Natural Product Radiance, Vol. 5(5), 2006, pp.382-388 Explorer: Research Article

Some medicinal plants used by Irular, the tribal people of hills, , M Senthilkumar*, P Gurumoorthi and K Janardhanan Ethnopharmacology Unit, Department of Botany, , Coimbatore -641 046, Tamil Nadu, *Correspondent author, E-mail: [email protected] Address: M Senthilkumar S/O K Mariappan, Curzon Estate, Kotagiri (P.O), The Nilgiris- 643 217 Received 2 August 2005; Accepted 10 August 2006 Abstract dominated areas of Marudhamali hills at The present paper deals with ethnobotanical study on 75 plant species used for several Coimbatore. The study technique common diseases like scabies, skin allergies, diabetes, headache, jaundice, scorpion bite, diarrhoea, suggested by Jain9, 11 was followed during leucoderma, rheumatism, earache, wounds, leprosy, asthma, dysentery, etc. by the Irulars (tribal) the survey. Plants were identified and people of Marudhamalai Hills, , Tamil Nadu. The botanical, vernacular and family confirmed with the authentic herbarium names, mode of preparations and uses have been provided for further pharmacological and clinical of Botanical Survey of India (Southern evaluations. Circle), Coimbatore. The voucher Keywords: Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Irulars, Tribals, Marudhamalai hills, Coimbatore, Tamil specimens were deposited in the Nadu. Department of Botany, Bharathiar 8 IPC code; Int. cl — A61K 36/00 University, Coimbatore, India. Introduction hills related to medicinal uses of In India, exhaustive 75 plants. Enumeration ethnobotanical studies are being carried For each species, botanical, out in various ethnic communities because Materials and Methods family and local name (LN), mode of the floral diversity and rich endemic taxa Marudhamalai hills are situated preparation and uses are being provided of our country are of significance for at a distance of 15 km from Coimbatore. here for further reference. The voucher richness of ethnomedicine. During the last It consists of an environment of moist dry- specimen numbers (VSN) are given in four decades, a large number of plants deciduous type of forest at an altitude of parenthesis. used in indigenous practices have been 426.72m MSL, 11.04E of longitude and discovered through ethnobotanical studies 76.93N latitude. The North-East monsoon 1. Abrus precatorius Linn.; Family- in India1-15. In recent years some workers sets in effecting heavy rains from the end Fabaceae; LN-Kundumani like Palanisamy et al, Balasubramanian of October to November with an average The leaves are crushed and et al, Hamasavalli, Nikkitha et al, rainfall of 117.5mm. The area has a applied on the affected part(s) for curing Kathikeyani et al and Senthilkumar predominant red soil impregnated with scabies (VSN- MS 97). et al16-23, have reported various medicinal organic matter and granite; bedrock is plants used by Irular tribals in overlaid with shallow, sandy loam and 2. Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet; Coimbatore district. The present paper glacial soils which are moderate to well Family-Malvaceae; LN-Thutthi attempts to bring information on drained. The authors conducted field study The leaves are crushed to extract traditional knowledge of the primitive during the period of November 2003 to juice which is taken daily to ease ethnic tribe, Irulars of Marudhamalai January 2004 in Irulars (tribal) childbirth (VSN- MS 784).

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a b

c d e

f g h i

j k

Fig. 1(a-k) : Some ethnomedicinal plants in Marudhamalai hills

a. Sarcostemma acidum; b. Jatropha glandulifera; c. Catharanthus roseus; d. Martynia annua; e. Pergularia daemia; f. Toddalia asiatica var. floribunda; g. Pongamia pinnata; h. Clitoria ternatea; i. Boerhaavia diffusa; j. Asparagus racemosus; k. Abrus precatorius

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3. Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex ex Nees; Family-Acanthaceae; LN- 17. Bidens pilosa Linn.; Family- Willd.; Family- Euphorbiaceae Nelavembu Asteraceae Crushed leaves are used in dysentery Leaf decoction is given to cure The warm juice of the fresh plant (VSN- MS 89). diabetes (VSN- MS 418). is used to treat earache and conjunctivitis, and as a styptic on wounds (VSN- MS 275). 4. Acalypha fruticosa Forsk.; 11. Annona squamosa Linn.; Family- Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN-Sinni Annonaceae; LN-Sitapalam 18. Blepharis repens (Vahl) Roth.; Roots and leaves are used to cure Fruit juice is taken orally to Family-Acanthaceae stomachache, dyspepsia and given as control dysentery. Seed paste is applied Leaves crushed and the paste is antidote (VSN- MS 334). on the forehead for relief from headache applied on the forehead in headache (VSN- (VSN- MS 89). MS 400). 5. Acalypha indica Linn.; Family- Euphorbiaceae 12. Argemone mexicana Linn.; 19. Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.; Family- Whole plant is crushed and the Family-Papaveraceae; LN-Kudiyoetti Nyctaginaceae; LN-Mukurattai juice is given to cure bronchitis in children The seed powder is used to treat Leaf paste is applied on the cuts (VSN- MS 274). colic pain and dysentery (VSN- MS 5). and wounds to stop bleeding (VSN- MS 75). 6. Aerva lanata Juss. ex Schult.; 13. Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj.; Family-Amaranthaceae; LN-Sirupulai Family-Convolvulaceae; LN-Samuthra 20. Buchanania lanzan Spreng.; Leaves are macerated and few pachai Family-Anacardiaceae; LN-Mudaima, drops are given orally to the asthmatic Leaves are used as abortifacient; Moral child at the time of wheezing (VSN- and applied as poultice on wounds and The roots and leaves are pounded, MS 55). skin diseases (VSN- MS 247). mixed with buttermilk and given in diarrhoea (VSN- MS 177). 7. Albizia lebbek Benth.; Family- 14. Aristolochia indica Linn.; Mimosaceae; LN-Katuvagai Family-Aristolochiaceae; LN-Isramuli, 21. Capparis sepiaria Linn.; Family- Flowers are used to cure skin Adgam Capparidaceae; LN-Karunjurai eruptions, swellings and antidote to poison Root tonic is used as stimulant Decoction of leaf is used in (VSN- MS 300). and to treat menstrual problems. In cough and skin diseases (VSN- MS 90). powdered form it is given in honey for 8. Aloe vera (Linn.) Burm. f.; Family- leucoderma (VSN- MS 270). 22. Carissa carandas Linn.; Family- Liliaceae; LN-Chotthukatalai Apocynaceae; LN- Kalakkay Fresh juice is used as 15. Asparagus racemosus Willd.; Decoction of the leaves is given cathartic and cooling. It is also used in Family-Liliaceae; LN-Thannervittan, for fever (VSN- MS 146). treating fever and eye diseases (VSN- MS Kizhay, Ammaikodi 112). Root extract is used in diarrhoea, 23. Cassia angustifolia Vahl; Family- dysentery and general debility (VSN- Caesalpiniaceae; LN-Nilavirai 9. Amaranthus viridis Linn.; Family- MS 08). Leaves and fruits are used as Amaranthaceae; LN-Nelavemu laxative and purgative (VSN- MS 48). Leaves are used as emollient in 16. Asystasia gangetica T. Anders.; scorpion sting (VSN- MS 57). Family-Acanthaceae; LN-Palagai 24. Cassia auriculata Linn.; Family- Root paste is applied to cure skin Caesalpiniaceae; LN-Aavarai 10. Andrographis paniculata Wall. allergies (VSN- MS 97). Seeds are ground and the paste

384 Natural Product Radiance Explorer: Research Article is applied to cure skin diseases (VSN- MS Powdered leaves or fresh leaves Roxb.; Family- Erythroxylaceae; LN- 92). are taken in treating diabetes (VSN- Sempulichan MS 2). An infusion of the wood bark is 25. Cassia occidentalis Linn.; administered as stomachic, diaphoretic Family-Caesalpiniaceae;LN- 32. Commelina benghalensis Linn.; and diuretic (VSN- MS 107). Thagarai Family-Commelinaceae; LN- Seeds and leaves are used Kanavazhi 39. Eucalyptus globulus Labil.; externally in skin troubles. Leaves are also Whole plant is used to treat Family-Myrtaceae; LN-Karpuramaram used in foot and mouth disease of cattle leprosy (VSN- MS 792). Dried leaves in the form of (VSN- MS 123). tincture are used in asthma and chronic 33. Corchorus trilocularis Linn.; bronchitis (VSN- MS 111). 26. Catharanthus roseus G. Don; Family-Tiliaceae; LN-Peratti, Family- Apocynaceae; LN- Talakkaippoondu 40. Euphorbia thymifolia Linn.; Nithyakalyani Plant macerated with water Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN- The root decoction is given orally yields, mucilage, prescribed as a Sittrapaladai as an abortifacient (VSN- MS 1405). demulcent. Seeds are used in fever and Dried leaves and seeds are for cleaning bowls (VSN- MS 35). aromatic, astringent and stimulant, they 27. Celosia argentea Linn.; Family- are used as laxative (VSN- MS 280). Amaranthaceae; LN-Alarapoo 34. Crotalaria retusa Linn.; Family- The leaves are crushed and the juice Fabaceae 41. Euphorbia tirucalli Linn.; is taken orally twice daily to ease Plant is used in scabies and Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN-Tirukalli, childbirth (VSN- MS 648). impetigo (VSN- MS 57). Kalli Decoction of the tender branch 28. Cleome icosandra Linn. syn. C. 35. Crotalaria verrucosa Linn.; or the root is given to treat colic and viscosa Linn.; Family- Capparidaceae; Family-Fabaceae; LN- Kilukiluppai gastralgia (VSN- MS 201). LN-Naykadughu The leaf decoction is given orally Seeds are given internally as a to cure jaundice (VSN- MS 3). 42. Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.; vermifuge (VSN- MS 507). Family- Convolvulaceae; LN- 36. Dodonaea viscosa Linn.; Family- Vishnukarandai 29. Cleome monophylla Linn.; Sapindaceae; LN-Virali Leaves are smoked in chronic Family- Capparidaceae Crushed stems are tied on the bronchitis and asthma (VSN- MS 260). Pounded root is used to restore fractured part to hasten the fractured consciousness from fainting (VSN- MS 69). bone setting. Leaf paste is applied on 43. Ficus benghalensis Linn.; swelling in cattle until cured (VSN- Family-Moraceae; LN- Aalamarram 30. Clitoria ternatea Linn.; Family- MS 138). Infusion of the bark is used Fabaceae; LN-Sanguchedi as astringent, tonic and in dysentery, Seeds are crushed with water to 37. Emilia sonchifolia DC.; Family- diarrhoea and the bark is used in form a paste, which is slightly warmed Asteraceae diabetes. Latex is used to relieve toothache, and applied on testis to cure swellings due Leaf juice is useful in treating eye cough and genital diseases (VSN- MS to syphilis (VSN- MS 159). inflammation. Root is used in diarrhoea 182). (VSN- MS 271). 31. Coccinia indica Wight & Arn.; 44. Gisekia pharnaceoides Linn.; Family- Cucurbitaceae; LN-Kovai 38. Erythroxylum monogynum Family-Aizoaceae; LN-Manalikkirai

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Plant decoction is used for worms Lythraceae; LN-Maruthani Kattuelumichai (VSN- MS 198). Leaves are used to dye and Fruit decoction is used as antidote improve hair conditioning and soften skin to insect poison. Root is used in colic 45. Gloriosa superba Linn.; Family- of hands. Young shoot is used in leprosy (VSN- MS 877). Liliaceae; LN-Kannuvalikodi (VSN- MS 416). Root is purgative, anthelmintic 57. Oxalis corniculata Linn.; Family- and used to cure leprosy, parasitical 51. Leptadenia reticulata Wight & Oxalidaceae; LN-Puliyarai infection of skin and piles. Leaves are used Arn.; Family-Asclepiadaceae; LN- Leaves as such are eaten or leaf to destroy head lice (VSN- MS 423). Palakudai juice is taken orally to check dysentery Plant stimulant, tonic, useful in (VSN- MS 83). 46. Grewia hirsuta Vahl; Family- leprosy (VSN- MS 1205). Tiliaceae 58. Passiflora edulis Sims; Family- The fruits and roots are used to 52. Leucas aspera Spreng.; Family- Passifloraceae treat acute diarrhoea and dysentery (VSN- Lamiaceae; LN-Tumbai Juice of ripe fruit is taken to cure MS 69). Two or three drops of leaf juice jaundice (VSN- MS 3). with onion juice are dropped through 47. Gynandropsis gynandra (Linn.) nostrils to get relief from chronic 59. Passiflora foetida Linn.; Family- Briq.; Family- Capparidaceae; LN- headache. Root is rubbed on tooth to get Passifloraceae; LN-Mupparisa , Velakura relief from pain (VSN- MS 18). Siruppunakkalli Leaf juice is used for earache The leaves are used in wound (VSN- MS 60). 53. Martynia annua Linn.; Family- dressing and are sometimes applied to the Martyniaceae; LN-Pulinagam, head to treat headache and giddiness 48. Jatropha glandulifera Roxb.; Thelkodukkukai (VSN- MS 4). Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN- The leaves are used to treat Dundigamu epilepsy and are applied to cure 60. Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Seed oil is used in chronic tuberculosis, the leaf juice is used as a Chiov.; Family-Asclepiadaceae; LN- ulcerations, foul wound ringworm, gargle to relieve sore throat (VSN- MS Velipparuthi rheumatism and paralysis. Plant juice 889). Leaf juice is used as expectorant used to remove film from the eyes. Water and to treat infantile diarrhoea and extract of root is given to children 54. Mirabilis jalapa Linn.; Family- asthma. Root bark is mixed with cow suffering from abdominal enlargement Nyctaginaceae; LN-Pattarashu milk and used a purgative in rheumatism (VSN- MS 244). Leaf paste is applied to the (VSN- MS 949). affected part(s) for curing skin eruptions 49. Justicia tranquebariensis (VSN- MS 14). 61. Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Linn.f.; Family-Acanthaceae; LN- Thon.; Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN- Pinnakkupootu 55. Mundulea sericea A. Cheval.; Kizhanellai Young leaves are crushed and Family-Fabaceae;LN-Kattupporasu, Leaf juice is administered to cure filtered in pure water, kept in dark for Pillavaram fever and jaundice (VSN- MS 10). overnight. The infusion is given internally Plant is insecticidal and seeds are in the morning for curing jaundice (VSN- used as fish poison (VSN- MS 87). 62. Polycarpaea corymbosa Lam.; MS 955). Family-Caryophyllaceae; LN- 56. Naringi crenulata (Roxb.) Nilaisedachi 50. Lawsonia inermis Linn.; Family- Nicolson; Family-Rutaceae; LN- Leaves are used as poultice

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(VSN- MS 85). 69. Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.; Family-Rhamnaceae; LN-Elanthai Family-Loganiaceae; LN-Yetti A decoction of the root bark is 63. Pongamia pinnata Pierre.; The paste of stem bark is applied used in the treatment of diarrhoea and Family-Fabaceae; LN- Pungai, Ponga on the abdomen to cure stomachache dysentery (VSN- MS 01). Root juice is used for curing sores (VSN- MS 15). and cleaning foul ulcers. It is given internally with equal quantities of coconut 70. Thespesia populnea Soland. ex Conclusion milk and lime water for treating Correa; Family-Malvaceae; LN- It is evident from the present gonorrhoea (VSN- MS 40). Poovarasu study that several plants in Marudhamalai Crushed fruits are applied on hills possess genuine medicinal efficacy 64. Richardia scabra Linn.; Family- insect stings as an antidote (VSN- MS hence the indigenous people of this Rubiaceae 1172). district practice traditional medicinal The root possesses emetic and system for the treatment of various diaphoretic properties (VSN- MS 11). 71. Toddalia asiatica (Linn.) Lam. diseases. But with the advent of rapid var. floribunda Gam.; Family- social transformation and tourism 65. Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Rutaceae; LN-Milakaranai development Irulars are forced to shift Voigt syn. Asclepias acida Roxb.; Root is ground with lemon fruit from the natural habitats. Therefore, to Family- Asclepiadaceae; LN- (Citrus sp.) and applied to get relief save this traditional heritage Kodikkalli, Kondapala, Somamum from itching and allergy related skin documentation of the traditional A dilute extract of the whole plant diseases (VSN- MS 109). knowledge of older generation is is used internally to relieve rheumatic necessary for the sustainable development pains (VSN- MS 816). 72. Trianthema portulacastrum of younger generation on natural Linn.; Family-Aizoaceae; LN- resources. In this context, observations on 66. Sida cordata (Burmn. f.) Sharunnai 75 species belonging to 43 families were Borssum; Family-Malvaceae; LN- An infusion of the root is given made during the survey. Suitable clinical Arival manippundu internally to relieve constipation (VSN- MS trials coupled with extensive The leaf juice is effective in 797). phytochemical investigations are required treating diarrhoea during pregnancy. The to decipher the chemical nature of pounded leaves are applied locally to 73. Vernonia cinerea Less.; Family- biologically active compounds for more relieve cuts and bruises (VSN- MS 1088). Asteraceae; LN- Mukuttipundu scientific utility. Plant juice is used for 67. Sida rhombifolia Linn.; Family- indigestion, piles and malaria. Leaf juice References Malvaceae; LN-Chitramutti is useful for amoebiasis, eczema, 1. Harshberger JN, The purpose of Ethnobotany, Root is used to cure rheumatism. ringworm and other skin troubles. Flowers Bot Gaz, 1896, 27, 146-158. The crushed fruits are used externally in are used to cure conjunctivitis (VSN- the form of paste to relieve headache (VSN- MS 683). 2. Born GCC, Favero AO and Pavan S, MS 1163). Ethnobotanical research and exchange between Vietnam and Brazil, Ethnobotanical 74. Vitex negundo Linn.; Family- projects of the Brazilian Team, In: S.K. Jain 68. Spondias pinnata (Linn. f.) Verbenaceae; LN-Nochi (Ed) Ethnobiology in Human Welfare, Deep Kurz; Family-Anacardiaceae; LN- Leaf infusion is taken to cure Publications, New Delhi, 1996, pp. 362-366. Mambulichi asthma (VSN- MS 37). Leaf juice is used for earache 3. Balick MJ, Micheal Fredi Kronenberg, Andreana I, Ososki Marian Reiff, Adriane Fugh (VSN- MS 56). 75. Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.; Berinan, Bonnie O’ Connor, Maria Roble,

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Patricia Lohr and Danel Atha, Medicinal plants 11. Jain SK (Ed), Methods and Approaches in 19. Hamasavalli P, Ethnopharamacological studies used by Latino healers for women’s health Ethnobotany. Society of Ethnobotany, NBRI, on Irulars of Anikatty hills, Coimbatroe district, conditions in New York City, Econ Bot, 2000, Lucknow (UP), 1989. Tamil Nadu, M.Sc. Dissertation Submitted to 54(3), 343-357. Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, 12. Jain SK and Sikarwar RLS, Comparative Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 2001. 4. Choudhari MM, Tribes of Assam plains, ethnomedico-botanical studies between India Guwahati, Assam, New Vistas in Ethnobotany, and Amazona, a new field of research, 20. Nikkitha JP, Ethno-medico-botanical studies In: JK Maheswari (Ed), Ethnobotany in South Sachitra Ayurv, 1996, 49, 155-159. and antibacterial activity on medicinal plants Asia, Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur (India), of “Irulardivasis” Attukkal Village, 1980, pp.11. 13. Jones S, The Nature and status of Ethnobotany, Thodamuthur block, Coimbatore district, Chron Bot, 1941, 6, 219. Tamil Nadu, M.Phil Dissertation submitted to 5. Chander R and Pandey LN, Some folk Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, medicine of Singhbhum, Sachitra Ayurv, 14. Pal DC and Srivastava JN, Preliminary note on Coimbatore, 1999. 1984, 4, 253-257. the ethnobotany of Singhbhum district, Bihar, Bull Bot Surv India, 1976, 18, 247-250. 21. Karthikeyan TP, Ethno Medico-botanical 6. Cox PA and Balick MJ, The Ethnobotanical studies of Irulars in Siruvani Hills, Coimbatore approach to drug discovery, Sci Aus, 1994, 15. Robbins NS, Harrington JP and Frelra Marreco district, Tamil Nadu, India, Ph.D. Thesis 270, 60-65. B, New Vistas in Asia, Scientific Publishers, submitted to Department of Botany, Jodhpur (India), 1916, pp. 1-11. Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 2003. 7. Dhar ML, Dhawan BN, Prasad CR, Rastogi RP, Singh KK and Tandon JS, Screening of Indian 16. Ramachandran VS and Nair NC, 22. Senthilkumar M, Studies on Medicinal Plants plants for biological activity – Part V, Indian Ethnobotanical observations on Irulars of of Marudhamalai Hills, Coimbatore district, J Exp Biol, 1974, 12, 512-523. Tamil Nadu (India), J Econ Taxon Bot, Tamil Nadu. M.Sc. Dissertation Submitted to 1981, 2, 183 Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, 8. Gamble JS and Fischer CEC, Flora of the Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 2004. Presidency of Madras (Adlard & Sons Ltd., 17. Palanisamy K, Ethnobotany of Irulars from London), 1915-1936; Reprinted Edn Kallar, , Coimbatore 23. Senthilkumar M, Gurumoorthi P and (Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta), 3 Vols, district, M.Sc. Dissertation (unpublished) Janardhanan K, Antibacterial potential of some 1957. Kongunadu Arts and Science College, medicinal plants used by tribals in Coimbatore, 1993. Marudhamalai hills, Tamil Nadu, Nat Prod 9. Jain SK, Wild plant foods of the tribals of Rad, 2005, 4(1), 27- 34. Bastar (MP), Proc Nat Inst Sci India, 18. Balasubramanian P, Rajesekaran A and Prasad 1964, 30, 56-80. SN, Folk medicine of the Irular of Coimbatore forests, Ancient Sci Life, 1997, 16(3), 10. Jain SK, Studies in Indian ethnobotany, plants 222- 226. used in medicine by tribals of Madhya Pradesh, Quat J Mythic Soc, 1965, 54, 73-94.

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