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Ancient Science of Life, Vol. IV, No.4 April 1985, Page 238-244

ETHNOBOTANY OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF ,

K. PRAKASA RAO and S. HARA SREERAMULU

Andhra University, Waltair 530 003, .

Received: August 14, 1984 Accepted: December 28, 1984

ABSTRACT: India has a rich heritage of herbal medicine of which the most important system namely Ayurveda needs even today a critical scientific scrutiny both in the correct identity of the proper drug plants and in the standard of the preparation of Ayurveda drugs. Authentic data on the medicinal plants growing in the Srikakulam district of Northern Andhra Pradesh is presented in the paper along with their etnobotainical data and their distribution in the district.

Srikakulam district. The northern most part The district with its rich forest pockets of the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh State, harbours a variety of medicinal plants. lies along the cost of coromandel. The There is every possibility for introduction district lies between 18o5’-19o12’N and and systematic cultivation of several useful 83o12’ -84o47’E with an altitude range of indigenous medicinal plants (which are 90-1200 m. and rainfall 90-125 cm and required by Pharmaceutical Companies of temperature 11oC-47oC. The geology and Andhra Pradesh and other parts of India) in soil of considerable variation from Deltaic selected areas both by the Government alluvial to Red sandy soils presents an (State/ Central) and Private firms and “Drug interesting floristic data. Farms” for preparing good quality crude drug extracts of drug plants on small scale The vegetation is mainly of dry-deciduous industry basis. Such planning on indigenous forest type with a few pockets of moist medicinal plants would not only improve the deciduous patches at higher altitudes. The economic condition of the people living in main girijan tribes are Savaras, Jatapus and hilly and plain areas of the district but also Gadabas are closely associated with the improve the quality of Ayurvedic medicines forests. The tribals use the wild plants in a and thereby the confidence of the people on variety of ways especially for food and the indigenous systems of medicine medicine. While working out the flora of the particularly the Ayurveda which is one of district, data on the medicinal value of the the mot useful systems of medicine best plants is gathered form Girijans, local suited in a country like India with the huge people and local Ayurvedic doctors. Out of rural/ tribal population. all a few interesting medicinal plants are discussed here. It is well known how the Government of India and the Council of Scientific and

Page 238-244 Industrial Research (CSIR) through habitats, both hilly and plain areas, under Regional Research Laborataries (RRL), drug farms, projects both by the Central Drug Research Laborataries Government agencies noted above and also (CDRL), Central Indian Medicinal Plants leading Pharmaceutical Companies like Organisation (CIMPO) and other allied Hoechst, Ciba, Glaxo and others, are in organizations like Central Councils for active progress in the country. It is therefore Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy etc., needless to emphasize the importance of have been persistently encouraging the medicinal plants data and their populations scientific research on Indian medicinal in various districts of India and their plants an their chemical analysis an their chemical screening to find out their utility utility on various diseases and more according to the Indian Pharmaceopial particularly on diabetes, bronchial allergy, standards and thus leading to the cancer etc. to achieve positive results, Development of Drug Farms in suitable regular survey of specific medicinal plants habitats in different districts of the State and in different parts of India, their systematic the allied projects. chemical screening based on various populations, cultivation of selected and well established medicinal plants in their natural

Page 238-244 During the present study, species which are 3. Acorus calamus Linn. (Arecaceae) already known for their medicinal value, ‘Vasa’ have been carefully scrutinize for their identity and the distribution in the district. Rhzome is used for throat cleaning, Such data together with the medicinal uses digestive troubles paralytic fevers and of such species by the tribal “Vaids” as brief dysentery. Ethnobotanical notes, are presented under Locality: Pilli-Budarasingi (C ). each species with a view to provide a useful basic information for further followup 4. Adhatoda zeylanica Medic studies on the medicinal plants of the (Acanthaceae) ‘Addasaramu’ district. Leaves and stem bark is medicinal, Thus, the Ethnobotanical data gathered on decoction of the stem bark is used in blood 52 medicinal plants together with their local motions, fevers, Leaf paste is employed in name, distribution indicated to their tongue diseases, leaves are boiled in water corresponding numbers in the Map. and used for bathing for minor dermal diseases. Dry leaves are made into cigars 1. Abrus precatorius Linn. (Fabaceae) and smoked for the relief of asthma. ‘Gurivinda teega’ Locality: Kurmarajapuram (A); The root paste mixed with cows milk is (C); Ichchapuram (C). given in dysentery. The leaves are given for curing cough and other throat troubles. 5. Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) DC. (Amaranthaceae) ‘Ponnagantikura’ Locality: Polla (A); Muragadavalasa (A); Gudivada (A); Nallakonda (A); Tharlakota Leaf is blood purifier and cools the body and (C). leaves are made into curry as a green vegetable. 2. Achyranthus aspera Linn. Locality : Palakonda (A); Kurmarajapuram (Amaranthaceae) ‘Vuttareni’, (A) ; Chintapalli (B); Kowsalyametta (C). ‘Dichodi’. Leaves and seeds are used in medicine. 6. Alstonia venenata R.Br. Leaves along with Piper nigrum used for (Apocynaceae) ‘Edakulapala’ scorpion sting and decoction of leaves used Ripe fruits are used in syphilis, insanity, in liver enlargements. Leaf paste is applied epilepsy and as a tonic. for dermal diseases. Seeds boiled with milk and used in Gastric trouble. Locality: Jamparakota (A) ; Burnakonda (A); Kothakota (A); Gajapathinagaram (B); Locality: Voni (A); Gudivada (A); Neelapuram (B). Lodasingi (A); Nallakonda (A); Malli- konda(A). 7. Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Acanthaceae) ‘Nelavemu’

Page 238-244 Whole plant is used as a febrifuge, tonic, increase the milk content in ladies and gives alterative, anthelmintic, useful in debility, strength. dysentery and dyspepsia. An infusion of the plant is used in malaria. Locality: Kurusingi (A), Burnakonda west (A), Themburu (B) Donubayi (A). Locality: Sitampeta (A); Donubayi (A) ; Darapadu (A); Kusimi (A); Tivvakonda (A); 12. Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile Lodasingi (A); Nallakonda (A). (Balanitaceae) ‘Garachettu’ Seed oil and bark is used in dermal diseases. 8. Argemone Mexicana Linn. (Pepavaraceae) ‘Balurakkasi’ Locality : Asokam (C ).

Yellow juice of the plant is employed for 13. Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub. eye infection an leaf paste for skin diseases. Adulteration of this seed wit Brassica seed (Fabaceae) ‘Moduga’ Butea gum or “Bengal produce toxicity in “Sarsoon”. kino” an exudates from the tree is an astringent and used in dysentery and Locality: Jadupalli (B), Hamsarali (C). diarrehoea, seeds as vermicide.

9. Aristolochia bractiolata Lamk. Locality : Valagajji (A); Haripuram (Aristolochiaceae) ‘Gadida gadapa’ Palakonda R.F. (A); Sarvakota (A); Leaf is mixed with castor oil and applied to Bagga R.F. (B). Eczema, leaf juice along with banana fruit is given for menstrual troubles. 14. Caesalpinia bonduc (Linn.) Roxb. (Caesalpenaceae) ‘Gachakaya’. Locality : Himagiri (B), Burjapadu coast (C). Seeds are said to be highly poisonous and used for abortion. Leaves used in fevers. 10. Aristolochia indica Linn. (Aristolochiaceae) ‘Nalla Eswari” Locality : Hunnali (c ). Root is said to be very effective in 15. Cadaba fruticosa (Linn.) Druce snake bite. (Capparidace) ‘Sivakantaku’.

Locality: Echcherla (A), Chinagora (A), Leaves and roots are purgative anthelmintic, Kondamulagam (A), Kothuru (B), Mandasa antispasmodic, prescribed as decoction in (C), Chinakedari (C). uterine obstructions.

11. Asparagus racemosus Willd. Locality: Gudivada R.F. (A); Kothuru (B); (Liliaceae) ‘Pillitegalu’ Nowtala (B); Mandasa (C).

Under ground bulbus roots are used as 16. Cassia fistula Linn. (Caesalpinaceae) medicine, powder or decoction of the roots ‘Rella chettu’, Root bark and leaves is used in blood motions and this is said to

Page 238-244 are used as laxative and fruit for dyspepsia, diarrhoea and urinary troubles. asthama. Useful in bowel complaints.

Locality: Routhlakshmipuram (B); Locality : Donubayi Sal forest (A); Polla Donubayi (A). (A); Darapadu (A); Antikonda (A); Themburu (B); Gundam (C). 17. Celastrus paniculata Willd. (Celasteraceae) ‘Palleru tivva’. 21. Cocclus hirsutus Linn. Diels (Menispermaceae) ‘Dusari Teega’, Oil from the seeds is used for rheumatic ‘Sarpi. pains and mental disorders. This oil keeps mosquitoes away. Juice of the leaves when mixed with water forms a jelly which is said to be useful in Locality: Darapadu R.F.(A) ; Somidavalasa venereal diseases and external application (A) ; Antikonda (A); Chinagora (A); for skin diseases. Root has cooling effect. Burnakonda (A); Asokam (B); Banapuram (B). Locality : Karakavalasa (A); Bonni (B); Sudirayakonda (B); Mandasa (C). 18. Centella asiatica (Linn) Urban. (Apiaceae) ‘Saraswatiaku’. 22. Costus speciosus (Koen. Ex. Retz.) SM. (Zingiberaceae) The plant is useful in skin diseases nerves ‘Bogachikadumpalu’. and blood. Leaves are said to be good for increasing memory power. Rhizome is used as antivermin and used for abortion. Diosgenin, a steroidal Locality : Mekava – Donubayi (A); Polla sapogemin is extracted from these (A);Thumbakonda vagu (A); rhizomes. Kowsalyametta (C). Locality: Donubayi (A); Palakonda (A); 19. Ceropegia candelabrum Linn. Nallakonda (A) ; Jadupalli (B) ; (Asclepiadaceae) ‘Bakkalimanda’, Bondiguda – Baleru (B). ‘Pullamanda’. 23. Curcuma pseudomontana Grahm. The tubers are tonic for bowel complaints of (Zingiberacae) ‘ adavi pasupu’ children and remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea. Rhizome is used in cough and other stomach troubles. Locality: Polla (A). Locality: Burnakonda West (A): Pedalogidi 20. Cissampelos pareira Linn. (B). (Menispermaceae) ‘Pativeru’, ‘Vishaboddi’. 24. Cymbopoqan martini (Roxb.) Wats. (Poaceae) ‘Nimmagaddi’ Leaf paste is applied on scabies, itches and other skin diseases. Roots are useful in

Page 238-244 Aromatic oil from the leaves used as a 29. Ecbolium viiride (Forsk.) Alston remedy for cold. Oil mixed with hair oils (Aeanthaceae ) Roots are medicinal; for its cooling effect. decoction is given in Jaundice.

Locality: Narayanapuram (A); Korada- Locality: Donubayi (A); Kuppili (A); Hiramandalam (B). Palakonda (A); Parapuram (B).

25. Datura metel Linn. (Solanaceae) 30. Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) Linn. Mant. ‘Tella ummatta’. (Asteraceae) ‘Guntakalagarata’.

Seeds, leaves and roots are used in insanity, Plant juice is a tonic and deobstruent in liver in fevers, cerebral complaints and skin troubles, fevers, Jaundice. Leaf juice is used diseases. Leaves are used as cigars in in the preparation of Hair oils, which gives asthama. cooling effect to the brain.

Locality: Korangibadra (c ); frequent along Locality: Ananthagiripeta – Palakonda (A); the roadsides. Chinagora (A0; Pedalogidi (B); Baliagam (C). 26. Dichrostachys cinerea Wt.& Arn. (Mimosaceae) ‘Velturu Chettu’. 31. Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. Stem bark is used in chickenpox and (Euphorbiaceae) ‘Kada Jemudu’. for urinary troubles. Latex and juice of the stem is febrifuge, Locality: Antharaba (B); Gundam (C); Latex is externally applied for swellings and Baleru (B). rheumatic pains.

27. Dillenta pentagyna Roxb. Locality: Vadapalem – Baruva (c); Common (Dilleniaceae) ‘Ravodichettu’ as a hedge plant.

Fruits and fleshy calyx are eaten by the 32. Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn.) Linn. tribals for general stamina. The fruits are (Convolvulaceae) ‘Vishnukrantha’. made into pickle. Decoction of the plant increases the general 28. Dioscorea oppositifolia Linn. stamina and increases the longevity of the teeth. (Dioscoreaceae) ‘Tellagaddalu’ Under ground tubers are collected and cooked on Locality: Sitampeta (A); Sirikonda (A); fire and eaten by the tribals for general Echcharla (A); Sativada (B); Bajji (B); stamina. Marripadu (B); Hamsarali (C).

Locality: Gopalapuram (A); Burnakonda 33. Gloriosa superb Linn. (Linn). (A); Chekkapuram (A); Chintalaguda (B); (Liliaceae) ‘Nabhi’, ‘Pottidumpa’. Hamsarali (C). Corm is poisionous, Vermicide and used in chronic fevers and for abortion.

Page 238-244 Locality: Donubayi (A), Sitampeta (A), The red powder form the fruits is used as Thumbakonda (A), Gudivada (A), Beleru purgative. (B). Locality: Tanginibhadra (A); Sitampeta (A); 34. Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) Schult. Chintapalli (B); Jadupalli (B); (Periplocaceae) ‘Palasugandhi”. Kowsalyametta (C).

Decoction of the root is used as blood 39. Piper longum Linn. (Piperaceae) purifier and it cools the body and also for ‘Pippallu’. white discharges, used as a flavouring agent for the cool drinks. Fruiting spike is used for cough, cold, fevers and for rheumatic pains. Roots is used for Locality: Kuddapali (A), Kothakota (A), digestive troubles. Pedalogidi (B). Locality: Chinagora (A): Baleru (B). 35. Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth.) Wall. (Apocyanaceae) ‘Kodisapala’. 40. Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) ‘Chitramulamu’. Seeds and root bark is used for dysentery and diarrhoea. Root bark is used as appetizer, root paste is applied externally for ski diseases and Locality: Sitampera (A); Kondamulagam leprosy. (A); Antharabha (B). Locality: Lodasingi – Gumada (A), 36. Hygrophyla auriculata (Sch.) Heine Narisingipalli (C). (Acanthaceae) ‘Mulla gobbi’, ‘Neeli gobbi’. 41. Rauvolfia serpentine (Linn.) Benth. (Apocynaceae) ‘Sarpagandhi’, Seeds are given for gonorrhea and with milk ‘Patalgiridi’ and sugar in spermatorrhoea. Roots are used in the treatment of high Locality: Mogadara-Sitampeta (A) blood pressure, as a sedative and for insanity. 37. Lepidogathis cristata Willd. (Acanthaceae) ‘Suryakhanta’. Locality: Thumbakonda (A), Solikiri (B).

A bitter herb used in fevers. The ash of the 42. Rubia cordifolia Linn. (Rubiaceae) dry plant is employed as an application to ‘Mangista teega’, ‘Erravellu’ sores. It cures itches. Root s used as blood purifier and also for Locality: Lodasingi – Gumada (A). spleen and stomach disorders.

38. Maltus philippeninsis (Lamk) Locality: Kurusing (A), Himagiri Hill Top (A). Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) ‘Sinduram’, ‘Pandigachettu’.

Page 238-244 43. Salacia chinensis Linn. Locality: Kothakota (A), Mulakhumbidi (A), (Celastraceae) ‘Nerani’. Chekkapuram (A), Jadupalli (B).

Root powder is used in the treatment of 48. Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. diabetes. (Combretaceae) ‘Tanikaya’.

Locality: Palakonda R.F. (A), Kothakota The fruit is one of the important constituent (A). of the “Triphalas” of Ayurveda it is useful against various ailments like diseases of 44. Solanum surattense Burm. F. eyes, asthma, bronchitis etc. (Solanaceae) Locality: Gudivada (A), Somagandhi (B). The fruit mixed with sesamum oil is said to be very effective in paralysis. The whole 49. Terminalia chebula Retz. plant is used in chest ailments. (Combretaceae) ‘Karakachettu’.

Locality: Parapuram (B), Karlemma-Bagga The fruits are dried and powdered and (B). used as purgative with honey for fevers and cough. This is also one among the 45. Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.) A. Juss. Triphalas. Meliaceae) ‘Somida Chettu”. Locality: Antikonda (A), Donudayi (A), The bitter bark is used as febrifuge used is Burnakonda (A). diarrhoea, dysentery. 50. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. Locality: Palakonda Hills (A), Reivada (B). Ex. Hook. f. & Thoms. 46. Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. (Menispermaceae) ‘Tippateega’. (Loganiaceae) ‘Mushini’, Crushed root is given with milk to the ‘Vishamusti’. children for cough, the extract of the plant Seeds are useful in wide range of fevers, parts is given in fever as tonic and also for ulcers, dysentery, dyspepsia and excited high blood pressure. mental conditions. Locality: Gudavada (A). Locality: Veeraghattam (A), Karakavalasa 51. Tylophora indica (Burm.F.) Merr. (A), Somaghandhi (B), Budarasingi (C). (Asclepiadacea) ‘Kakapalla’.

47. Strychnos potatorum Linn. f. Leaves are used for bronchital asthama. (Loganiaceae) ‘Induba’. Locality; Donubayi (A), Voni (A), The seeds are used to clean the turbid water Pedamanapuram (A), Somagandhi (B), and used in ophthalmic diseases and woopy Korangibhadra (C), Hamsarali (C). cough.

Page 238-244 52. Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) Eastern India”. Eco Bot. Vol. 33, No. ‘Vavili’. 1,52-56 (1979) 9. Jain, S.K. “Studies in Indian Juice of the leaves used to disperse ethnobotany – less known uses of swellings of joints from acute rheumatism fifty common plants from the tribal and for various other dermal diseases. areas of Madhya Pradesh”. Bull. Locality: Kotthuru (B), Sompeta (C). Bot. Surv. Vol. 5, No 3&4. 223-226 (1963) Acknowledgements

Thanks due to Prof. R.S. Rao (Formerly Joint Director Botanical Survey of India), Department of Botany, Andhra University, Waltair for his guidance and to Dr. G.V. Gopal for his suggestions.

REFERENCES

1. Chopra , R.N. et al “Glossary of Indian medicinal plants”, New Delhi, 1956. 2. Elliot, W. “Flora Andhrica”, Madras, 1859. 3. Gamble, J.S & Fischer, C.E.C. “ Flora of the Presidency f Madras”, London (Rep. ed. 1957), 1915-36. 4. Hooker, J.D et al “ The Flora of British India”, London, 1872-97. 5. Jain, S.K. “ Ethnobotany: Its scope and study”, Ind. Mus Bull Vol. 2, No.1, 39-43 (1967) 6. Jain, S.K. & De, J.N. “ Observations on Ethnobotany of Purulia, West Bengal” Bull. Bot. Sur. India, Vol. 8, No. 344, 237-251 (1966) 7. Jain, S.K. & De, J.N. “ Some less known plant foods among the tribals of Purulia (West Bengal)” Sci. & Cul. Vol. 30, No. 6, 285-286 (1964) 8. Jain, S.K. & Namita Dam. “Some Ethnobotanical notes from North

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