Medicinal Ferns of North Eastern India with Special Reference to Arunachal Pradesh

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 10 (3), July 2011, pp. 516-522

Medicinal ferns of North Eastern India with special reference to Arunachal Pradesh

Benniamin A Botanical Survey of India Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre, Itanagar-791111 E-mail: [email protected]

Received 06.08.09; revised 03.11.09

The Pteridophytes constitute the primitive vascular plant groups which are found scattered all over the world including India. Investigation had been made on medicinal values of higher plants but Pteridophytes are often ignored. In spite of the luxuriant growth of the plants in an around Arunachal Pradesh, North East India they had not been studied medicinally. The present study has been designed to assess the medicinal uses of 51 Pteridophyte species belongs to 28 families on the basis of field surveys and taxonomic identification of plants used by tribals of the Arunachal Pradesh of North Eastern India in their traditional methods of treatment of various diseases, and ailments like stomach disorders, poisonous bites, rheumatics cough, asthma, fever, diabetes, etc. are presented.

Keywords : Medicinal ferns, Arunachal Pradesh, North Eastern India IPC Int. Cl. 8: A01D 16/02, A01D 11/18, A01D 12/17, A01D 11/00, A01D 9/01

In the plant world, Pteridophytes are said to be hour is, therefore, that the habitat conservation or in- primitive vascular plants. They are found scattered situ conservation of fern life to maintain the all over the globe and quite many of them occur in ecological balance. It has been observed that the India. However, they are not found throught the forest play a vital role in the life and economy of the country. The study of Pteridophytes which occupy a tribal people of our country. This is because of the unique position between non-seed bearing and seed fact that they generally depend upon the forest flora bearing plants is extremely fascinating from the angle for their livelihood; collect and utilize many plants of their phylogenetic and morphological characters. including Pteridophytes for food, fuel, fiber, oils, Pteridophytes make as important contribution to medicines and shelter. the earth’s plant diversity. Being the second largest The present article outlines a list of 51 medicinally group of vascular plants, they form a significant and useful Pteridophytes found in Arunachal Pradesh with dominant component of many plant communities. their recent nomenclature, family and brief uses. It Many ferns and fern allies growing luxuriantly on was during the field exploration for the last 2 yrs or so the Eastern Himalayas are threatened by continuous to various parts of the Arunachal Pradesh for the deforestation and frequent land slides. The Pteridophytes collections and observation in various Pteridophytes are known to man for more than ways and in this process of coming in contact with the 2000 yrs for their medicinal values. Theophrastus tribals it has become quite evident that investigation (327-287 BC) and Discorides (50 AD) had referred of the practical application of the study of the medicinal attributes of certain ferns. Caius 1 is Pteridophytes certainly yielded very interesting supposed to be the first man who has described the results. medicinal uses of some ferns of India. Besides Nayar 2, and Kaushik & Dhiman 3 also reflected lights of Study area medicinal uses of some pteridphytes of India. The North eastern region of India, particularly Pteridophytes are used in Homeopathic, Ayurvedic, the state of Arunachal Pradesh with an area of and Unani medicines, and provided insecticides, 83,743 km 2, is renowned for its biological richness. antibiotics, food and ornamentation but due to habitat The state is located in the Eastern Himalayan destruction by man more than 10% of the 1200 fern Biodiversity hotspot and is also listed among the 200 species has become endangered. The need for the globally important eco regions. The entirely area of BENNIAMIN: MEDICINAL FERNS OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA 517

the state is mountainous and consists of the consulting available literature and specimens easternmost ranges of the Himalayas. It’s bounded to preserved in the herbarium (ARUN) of Botanical China in the North, to Myanmar in the East and Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre, Bhutan in the West. Zoogeographically, Arunachal Itanagar. Pradesh is part of the oriental region and lies at the junction of the Indian and Indo-Chinese sub regions. Enumerations The state’s unique location at the Biogeographic For the presentation of data, all the medicinally realms further enriches the region’s biodiversity 4. The important Pteridophyte species are arranged higher reaches of its mountains form the southern alphabetically followed by plant family, field number fringes of the Paleartic region. The climate varies and brief not on medicinal uses. At the end of each from cold desert conditions on the northern facies and use reference to source of information is given. ranges with permanent snow to wet and humid southern slopes which receive 2500–5000 cm annual Adiantum capillus veneris Linn. (Adiantaceae ) rain. The dissection of the mountain ranges by steep It is used as an stimulant, febrifige, expectorant, river gorges has presented considerable barriers to purgative, demulcent, emollient tonic and hair tonic. dispersal, and subsequent speciation amongst the flora It has anticancerous, hypoglycaemic, aphrodisiac, 7 and fauna. All these factors have resulted in antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties . Arunachal Pradesh being the abode of the richest assemblage of flora and fauna in India. The state is Adiantum lunulatum Burm. (Adiantaceae) (Fig. 7) estimated to have nearly 50 % of the total flowering (ARUN 22540) plant species in India 5. It has been designated as a It used in blood related diseases, in epileptic fits globally important endemic bird area, and of the about and in rabies; rhizomes prescribed for strangery and 1200 bird species in India, nearly 600 have been in fever due to elephantiasis. Fronds are burnt in oil recorded from Arunachal Pradesh 6. It is also home to and applied to itch. The decotion of leaves and roots 26 major and 100 odd minor indigenous tribal are used for the treatment of chest complaints in communities. These communities continue to be Malaya 2. dependent on natural resources for food, medicine, traditional rituals and customs as well as a source of Adiantum caudatum L. (Adiantaceae ) (ARUN 22493) income for livelihood. It is used in skin diseases, diabetes, cough and 8,9 fever . Materials and methods The present work is mainly based on materials Ampelopteris prolifera (Retz.) Copel. (Thelypteridaceae) collected from this study area is very significant for The fresh tender fronds are eaten cooked as botanical studies owing to the dominance of different vegetable in Arunachal Pradesh. Fronds are aperients, tribal communities like Apatani, Nyishis, Monpas, alterative10 . Mijis and Khowas . More than 300 specimens of Pteridophyte were collected from the study area Angiopteris evecta (Forst.) Hoff. (Angiopteridaceae) through repeated visits in different seasons in (ARUN 22443) different years. In addition to investigation on Leaf extract is used in the treatment of dysentery taxonomic aspects, the association of Pteridophytes and diseases of blood ulcers. Spores are said to be with the local inhabitants was also considered. For effective in the treatment of leprosy and other skin this purpose, a close relationship was built up with diseases 11,12 . local knowledgeable persons and medicine men, and information was collected through interviewing them Asplenium nidus Linn. (Aspleniaceae) (Fig. 6) using pre-tested questionnaire, and, in some cases, (ARUN 22516) through short-term participant observation. Plants The rootstock is considered effective against fever were collected from the field as noted by the and elephantiasis. It is used as an emollient, in coughs informants and were preserved as voucher specimens. and diseases of the chest. Leaf is smoked to treat Information on plant parts used and local uses colds 13,6 . was recorded on the labels of herbarium sheets. Blechnum orientale Linn (Blechnaceae) The identification of specimens was confirmed by (ARUN 22528) 518 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 10, NO 3, JUNE 2011

Fresh fronds are used as a poultice for boils in Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw. (Athyriaceae) Malaya; rhizome is used as an anthelmintic in China, (ARUN 22457) as cure for intestinal wounds. Fronds are also used for Decotion prepared from rhizome and young leaves urinary bladder complaints in India and Polyneisa and are used for haemophtysis and cough in Philippines 10 . as a diaphoretic, aromatic and aperative in Phillipines 14 . In Arunachal Pradesh tender fronds are sold in markets as vegetables 15 . Botrychum lanuginosum Wall. ex Hook & Grev.(Botrychiaceae) (Fig. 2) (ARUN 26483) Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm. (Polypodiaceae) Plant is antidysentric and antibacterial 6. (ARUN 22853) The rhizome is bitter, it is used as an antibacterial, Ceratopteris thalictroides (L).Ad. Brongn. anodyne, constipating, anti-inflammatory tonic, in the (Parkeriaceae) treatment of typhoid fever, phthisis, dyspepsia, cough, The fronds are used as poultice in skin diseases. arthralgia, cephalalgia, diarrhoea, foull ulcers and 6 14 They are reported to be toxic and styptic . other inflammations . It is very specific in the treatment Migraine. The decoction of the plant is used Cheilanthes tenuifolia (Blume f) Sw (Cheilanthaceae) in typhoid fever and is also used as an anthelmintic, (ARUN 22701) pectoral, expectorant, tonic, dyspepsia and astringent. Tribals use the extract of rhizome and roots as a Fronds are useful in poulticing swellings 16 . general tonic 14 . Dryopteris cochleata (Ham ex D. Don) C. Chr. Cheilanthes farinosa (Forsk.) Kaulf. (Cheilanthaceae) (Dryopteridaceae) (Fig. 9) (ARUN 22082) (ARUN 23000) The whole plant is crushed in a bowl and the Roots are used to treat eczema and stomachache; extract is given (twice a day) orally in case of snake- 9 fronds are used to treat menstrual disorders . bite, besides, a paste of the plant is also applied on the bite wound to prevent infection. The rhizome is Cibotium barometz ( L.) J. Smith.(Dicksoniaceae) antibacterial and antiepileptic. The rhizome of the Rhizomes are vermifuge, roots used as tonic and plant is powdered and taken with water (twice a day) in lumbago; paleae have the property of rapidly in rheumatism, epilepsy and leprosy. Juice of roots 14 coagulating blood and have been used as styptic . (about 2 tea spoonful twice a day before meal) is 17, 6, 18, 19 given to treat amoebic dysentery . Thelypteris arida (D. Don) C.V. Morton. (Thelypteridaceae) Dryopteis sparsa (D. Don) Kunze. (Dryopteridaceae) Roots are used in veterinary medicine and fronds (ARUN 22603) 9 9 are used as vegetable . Plant is used as an anthelmintic .

Thelypteris parasitica (L.) Tardieu (Thelypteridaceae) Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. (Equisetaceae) Fronds are used medicinally to treat gout and (ARUN 22567) rheumatism 9. Powdered stem dissolved in water is used for enema during stomach disorders in children. Baren women Cyrtomium falcatum (L. f.) Presl. (Dryopteridaceae) drink rhizome decoction to facilitate fertilization in (ARUN 22044) South Africa. Plant is known to have diuretic, Rhizomes have anthelmintic properties and are haemostatic, haemorpritic, antiheumatic, antifungal and 15 20 chiefly used for expulsion of tapeworms . antiviral properties . A few pieces of the branches mixed with leaves of other specific plants and made Dicranopteris linearis (N. Burm) Underw.var into a paste is used as local application for the normalis Sensu Holttum (Gleicheniaceae) (ARUN treatment of fracture and the dislocation of bones 21 . 22809) Rhizome are anthelmintic; fronds used for asthma; Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook. rachis used for making mats, chairs, seats, pouches, (Helminthostachyaceae) (Fig. 3) cape, fishing traps, baskets,belts, etc. Fronds are used The fronds are reported to be a aperient, intoxicant, 23 as an ingredients for making local beverages . anodyne, also used in sciatica, as an antiviral, BENNIAMIN: MEDICINAL FERNS OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA 519

antipyretic, anti inflammmatory and intoxicant 8,14 . Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. (Lygodiaceae) The rhizome is used in dysentery, catarrah, sciatica, (ARUN 22208) malaria and also as a tonic and mild aperient. A Plant is used as an expectprant. Rhizome boiled decoction of the plant is given for curing impotency with mustard oil locally applied to carbuncle and and the juice of the leaves is used to relieve blisters in the treatment of rheumatism, sprains, scabies, on the tongue 9,10 . The decoction of rhizome is ulcers, eczema and coughs 8. The aqueous extract of used for the treatment of impotency, whooping the rhizome is used for the treatment of gonorrhea. cough, phthisis. In combination with the roots of The part of the rhizome is applied on piles and 6 Chlorophytum tuberosum and roots of Bombax ceiba rhizome is also tied on the waist . The plant is used made into a paste when applied for one month to pleuricy 9. to relieve waist pain and used also as a tonic. A paste of the rhizome, curd and crushed termite is known Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Lygodiaceae) to promote strength and vitality. The powder of (ARUN 26088) the rhizome is given for spermatorrhoea and for Leaf decotion is given in dysentery. It is used improving memory power 6, 22 . as one of the ingredients in may lotions. Leaves are applied in the form of poultices for skin diseases Hypodematium crenatum (Forssk.) Kuhn. and swelling. Crushed leaves are used to cure (Dryopteridaceae) (ARUN 22343) hiccough 7. The plant is used to cure gynaecological disorders. There is a superstitution among the tribals of Central Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel. (Polypodiaceae) India that the scales of the fern are useful against (ARUN 22579) witchcraft or the evil eye. Rhizome is used as an Leaf juice is used as a purgative, diuretic and for antibacterial agent 15 . healing wound 20 .

Hypolepis punctata (Thunb.) Mett. (Hypolepidaceae) Nephrolepis auriculata (L.) Trimen (ARUN 22896) (Nephrolepidaceae) (ARUN 22578) 9 Fronds are used for poultice boils . Tubers are edible and decotion of the fresh frond given in cough 23 . Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm.(Lycopodiaceae) (Fig. 1) (ARUN 22521) Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Pr. (Nephrolepidaceae) The decoction of the plant is given in beri beri, (ARUN 45447) cough, chest complaints; embrocation of the ashes in The rhizome is reported to be antibacterial and vinegar for skin eruptions. The rhizome is used for is used in cough, rheumatism, chest congestion, nervous disorders, rheumatism and also given in fever nose blockage and loss of appetities. Pinnae are 7 and dropsy . anti-tussive, styptic, antifungal used in coughs, wounds and for the treatment of jaundice, a decoction Lycopodium pseudoclavatum Ching. (Lycopodiaceae) of the fresh frond is given as a drink 6. (ARUN 22633) Spores are used as dusting powder, for sound Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schoott. experiments in physics, absorbent in excoriation of (Nephrolepidaceae) (Fig. 4) (ARUN 70297) the skin, base for medicated snuff, covering pills Young shoots and rhizome are eaten as vegetable 23 . to prevent adhesion, for dyspepsia, in constipation with flatulence, hepatic congestion and pustular skin Osmunda regalis L. (Osmundaceae) (ARUN 22985) eruptions. In homeopathy it is used aginst disorders Fronds are used as tonic, styptic and also of chest, urinary passage, against rheumatism, for rickets, rheumatism and for intestinal gripping 14 . cramps and varieces. The powders are employed in The rhizome is used as aborticacient 9. fireworks, flash ligh on the stage, as dusting powder for sand moulds for fine casting. It contains fatty oil. Oleandra wallichi (Hook_Presl (Oleandraceae) The alkaloids lycopodine, clavatine and clavotoxine (Fig. 5) (ARUN 26234) have been isolated 23 . Rhizome is rejuvenating, used by the aged 10 . 520 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 10, NO 3, JUNE 2011

Onychium siliculosum (Desv.) C.Chr. (Pteridiaceae) Plant decoction is used for kidney in the (ARUN 22561) Philippines, tea prepared out of frond is used as a cure Decotion of the fronds are used in dysentery 9. for flu, hypertension, fever and cough in Trinidad. The rhizomes are considered anthelmintic in South Onychium japonicum (Thunb.) Kunze (Pteridiaceae) Africa. A decoction of the frond is taken for boils in (ARUN 22688) 14 the mouth and nose. The fronds are also used for Juice of crushed leaves prevent falling of hairs . 14 asthma and cold and chest congestion . Leaves and rhizomes contain glycoside which yields kaempferol and rhamnose on hydrolysis and used for Psilotum nudum (L.) P. Beauv (Psilotaceae) indoor decoration 10 . The oily spores are given to infants to arrest Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J. Smith (Lindsaeaceae) diarrohea. The juice of the herb showed antibacterial (ARUN 22525) activity against Miocrococcus pyogenes and Leaves are used internally for chronic enteritis in Pseudomonas nerugionsa and also used as a 14 7 Mauritius . purgative .

Pitryrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link. (Pteridiaceae) Pteridium revolutum (Blume) Nakai (Pteridiaceae) (ARUN 22563) (ARUN 22511)

Fig. 1—Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm; Fig. 2—Botrychum lanuginosum Wall. ex Hook &Grev; Fig. 3—Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook.; Fig. 4—Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schoott.; Fig. 5—Oleandra wallichi (Hook_Presl); Fig. 6—Asplenium nidus Linn.; Fig. 7—Adiantum lunulatum Burm.; Fig. 8—Pteris wallichiana J. Agardh; Fig. 9—Dryopteris cochleata (Ham ex D. Don) C. Chr. BENNIAMIN: MEDICINAL FERNS OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA 521

Rhizome is astringent, anthelmintic and is useful in Tectaria coadunata (J.Sm.) C. Chr. (Dryopteridaceae) diarrohea and for the treatment of inflammation in the (ARUN 22543) gastric and intestinal mucocus membranes. Decoction The plant is antibacterial, used in asthma, of rhizome and frond is given for the chronic bronchitis, stings of honeybee 6. Extract from fresh disorders of viscera and spleen. Rhizome is boiled in rhizome is used for preventing diarrhea in children in oil and is made into an ointment for healing wounds. Darjeeling District. The cooked tender portion is used Fronds are reported to be poisonous and sometimes for the curing stomach trouble 14 . fatal to the grazing animals. The fern is commonly Tectaria polymorpha (Wall ex Hook). Copel. known as ‘bracken fern’ with varied economic uses 14 . (Dryopteridaceae) (ARUN 22855) Pteris cretica L.Pteridaceae) (ARUN 22504) The plants are considered as anthelmintic 14 . The fronds are antibacterial, which are made into a 6 Vittaria elongata Sw. (Vittariaceae) (ARUN 22632) paste and applied in wounds . Fronds are used to treat rheumatism 9 .

Pteris vittata L. (Pteridaceae) (ARUN 22572) Conclusion Plant extract is used as demulcent, hypotensive, Pteridophytes make as important contribution to tonic, antiviral and as antibacterial 6. the earth's plant diversity. They form a significant Pteris wallichiana J. Agardh .(Pteridaceae) (Fig. 8) sometimes, dominants component of many plant (ARUN 22569) communities. The present study had been designed to Fresh leaves are crushed and applied to stop assess the medicinal uses of 51 Pteridophyte species bleeding and healing of wounds 9. belongs to 28 families for different diseases, Pteris ensiformis Burm. f. (Pteridaceae) (ARUN collection from the Arunachal Pradesh are presented 22883) in this paper. These information serves as a base Young fronds are eaten as a flavouring; decotion for new compounds with active principles for of fresh frond is given against dysentery; juice phytochemical, pharmocognostical, and clinical of rhizome is applied to glandular swelling of the research, indigenous people use many of the neck 9. Pteridophytic medicinal plants traditionally for treating their common ailments like stomacheache, Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching.(Polypodiaceae) diarrhea, dysentery, skin problems, etc.. The data (ARUN 22571) collected show that majority of the remedies are taken Fronds are used medicinally to treat dysentery and orally. People use these plants in different form such burn injuries 9. as juice, extract, decotion, paste, etc. Generally the people of the study area still have a strong belief in Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring (Selaginellaceae) the efficacy and success of herbal medicine. At (ARUN 22589) present a number of taxa in ferns and fern allies The ladies use powder of the spore as a substitute species have been eradicated or lost due to to vemilion powder, the ‘ Sindoor ’ in Nepali 19 deforestation and by setting fire to the forest in language . Plant is considered to help to rejuvenate Arunachal Pradesh. It is concluded that Arunachal life, also used in the prolapse of rectum, prevents Pradesh is rich in wild Pteridophytes and the tribal cough, bleeding piles, gravel aminorrhoea and as an 6 communities in remote areas are still dependent on antibacterial . indigenous knowledge for health care. The existing

Stenochlaena palustris (Burm. f.) Bedd. deforestation and habit fragmentation would pose a (Stenochlaenaceae) (ARUN 22844) serious threat to the growth of wild plants. Efforts Fronds are antibacterial, given for the treatment of should be made to conserve them in nature so that fever, skin diseases, throat and gastric ulcers. Leaves they can be used for the benefit of human welfare. and rhizomes are used as a cooling agent and in the 6 Acknowledgement treatment of burns and ulcers . The author is grateful to the Director, Botanical Thelypteris caudipinna Ching (Thelypteridaceae) Survey of India, Kolkata, the Joint Director, Botanical Juice of rhizome (about 3 teaspoonfull thrice a day) Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh Circle, Itanagar is given in case of fever by Nepalese 19 . for providing facilities and encouragement. 522 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 10, NO 3, JUNE 2011

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