Studies on the Medicinal Plants of Kerala Forests
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KFRI Research Report 42 STUDIES ON THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF KERALA FORESTS V.P.Krishnan Nambiar N.Sasidharan C.Renuka M.Balagopalan KERALA FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE PEECHI, THRISSUR December 19 85 Pages: 200 CONTENTS Page File Index to botanical names 181 r.42.6 Index to Malayalam names 192 r. 42.7 Index to Sanskrit names 199 r. 42.8 1 Introduction 1 r.42.2 2 Medicinal plants 1 r.42.3 3 Bibliography 173 r. 42.4 4 Glossary of medicinal terms 178 r.42.5 Introduction The origins of herbal medicine predate all existing records. Ancient Indian knowledge on medicinal plants was wide and comprehensive. Vedic literature stands to the proof of their vast knowledge on herbal medicines. Al- though the ancient systems of herbal medicine was prevalent throughout the country, it suffered a severe set back with the introduction of Allopathy. But currentty there is a reawakening which has resulted in a more scientific appro- ach to the Vedic days store of knowledge of medicinal plants. A good number of medicinal plants are found mentioned in the ancient classical Ayurvedic texts 'Charaka Samhita'. 'Susruta Samhita' and 'Astanga Hrdaya Samhita'. But many of them still remain to be properly identified. During the process of urbanization the contact with plants in their natural habitat was lost, creating confusion in the correct identity of many plants. The indiscriminate use of Sanskrit names and synonyms in later publications which are not given in the ancient treatises, added to this problem. Moreover many irregularities have crept in, in the identity ofraw material due to wrong interpretations of the Sanskrit names of medicinal plants. Therefore, medicinal plants differ according to the practitioners. Moreover the preference for the use of traditional plants by them has also led to the use of different plants in various regions under the same Sanskrit name. The descriptions provided in the ancient treatises are hardly sufficient to confirm the identity of various drug plants, For the common drug plant 'Kuruntotti' three names, viz. bala. athibala and nagabala can be found. All of them are species of Sida. When there are 11 species of sida in South India. only with the help of an excellent key based on floral characters or with the aid of authentic specimens these species can be correctly identified. When used as a raw drug it is quite difficult to identify the roots of these species based on the morphological characters. No conclusive phytochemical study has been carried out to establish which species of Sida has the most beneficial alkaloid. In the absence of such a study, it is arbitrary if an Ayurvedic practit- ioner prefers a particular species as the source of 'Kuruntotti'. Apart from the species of Sida, species of Pavonia are also used as Kuruntotti. Thus the first and foremost task in Ayurveda is to establish the correct identity of drug plants. The destruction and degradation of natural habitats of medicinal plants have led to diminished supply of these valuable raw materials. The poor avai- lability has also resulted in adulteration of raw drug. An example is that of Kuvalam (Aegle marmelos) which is of very rare occurrence in Kerala forests. The roots of Toddalia asiatica and species of Limonia are collected in large quantities and sold as Kuvalam. One of the effective ways to check the use of adulterants is to cultivate the much needed drug plants. Forests of Kerala are endowed with a large number of medicinal plants. An authentic publication on this integral component of forest resources is still lacking and therefore very little information is available on the medicinal properties of many species. The shrinking habitat of the medicinal plants and the ever increasing demand for the raw drugs pose great threats to some spe- cies that are in the verge of extinction. Intensive studies on indigenous medici- nal plants and germplasm collection of the various species are therefore very effective. With all these background information, and having realised that the habitat of medicinal plants is and will continue to be the forests, this project was initi- ated, This report relates to the fulfilment of the objectives of providing correct botanical identity, resolving nomenclatural confusion and compiling information on the medicinal uses. A checklist of the medicinal plants of Kerala forests was prepared from Ayurvedic texts and Floras. The checklist also included some exotics naturalized in the state and are frequent in forest plantations and forest clearings. Field trips were conducted to various forest areas for the collection of medicinal plants with the help of people engaged in the collection of medicinal plants. Collection of herbarium specimens. raw materials and live 'plants for the medicinal plant garden in the Institute were made. Comparative studies were also made with raw drugs materials collected from various pharmaceutical agencies. The habitat and field characters were studied and these information were also documented. The materials collected were identified with pertinent literature and authentic specimens. The local names of the medicinal plants were obtained from the pecple engaged in the collection of drug plants and from literature. The Sanskrit'names were obtained from published literature and by consulting Sanskrit scholars. The medicinal properties and uses were com- pi led from ayurvedic texts. These were supplemented with information collected from Ayurvedic practitioner- and Tribals. The species are arranged in alphabetic sequence under respective plant families. The families are arranged according to the system of classification of flowering plants by Bentham and Hooker. The correct botanical name appears in bold face followed by important synonyms, if any, in italics. The local ii name (s) and Sanskrit name(s) are given whenever known. The distribution of the plants in Kerala is given by forest types according to the system of classi- fication of forest types by Champion and Seth (1968). Whenever a species is confined only to a particular area; it is specified; otherwise it indicates occurre- nce throughout Kerala in the type of forests mentioned. A brief description of the plant is provided to facilitate identification in the natural habitat. Photo- graphs have been provided for some species. the height of the trees described as small, medium and large are indicative of the size range: trees below 10 m high as small, 11-25 m as medium and above 25 m as large. The medicinal pro- perties and uses are given under separate heads. A glossary of medicinal terms used in the text has been provided. Separate index for Botanical names, Mala- yalam names and Sanskrit names have been appended for easy reference. About 250 species of plants collected for the project as well as the medici- nal plants obtained from other sources are maintained in the Medicinal plant garden of the Institute. The raw materials collectad for comparative studies were identified and kept as a reference collection in the Institute. The herba- rium specimens of the medicinal plants prepared were incorporated in the Insti- tute herbarium. In order to ascertain the views and problems of Ayurvedic practice and research, a state level seminar on Medicinal plants was organized in the Institute during December 1981. Nearly 100 delegates including leading Ayurvedic .- practitioners and academicians participated in the Seminar. The papers present- ed stressed mainly on two aspects, one on the shortage of raw drugs and the other the need for standardization of the drug plants. The proceedings of the seminar was published in 1982. Medicinal Plants Ranunoulaceae tary. about 10 cm in diameter. Fruit globose, subtended by the thickened Clematis gouriana Roxb. sepals, about 8 cm in diameter. Mal : Nikida Kodi Properties : Bark and leaves are Distribution : West coast semi- astringent. Fruit is said to possess evergreen and Southern moist mixed tonic and laxative properties. deciduous forests above 400 m ele- Uses : Bark is reported to be vations. useful in the treatment of arthrites Soil requirements : Rich and (Van Reede. 1678). It is also used deep loamy soil with good drainage. as an expectorant. A cooling bever- Description : A climbing shrub age prepared from fruits is admini- reaching to the top of trees, stem stered for fevers. vertically grooved. Leaves opposite bipinnate or tripinnate; leaflets ovate Tetracera akara (Burm.f.) Merr. or oblong, acuminate, entire or re- Syn. T. laevis auct. non Vahl motely Toothed, rounded or cordate Mal : Nennelvalli at the base, 2.5-10 x 1.5-3.5 cm. Distribution : West coast tropical Flowers yellowish or greenish white. evergreen forests. in much branched panicles. Fruit a head of ovoid achenes with long Description : A climbing shrub feathery tails. with angular branches. Leavas sim- Uses : Bruised stem and leaves ple, alternate, oblong or lanceolste. when applied to the skin cause desi- entire or remotely toothed, 7-12 cm cation. The root is with pungent long. Ftowers white, in few to many aromatic smell. The fresh root is flowered terminal panicles. Fruit an crushed and inhaled to get relief aggregate of several coriaceous folli- from cold by the Tribals of Attappady. cles with 1-2 arillate seeds. Uses : Oecoction of leaves mixed Dilleniaceae with rice-gruel is given in the treat- ment of aphthae. Dillenia indica Linn. Syn. D. speciosa T hunb. Magnoliaceae Mal : Syalitha Michelia champaca Linn. Distribution: Reported to occur Mal : Champakam in Southern moist mixed deciduous San : Champaka forests in North Kerala. Occasionally Distribution : Occasional in West planted in temple compounds and in coast tropical evergreen furests. households as an ornamental tree. Soil reqirements : Deep moist Description : Small to medium loamy, medium acidic sized tree; bark reddish grey, smooth. soil. Leaves simple, fascicled at the ends Description : Large evergreen of branchlets, oblong-lanceolate. tree; bark grey, smooth. Leaves sim- acute, serrate, 15-30 x 7-10 cm; ple, alternate, ovate-lanceolate, acu- petiole winged.