wjpls, 2017, Vol. 3, Issue 3, 98-116 Research Article ISSN 2454-2229

Sujatha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences WJPLS

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SURVEY OF ETHNOMEDICINAL IN KALRAYAN HILLS, EASTERN GHATS, VILLUPURAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

Sujatha G.* and Pushparaj A.

Department of Botany, Periyar E. V. R. College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli - 620 023. Tamil Nadu. India.

*Corresponding Author: Sujatha G. Department of Botany, Periyar E. V. R. College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli - 620 023. Tamil Nadu. India.

Article Received on 01/03/2017 Article Revised on 21/03/2017 Article Accepted on 11/04/2017

ABSTRACT

The present survey deals with the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants found in Kalrayan hills, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. A maximum of 60 ethnomedicinally important plants belonging to 36 different families were collected, herborized and identified. Ethnobotanical information included the local name of the particular , parts utilized, medicinal uses and methods of preparation and administration. Among the various plant parts, leaves (32%) were found to be highly used for medicinal preparation. Medicines were prepared in the form of paste, powder, decoction, juice, infusion and also in crude form, with other additives like honey, curd, and urine and cow milk to get relief from different ailments like diabetes, inflammations, wounds, skin diseases, headache, indigestion, urinary infections, fever, snake bites, cough, and dental problems. This study therefore concludes that suitable requirements are needed in order to protect the traditional knowledge in a particular area with reference to medicinal plant utilization. The plants need to be evaluated through phytochemical investigation to discover potentiality as drugs.

KEYWORDS: Medicinal plants, Kalrayan hills, indigenous knowledge, in situ, ailments.

INTRODUCTION habitat loss and alteration, over exploitation, overgrazing, deforestation and the frequently inadequate Human beings from the very beginning of its appearance provision of modern medicine. on this earth has been indispensably associated with the

plant kingdom for its survival. Traditional herbal India is one of the most medico-culturally diverse medicine is an important component of human healthcare countries in the world where the medicinal plant sector is world-wide. It is estimated that 66–85 % of the world’s part of a time honored tradition that is respected even population depends directly on plants as medicines. today. India is one of the 12-mega biodiversity centres in Since the existence of human civilization, plants and the country with two hotspots of biodiversity Viz., their by-products have been used by a large proportion of Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas. The country the population living in rural and urban areas for various possesses an ancient system of healthcare, chiefly based purposes such as medicine, healthcare, food, clothing, on medicinal plants of diverse nature ranging from shelter, agriculture, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, higher plants to microorganisms from which more than narcotics, etc. (Lifongo et al., 2014). The reliance of 80% of therapeutic products are derived and have been people on ethnomedicine has been for reasons of cost- used for 6000–7000 years (Balakrishnan et al., 2009). effectiveness, acceptability, biomedical benefits and India is regarded as the treasure trove of herbs in the accessibility. The World Health Organization (WHO) world. It is also a country with the strongest traditions of estimated that 80% of the developing world relies on the nature conservation anywhere in the world. Chinese, traditional medicines and in which 85% use plants or Indian, Arabian and other traditional systems of their extracts as active substances as plant drugs for their medicines make extensive use of about 5000 plants. primary healthcare needs. In recent years, use of Different stakeholders in the medicinal plants sector have ethnobotanical information in medicinal plant research projected Tamil Nadu, one of the Southern states, as an has gained considerable attention in segments of the "Herbal" state. The knowledge of medicinal plants has scientific community (Morvin Yabesh et al., 2014). been accumulated in the course of many centuries based There has been a continuous growth of demand for on different medical systems such as Ayurveda, Unani herbal medicines globally. The demand has been and Siddha (Bopana and Saxena, 2007). Ethnobotanical increasing as a result of growth of human population,

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investigation has led to the documentation of a large cultural values and knowledge of medicinal plants and is number of wild plants used by tribal for meeting their the bedrock for further pharmacological research, multifarious requirements. Studies on ethnobotany were bioprospecting and drug discovery (Borokini et al., initiated by Janaki-Ammal as an official programme in 2013). In view of the aforesaid facts, the present study the Economic Botany Section of Botanical Survey of was focused on surveying and documenting the India (Howrah) in 1954. From 1960, Jain started traditional medicinal plants used for managing different intensive field studies among tribal areas of central India ailments in Kalrayan hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. (Jain, 1964; 1989). These publications triggered ethnobotanical activities in many botanists, MATERIALS AND METHODS anthropologists and ayurvedic medical practitioners. In Study area the recent years, number of reports on the use of plants in The study area, the Kalrayan hills, part of Eastern Ghats, traditional healing by either tribal people or indigenous lies between the north latitudes 11° 36‟ and 12° 01‟ N communities of India particularly Eastern Ghats of Tamil and the east longitudes 78° 29‟ and 78° 54‟ E. It covers Nadu is increasing. a total area of around 75,000 sq. km. The elevation of the

hills ranges between 760 m - 1370 m above mean sea The extent of Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu begins close level. The Kalrayan hills are a major range of hills to the border of Andhra Pradesh and ends near Cauvery situated in the Eastern Ghats of southern Indian state of river and cover an area of 13678 km2 (10.5% of total Tamil Nadu (Fig. 1). It forms part of three districts viz. geographic area in Tamil Nadu). Javadi, Elagiri, Chitteri, Salem (southern and south western portion), Villupuram Shervarayan, Bodamalai, Kolli, Pacchaimalai and (central and eastern portion) and a small pocket in the Kalrayan are the major hill ranges. These hills are northern most part of the study area forms part of bearing the brunt of severe denudation over the centuries Thiruvannamalai district and covers an area about 1158.4 due to its easy accessibility and low elevations compared km2. Locally, the Kalrayan hills is divided into “5” nadus to the Western Ghats. The biodiversity was intact in the (clusters of villages), such as Periyakalrayan (western past but in due course anthropogenic pressure has part), Chinnakalrayan (northern part), Jadaya gaundan resulted in the fragmentation of the primary forest (southern and eastern part), Kurumba gaundan (central patches. The pressure is ever increasing due to the rise in part) and Ariya gaundan (north). The total population is population and intensity of grazing and shifting 52,165 of which 92.88% are scheduled tribes and cultivation as is evident on the degrading slopes. This scheduled castes. Pappanaickanpatti is the foot hill of situation is enhanced by the regular forest fires (one of Kalrayan hills. Karumanthurai is the main place of the abiotic hazards) and is converting most of the good Kalrayan hills. The distance between Pappanaickanpatti forests into grasslands. to Karumanthurai is 11 km. The study area encompasses

79 revenue villages. It acts as catchment for Gomukhi, Documentation of traditional therapeutic knowhow could Kariakovil and Manimuktha rivers. It supports life to lead to the discovery of new drugs as well as contribute more than 1 lakh people those who have been living in to the conservation, sustainable management and use of and around the Kalrayan hills. The hill also possess plant resources, therefore, it is very crucial that innumerable tourism potentialities like Periyar and ethnobiological surveys be carried out for the Kaviam waterfalls, jungle streams, Kariakovil and preservation of these indigenous knowledge. However, Gomukhi dam, rivers and rivulets and lovely jungle knowledge on the use of medicinal plants is enormous walks. It is also called as Poor man’s hill station of Tamil but if this is not rapidly researched and recorded, Nadu. Of the total geographical area, forest land indications is that it will be lost with succeeding accounts for about 42.04% while the total cropped area generations. In order to preserve traditional medicinal of this hill is 173223.05 ha, this is nearly 21.25% of the knowledge, it is necessary that inventories of plants with total geographical area. It enjoys a mild tropical climate therapeutic value are carried out and the knowledge with a mean annual rainfall of about 860 mm. The major related to their use is documented in systematic studies. share of rainfall is obtained during north east monsoon These studies can have other values too for society period especially in the months of October and besides conserving traditional knowledge, for they can November. The temperature varies from a minimum of help to identify plants with market potential that can 25°C to a maximum of 40°C. The altitude varies from generate incomes for local communities. Again, 126 to 1298 m. The study area is composed of seven soil ethnobiological surveys provide the rationale for types and varies from red-loam to black clay. The soil selection and scientific investigation of medicinal plants pH is 6.5-7.5. The soil in the hill is reddish brown to dark and animals, since some of these indigenous remedies red, shallow to moderately deep, fine loamy, non - have successfully been used by significant numbers of calcareous, excessively drained and subjected the severe people over extended periods of time. Documentation of erosion and run off. this vast indigenous traditional medicine knowledge is important for preserving the indigenous knowledge,

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Kalvarayan hills

Fig. 1: Map of Kalrayan hills, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

Methodology Herborization The ethnobotanical study was conducted in Kalrayan The plant specimen were freshly collected and arranged hills of Eastern Ghats for a period of four months, properly within the folded sheets of pressing papers October 2015 to January 2016 (Fig. 1). The interviews (12’’/18’’), each of which was placed between two dry were conducted in the local language, Tamil and specific blotters of same size to make the herbariums. The whole question based proforma were designed and information piles of blotters and pressing sheets was then locked up were recorded in the ethnobotanical field notebook. in a field press for 24 hours. Since drying of plants was Ethnobotanical information included the local name of done without heat, it needed five changes of blotters and the particular plant, parts utilized, medicinal uses and pressing sheets properly spread over a span of 12 days. methods of preparation and administration. All the Each specimen was mounted on a white card sheet species cited as medicinal plants were collected from the (11.5’’/16.5’’) by using white gum paste (Khare, 2007; field at reproductive stage, with the help of informants in Chopra et al., 1956). The information’s collected duplicate. A field sheet was recorded with collectors regarding the medicinal uses of plants were analyzed name, vernacular name, local name and ecological properly and documented. The plants were identified parameters. Information was gathered from all categories taxonomically using the Flora of the Presidency of of village people such as the local healers, village head Madras (Gamble, 1935), Flora of Tamil Nadu (Nair and man, elderly persons and the person having a thorough Henry, 1983) and Flora of Tamil Nadu Carnatic knowledge of medicinal practices. Canon PC1474 (Matthew, 1983). camera with 12.1 Mega pixels, 4X Optical Zoom, Canon Inc., Malaysia was used for taking photographs.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION surveyed in the study area and tabulated (Table 1 and Fig. 2). In the present study, 60 species of plants In the present study, the data regarding the indigenous including 57 genera and 36 families were recorded which medicinal practices using local plants available in are being exploited by the tribal group in different human Kalrayan hills were collected by interviewing tribal ailments. villagers of Kalrayan hills, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. The common medicinal plants were

1. Abutilon indicum 2. Aerva lanata

3. Acalypha indica 4. Achyranthes aspera

5. Agave sisalana 6. Alangium salvifolium

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7. Aloe barbadensis 8. Anogeissus latifolia

9. Azadirachta indica 10. B. bambos

11. Bauhinia purpurea 12. Cardiospermum halicacabum

13. Carissa carandas 14. Cassia auriculata www.wjpls.org 102 Sujatha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

15. Catharanthus roseus 16. Chloris virgata

17. Cissus quadrangularis 18. Cleistanthus collinus

19. Cleome gynandra 20. Cocos nucifera

21. Cynodon dactylon 22. Cyperus rotundus www.wjpls.org 103 Sujatha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

23. Delonix elata 24. Crotalaria verrucosa

25. Dodonaea viscosa 26. Dolichos lablab

27. Mitracarpus villosus 28. Eragrostis bifaria

29. Evolvulus alsinoides 30. Gloriosa superba www.wjpls.org 104 Sujatha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

31. Grewia hirsuta 32. Hemidesmus indicus

33. Indoneesiella echioides 34. Lantana camara

35. Launea sarmentosa 36. Lawsonia inermis

37. aspera 38. nepetifolia

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39. Mangifera indica 40. Corchorus

41. Mimosa pudica 42. Moringa concanensis

43. Mollugo cerviana 44. Murraya koenigii

45. Ocimum tenuiflorum 46. Oryza sativa

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47. Passiflora edulis 48. Pavonia zeylanica

49. Phyllanthus emblica 50. Phyllanthus amarus

51. Rauvolfia serpentina 52. Sansevieria roxburghiana

53. Santalum album 54. Solanum nigrum www.wjpls.org 107 Sujatha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

55. Solanum trilobatum 56. Strychnos nux-vomica

57. Triumfetta rhomboidea 58. Wrightia tinctoria

59. Zizyphus jujuba 60. Saccharum officinale Fig. 2: Ethnobotany of Kalrayan hills, Tamil Nadu.

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Table 1: Ethnomedicinal plants used by indigenous people of Kalrayan hills, Villupuram district, Tamilnadu.

Sl. Vernacular Plant Part Binomial Name Family Phytochemicals Uses No Name used The leaf juice is used for stomach ache, piles, boils and skin eruptions. Achyranthus Seed, leaf, Achyranthine, 1. Nayurvui Amaranthaceae A decoction of powdered aspera root betaine leaf with honey or sugar is used for diarrhea and dysentery. It is used in treating gout, Tuberculosis, ulcers, Mucilage, tannins, bleeding disorders and Tutthi Seed, leaf, 2. Abutilon indicum Malvaceae flavonoids, beta- against worms. bark sitosterol Roots are used for fever, chest infection and urethritis Demulcent, Diuretic, Sirru – Pulay, Leaf, alkaloids, 3. Aerva lanata Amaranthaceae Memory enhancer, Anti- Kapurimadhuri flower, root flavonoids, tannins diarrheal, digestive Blood pressure, antiseptic, stimulates the intestinal and uterine Alkaloids, tannins, musculature, pulmonary cardiac glycosides, 4. Kadhalai, Sisal Agave sisalana Liliaceae Leaf, root tuberculosis, diseased coumarins, liver and jaundice phlobatannins laxative. Sisal fibre is made from the leaves of the plant Rabies, snake bite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, Alangium Alangicine A and ascites, skin diseases and 5. Azhinjil Alangiaceae Root, bark salivfolium B, sterols leprosy, laxative, constipation. Flatulence, heals wounds Sting wounds, burns, Anthraquinone insects, bites, rashes, glycosides- sores, herpes, athlete’s Katralai 6. Aloe barbadensis Liliaceae fleshy stem barbaloin, aloin, foot, vaginal infection,

isobarbaloin and allergic reaction, dry skin aloe emodin Psoriasis, warts, wrinkles from aging eczema Leaf, fruits, Anthelminthic, relieve Alkaloids-nimbin, 7. vembu Azadirachta indica Meliaceae seed bark, nervous head ache, nimbidin flower, root hysteria, rheumatism. Acetylcholine, Aphrodisiac, tonic, Leaf, root, 8. Moongil Bambusa vulgaris Poaceae flavonoids-vitexin, astringent, stimulant, seed orientin antispasmodic Flatulence, Diarrhea ulcers, laxative, Purple Rheumatic pain, swelling, Butterfly tree Leaves, Alkaloid, steroid, Dropsy. Asthma, cold, (Eng) flower, glycoside, 9. Bauhinia purpurea Caesalpiniaceae Anti-cancer, Diarrhea, Kaniar Kofa, root, bark, saponins, Dysentery and Piles, Khairual stem flavonoids relief from heavy (Hindi) menstrual flow, animal bites, Antidote.

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Ballon vine, Rheumatism, nerves Roots, Apigenin, luteolin, Blister creeper, Cardiospermum disease, piles and chronic 10. Sapindaceae leaves and and apigenin-7-O- Heart seeds halicacabum bronchitis earache, seeds glucoside (Eng) lumbago, abortion. lupeol, β-sitosterol, Crame berry 16β- (Eng) Fruit, Anemia, antiscorbutic, 11. Carissa carandas Apocynaceae hydroxybetulinic Karonda leaves roof urine related problems. acid, α-amyrin, β- (Denvanagai) sitosterol glycoside actineo plastidemeric, Vinblastin, Rose Catharanthus Whole Treatments of cancer 12. Apocynaceae Vincrestine, periwinkle roseus plant tonic, appetizer. Vindesine, Vindeline Tabersonine Antirheumatic, antimalarial, Ulcers, Wild sage swelling, viscera, hepatic bicyclogermacrene, (Eng) necrosis, cholestasis, leaves and β-caryophyllene, Unnichedi weakness stomachic, 13. Lantana camara Verbenaceae young germacrene D and (Tma) stimulant sedative, shoots valecene (12.0%) Caturang vermifuge, nervine,

(Hindi) depurative, diaphoretic, carminative antiseptic, antipyretic, alexiteric etc. Wolly-top / Feather - top Saponins, Whole 14. (Aus) Feather Chloris virgata Poaceae triterpenoids, antimicrobials Plants finger grass glycosides (USA) Amyrin, quercetin, Cissus Diuretic, purify blood, 15. Pirandai (Tam) Vitaceae Stem, root Kaempferol, β- quandragularis fractures sitosterol Leaves, Tannins, Toxic shrub, it used for Oduvan (Tam) Cleistanthus 16. Phyllanthaceae fruit seed, glycosides, deliberate self - harm in Karra collinus bark alkaloids, terpenes rural south India. Vaminta Phenolics, (Telug) Tilavan Whole Sinus infection, Insect 17. Cleome gynandra Capparidaceae flavonoids, - Marthi Shona plant bites, wound, mild fever proanthocyanidins cabbage phenols, tannins, leucoanthocyanidin Useful in thirst, fever Nariyal Flower, s, flavonoids, 18. Cocos nucifera Palmaceae urinary disorders. Uterine Thannai (Tam) root, fruits triterpenes, disease. steroids, and alkaloids Coco - grass flavonoids, Useful in fever, diarrhea, purple nut Root, coumarins and dysentery, dyspepsia, 19. Cyperus rotundus Cyperaceae sedge red out rhizome tannins vomiting, cholera, sedge Intestinal disorders. Leaves, caffeic acid and Rheumatism, flatulence 20. Snake Sula Delonix elata Caesalpiniaceae bark apigenin anti-periodic Cardio vascular system, Digoxin, volatile 21. Fox glove Digitalis purpurea Scrophulariaceae Leaves cardiac oedema with oil diuresis, heart failure Leaves, Clerodane Viralli (Tam) Alleviate symptoms, 22. Dodonaea viscosa Sapindaceae flower diterpenoids, hopbush cough and sore throat. pods phenolics

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wedelolactone, eclalbasaponin I, Hepatic and Spleen pains, Foot, 23. Karisalanganni Eclipta prostrata Compositae luteolin and Various chronic skin leaves luteolin-7-O- disease, urinary troubles glucoside Double row Whole Flavonoids, 24 Eragrostis bifaria Poaceae Fever, dysentry love-grass plant glycosides Indian Acalypha Flower, Diuretic, emmenagogue Flavonoids, 25. (Eng), Acalypha indica Euphorbiaceae leaf, root, Vomiting, locative and acalyphamide Kuppaimeni stalk anthelmintic (Tam) Tanner’s Tanning skins, astringent Cassia (Eng) Bark, and tonic, refrigerant, Alkaloids, Tarvar (Hindi) leaves, stomach ache, 26. Cassia auriculata Caesalpiniaceae flavonoids, Aavaram flower, conjunctivitis. Urinary saponins (Tam) fruit root discharges hypoglycemic activity. flavonoids, alkaloids, Body heat, quench Root, glycosides, abnormal thirst, free for 27. Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon Poaceae Stalk, terpenoids, urine, good tonic for rhizome triterpenoids convalescent period and steroids, saponins, aphrodisiac. Vomiting tannins, resins phenols, tannins, saponins, pseudo tannins, flavonoids, Vishnugrandi Evolvulus Whole saponins, Tuberculosis, fever 28. Convolulaceae (Tam) alsinoides Plant glycosides, dysentery, swelling. steroids, glycosides, terpenoids alkaloid, flavonoids, Senganthal, Ulcer, infertility snake Seed and glycosides, 29. Kalapai Gloriosa suerba Liliaceae repellent, laxative, roots phenols, saponins, kilangu alexiteric, leprosy piles. steroids, tannin and terpenoids phenolics, carbohydrates, Bleeding disorder Tavidu, Fruits, 30. Grewia hirsuta Malvaceae alkaloids, dysuria, anti-aging kalunnu roots, seeds flavonoids and aphrodisiac tannins Alkaloids, Amino Skin disease, fever Hemidesmus Root and acid, Flavonoids 31. Nannari (Tam) Asclepiadaceae nutritional disorders indicus Latex Saponins and cough and diarrhea. Tannins alkaloids, terpenes, triterpenoids Indoneesiella Flowers, Night blindness, 32. Gopuran fruits Acanthaceae saponins, saponins, echioides Fruit leucorrhoea, ulcer. phenolic compound, steroids Tannin, alkaloids, flavonoids, Launaea Entire Soporific, tonic, diuretic 33. Chentam Asteraceae saponins, phenols, sarmentosa Plant and aperient. coumarins, quinones and

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phytosterols

Henna Plant cardioglycosides, (Eng) terpenoids, tannins, Astringent, increase bile Leaves, Mehendi phenolic sedative, deodorant skin 34. Lawsonia inermis Lythraceae flower (Hindi) compounds, disease, antibacterial anti- seed, roof Maruthani proteins and fungal dye for hair. (Tam) quinones triterpenoids, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and beta-sitosterol, Thumbai Leaves Psoriasis, Painful 35. Leucas aspera nicotine, sterols, (Tam) Flower swelling cough, cold glucoside, diterpenes, phenolic compounds Polyphenols, Stimulant, Cough, Cold, Flower, 36. Thumbai Leucas zeylanica Lamiaceae flavonoids, abdominal Pain anorexia, Root quercetin jaundice. Pirnakku keerai Melochia flavonoids and Increase the urine, 37. Sterculiaceae Leaves (Tam) corchorifolia tannins loosens and feces. terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, Urinary complaints, 38. Thottasinungi Mimosa pudica Mimosoideae Leaf, Roof alkaloids, quinines, fistulose sores, piles phenols, tannins, scorpion - sting. saponins and coumarins Kattu Murungai, Rheumatism, carminative Moringa Entire Alkaloids, 39. (Tam) Moringaceae stimulant, relieve pain of concanesis Plant flavonoids, steroids Horse raddish gout. (Eng) alkaloids,flavonoid Parpataka s, saponins, Entire Fever, high pitta, 40. Porpadagam Mollugo cerviana Aizoaceae triterpenoids, Plant gastritis, diarrhea. (Tam) tannins, glycosides and phenolics Kurry leaf Bark, Flavonoids, Useful in vomiting, 41. (Eng) Murraya koenigii Rutaceae Leaves alkaloids, sterols dysentery, fever. suleet Nim Root alkaloids and Malaria cough cold tannins, Cardiac Karun (Tam) hepatic, disinfection, Ocimum Leaves, glycosides, 42. Tulsi, holy Lamiaceae alleviate nausea, tenuiflorum roof stem saponins and basil (Eng) vomiting, diarrhea, flavonoids and flatulence. terpenoids γ-oryzanol and Rice, Paddy several Internal inflammation 43. (Eng) Oryza sativa Poaceae Rice grain tocochromanols, soothing, sedative, great Nel - (Tam) tocotrienols and energetic. tocopherols Chiththamutti (Tam) Bala Whole Flavononids, 44. (San) Pavonia zeylanica Malvaceae Emollient Plant alkaloids, phenols Chittamutti (Telu)

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Leaves, Mango (Eng) Constipation, bleeding flower 45. Mang or Mangifera indica Anacardiaceae Lignin, alkaloids dysentery, asthma, fruits, seed, Manga (Tam) diarrhea, bleeding piles. bark Carminative, diuretic, quercetin, aphrodisiac, laxative, Nellikkai phyllaemblic astringent, refrigerant, (Tam) Leaves, compounds, gallic Phyllanthus anemia, jaundice, 46. Toppi, Euphorbiaceae flower, acid, tannins, emblica dyspepsia, hemorrhage Indian goose fruits flavonoids, pectin disorders, diabetes, berry and vitamin C asthma, bronchitis, useful

as mouth wash. Alkaloids, tannins, Diabetes, sores external Entire 47. Keelanelli Phyllanthus niruri Euphorbiaceae coumarins, use, fever, remedy for Plant polyphenols jaundice. Worm and hypertension Rauvolfia Root and Alkaloids, phenols, 48. Sarpagandha Apocyanaceae mental disorders removal serpentina leaves tannins of opacity. Saponins,flavonoid s, phenols, Sansevieria Rhizome, Cough, clear their throats, 49. Marul Liliaceae alkaloid, roxburghiana stem viscid phlegm. anthocyanin and cyanin, glycosides fatty acid, alcohol, phytosterols, anti-inflammatory, Sugarcane, Saccharum higher terpenoids, analgesic, anti- 50. Poaceae Stem, leaf Karumbu officinale flavonoids, -O- and hyperglycemic, diuretic, -C-glycosides, and and hepatoprotective phenolic acids Disinfectant, fever, Extract of α- and β-santalols, cooling effect, flow of 51. Sandanam Santalum album santalaceae wood, oil essential oil urine, skin disease, of wood relieving scabies, cosmetic formulation. Fever, Allay Pain Manathakkali 52. Solanum nigrum Solanaceae Leaf, Fruit Alkaloids, tannins Ointment, skin disease, (Tam) ulcer. Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Thoodhuvalai Solanum Leaves, Asthma and Difficult 53. solanaceae Saponins, Tannins, (Tam) trilobatum Root Parturition, tuberculosis. Cardiac glycoside, Terpenoids protostrychnine, vomicine, n- Fruit, oxystrychnine, Pain, Oedema, arthritis, Strychnos nux- 54. Etti Loganiaceae leaves pseudostrychnine, Oozing ulcers, central vomica seeds isostrychnine, nervous system stimulant. chlorogenic acid and glycoside glycosides, phytosterol, Flower, Triumfetta steroids, Dysentery, diarrhea, 55. Ottarai Malvaceave fruits, rhomboidea flavonoids, tannin diuretic. leaves, and phenolic compounds alkaloids, Stomachic, tonic, Seeds, flavonoids, febrifuge leaves chewed 56. veppalai Wrightia tinctoria Apocynaceae leaves, phenols, saponins, to relieve toothache, Bark steroids and seminal weakness. tannins

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ziziphussaponin I,ziziphussaponin Leaf, bark, Blood purifier, delirium 57. Ilandai Zizyphus jujuba Rhamnaceae II,ziziphussaponin root, fruit rheumatism. III(ziziphussaponin I,II,III),jujuboside Lowers BP, sedative, glycosides, antispasmodic, insomnia, Fruit, flavonoids, gastrointestinal disorders, 58. Passion fruit Passiflora edulis Passifloraceae leaves alkaloids and menopausal symptoms, phenolic kills cancer cells in vitro compounds Phenols, steroids, essential oils, Phlegmatic disorder alkaloids, tannins, aphrodisiac, nose Entire 59. Avarai Dolichos lablab Fabaceae flavonoids, bleeding tumors, adenitis, Plant saponins, sores burns, measles, coumarins, and smallpox, dysuria. anthnanoids alkaloids, glycosides, Diarrhea, dysuria, cold Anogeissus Flower flavonoids, 60. Aavi Combretaceae cough, cholera piles, latifolia fruits flavanols, phenols, snake bite. saponins and terpenoids

human ailments. The ethno floristic composition of the three species, Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, study area was dominated by angiosperms. Among the Solanaceae and Sapindaceae were represented by two 36 families and 60 plant species, 34 families belonged to species and Alangiaceae, Aizoaceae, Asclepiadaceae, dicotyledons having 54 plant species, 2 families of Anacardiaceae, Acanthaceae, Arecaceae, Colchicaceae, monocotyledons with 6 plant species. The family wise Combretaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cyperaceae, analysis of the ethnic species revealed that 60 species Capparidaceae, Loganiaceae, Lythraceae, Mimosoideae, belonging to 36 families with ethnobotanical importance Meliaceae, Moringaceae, Palmaceae, Passifloraceae, were furnished (Fig. 3). The family Poaceae was Phyllanthaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rutaceae, Santalaceae, represented by five species, Euphorbiaceae, Schrophulariaceae, sterculiaceae, Verbenaceae, Vitaceae Apocynaceae, Malvaceae and Liliaceae were represented were represented by one species each (Fig. 3). by four species each, Lamiaceae was represented by

Fig. 3: shows the number of Plants belonging to individual families.

The villagers used various medicinal plants to remediate body pain, bowel complaint, bronchitis, dysentery, variety of diseases and ailments like diarrhea, diabetes, earache, eczema, eye troubles, hair growth, intestinal asthma, fever, jaundice, rheumatism, wounds, cuts, worms, jaundice, leprosy, menstrual trouble, piles, stomach pain, cough, cold, poisonous bites, body heat, pimples, ulcer, tooth-ache, urinary troubles, vomiting,

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gonorrhea, TB, ulcers, inflammation etc. The villagers properties of most of the medicinal plants were recorded used diverse parts of the medicinal plants based on their in the last few decades by a number of workers (Ayyanar ability to cure disease. Various parts of the plant includes and Ignacimuthu, 2011). These medicinal plants are leaf, roots, bark, seed, fruit, flower, stem, etc. possessed subjected to various processes and are then administrated medicinal activities (Fig. 4). Among the various plant to the patients. The present study provides information parts, leaves (32%) were found to be highly used about some therapeutic compounds (phytochemical) of followed by root (15%), whole plant (12%), flower and the above said plants (Table 1). Most of the plants fruit (10%), stem (7%), bark (4%) and rhizome (3%). encountered in this survey have also been worked out by These medicinal plants are used in the form of juice, different scientists and reported the presence of paste, powder, extract and decoction, cooked or raw alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, and glycosides, forms. In majority of cases, fresh preparations are further detailed (Salai Senthil et al., 2015; Kumaran et administered to avoid other complications of the drug al., 2016). The survey and documentation of medicinal caused due to storage. The age of the plant and part to be and aromatic plants in each and every place is mandatory used is also a valuable factor while selecting them as for easy identification of local traditional healers, drugs. In some cases, young parts or buds are found to be conservation and sustainable utilization. The most useful. important utilization of these plants is through medicines. However, plants and their parts and the pattern of administration vary from person to person. Thus, there is enormous scope for tribal medicines based on plant products which are yet to be studied, analyzed and documented (Sujatha and Mariyaselvam, 2015).

The present study of ethnomedico-botany of Kalrayan hills, Eastern Ghats was undertaken to identify the ethnomedicinal plants with wider uses and carryout detailed studies to validate the curative properties. Kalrayan hills of Eastern Ghats is serving as a cradle for a rich diversity of medicinal plants for a long time. The issues of medicinal plant conservation have been the focus of many formal and informal discussions at national and international forums, seminars, workshops, conferences and congresses in the last 10 years. Various conservation methods were mentioned in the past by many authors are being repeated at present. These methods include protection of wild species in-situ, Fig. 4: shows the percentage of plant parts with cultivation in botanical gardens and collection of therapeutic activity. Germplasm for establishment of Germplasm banks, public information campaigns and others. From earliest times people have made use of plants for their basic needs, sustenance, medicare and livelihood. There are plenty of possible applications of this work for Some plants used by tribal people are cultivated, while use in the treatment of various diseases among the rural others grow in wild conditions. The tribals depend people. The indigenous people are using these plants predominantly on plants for food, clothing, housing, from several thousands of years till today to treat many medicine, oil, agricultural implements, arts and crafts infectious and non-infectious diseases. Besides this and a host of other requirements. They also have some another important application of this study is to create superstitious beliefs on some plants which were found to awareness among the rural people on traditional be tied/ worn on the body parts to cure various ailments. medicinal plants. The present investigation is very It is well known that during the process of evolution important because the herbal drugs are free from toxicity plants have synthesized compounds whose structured and side effects. The herbal drugs are also used as house diversity is often beyond the dreams of even the most hold remedy for common diseases since time imaginative organic chemists. Plants are still the main immemorial. The present study mainly focuses the source of medicines to majority of people. Reliance on importance, uses and conservation of the medicinal traditional medicine is not only associated with the plants used by the people at Kalrayan hills. The traditional belief of its effectiveness but also on unprecedented interest and demand for plants with harmonious existence of spirit and matter. The efficacy medicinal properties and potency for treatment of various of herbal medicines is believed to be enhanced when ailments is causing over exploitation of such plant they are prepared and administered by enhancing genetic resources. According to Igoli et al. (2005), the mantras and incantations. depletion rate of plant resources generally is high, yet little is known about most of the world’s plant species The major resource of medicines arising from plants and especially tropical floras (Yachi and Loreau, 1999). their phytochemical constituents and medicinal www.wjpls.org 115 Sujatha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

When viewed against the current rate of extinction and traditional healers in silent valley of Kerala, India. J decimation of the forests in this area, there is the need to Ethnopharmacol, 2014; 154: 774–789. conserve what is left as forests for posterity sake. 14. Nair NC, Henry AN. Flora of Tamil Nadu, India, Series I, Vol I, Botanical Survey of India, Southern CONCLUSION Circle, Coimbatore, 1983. 15. Salai Senthil MS, Sisubalan N, Ghouse Basha M. The efforts of biodiversity on ecosystem process have Folkloric medicinal plant studies in Kalrayan Hill received much attention because of the growing concern Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Int J Pure App that loss of biodiversity may impair ecosystem Biosci, 2015; 3(6): 109-125. functioning. Specific action programs need to be 16. Sujatha G, Mariyaselvam S. Ethnomedicinal survey implemented for sustainable use of these resources of flora used by Chettiapatti inhabitants, together with ethno-medico-biological knowledge base. Manapparai. Asian J Biochem Pharm Res, 2015; In view of various resources use, habitat uniqueness and 4(5): 16-31. human pressure on the forest resources, the need for 17. Yachi S, Loreau M. Biodiversity and ecosystem conservation of the Kalrayan hill sites is stressed. productivity in a fluctuating environment: the

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