Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 5(3), July 2006, pp. 362-367

Household remedies of Keshavraipatan tehsil in district,

Diksha Shekhawat* & Amla Batra Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, 302 004, Rajasthan E-mail: [email protected] Received 8 February 2005; revised 22 August 2005

The paper presents ethnomedicinal remedies for joints pain, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, swollen gums, dermatitis, ear, eye and hair problems, pneumonia, hypo-pigmentation, snakebite, scorpion bite, piles, mouth sore, dysentery, gastric and urinary problems, jaundice, whooping cough, bone fracture, swelling, cardiac and liver problems, etc. practiced by rural population of Keshavraipatan tehsil of Bundi district. In all, 54 plant species belonging to 35 families used in the treatment have been enumerated giving botanical and local names, mode of preparation, dosage and usages.

Key words: Ethnomedicine, Folk medicine, Household remedies, Bundi district, Medicinal plants, Rajasthan IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P1/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/08, A61P1/10, A61P1/16, A61P5/00, A61P5/50, A61P9/14, A61P11/00, A61P11/06, A61P17/00, A61P17/02, A61P17/04, A61P17/08, A61P19/00, A61P27/14, A61P27/16, A61P29/00, A61P29/02, A61P31/02, A61P35/00, A61P37/08

Ethnobotany is the study of people of particular Methodology culture and region, making use of indigenous plants1-3. Ethnobotanical field work was carried out in Many of today's drugs are derived from plant sources. different villages of tehsil, Chautra ka kheda, Jhali ji Plants have been used in medicine throughout the ka barana, Nayagaon, Borda ka Chiyan, , world and still continue to occupy an important Arnia, Dotana, Jhuwasa, Rangrajpura, Pipalada to place in traditional as well as modern system of collect information on ethnomedicinal uses of plants medicine4-10. Plants used as ethnomedicine represents being used by rural people. Interviews of men and a reservoir of a potentially useful source of drug, women of various castes and communities such as which need to be documented and tapped for the Rajputs, Babar, Nai, Saini, Brahmin, Sardar, Baniya, welfare of mankind. Bairwas, , etc. were recorded and verified by Keshavraipatan tehsil with 112 villages, is situated the knowledgeable persons, Vaidyas and Hakims. in eastern part of Bundi district at 75°19′30′′ to 76°19′30′′ E and 24°59′11′′ to 25°53′11′′N. District is Results bounded with boundary of Tonk and Swaimadhopur The plants used by the local people have been districts at North, , in the East, in the arranged alphabetically according to botanical name North West, in Southwest and Kota on followed by their family, local names, parts used, southern side (Fig. 1). Most of the region is hilly with mode of preparation, and uses in the Table1. two mountain ranges, namely Aravali and Vindyachal. Soil is gravel in hilly region, black and Discussion fertile in plains. Climate is tropical with temperature Villagers were found to commonly use 54 plant ranging between 45°C (maximum in summer) species belonging to 35 families as traditional 2°C (minimum in winter). Average rainfall is medicine for the treatment of different aliments. Of 76.41cm. Total area of the district is 5850 km2 with the 54 species, some are naturally occurring in the approximate population 7 lakh 70 thousand. Region is area while villagers purchase others. Some of the rich in flora and the main source of irrigation is plants reported for the treatment of various ailments Chambal river, tube wells, open wells and harvested from different parts of Rajasthan and other states have rainwater. also been reported from the area to have similar uses3,5,11-14. Documentation of such information will ______go a long way in developing new drugs through *Corresponding author further research. SHEKHAWAT & BATRA: HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES OF BUNDI DISTRICT OF RAJASTHAN 363

Table1—Ethnomedicinal uses of plants used by the rural people of Keshavraipatan Tehsil

Botanical name, family and Parts used Ailments Mode of preparation local names

Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile Bark Swollen gums Bark ash (5-7gm) mixed with crushed salt and black Mimosaceae, Babool (Gingivitis) pepper is brushed daily. Flowers Pain and glue in ear Extract of 9-10 Acacia nilotica flowers in 100 ml Sesamum indicum oil kept for 1-2 days, boiled till flowers become black. 2-3 drops of the extract are put daily in the ear till cure. Pneumonia One spoonful decoction of insect present in flowers of Acacia nilotica boiled by adding jaggery, Trachyspermum ammi and Syzygium aromaticum is taken once a day. Gum Dry cough Two tablets prepared from gum of Acacia nilotica and sugar is taken twice a day. Leaves Urinary problems 1-2 gm leaves of Acacia nilotica, 1 gm Pedalium murex (gokhru) and kalmishora in small amount crushed and finely mixed are taken with water before going to bed. Allium cepa Linn. Bulb Snakebite 2-teaspoonful bulb juice mixed with mustard oil is given to Alliaceae expel poison with vomiting. Piaj Scorpion bite Bulb juice with small amount of nausadar is applied on bitten area. Ear problems 2 drops of roasted bulb juice are put in the ear. Wound Paste of bulb and turmeric is applied on wound to heal up faster. Safed piaj Increase eye sight 2 drops of bulb juice mixed with honey are put in the eye. Allium sativum Linn. Flakes Joints Garlic flakes fried in mustard oil is massaged over the Alliaceae pain/backache/chest affected area. Lahsoon pain Cough Roasted flakes are given to patient to eat before going to bed. For children jaggery is mixed.

Contd— 364 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 5, No. 3, JULY 2006

Table1—Ethnomedicinal uses of plants used by the rural people of Keshavraipatan Tehsil—Contd

Botanical name, family and Parts used Ailments Mode of preparation local names

Aloe barbadensis Mill., Pulp Burn Pulp is applied on the burnt area. Alliaceae Pain and glue in ear 2 drops of pulp juice is put in the ear. Gwarpatha Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Leaves Boils Two tablets made from finely crushed leaves by adding Meliaceae jaggery/sugar are taken twice a day. Neem Hair problem Leaf juice mixed with lemon juice and mustard oil is applied on hairs. Oil Ear pain Neem oil mixed with honey is put in the ear. Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn) Root Constipation Half teaspoon filtered root juice is taken with water. Delile, Simaroubaceae Hingotia Brassica napus Linn. Syn B. Seed oil Joints pain Piper nigrum (5-10 No.), Syzygium aromaticum (4-5 No.), campestris Linn. Terminallia chebula (1-2 No.), Manika hexandra (5 gm), Brassicaceae Trachyspernum ammi(4 gm) mixed with ½ L mustard oil is Sarson massaged at the affected area twice a day. Cold 2 drops of mustard oil are put in nostrils. Brassica oleracea Linn. var. Leaves Burn Leaves are tied on the affected area. capatita Brassicaceae Pattagobhi Calotropis porcera (Ait.) R. Flowers Asthma Ash of 5 gm flowers kept in a sealed earthenware pot mixed Br. Asclepiadaceae Akra with honey is given to patient. Latex Backache Latex is massaged at the area of pain. Capsicum annum Linn., var. Fruit Scorpion bite Fruit powder paste with some honey is applied at the acuminatum Solanaceae affected area. Lal mirchi Capparis decidua) Edgew. Roots Liver problems Approximately 3 cm root crushed finely as powder is taken Capparaceae, Karir with water. Catharanthus roseus G. Don. Flowers Diabetes White flower extract is given daily early in the morning. Apocynaceae Sadabahar Cicer arietinum Linn., Dried leaves Loo (hot winds)/ Dried leaves, raw mango and onion juice mixed with water Fabaceae Sunstroke is applied on head and feet of patient. Chana ki pansi Citrus medica Linn. Rutaceae Fruit Sunstroke Lemon juice, salt and sugar mixed in water is given to Nimbu patient within an hour of sunstroke. Stye (or) external 2 drops of juice are put in the eye. hordeolum Eye problems 2 drops of mixture made from lemon juice, onion and ginger juice (¼ spoon each), honey and rose water (gulab jal) are put in the eyes daily. Piles Lemon juice put into boiled and cooled cow's milk is drunk quickly. Citrus reticulata Blanco , Fruit Constipation Fruit juice is taken daily in the morning. Rutaceae, Santara Cocos nucifera Linn. Oil Vitiligo (Hypo- Coconut oil mixed with kapoor is applied locally. Arecaceae, Khopra pigmentation) Whole Headache Half coconut filled with opium grains, badam, kaju, ground sugar and covered with wheat flour on its all sides is placed in fire and cooked up. Finely ground coconut with its ingredients fried in ghee is taken daily early in the morning. Coriandrum sativum Linn. Seed Urination problems 50 gm coriander seeds boiled in water is drunk. Apiaceae , Dhaniya Stomachache Mixture of 1 spoon coriander seeds, 1-2 gm dry ginger,1 spoon sugar is taken with water. Dry cough Decoction of coriander seeds is given. Curcuma domestica Vaketon, Rhizome Pain and glue in ear 2 drops of fresh turmeric and alum mixed in ratio of 1: 15 is Zingiberaceae, Haldi put in the ear. Contd— SHEKHAWAT & BATRA: HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES OF BUNDI DISTRICT OF RAJASTHAN 365

Table1—Ethnomedicinal uses of plants used by the rural people of Keshavraipatan Tehsil—Contd

Botanical name, family and Parts used Ailments Mode of preparation local names

Cynodon dactylon Pers. Whole plant Eczema Paste is applied on the affected area. Poaceae, Doob Datura alba Nees. Leaves Chest pain Warm leaves are tied on chest. Solanaceae, Datura Embilica officinalis Gaertn. Fruit Heart diseases, One spoon of a mixture of fruit powder with mishri (sugar Euphorbiaceae weakness, candy) is taken daily with water. Aamla purification of blood, high BP Evolvulvus alsinoides Linn. Leaves Intelligence Leaves juice mixed with sugar is taken daily with water. Convolvulaceae Shankhpushpi Ferula assafoetida Linn., Gum resin Dental caries Roasted gum resin is kept at the place of pain. Apiaceae , Heeng Abdominal pain Gum resin powder mixed with water is massaged over abdomen and is also given to drink. Ficus glomerta Roxb., Latex Pneumonia in child To the latex of the plant, ajwain, jaipatri, clove, Moraceae , Gular and adults jaggery/whisky (10 ml) is added and given to patient to drink. Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Seeds Acidity 1 teaspoonful of mixture, prepared from equal quantity of Apiaceae, Saunf fennel and Trigonella foenum-graecum seed powder is given with water. Grewia tenax (Forsk) Fruit Fracture / Fruit powder mixed with cow's milk is given to drink. Aschers. & Schwf. swelling Tiliaceae, Gangri Helicteres isora Linn., Roots Dysentry Mixture of plant root, fennel seeds and mishri (sugar candy) Sterculiaceae is given to patient with water. Marorphali Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. Flowers Hair problems Hair is washed with flowers powder. Malvaceae, Gudhal Jasminum arborescens Roxb. Leaves Mouth sores or Leaves are chewed. Oleaceae, Chameli rashes Hearing problems 2 drops of leaf extract are put in the ear. Juglans regia Linn. Bark of nut Yellowness of teeth Nut bark powder is used as tooth powder. Juglandaceae, Akhrot Justicia adhatoda Linn. Dry leaves Cough and asthma 5-7 dry finely crushed leaves are given with mishri in Acanthaceae , Adusa cough problem. In Asthma, honey is taken in place of mishri. Roots and Dermatitis or Paste of 5 gm roots and 7-10 leaves boiled in water is leaves eczema applied twice a day. Leaves Arthritis 4-5 warm leaves are tied at the place of pain. Wound To heal faster, leaves are tied on wound. Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) Bark Fracture/swelling Bark paste in sheep's milk is applied over affected area. Robins Lauraceae Maida ki lakdi Lycopersicon esculentum Fruit Rashes in mouth Fruit juice used as gargle. Mill. Solanaceae; Tamater Mangifera indica Linn. Seed/giri Diarrhoea in child Paste of crushed mango seed with water or curd is applied Anacardiaceae on umbilicus. Moringa oleifera Lam., Gum Glue in ear 2 gum drops are put in ear. Moringaceae, Sahinjino Musa paradisiaca Linn., Fruit pulp Asthma Fruit pulp roasted in fire added with honey is given to Musaceae patient to eat. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Seed Vomit Mixture of 4-5 seeds, salt in a small amount, 2-3 Piper Nymphaeaceae, Kamal nigrum seeds with lemon juice is given to patient. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Leaves Diabetes One teaspoonful of leaf powder with water is taken daily. Oleaceae Harasinghar Ocimum basilicum Linn., Seeds Dhat syndrome and Sprouted seeds with curd are given. Lamiaceae, Ban tulsi urinary problems Contd— 366 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 5, No. 3, JULY 2006

Table1—Ethnomedicinal uses of plants used by the rural people of Keshavraipatan Tehsil—Contd

Botanical name, family and Parts used Ailments Mode of preparation local names

Ocimum sanctum Linn. , Flowers Cough Decoction of 5-6 flowers, jaggery and turmeric is given Lamiaceae , Tulsi before going to bed. Leaves Mouth sores Leaves are chewed. Eczema Paste of tulsi leaves is applied locally. To kill lice Leaf paste spread on a cloth is put on scalp for an hour to kill lice. Phoenix dactylifera Linn. , Fruit Cough and 5-6 dry fruits are taken along with hot milk before going to Areaceae, Khajoor/ chuare urinary problems bed. Piper betle Linn. Piperaceae Leaves Wart Edible chuna (lime) is rubbed with the petiole of Piper betle leaf slowly to remove wart. Turmeric powder is applied to clear the remains of scar. Piper longum Linn Fruit Fever occurring Fruits kept in clarified butter over night is fried with small Piperaceae repeatedly amount of salt and chewed. Badipipal Punica granatum Linn. Cover of fruit Mouth sores Fruit epicarp is chewed. Punicaceae Ricinus communis Linn., Leaves Chest pain Fresh leaf juice is massaged over chest. Euphorbiaceae Saccharum officinarum Linn. Stem Jaundice Sugar cane juice is given to the patient. Poaceae , Ganna Gur Fever Tea made from dried ginger, clove, tulsi leaves, turmeric, tea leaves, jaggery and milk is given before going to bed. Syzygium cumini (Linn.) Seeds Diabetes 1 teaspoonful of sunlight dried seed powder is given daily Skeels Myrtaceae, Jamun with water. Terminalia chebula Retz. Fruit Constipation One teaspoonful of slightly fried fruit powder is taken with Combretaceae , Harad water. Trachyspermum ammi (Linn.) Fruit Cold Seeds roasted on iron frying pan wrapped in a piece of cloth Sprague Apiaceae , Ajwain are given to patient to inhale. Gastric problems 9-10 fruits with Ferula asafoetida (Heeng) in a small amount and ¼ spoon black salt mixed with water is given. Trigonella foenum-graecum Seeds Pain in ear Two drops of extract made from seeds boiled with ½ cup of Linn. Fabaceae , Maithi milk is put in the ear. Arthritis and One teaspoon of finely crushed seeds is taken daily early in diabetes the morning with water. Triticum aestivum Linn. , Grains Cough Decoction of 2-spoon wheat flour, 1 spoon tea, salt in small Poaceae Genhu ki chapdi amount is given before going to bed. Withania somnifera Dunal, Roots Knee pain and hair Roots powder is taken daily with water to avoid pain. Root Solanaceae , Ashwagandha fall powder paste is applied on hairs to avoid hair fall. Zingiber officinale Rosc. Fresh rhizome Loose motion in Juice is applied on umbilicus of child. Zingiberaceae, Adrak/Saunth child Dried rhizome Abdominal pain Finely crushed ginger mixed with salt is taken with water. Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Root Dental caries, Decoction of roots is given to patent to gargle. Rhamnaceae, Ber wound in stomach Backache One ladoo made from fried root powder, wheat flour and sugar is given daily.

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