Kapoor et al. UJAHM 2013, 01 (01): Page 5-9 www.ujconline.net

UNIQUE JOURNAL OF AYURVEDIC AND HERBAL MEDICINES Review Article

SOME ETHNOMEDICINAL TREE SPECIES OF SHEKHAWATI REGION OF USED IN FOLK AND HERBAL MEDICINES Kapoor BBS 1* and Kamal Kishor 2 1Herbal Research laboratory, P.G. Department of Botany, Dungar College, -334003 2Department of Botany, Vivekanand P.G. College, Bhadra

*CorrespondingAuthor: BBS Kapoor, Herbal Research laboratory, P.G. Department of Botany, Dungar College, Bikaner-334003 Email: [email protected] Received 04-06-2013; Revised 24-06-2013; Accepted 12-07-2013

ABSTRACT The Shekhawati region is spread over the and districts of Rajasthan state. Studies have been done on identification and exploration of the possibilities of exploitation of ethnomedicinal tree species of Shekhawati region. The major tribes are Bhils, Garasia, Saharia, Meena, Damor, Patelia, kanjar, gadolia luhar etc. These tribes still prefer traditional medicines for their household remedies. Ten tree species like Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., Albizia lebbeck (Linn.) Willd., Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile., Bauhinia variegata Linn., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., Crataeva nurvala Buch-Ham., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Maytenus emarginata (willd.) Ding-Hou., Salvadora presica Linn., undulata (Sm.) Seem. have been selected for this research work. It has revealed that these tree species have great potential to be used in drugs and pharmaceutical industries. The present investigation is aimed to create awareness about the ethnomedicinal value of the plants and their uses to draw the attention of pharmacologists, phytochemists and pharmaceuticals. Keywords: Ethnomedicinal tree species, Shekhawati region, Rajasthan, Folk and Herbal Medicines

INTRODUCTION

The Shekhawati region is spread over the Jhunjhunu and Sikar Since from the time of (4500-1600 B.C.) or even districts of Rajasthan state and surrounded by earlier man has been using the plants as medicine. The plant towards the East and the districts of , Nagaur and Churu kingdom still has many plant species of medicinal value yet to on other sides. The soil of Shekhawati largely comprises of be discovered. Literature on traditional medicines is very little, desert sands and gravel in hilly areas. The region is traversed especially from the point of view of their ethnomedicinal by a single rainy season and characterised by high velocity value. The herbal plants of Rajasthan desert have been studied winds in summers.Rajasthan includes 12.44% of tribal for their ethnobotanical aspects by many workers. 1-12 To fill up population of the total population .The major tribes are Bhils, the lacuna in the existing knowledge on medicinal plants and Garasia, Saharia, Meena, Damor, Patelia, kanjar, gadolia luhar to add little more, ethnomedicinal studies have been etc. These tribes still prefer traditional medicines for their undertaken for such plants that are used extensively by the household remedies. The commonly used herbal medicines by local people and tribal communities of Shekhawati region of these tribes mostly belong to family Apiaceae, Rajasthan. Asclepiadaceae, Asteraceae, Balanitaceae, Bignoniaceae, The present investigation is aimed to create awareness about Caesalpiniaceae, Capparidaceae, Chenopodiaceae, the ethnomedicinal value of the plants and their uses to draw Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, the attention of pharmacologists, phytochemists and Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, Molluginaceae, Moraceae, Rutaceae, pharmaceuticals. Salvadoraceae, Solanaceae and Zygophyllaceae Studies have been done on identification and exploration of METHODOLOGY the possibilities of exploitation of medicinal plants of To collect and document this valuable information, several Shekhawati region. It have revealed that there are several field trips were made in the villages of Shekhawati region. medicinal plants which have great potential to be used in Interviews were conducted with experienced people of various drugs and pharmaceutical industries. communities, vendors, tribals, experts of Ayurveda, and Unique Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicines, 01(01), Jul-Aug 2013 5 Kapoor et al. UJAHM 2013, 01 (01): Page 5-9 www.ujconline.net native doctors such as Ohjas, Bhopas, Bhagats and Vaidyas as Local Name : Sares they posses inherited knowledge regarding the plants of Ethno-medicinal Uses: ethnomedicinal importance. Repeated enquiries and group • The bark, leaves and seeds are used in native medicines. discussion on the use of same plant were made to ascertain the • Paste of seeds is applied externally on piles due to their authenticity of information. astringent property.

OBSERVA TIONS AND DISCUSSION • It is used to cure piles and diarrhoea. • It is used as tonic. Ethnomedicinal tree species of Shakhawati region, used in • Root bark in powder form is used to strengthen gums. folk and herbal medicines are: Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., • The leaves are used to cure ophthalmia and night Albizia lebbeck (Linn.) Willd., Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) blindness. Delile., Bauhinia variegata Linn., Butea monosperma (Lam.) • Pods and seeds are used to cure diabetes. Taub., Crataeva nurvala Buch-Ham., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., • Decoction of flowers and leaves is used for gargling in Maytenus emarginata (willd.) Ding-Hou., Salvadora presica weak, bleeding gums and chronic pharyngitis. Linn., Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem. • The rural people of Shekhawati region crush the stem bark Ten tree species which have great medicinal value are on the stone and apply the paste on boils and pimples. arranged systematically with their ethnomedicinal uses. 1. Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. • Paste of stem bark is also taken orally to cure ulcer. Family : Simaroubaceae • The oil extracted from seeds is applied locally to cure Local Name : Motio-Aduso, Ardu, Tree of Heaven, Vilayati leucoderma. neem, Arru, Churan, Aldua-bhoot-jhad, Papri. • Paste of flowers is applied locally on boils and swellings. Ethno-medicinal Uses : 3. Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile. • Stem bark in water after boiling inhaling of vapours is Family: Balanitaceae used to cure cough and cold. Local Name: Hingota, Hingorni • Bark powder is taken orally against snake bite. Ethno-medicinal Uses: • It is used in debility after child-birth. • The leaves are purgative and anthelmintic. • Bark is used to cure epilepsy and heart trouble. • The powder of mature fruits is taken orally by the women to prevent pregnancy. • It is used for dyspeptic complaints. • The pulp of fruits is also medicinally reputed among the • It is used to cure chronic bronchitis and asthma. people of Shekhawati region for whooping cough and • It is used as tonic. leucoderma. • The rural people of Shekhawati region apply the extract of • Researchers have also proved that roots and fruits yield leaves and stem bark to cure high percentage of “Diosgenin”- a sapogenin content skin eruption. widely used for production of pharmaceutical steroid and • Bark extract is given by drenching tube to animals in oral contraceptives. flatulence. • Seed oil is used as a remedy for sleeping sickness and as a • Extract of bark is also given to animals orally twice a day purgative. for three days to cure asthma, bronchitis and • The Garasia tribals give stem-bark powder to cattle for pneumonia. removing the intestinal worms. • In magico-religious uses the leaves are used by the • The Saharia tribes burn the rind of mature fruits and then Bhopas in Jhada-rituals, because the leaves have a typical pulp is powdered and mixed with cow-milk and the paste powerful odour. is applied on abscess for 3-4 days. • The decoction of roots is given orally to the patients • Seed-kernels are eaten to cure dysentery and liver suffering from persistent low fever. enlargement by Bhil tribes. • The decoction of stem-bark is, however, given to the cows • Bhil tribes use roots to cure guinea-worm disease. suffering from abdominal swellings and to the human • It is also used in snake-bite. beings for 2-3 days to cure dropsy and to expel guinea- worms. • Herbal bath of extract of roots and leaves is taken by the tribals as antiseptic. • The tribals give bath to the patient suffering from scabies with the crushed roots in butter-milk. After bath the • Decoction of leaf powder is used for washing hairs to rid patient is allow-ed to sit in sunlight for at least 2 hours. of lices. • Powdered bark is given with half cup of yoghourt as • The powdered seeds are used by tribes to get relief from antivenom in snake bite and scorpion. pain of sciatica. • Bark extract is taken orally by the tribals to cure • It is used as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. pneumonia and bronchitis. 4. Bauhinia variegata Linn. Family: Caesalpiniaceae • Powdered bark is given with half cup of yoghourt as Local Name: Kachnar antivenom in snake bite and scorpion sting. 2. Albizia lebbeck (Linn.) Willd. Ethno-medicinal Uses: Family: Mimosaceae • The Bhils of Shekhawati region tie warmed leaves on the Unique Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicines, 01(01), Jul-Aug 2013 6 Kapoor et al. UJAHM 2013, 01 (01): Page 5-9 www.ujconline.net

abdomen and give their extract orally to cure tumor in Family: Capparidaceae abdomen. Local Name: Varni, Varno, Vanno, Vaivarno, Barna • The bark decoction about 25 ml is administered for a Ethno-medicinal Uses: fortnight twice a day in tubercular lymphadentes. • The leaves have been reported to have the property of • The flower powder is used for haemorrhage. reddening and even blistering the skin. It's leaves are • Decoction is used to cure diabetic wounds. stomachic tonic and very good counter irritant. Fresh • It shows antitumour activities. leaves are externally rubefacient and internally febrifuge • It is used as tonic. and tonic. • It is used to cure skin diseases ad ulcers. • Leaf juice in doses 1/2 to 3 is given in rheumatism mixed • Dried buds are used to cure dysentery, piles, diarrhoea with the coconut milk and ghee and externally the leaves and worms. and bark pounded and tied in the cloth are applied as a • Decoction of roots is used in dyspepsia. fomentation. • Roots are also used in snake-bite. • A paste of the leaves applied to solves of the feet to relieve swelling and burning sensation. • The rural people of Shekhawati region take extract of leaves orally and warmed leaves are tied on abscesses to • The paste of leaves and stem bark alone or with stem bark suppress them. is applied as an ointment on the cracked and chapped lips and skin by the Bhils and Triabls of Shekhawati region. • Decoction of leaves is gargled in throat sore and tonsilitis. 5. Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. • The leaves are used as poultice. Family: Fabaceae. • The leaves are also useful in calculus and of affections of Local Name: Dhak, Palas, Chhola, Khankhera, Kesu, Kesuda, the urinary organs. Khankhro, Khakra, Kesudo, Kamarkas • The leaves are put in boiling water and hot leaves are tied Ethno-medicinal Uses: locally to cure guinea-worms. • The seed powder is given by Bhils to their cattle as a • An extract of bark is given as laxative and for promoting vermifuge and applied externally with lime as a powerful appetite. rubefacient. • Bark is useful in primary complaints such as kidney and • They also give 1 or 2 seeds orally against intestinal worms bladder stones, fevers and to relieve vomiting and in man. symptoms of gastric irritation. • The extract of flowers is taken with sugar by Garasia • Bark is also used in snake-bite. tribals as a cooling agent and residue of flowers is tied • Root and the bark promote appetite and increase bile over swellings. secretion. • In Shekhawati region the local people give bath to the • In Shekhawati region, the tribals add the stem bark to the polio patients with the extract of flowers. broth during distillation of liquor which is given to the • The seed powder is given orally to the ladies by tribes to patients of dropsy. prevent pregnancy. • The Bhils of Shekhawati region make a paste of stem bark • The infusion of stem bark is considered useful against and apply on the skin for improving complexion. body pain, abdominal pain, diarrhoea etc. when taken • Compound decoction containing its root, bark and leaves orally. and small caltrops, ginger, carbonate of potash, honey and • They also apply the paste of stem bark on the wounds and water is very useful in urinary disorders and calculus scorpion-sting. affections. • It is diuretic, astringent and anthelmintic. • Other useful preparation of the bark are a compound • It is used to cure eczema and disorders in eyes. cibrita and oil, known as varunadya gbrita and varunadya • It is also used in the treatment of epilepsy. taila which are prepared with the addition of several tonic, alternative aphrodisiac and demulcent drugs. • Fried gum is mixed in sweat and given to women in 7. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. leucorrhoea. Family: Fabaceae • Tribals take ¼ cup bark extract twice a day for two days in Local Name: Talli, Sishum dysentery. Ethno-medicinal Uses: • Bark extract is also taken by the tribal ladies to stop • The Bhil and Meena tribals use the infusion of leaves for excessive bleeding after delivery. gargling against throat infection. • It is used as blood purifier. • Tribals take orally the paste of leaves to cure diabetes. • Flower buds are used as contraceptive by the tribal ladies • They also massage with the rib of wood to cure paralysis of Shekhawati region. and give orally with twice a day for 2-3 days. • Powder of stem bark is used to cure kidney stone problem • The powder of stem bark is used to cure children suffering and anemia. from pneumonia. • Paste of seeds is taken orally by the tribals with fresh cow Decoction of leaves is used to cure gonorrhea. milk early in the morning for 20 days to cure asthma. • It is used to cure boils, eruptions and skin disorders. 6. Crataeva nurvala Buch-Ham. Unique Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicines, 01(01), Jul-Aug 2013 7 Kapoor et al. UJAHM 2013, 01 (01): Page 5-9 www.ujconline.net

• It shows anti-inflammatory activity. leucorrhoea. • It is used as antipyretic and analgesic. • The paste of stem bark with vegetable oil is applied over 8. Maytenus emarginata (Willd.) Ding-Hou. eczema. In case of old eczema, the inner bark of stem is Family: Celastraceae placed in an earthern pot, the mouth of pot is sealed Local Name: Kankero, Vikankata keeping a hole in the centre. The pot is placed upside Ethno-medicinal Uses: down over the fire, the fluid that comes out through the • The ash of leaves with ‘Ghee” is used to heal up sores and hole of lid is collected and applied on the eczema. wounds. • The local Vaids prescribe seed-powder with pure “Ghee” • The bark is grounded to a paste and applied with oil to to apply on abscesses. destroy pediculi. • The vapours of crushed leaves are inhaled to cure cough • Decoction of plant is taken by tribals with black pepper to by the tribals. They also prepare a remedy for inducing cure pneumonia and cold fever. abortion by powdering its roots with the roots of Sapindus • The local Vaids prescribe the seed oil to cure scabies, emarginatus (Ritha) and take it orally for 2-3 days. eczema and allergy. • The bark is used as anti-diabetic. • The leaves are chewed to cure ulcer of mouth and constipation. CONCLUSION Fruits are eaten to purify the blood. The Shakhawati region of Rajasthan state is rich in medicinal Paste of fruits is applied against scorpion sting. plant wealth. These plants are not valued as herbal drugs but • The paste of stem bark with vegetable oil is applied on the also utilized for food, fodder, gums & resins, essential oils, hairs to kill lice. dyes, fatty oils, condiments, spices etc. There is an urgent need to create greater awareness amongst It is used to cure arthritis and rheumatism. the population as a whole particularly the farmers about the It is used to cure kidney troubles. medicinal and economic values of these plants, so that is It shows anticancerous activities. heritage may be wisely used and exploited and at the same It is used as antioxidant. time conserved and perpetuated through judicious It is used as stimulant and tonic. management for future generation. These studies of 9. Salvadora persica Linn. ethnomedicinal aspects will be useful for further researches in Family: Salvadoraceae the field of pharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmaceutical Local Name: Pilu, Dhalu, Mithi-jal, Mithi-pilu, Miswak chemistry. Ethno-medicinal Uses: • The Kathodi tribals apply the paste of leaves effectively to REFERENCES cure rheumatism and scurvy. 1. Kapoor BBS and Ranga P. Herbal Plants of • Patelia tribals, however, apply the paste of root-bark with Rajasthan Desert used in Folk Medicines. The mustard-oil on the blisters. Tradition International Quarterly, 2003; 1 (2): 25-28. • Tender branches are used widely by the natives as hygienic 2. Kapoor BBS and Ranga P. Protection and and medicated tooth brush, probably due to the presence of Conservation of Herbal Diversity of the Rajasthan sodium and potassium chloride and sulphate along with Desert. International J. Bioscience Reporter , 2005; 3 traces of ethereal oil. (1): 33-37. • In , old fruits are crushed in water and given 3. Kapoor BBS and Ranga P. Protection and orally against snake-bite for inducing vomiting. Conservation of Medicinal Plant Wealth of the • Paste of leaves is taken orally with water by the tribals in Rajasthan Desert. Proceedings, National Seminar on constipation and stomachache. Conservation and Utilisation of Natural Resources The fruits are used as carminative and diuretic. and their Role in Sustainable Development organized Decoction of stem bark is used in fever and as a tonic. by SML P.G.College, Jhunjhunu Oct. 18-19 2008; • The nomadic tribe particularly Gadolia Luhar give the 96-99. decoction of root bark orally to cure fever. 4. Kapoor BBS and Rajuram Prajapat. Medicinal Trees The fruits are used as carminative and diuretic. of Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan Used in Folk and 10. Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem. Herbal Medicines: Proceedings , National Seminar on Family: Bignoniaceae Ved, Puran, Mahabharat Aur Ayurved Mai Local Name: Rohida, Rohira, Rohiro Aushadhya Padap : Upyogita Aur Prasangikta , Ethno-medicinal Uses: Organised by Sanskrit Department, Dungar College , • The Bhil and Garasia tribals of Shekhawati region chew Bikaner. 22-23 October, 2010; 177-181. the bark of tender branches to cure syphilis in males; the 5. Kapoor BBS, Swati Lakhera, Raksha Mishra and ladies, however, are not given this treatment since it may Sanjay Acharya. Medicinal Trees of Shekhawati result in abortion. Region of Rajasthan Used in Folk and Herbal • They also take powder of root bark with honey or sugar Medicines: Proceedings, National Seminar On Ved, and milk before sleeping at night to the women to cure Puran, Mahabharat Aur Ayurved Mai Aushadhya Unique Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicines, 01(01), Jul-Aug 2013 8 Kapoor et al. UJAHM 2013, 01 (01): Page 5-9 www.ujconline.net

Padap : Upyogita Aur Prasangikta , Organised by 9. Sharma LK and Kumar A. Ethnomedicinal and Sanskrit Department, Dungar College , Bikaner. 22- photochemical studies on some selected medicinal 23 October, 2010; 182-185 plants of Rajasthan. Indian Journal of Environmental 6. Kapoor BBS. Plants Conservation in Puran and Science , 2006; 1(10), 51-53. Present Context : Proceedings , National Seminar On 10. Sharma Himanshu and Kumar Ashwani. Ved, Puran, Mahabharat Aur Ayurved Mai Ethnobotanical studies on medicinal plants of Aushadhya Padap : Upyogita Aur Prasangikta , Rajasthan(India) : A Review. Journal of Medicinal Organised by Sanskrit Department, Dungar College , Plants Research, 2011; 5(7), 1107-1112 Bikaner. 22-23 October, 2010; 165-168. 11. Singh JP, Beniwal RK, Kapoor, BBS and Yadav ND. 7. Kapoor BBS. Herbal Plants Used in Folk Remedies Herbaceous Medicinal Plants of western Rajasthan. by Tribal Communties of Rajasthan : Proceedings, In: Advances in Resource management of the Indian National Seminar on Conservation of Indigenous desert. (Eds.) B.B.S. Kapoor, Ali, Mathur and Folk Medicinal Plants, Organized by SML Kaushik. Madhu Publications, Bikaner, 2002; 165- P.G.College, Jhunjhunu. February 3- 4, 2012; 7-8. 186. 8. Katewa SS and Jain A. Traditional Folk Herbal 12. Singh V and Pandey RP. Ethnobotany of Rajasthan . Medicines. Apex Publishing House, Udaipur., 2006. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, 1998.

Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared

Unique Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicines, 01(01), Jul-Aug 2013 9