotanical plateaus of Satpuda Mountain is situated information and collection of plant in northern part of Maharashtra State. It material tours were undertaken duri ng th e lies between 21 0 52' N latitudes and period 1999-2002. Documentation 740 31' E longitudes and covers about 41 consisted of interviews wi th traditional sq km of forest area. Earlier it was part of healers (viz. medicinemen. vaid, e lder Dhule district of Maharashtra. Due to people) based on the method given by 2 3 recent division it has become part of Jain , Jain & Mudgal . Ethnobotanical district of the State. Forests of information was noted on data sheets and this plateau are of tropical dry deciduous in the field books. For collection of plant type dominated by Teclona grandis L., material, local informer acco mpanied th e Te/"/nil1olia spp. and Acacia calechu (L.f.) authors. The information on medicinal Willd. uses reported in present paper is provided In this area about 80% population is by III ne medicinemen. Herbarium tribals and the major tribes are Bhil and specImens were deposited at th e Naika/Naikda. Other minor tribes are Herbarium of National Botanical Dhanka, Gomit, Konkana and Pardhi. The Research Institute CL WG), Luckno\V. language used by them is akin to Marathi. Medicinal uses of plants were In addition to food they are using several compared with major published literature 4 5 plants for their basic requirements like like Ambasta , Asolkar er 01 , Chopra cl 67 . 18 . ~ · II d SI . 12 medicine, fodder, fibre, dye, etc. They a1 . . , HusaIl1 et a , J aIl1 an 1arma collect plant material from nearby forests and besides this several research papers and also grow some important species in were consulted. The uses, which are not their kitchen and dooryard gardens. mentioned in literature are considered as Tribals residing in these areas have great new or less known in and are faith in the useful and curative properties enumerated in present paper. of the plants. Most of the plants are used in fresh condition for the treatment and Enumeration some are dried and stored for future use. MedicillaL\': The plants are arranged Living close to the nature they have alphabetically by botanical name acquired unique knowledge about the use followed by local name, family, uses of flora and have developed (part, mode of preparation, doses and pharmacopoeia of their own. Many health method of administration). Finally hazards like gastrointestinal disorders, informer' s name, tribe and his address in jaundice, fever, snake-bite, injuries, etc. Toranmal have been provided III are being treated by using these plant parenthesis. materials. Based on this information, Acacia chul1dra Wi lid., 'Kiwi r' , brief account on use of some medicinal Mimosaceae plants from this area was published by Use: Dysentry; 20-30 ml concentrated l Shanna . bark extract is given twice a day for two 294 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 2, No. 3, JULY 2003 to three days (Pahad Singh/Naikl Uses: a. Fever; leaf paste is applied Modapada). over forehead and other body parts to Anogeissus latifolia Bedd., reduce temperature (Chandar Singh/Naikl 'Dhawada', Combretaceae Leghapani). Use: Vomiting; 20-30 ml of bark b. Loose motions and vomiting; 30-40 extract given twice at the interval of 6-8 ml of plant extract is given twice for 2 hours depending on condition of patient. days (Ghachya Nangry/Bhil1 Note: Bark should be taken from Sitakhaipada). bottom to top direction (Chander Singh/ Euphorbia geniculata Orteg. ' Dudh i' , Naik/Leghapani). Euphorbiaceae Asparagus racelnOSUS WiIId., 'Arya Use: To improve lactation in cattle; 80- gavat/Shatavari', Liliaceae 100 gm crushed plants mixed with Use: Pimples; root paste is applied maize/wheat flours given to cattle for 15- (Chi manramya). 20 days (Chandar Singh/Naikl Atylosia volubilis Gamble, Leghapani). 'Walmohida', Fabaceae Hygrop/zylla auriculata (Schum.) Use: Dysentry and stomach pain; 30-40 Heine 'Talimkhana', Acanthaceae ml of bark extract is given twice a day for Use: Headache; leaf paste applied over two days (Ghivanya BhillBhiIl forehead Khadakipada). (ChimanramyalNaiklKundipada). Bucizallania lanzall Spr., 'Charoli', Lagenaria siceraria Standal., 'Dudhi­ Anacardiaceae bhopla', Cucurbitaceae Use: Itch; seed paste is rubbed over the Use: a. Constipation in cattle; green infected body part (Bindya TikadyalNaikl fruits are fed to cattle (Pahad Amdaripada). Singh/NaiklModapada). Cardiospermuln halicacabuln L., b. Veterinary: foot and mouth disease; 'Phatakadi', Sapindaceae green fruit slices are rubbed inside mouth Use: Tonic; seeds are directly eaten as twice a day for 8-10 days (Chandar tonic (Pahad Singh/Naik/Modapada). Singh/NaiklLeghapani). Celosia argentia L., 'Ukhawada', Ocimum americalllllll L., 'Gandhanya A maranthaceae gavat', Lamiaceae Use: Wounds; root paste is applied Uses: a. Veterinary: parasitic flies; leaf (Pahad Singh/NaiklModapada). rubbed over body of cattle (Gulab Clerodendrum multiflorum (L.) Singh/Naik/Bhavatipada). Moon., 'Arnya', Verbanaceae b. Cuts and wounds; leaf juice is Use: Constipation in cattle; leaves are applied (Bindya TikadyalNaikl fed to cattle for 3-4 days or 500-600 ml Amdmipada). leaf extract is given once a day for few Plumbago auriculata L., ' Kali days (Gulab Singh/NaiklBhavatipada). chitrak', Plumbaginaceae Enicostema axillare Raynal., Use: Acidity; root juice 5-10 ml or ' Kadunay', Gentianaceae extract 20-30 ml laken before each meal SHARMA & MUJUMDAR: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE FROM TORANMAL PLATEAU 295 for a week (Pahad Singh/Naik/ plateau, resulted in the information about Modapada). traditional plant uses of 101 plant species Terminalia beWrica (Gaertn.) Roxb., belonging to 89 genera and 47 families. ' Behada', Combretaceae Of these 74 plants are medicinal, 44 Use: Skin burns; bark paste is applied edibles and II used for other purposes. (Pahad Singh/Naik/Modapada). Medicinal uses of 28 species in this Tinospora cordij"olia (Willd.) Hook. f. region are also known in Ayurveclic & Thoms., 'Gulvel' Menispermaceae practices, which indicates authenticity of Use: Measles; root paste is applied the traditional practices. The paper (Somya Rawaji/NaiklKalapani). enumerates 20 medicinal uses which are Zizyphus rugosa Lamk., 'Bor' , not cited in the major medicinal and Rhamnaceae ethnobotanical literature in India and Use: Loose motions; 20-30 ml bark seven uncommon edible plants. extract given twice (Chandar Singh/ Among medicinal plants majority of Naik/Leghapani). species are from families Fabaceae and Some uncommon edible plants are Euphorbiaceae. Most prevalent given in Table I. ailments/diseases 111 these areas are gastrointestinal disorders; this may be due Discussion to poor sanitary conditions and/or Use of plants for basic requirements contaminated potable water. The like food, medicine, etc. is probably as medicinal preparations are used in old as human itself. Whatever traditional various forms, viz. plant sap, powder. knowledge exits today has its origin in extract, decoctioil, paste, juice based on past, which has been passed through one experience of the tribals for individual generation to other by verbal means. plant. Use of plant species for veterinary Present ethnobotanical explorations ailments shows their consciousness about conducted in forest areas of Toranmal the health of livestock.

Table l-Some uncommon edible plants of Toranmal plateau

Plant Name & Family Locai Name Pan/s Used A rg 1'111011 e lIlixicallu L. Ghokra stem as vegetable Papaveraceae BlIleu /lIOII OSpe r/l/(/ (Lamk.) Taub. Palas flowers. pod as vegetahle Fabaceae Clerodelldru/I/ serralu/I/ (L.) Moon Karai young leaves as vegetable Fabaceae Des/l/odillll1 oojeillclIsis (Roxb.) Hochr. Tiwas fl owers as vegetable Febaceae Ril'ea hyp(}craleri/onnis Choisy Phange leaves as vegetable Convolvulaceae Cart/ga pil7l1{f/(l Roxb. Kakad fruits eaten and used for pickle B U rse raceae Crewia liliae{o/ia Vahl Dhalllan Fruits edible Tiliaceae 296 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 2. No. 3, JULY 2003

Sometimes medicinemen recommend 3 Jain S K & Mudgal V, A Ha/l{lbook or direct chewing or eating of plant part e.g. Etllll obotanv. (Bishen Si ngh Mahend ra Pal Singh, Dehradun), 1999. roots of Baliosperl1lul11 l1lontanUI/1 are 4 Ambasta S P, The Usejit! Plallts (It II/{lill. eaten directly for treating acute condition (Publi cations & Information Dire:ctorate:. like constipation. The majority of the CSIR , New Delhi), 19lJ2. medi cin es are prepared as paste and 5 Asolkar L V. Kakkar K K & C hakre 0 .I. applied externally or internally depending Clossarv of IlIdian Medicinal Plalll,l' \Villi on condition and requirement of the ACli ve Prillciples (A-K) ( 1965-191-1 I ). patient. Majority of preparations are from (Publicatio ns & Information Directorate. CSIR, New Delhi), 19n. underground parts (like root, rhizome, 6 C hopra R N, C hopra I C & Varma 13 S. tuber, etc.). Since most of the herbs and Supplell/elll ro Clo.ls(//)' (It The IlIlIillll climbers are ephemeral, it shows II/ellicillol PIWiI.\, (Publications & Informatiull tendency of tribes towards conservation. Directorate, CSIR, New Delhi ). 1l)69. 7 C hopra R N. Nayar S L & C hopra I C. Acknowledgements Closs{//)' (!( IlIdiall Medicinal Plllllls. Authors are thankful to the Directors, (Publicatio ns & Informatio n Directorate. Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, and CSIR, New Delhi). 1956. National Botanical Research Institute and 8 Husain A. Virmani 0 1', Popli S P. Mi sra L N. Gupta M M, Srivastava G N. Abralwlll Z & In stitute of Ethnobiology, Lucknow, and Singh A K. DiCl ionw), (It IlIdiall Ml'di('illlll to Or. S. K. Jain for inspiration and Plallls, (CIM AP. Lucknow). 1992. constant encouragement. One of us is 9 lain S K, DiCliollorv of EtllllOl'elerill(//'\' thankful to CSIR, New Delhi for fi nanci al Planls of fn dia, (Deep Publications. Ne\\ support for one field tour. Delhi), 1999. 10 l ain S K (Ed.). ElllllObi%gv ill 1-1/1 111(//1 References We(fclre. (Deep Publications, New lk lhi ). 1996. Sharma P P, Tort/nil/at (Nandllrbar, Maharashtra) Yethil Vallspatillch e Kahi 11 Jain S K, Di c ti(iI1[[J ~v of IlIdial/ Folk Mer/icille Allsllllhiya Cun (in Marathi), ( In stitute of ond EthnobotallY, (Deep Publications. New Ethnobio logy, Lucknow), 2002. Delhi), 199 1. 2 lain S K, Methods alld Approaches ill 12 Shanna P P, Elhll Obol([nv ot' Dmlm, N{/g{/ r Ethnobotallv. (Society of Ethnobotani sts, Ha veli and Dall/an, (Botanical Survey of Lucknow), 1989. India. Calcutt a). 200 I.