Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 4(4), October 2005, pp. 429-436

Traditional Phytotherapy among Karens of Middle Andaman

M U Sharief1*, Senthil Kumar2, P G Diwakar3 & TVRS Sharma4 1Botanical Survey of , National Orchid Area and Experimental Garden, Nagalur Road, P O Ondikadai, Yercaud 636 602, Distt Salem, Tamil Nadu 2,4Central Agricultural Research Institute, Garacharma, 744 101, Andaman 3Botanical Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Circle, Port Blair 744 102, Andaman Received 1 October 2004; revised 18 January 2005

Karens, originally a hill tribe hailing from Pegu district of western Mayanmar, brought to Andaman by Britishers for forest timber operations during the year 1924-25. Although Karens have not been classified as tribals in the recent tribal notification, they form a minor ethnic group that has apparently been living amidst the forests of tehsil since decades. They posses extensive indigenous knowledge of the plants which they use in their ethnomedicinal practices. Information about 24 selected medicinal plants, their local names, parts used, methods of application and medicinal uses are recorded. The medicinal utilities of these plants used by Karens have not been recorded earlier. Ethnobotanical information related to agriculture, house building, canoe making and traditional artifacts are also recorded. Key Words: Karen Tribe, Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine, Mayabunder, Middle Andaman, Tribes, Phytotherapy IPC Int. Cl.7: A61K35/78, A61P1/02, A61P9/00

The role of indigenous knowledge in the realm of chores, thereby making good ground for medicinal plants is noteworthy. Indigenous ethnobotanical studies. They depend on traditional communities have bred out of the wild plants of the herbal remedies to cure different ailments. An attempt forests and they nurture rich knowledge about was made to document the traditional herbal treatment medicinal plants developed over generations by bold practices of Karen tribe for the first time, besides experimentation through trial and error methods1. The collecting information on ethnobotanical aspects of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Fig. 1), the hotspots of the tribe. biodiversity representing a great emporium of ethnobotanical wealth and is an abode of six different Methodology aboriginal native tribes. In spite of floristic, socio- Field visits were carried out to the Webi and economical and anthropological interests in these Karmatang villages of Mayabunder in Middle islands, studies on the folk medicinal utilities of plants Andaman during October and November 2003. After are limited and meager2. Hence, the study on initial discussions with Mr Saw Saytha (General traditional Phytotherapy by Karens was undertaken. Secretary, Karen Community, Webi village), Karens are hard working and depend on forests and interviews were conducted with local healers and sea for hunting and shell fishing, respectively. Karen elderly persons of the villages (Fig. 2). Since Mr Saw word is a derivative of ‘Kavin’ as Britishers called the Aungtaun of Webi village and Mr Saw Joseph of tribe and while the tribes call themselves Pwakanyaw, Karmatang village of Mayabunder were found to the quite and easygoing people. Karens hail from posses thorough knowledge about medicinal plants of Henzada, Pathe and Nachaon areas of Pegu district in the area, they were taken to the surrounding forests Western Mayanmar3. Britishers brought a group of and first hand ethnomedicinal data was gathered. In mere 200-250 Karens to for forest addition to the tribal names and medicinal uses, timber operations during the year 1924-25. They were detailed information about mode of preparation (i.e. first given land at Webi village of Mayabunder tehsil decoction, paste, powder and juice), form of usage in Middle Andaman. Within a span of 75-80 years, such as fresh or dried and mixtures of other plants the tribe swelled to more than 2000 individuals and used as ingredients were recorded. The medicinal spread to nine villages4. Karens adapted a variety of plants were also collected, identified, photographed ______and sample specimens were obtained for preparation *Corresponding author of herbarium. Taxonomic identification of the 430 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 4, No. 4, OCTOBER 2005

specimens was done using various floras5-7. The Munro) and cane, Karens prepare baskets, winnowing identified plant specimens were then confirmed with fan (Kd-leh) and fishing mesh, which are the the PBL herbaria of BSI, Andaman & Nicobar circle, traditional artifacts found in their houses (Fig. 14). Port Blair. The specimens are deposited in the PBL, They are experts in making Karen boats and canoes. Port Blair. They make good canoes with the stems of ‘Toungpienne’ (Artocarpus chaplasha Roxb.). In the Observations forests, they fell the trees, camp there for a couple of Karens, originally a hill tribe regard forests as a weeks, scoop off the wood from the stem and make part of nature and greatly respect the forest deity. the canoes. Spitting and urinating inside the forests are avoided Karens cultivate four Myanmarese varieties of and considered disrespect to forest spirit. They collect paddy. They use one black type of Burma chawal, several plant products from the surrounding forests to which is sweet in taste and appears grayish black carryout day to day activities. They are fond of when cooked (Fig. 4). To store paddy and rice, they hunting and traditionally avoid killing females or prepare a big bowl of bamboo called Thappa, which pregnant animals. The distinct customs and traditions is oval in shape and can hold about 500-600 kg of of Karens are being kept alive by the community rice. Karens wear their traditional dress, a lungi called through their folk tales, songs, bamboo dance, Nee and shirt Achi. A traditional circular cap made of traditional phytotherapy and domestic farming. bamboo is in general use during fieldwork. In recent Generally, they construct piled dwellings over raised days, owing to their contact with other communities, platforms, which resembles Karen houses of native Karens have undergone changes in their attitudes, Myanmarese (Fig. 13). They use mats inside the behaviour, customs and food habits. house made up of cane (Calamus palustris) leaves In the present attempt, the ethnomedicinal aspects and pandanus (Pandanus odoratissimus Linn.f) of 24 plant species distributed among 23 genera leaves. Using bamboo (Gigantochloa nigrociliata belonging to 17 families collected from Karen tribal SHARIEF et al: TRADITIONAL PHYTOTHERAPY AMONG KAREN TRIBES OF MIDDLEANDAMAN 431

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SHARIEF et al: TRADITIONAL PHYTOTHERAPY AMONG KAREN TRIBES OF MIDDLEANDAMAN 433

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Table1—Medicinal plants used by Karens of Middle Andaman

Sl Botanical Family Vernacular Habit Diseases Mode of Usage No Name Name

1 Acorus Araceae Laniti Herb Headache, Paste of rhizome along with Piper betle calamus Cold leaves, fresh Kaempferia rotunda Linn. rhizome, Peperomia pellucida plant and cloves by adding salt or sugar is applied on the forehead. Sometimes all these plants are boiled and vapour is inhaled. 2 Ancistroclad Ancistrocladaceae Tealapathow Tree Fracture Paste of leaves and stem bark with us tectorius Centella asiatica plant, Schefflera (Lour.) Merr. elliptica leaves, Oxalis corniculata plant and Curcuma longa rhizome is applied on fractured area for 15 days. 3 Asparagus Lilliaceae Kanyoplur, Herb Jaundice Paste of fresh root with sugar candy racemosus Kanyammur (Misri), diluted with water is taken twice Willd. a day for 7 days. 4 Camellia Theaceae Chaye patti Shrub Centipede bite, Leaf paste is applied on the wound. sinensis Scorpion sting (Linn.) O. Kuntze 5 Canavalia Fabaceae Burma Same Herb Skin disease Seeds ground with hot rice kanji (gruel) ensiformis by adding sugar, diluted by adding cold (Linn) DC. kanji is taken internally. The same mixture is smeared on the body also. 6 Centella Apiaceae Kamukhwa Herb Cuts & Plant paste mixed with fresh paste of asiatica wounds, Curcuma longa rhizome, Schefflera (Linn.) Fracture elliptica leaves, Oxalis corniculata plant Urban. and Ancistrocladus extensus leaves is applied on the fractured region. 7 Chromolaen Asteraceae — Herb Cuts & Paste of young leaves and shoots along a odorata wounds, with paste of Solanum torvum leaves by (Linn.) King adding limewater is applied on the cuts & & Robinson wounds. Centipede bite The same paste is used in centipede bites. 8 Crotalaria Fabaceae Uhutesimil Herb Snake bite Leaf paste is applied on the wound from pallida Ail. upside down for 10 days. 9 Curcuma Zingiberaceae Toiyakoo Herb Fracture Paste of fresh rhizome and Schefflera longa Linn. elliptica leaves, banana fruit, egg and honey is applied on the fractured region for 15 days.

Eye Pain Fresh rhizome paste diluted with water is filtered cleanly 3 –4 times with a clean muslin cloth. The filtrate is applied into eyes. 10 Cymbidium Orchidaceae Titolini Herb Ear pain Extract of the plant is put into the ears aloifolium with the help of hen’s feather. (Linn.) Sw. 11 Kaempferia Zingiberaceae Suu, Chu Herb Gastric Fresh rhizome paste and a pinch of salt rotunda problems, diluted with water is taken. Linn. Giddiness,

Ear pain Above extract is drifted into ears with hen’s feather.

Contd— SHARIEF et al: TRADITIONAL PHYTOTHERAPY AMONG KAREN TRIBES OF MIDDLEANDAMAN 435

Table1—Medicinal plants used by Karens of Middle Andaman—Contd

Sl Botanical Family Vernacular Habit Diseases Mode of Usage

No Name Name 12 Millingtonia Bignoniaceae Ikritie Tree Headache, Leaves pasted with fresh leaves of hortensis Fever, Body Kaempferia rotunda and bark of Citrus Linn. ache medica. To this mixture, paste of Dugong (Paani Soovar) bone, Whale bone (Bada Machli) and self-holing stone (Cheda patthar) is mixed. The mixture is diluted with water and this medicine is applied on the head and temples with the help of needle prepared with bat’s bone. 13 Oxalis Oxalidaceae Tapopuri Herb Fracture Paste of whole plant with Centella corniculata asiatica plant, Ancistrocladus extensus Linn. leaves, Schefflera elliptica leaves and Curcuma longa rhizome is applied on the fractured region. 14 Peperomia Piperaceae Mukhatbila, Herb Cuts & Paste of the whole plant is used as pellucida(Lin Paan patti Wounds, Head poultice. The bruised leaves are applied n.)H.B.K. ache, Fever to the head at temporal region. 15 Phyllanthus Euphorbiaceae Aonla Tree Weakness Paste of fruits prepared with Acorus emblica after abortion calamus and Curcuma longa rhizome Linn. diluted with water is taken internally. 16 Phyllanthus Euphorbiaceae Bhuiamla Herb Jaundice Plant paste mixed with sugar candy niruri L. (Misri), diluted by adding goat milk and filtered in muslin cloth is taken internally for 3 days at early morning. Taking of non-vegetarian food is avoided during the treatment period. 17 Piper betle Piperaceae ------Herb Head ache, Betel leaves, cloves, Acorus calamus Linn. Cold & cough leaves are boiled together and vapours inhaled by covering with woolen blanket. 18 Plumeria Apocynaceae ------Tree Tongue Bark is rubbed on the tongue. rubra Linn. cleaning

Urinary Bark decoction is taken internally. trouble, Bowel complaint 19 Pongamia Fabaceae ------Tree Teeth Bark decoction is used for cleaning pinnata cleaning, affected teeth. (Linn.)Pierre Skin diseases Seed oil is used in skin diseases. 20 Schefflera Araliaceae Daandaulase Shrub Fracture Leaf paste with Curcuma longa rhizome, elliptica (Bl.) banana fruit, egg and honey is applied on Harms. fractured region. 21 Senna Caesalpiniaceae Uhutesimil Shrub Centipede bite Seeds are ground with water and paste is occidentalis applied on the wound externally for 10 (L.) Link. days. Sometimes paste is diluted with water and is taken internally. 22 Spilanthes Asteraceae Gasoohate Herb Toothache Plant is boiled and parts are rubbed on paniculata the affected gums. Root is also chewed Wall. ex. (but not swallowed) for toothache. DC. 23 Urena lobata Malvaceae Sapathra Herb Conjunctivitis One spoon of freshly boiled rice is rolled Linn. in seven equal sized leaves. Through this roll, air is whooped into the eyes for seven times and the roll is thrown backside only. 24 Zingiber Zingiberaceae Pothako Herb Cold & Cough Powder of dried rhizome is inhaled. zerumbet (Linn.) J.E. Head ache, Paste is applied on the forehead. Sm. Giddiness

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area of Mayabunder tehsil have been arranged traditions are to be preserved, as they are associated alphabetically (Figs 3-12, 17, 18), along with their with some important medicinal plants. The indigenous botanical names, family, vernacular names, plant parts knowledge is to be documented and natural resources used, form of preparation, method of use and dosage protected before they get depleted forever. against different diseases or illness have been presented (Table 1). The plants are used in different Acknowledgement forms such as paste, decoction, extract, infusion, Authors are thankful to Dr M Sanjappa, Director powder, etc. The herbal preparations aresometimes Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, and Dr R B Rai, applied with help of hen’s feather orneedle prepared Director CARI, Port Blair, for encouragement and with bat’s bone (Fig. 16). Almost all the herbal facilities. We are also grateful to Mrs S C Rekha, preparations are made on a traditional stone called Agriculture Officer, Mayabander, for the help Chowpii (Fig. 15). extended during the fieldwork.

Discussion References 1 Sahai S, Importance of Indigenous Knowledge, Indian J Traditional healthcare practices of indigenous Traditional Knowledge, 2(1) (2003), 11. people pertaining to human health are termed as 2 Dagar J C and Singh N T, Plant Resources of the Andaman Ethnomedicine. Ethnomedicine is the mother of all and Nicobar Islands, Vol. 1 (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal other systems of medicine8,9. Whatever traditional Singh, 23-A, New Connaught Place, Dehra Dun), 1999. knowledge exists today, has its origin in past which 3 Oberai, C P, Eco-Tourism Paradise - Andaman & Nicobar Islands (B R Publishing Corporation, Delhi), 2000. has been passed through one generation. Karens are 4 Roy S B, Biosocial Change among the Karens of Andaman good herbalists and know ethnomedicinal importance Islands (Inter-India Publication, D-17, Raja Garden, New of many herbs. Delhi), 1995, 15-42. Present ethnomedicinal studies conducted among 5 Hajra P K, Rao P S N and Mudgal V, Flora of Andaman Nicobar Islands, Vol. 1, (Botanical Survey of India, P-8, Karen tribe enumerate information about traditional Brabourne Road, Kolkatta), 1999. uses of 24 plant species. Most of the plants used by 6 Parkinson CE, A Forest Flora of the Andaman Islands Karens are herbs, however extracts from shrubs and (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 23-A, New Connaught trees are also used. Almost all the herbal preparations Place, Dehra Dun), 1923. were prepared on a traditional stone called ‘Chowpii’. 7 Gamble J S and Fischer C E C, The Flora of the Presidency of Madras, Reprinted Edition, Vol I-III, (Botanical Survey of Although they depend on several rare and endemic India, Calcutta), 1959. plants growing in the surrounding forests, they also 8 Vedavathy S, Scope and Importance of traditional medicine, cultivate some plants. The conservation of medicinal Indian J Traditional Knowledge, 2(3) (2003), 236. plants not only saves the tribal lives, but also 9 Sambamurthy A V S S, Ethnobotany- An Appraisal, in: improves the socio-economic condition of the Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants, Vol 7 edited by Singh 10 V K, Govil J N, Hashmi S and Singh G, (Studium Press, people . Further, it may be noted that since the uses LLC, P O Box-722200, Houston, Texas-77072, USA), 2003, of some plants reported are so far not known therefore 297. deserve special attention and detailed studies. 10 Kumar A and Pandey R, Tribals and the utility of the Biological screening and phytochemical medicinal plants in their day-to-day lives in Santal Pargana, Bihar, India, Ecol Environ & Conserv, 4(1-2) (1998), 65. investigations of these plants are desirable. Study of 11 Pramod C, Sivadasan M and Anil Kumar N, Ethnobotany of the conservational practices according to the beliefs is religious and supernatural beliefs of Kurichya of Wayanad an interesting area11. Therefore, some of the cultural District, Kerala, India, Ethnobotany, 15 (2003), 11.