Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources Vol. 3(2), June 2012, pp. 262-266

Ethnobotanical study of some common plants used among the tribal communities of Kashipur,

Bhasker Joshi1* and S C Pant2 1Department of Science, Surajmal Agarwal Pvt. Kanya Mahavidyalaya, -263 148 (, ), Uttarakhand, 2Kumaun Kesari Pt. Badri Dutt Pandey Govt. P. G. College, Bageshwar-263 642 (Kumaun University, Nainital), Uttarakhand Received 27April 2011; Accepted 14 February 2012 The present study highlights traditionally used medicinal plants by the tribal communities in Kashipur (Uttrakhand). A total of 22 common plants belonging to 16 families used to cure human diseases and in which 1 plant species was used to cure diseases of cattle of the local communities. Based on life form 07 therophytes, 14 phanerophytes and 01 chamaephyte were recorded. Local communities, especially, older people including women frequently use these locally available medicinal plants for their health and believe that these are easily available, less expensive and have no side effects.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Kashipur, Medicinal plants, Tribes, Traditional practices, Uttarakhand. IPC code; Int. cl. (2011.01) A61K 36/00

Introduction these have been adopted for use by the medicinal From the world 420,000 flowering plants have been profession7. Various tribal communities like Bokshas, reported and more than 50,000 plants have been used Tharus, Bhotias, Van-gujjars, Marchchas, Tolchas, for medicinal purposes1,2. India is rich in its own flora, Jaunsaris, Koltas, Gangwal, Banw-rauat, etc.8 are there are 17,500 species of higher plants, 64 associated in Uttarakhand and they develop their own Gymnosperms, 1,200 Pteridophytes, 2,850 Bryophytes, traditional system of therapy. 2,021 Lichens, 15,500 Fungi and 6,500 Algae are This review highlights traditional use of some plants reported in which 5,725 Angiosperms, 10 among tribal communities of Kashipur (Tharu and Gymnosperms, 193 Pteridophytes, 678 Bryophytes, Van-gujjar). On the basis of extensive field survey and 260 Liverworts, 466 Lichens, 3,500 Fungi and 1,924 interactions with tribal communities attempts are being Algae are endemic plant species3. Traditional medical made at different levels for sustainable utilization of knowledge of medicinal plants and their use by this resource in order to develop the medicinal plants indigenous cultures are not only useful for conservation sector. This study will definitely be helpful to of cultural traditions and biodiversity but also for pharmacologist, phytochemist and young researcher in community healthcare and drug development in the the field of medicine for finding other unknown uses of present and future4. The Himalayas is one of the global these plants. biodiversity hotspots, where ecological, phyto- geographical and evolutionary factors favor high Geographical location species diversity. It supports about 18,440 species of For the present study, the forests of Tarai and plants, of which 25.3% is endemic to the region5,6. Bhawar area of Kumaun adjacent to Kashipur were Plants have been used in traditional medicine for selected. The study sites situated in the foothills of several thousand years. In India, traditional healers Shivalik mountain of outer Himalaya and south-east used 2500 plant species and 100 species of plants serve to Corbett National Park between 29º14’43.6’’ N to as regular sources of medicine. Many of the methods 29º19’50.5’’ N and 79º03’22.6’’ E to 79º04’23.2’’ E for treating injuries and diseases have been passed at an elevation of 250 to 265 m above the sea level, down through families for generation and some of within the districts of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar and occupies the middle reaches of the river ______*Correspondent author: Kosi and Dabka (Source: Office of Tarai West Forest E-mail: [email protected]; Phone: +091-9760358365 Division, Kumaun, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand) (Plate 1). JOSHI & PANT: ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF PLANTS USED BY TRIBALS OF KASHIPUR, UTTARAKHAND 263

Plate 1  Maps of Uttarakhand and study area 264 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, JUNE 2012

Material and Methods forest flora of Kumaun, Flora Simlensis, Flora The present work is an outcome of the personal Nainitalensis and Flora of Mussoorie11-14. observation made during the survey January 2010 to December 2010. In this study information which were Results and Discussion collected from tribal communities then discussed with In the present study, 22 plants of 16 families were vaidyas, scientists, ayurvedic doctors, forest staff and reported for their traditional use among the tribal local people about the different uses of plants, methods communities (Table 1). The local inhabitants have and periods of collection, their conservation strategies developed their own knowledge about the utilization and the fate of traditional knowledge systems as well and conservation of plants, which passes from discussed by Phondani et al9 and Jain10. Plants were generation to generation15,16. The tribal communities identified with the help of a plant taxonomist and the of Kashipur use these plants in the forms of

Table 1  Plants documented as used medicinally among the Tribal communities of Kashipur, uttarakhand S. No. Name of Plant Species Family Habit Common Traditional Use names 1 Abelmoschus Malvaceae Herb Jangali Fresh roots of Abelmoschus moschatus and Bombax moschatus Medic. bhindi ceiba’s young plant used in treatment of leucorrhea in female and sexual impotency in men. 2 Acacia nilotica Mimosaceae Shrub Babul Fresh leaves extract with warm water is used in treatment (Linn.) Willd. of oral aphthae. 3 Adenostemma Asteraceae Herb − The flowering tops increases saliva formation thus used lavenia Linn. in treatment of dryness of mouth. 4 Ageratum conyzoides Linn. Asteraceae Herb − Extract of fresh leaves is used as a coagulating agent in open wounds. 5 Anisomeles indica Lamiaceae Herb − Fresh leaves as well as greenish parts contain volatile oil (Linn.) Kuntze used in treatment of cough and cold. 6 Bombax ceiba Linn. Malvaceae Tree Semul Dry calyx of flowering parts with sugar used in treatment of emission in men. Bombax ceiba’s roots and Dalbergia sissoo’s fresh leaves are used in treatment of sexual impotency in men. 7 Kalanchoe pinnata Crassulaceae Herb Ajubi/Sprout 40-50 ml. leaf extract of this plant two times in a day used (Lam.) Pers. leaf plant in treatment of renal calculi and infection in urinary bladder. 8 Butea monosperma Fabaceae Tree Dhak, Palash The flower extract with water used for gastritis (Lam.). Kuntze (hyperacidity). 9 Commelina Commelinaceae Herb Kanchara Fresh leaves paste of plant used for curing swelling due to benghalensis Linn. honeybee biting in 2 to 2½ hours. 10 Commelina padulosa Commelinaceae Herb Kankowa Decoction of plants with water used in treatment of Blume sexual impotency in men within three days. 11 Cordia myxa Linn. Boraginaceae Tree Lasura Fruit of plant used for common cold and cough. 12 Dalbergia sissoo Fabaceae Tree Shisham Bombax ceiba’s roots and Dalbergia sisso’s fresh leaves Roxb. are used in treatment of sexual impotency in men. In addition, 10 g sugar (mishri) and five fresh leaf of Dalbergia sisso two times in a day (BD) is used in treatment of sexual impotency in men. Fresh leaves extract is used in treatment of perspiration and charcoal of stem is used in poisoning case. 13 Eugenia jambolana Myrtaceae Tree Jamun Extract of bark in water is used in treatment diabetes. Lam. 14 Ficus benghalensis Moraceae Tree Bargad The milky latex of fruit with sugar used in treatment of Linn. sexual impotency in men. 15 Glycosmis Rutaceae Shrub Ban Nimbu Seeds of plant used in curing of vomiting. pentaphylla Correa. 16 Grevillea robusta Proteaceae Tree Silver Oak Paste of fresh leaves is boiled in vegetable . Mix A. Cunn. ex R.Br. properly with coconut oil and applied externally on burn scars two times in a day for ten days. (Contd.) JOSHI & PANT: ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF PLANTS USED BY TRIBALS OF KASHIPUR, UTTARAKHAND 265

Table 1  Plants documented as used medicinally among the Tribal communities of Kashipur, uttarakhandContd. S. No. Name of Plant Species Family Habit Common Traditional Use names 18 Litsea glutinosa Lauraceae Tree Maida The bark used in treatment of bone fracture. C. B. Robinson 19 Prunus persica Rosaceae Tree Aru Mixture of fresh leaves with sugar kill worms in abdomen Batsch. of domestic animal. 20 Psidium guajava Myrtaceae Tree Guava Chewing of fresh leaves give relief from cough and Linn. flatulence. Powder of dry fruit with black salt provides relief from gastritis. 21 Tagetes erecta Asteraceae Herb Ganda/ Fresh leaves extract is used in treatment of deafness and Linn. Marigold eczematous conditions. 22 Terminalia arjuna Combretaceae Tree Arjun One kg bark and 5 l of water is heated continuously until Wight & Arn.. the volume remains 1 l, to it mixed 10 grains of black pepper and 10 g of black salt. One teaspoonful of this mixture two times in a day is used in treatment pneumonia.

decoction, juice, powder, paste, oil and whole plant children21. Whereas, in the present study it is observed extract. In most of cases single plant species is used that these plants are used for different for herbal medicines but sometimes more than one purposes/ailments by the tribals of Kashipur. plant species is used for treatment of single disease. Some plants were used in more than one form of Conclusion preparations. Majority of the plant preparation were in Thus, the observations of present study showed that the form of decoction obtained from the roots, seeds, traditional medicine plays a significant role in tribal stem, leaves and flowers. The bitter, sweet, acrid, communities of Kashipur as well as various tribal aromatic seeds of Abelmoschus moschtus used as communities of rest of world. From ancient time, they tonic and considered as cooling, aphrodisiac, have well developed their own pharmacopoeia ophthalmic, cardio tonic, digestive, stomachic, (traditional system of therapy). So this study will be constipating, carminative, pectoral, diuretic, helpful for researcher and pharmaceutical industries stimulant, antispasmodic and deodorant17. Ageratum to find out the other uses of plant which will helpful conyzoides with root of Thalictrum foliolosum made to modern health care system of India. into paste and applied on sores, cuts and various skin ailments16 also its leaves and roots are used in Acknowledgements treatment of appearance of cloudy urination in The author (BJ) gratefully thanked to Prof. Y. P. S. women18. Juice of Commelina benghalensis is given Pangtey (D.Sc. F.N.A.Sc.), Kumaun University, in dysentery and paste applied on body swelling and Nainital for their help in plant identification. Thanks ache16. Glycosmis pentaphylla is used in treatment of to Dr. M. K. Agarwal (B.H.M.S.) for their help in leucorrhoea18 and removal of intentional worm19. critically reviewing the manuscript. I am also thankful Extract of Kalanchoe pinnatum given in amoebic to forest department of Tarai West Forest Division, dysentery19. Terminalia arjuna used in treatment of Ramnagar and local native of study area for providing bone fracture9. Litsea glutinosa used in treatment of information about the traditional health care systems gonorrhea, burning sensations during urination, of their community. constipation and increase body strength18. Bombax ceiba given in treatment of diarrhoea19. Leaf References decoction Butea monosperma given to expel intestinal 1 Govaerts R, How many species of seed plants are there? 19 Taxonomy 2001, 50, 1085-1090. worms by Toto tribe . Leaf and bark of Holoptelea 2 Schippmann U, Leaman D J and Cunninghan A B, Impact of integrifolia astringent, bitter, antihelmintic and used cultivation and gathering of medicinal plants on Biodiversity: for the treatment of diabetes, skin disease, intestinal FAO. Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach in disorder, leprosy and rheumatism20. The bark of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Satellite event on the Psidium guajava have astringent, febrifuge, occasion of the Ninth Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome. Inter- antiseptic property also the decoction of the leaves is Departmental Working Group on Biological Diversity for applied with much benefit to the Prolapsus Ani of Food and Agric Rome, 2002, pp. 12-13. 266 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, JUNE 2012

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