Available online at www.worldscientificnews.com

WSN 135 (2019) 214-226 EISSN 2392-2192

Folklore claims of some ethno medicinal used by ethnic people of Salem District, ,

M. Padma Sorna Subramanian1, M. Manokari1,*, M. Thiruvalluvar1, Reddy Y. Manjunatha2 1Siddha Medicinal Plants Garden (Central Council for Research in Siddha, M/o AYUSH, Govt. of India), Mettur Dam, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India 2Sri VSSC Govt. Degree College, Sullurpet, Andhra Pradesh, India *E-mail address: [email protected]

ABSTRACT The present study was aimed to study and document the indigenous herbal knowledge of an ethnic community residing at Salem district (India) that was applied for their health complaints. The ethnobotanical exploration and documentation was conducted at Kurumbapatti, Palamalai, Kathrimalai, Sundaikkadu, Periyathanda, Kolathur, Komburankadu and Veerakalpudur. A total of 113 medicinal species representing 99 genera belonging to 54 families were recorded in the study area. From the eight places surveyed, 37 folklore claims using 33 plant species, one animal and one edaphic factor (hail stone) were recorded. The plant species involved in the ailments were herbs (11 species), shrubs (7 species), climbers and trees (8 species each). Based on the plant parts employed in preparation of drug/ drug combination, leaves were dominant (22 reports), fruits were used in 4 ailments; whole plant and milky sap were employed in 2 reports each. Stem, resin, bark and peduncle used in single ailments were also recorded. Furthermore, animal drug and hail stones were used for single ailments each.

Keywords: Ethnomedicinal plants, Folklore, Salem district, Traditional knowledge, Tamil Nadu

( Received 26 August 2019; Accepted 14 September 2019; Date of Publication 15 September 2019 ) World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

1. INTRODUCTION

India has very rich tradition of herbal or folk medicine employed to cure various dreadful diseases, and there is much documentation available on traditional healing practices by tribal people in India (Subhose et al., 2005; Shankar et al., 2012). In this work, a survey on folk medicinal plants was conducted in few places of Salem district of Tamil Nadu where certain ethnic groups have been living since time immemorial, particularly the ‘Malayali Tribes’. Such tribal groups have been living close to open environments and the Cauvery River, and have been continuously exposed to many diseases, thus they have developed traditional healing practices to protect themselves. Folk medicine differs from conventional medicine by the use of whole plants, by combining few to more herbs together and by the way of diagnosis (Vickers et al., 1999). Many traditional systems of the world, such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, Chinese, Native American and Tibetan, generally depend on plant, animal and mineral based medicines as food supplements and these have reported to cause few or no ill- effect as compared to the modern medicine (Mills, 1993). Ethnobotanical studies documented in Tamil Nadu have studied the following: Kolli hills (Kadirvelmurugan et al., 2014), Thenmudiyanur Village, Thiruvannamalai district (Kumar and Kumar, 2011), Kanjamalai hills of Salem district (Alagesaboopathi, 2011), Yercaud hills of Eastern Ghats (Senthilkumar et al., 2013), Kalrayan and Shervarayan hills (Kadavul and Dixit, 2009), Vellore district (Thirumalai et al., 2010), Kanyakumari district (Subramanian et al., 2019), Madurai district (Ignacimuthu et al., 2006), Javadhu hills (Tariq et al., 2013) and Kancheepuram district (Muthu et al. 2006). However, the clinical and phytochemical validations of certain folklore reports on medicinal plants are still incomplete. The present study enumerate the detailed documentation of healing practices used by traditional healers belonging to the Salem district of Tamil Nadu for their community health.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2. 1. Study are and Ethnobotanical Data Collection

Figure 1. Location map of study area, A. India map highlighted with Tamil Nadu, B. Salem District in Tamil Nadu, C. Detailed view of Salem District

-215- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

Regular systematic field visits of two month duration were made to selected areas of Salem District, Tamil Nadu (Fig. 1) for ethnobotanical exploration and documentation from April, 2018 to April 2019. The selected places were Kurumbapatti, Palamalai, Kathrimalai, Sundaikkadu, Periyathanda, Kolathur, Komburankadu and Veerakalpudur. Salem lies in the north latitude between 11 14’ and 12 53’, east longitude between 77 44’ and 78 50’. The annual rainfall recorded in the study area was between 750-848 mm (average). Each locality was visited in different seasons. During the surveys, the techniques followed for data collection were group discussions, field observations, guided field walks and personal interviews with the tribal/ ethnic people and village dwellers, herbalists and herbal practitioners. The surveys were spread across the seasons so as to get maximum information from various people.

2. 2. Plant specimen collection and identification The plants were collected as triplicates and assigned with a field collection number and the binomial name, family, vernacular names (Tamil) and general key descriptions were recorded. The plant species recorded with ethnobotanical uses were identified with the help of accepted Flora (Gamble, 1915-1936; Henry et al., 1987; Matthew, 1981). The herbarium specimens were prepared using standard procedure and the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III was adopted for citing family and scientific names of the species. The Herbarium specimens were stored at Siddha Medicinal Plants Garden, Mettur Dam, Salem district, Tamil Nadu for reference.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

All information was collected based on interview and field studies with local healers within the community. Such medicines have been shown to have significant healing power, either in their natural state or as the source of new products processed by them. This study is mainly concentrated with plants used to cure local diseases and to enquire about different healing systems. Detail note on the method of preparation of precise dose, the part/parts of plants used and method of application is given. The people inhabited in the study area speak , and rely on agriculture, cattle rearing, collection of honey, fruits and fuel wood. They cultivate celosia, roses, jasmine, tapioca, paddy, millets, pomegranate, guava, jack fruit, sapota, maize, turmeric, tomato, coir, mango and groundnut etc.

3. 1. Medicinal plants in the selected area A total of 113 medicinal plant species representing 99 genera belonging to 54 families were recorded in the study area. From the eight places surveyed, 37 folklore claims using 33 plant species, one animal and one edaphic factor (hail stone) were recorded. Of the reported ethnomedicinal flora, 11 species herbs, 7 shrubs, 8 species were each of climbers and trees (Fig. 2). Among the plant parts employed in preparation of drug/ drug combination, leaves were dominant (22 reports), fruits were used in 4 ailments; whole plant and milky sap were employed in 2 reports each, while stem, resin, bark and peduncle were used in single reports each (Fig. 3). Some species reported in the present study are presented in Figures 4-6.

-216- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

No. of species (Habit-wise) 12 11

10

8 8 8 7

6

4

2 2

0 Herbs Shrubs Climbers Trees Others

Figure 2. Habit wise distribution of medicinal plants

2 1 1 1 Leaves 1 Milky latex/ Milky Sap 2 Fruit Stem Root & Rhizome 3 Whole plant Resin 22 1 Flower buds Peduncle 4 Bark Others 2

Figure 3. Medicinal plant parts used to cure various diseases.

-217- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

Table 1. Folklore claims recorded from the study area

Sl. Common Name Part used & Mode of Botanical Name Family No. (Tamil) Disease Administration

Plant origin

Abutilon indicum (L.) Leaves for Fresh leaves are chewed 1. Thuthi Malvaceae Sweet. Constipation to cure constipation.

Decoction made from Leaves for 2. Achyranthes aspera L. Nayuruvi Amaranthaceae the leaves is used to cure Cough cough.

Oil made from the Achyranthes aspera Leaves for 3. Nayuruvi Amaranthaceae leaves are said to cure L. Earache earache.

½ handfuls of leaves is ground with hot water to Leaves for Bee 4. Aristolochia indica L. Easwaramooli Aristolochiaceae make into a paste. It is bite applied externally to cure bee bite. One spoon of leaf Leaves for powder is continuously 5. Aristolochia indica L. Easwaramooli Aristolochiaceae Poisonous bites taken internally to cure poisonous bites. Leaves are ground into a paste. 10 gms of the paste are taken fruticosa (L.) Leaves for internally with warm 6. Vizhuthi Druce Infertility water. It is said to provide relief from infertility for the women. Poultice made from the leaves of C. fruticosa Cadaba fruticosa (L.) and fruits of F. Vizhuthi & Capparaceae & Leaves, Fruits 7. Druce. & Ficus racemosa applied Aththi Moraceae for Sciatica racemosa L. externally to cure Sciatica (Vadha disease). 5 leaves are powdered with small amount of Leaves for Cadaba trifoliata seeragam and milagu 8. Vizhuthi Capparaceae Polycystic (Roxb.) Wight &Arn. and taken internally to Ovary cure polycystic ovary (neerkatti in sinaippai).

-218- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

Milky latex The milky latex was said Calotropis gigantea for Thorn 9. Erukku Apocynaceae to ease the deep thorn (L.) R.Br. wound in leg wounds in the foot. (ulcer) Leaves crushed and mixed in the stagnant Leaves for pool. Fishes get Chloroxylon swietenia 10. Purasu Rutaceae Fishing stupefied and float. A (Roxb.) DC. Technique method used by the locals to collect fishes in the pool. Fresh stems is crushed, heated over hot pan and Cissus quadrangularis Fresh stem for 11. Pirandai Vitaceae draped on the site of L. poisonous bite poisonous bites as first aid. The fresh fruits cut into two halves and applied Citrullus colocynthis Fresh fruits for 12. Kumatti Cucurbitaceae on the scalp to remove (L.) Schrad. Dandruff dandruff and effective in treating alopecia. Fruit extract is applied Citrullus lanatus Fruits for on the scalp for an hour 13. (Thunb.) Matsum. & Varikummatti Cucurbitaceae Dandruff and washed with cool Nakai water. Milky sap collected Milky sap for Croton bonplandianus from the plant is applied 14. Reilpoondu Euphorbiaceae Snake venom Baill. on the injured place of alleviation snake bite immediately. Curculigo orchioides Nilapanai Dried powder is taken Gaertn. & Hybanthus kizhangu & Hypoxidaceae & Root for 15. internally to improve enneaspermus (L.) F. Orithaz Violaceae Fertility spermatogenesis Muell thamarai The paste made from Curculigo orchioides Rhizome for rhizomes is used 16. Nilappanai Hypoxidaceae Gaertn. Skin diseases externally as poultice in skin complaints. Leaves are fried in open Leaves for flame and are bound Dodonaea viscosa (L.) 17. Virali Sapindaceae Veterinary over the Cattles leg up Jacq. Medicine to 1 week to cure joint pain.

Leaves for Fresh leaf paste is Dregea volubilis (L. 18. Perunkurinjan Apocynaceae Rheumatic applied topically to treat f.) Benth. pain rheumatic pain.

Fresh leaf extract is Indoneesiella Leaves for 19. Kopuramthangi Acanthaceae applied on the affected echioides (L.) Sreem. Dermatitis part to get rid.

-219- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

Decoction made from Leaves for leaves taken internally 20. Justicia adhatoda L. Adathodai Acanthaceae Hyper for thyroid hormone thyroidism related complaints. Leaves of item 1 and 2 are ground well and Leaves for Kedrostis foetidissima applied over the infected Appakovai & Cucurbitaceae & Udder 21. (Jacq.) Cogn. & Azima udder or udder ulcer. Mutchankan Salvadoraceae Swelling (Madi tetracantha Lam. Two to three times veekkam) application is claimed to have good result. Mild boiled leaves are Leaves as local used as a poultice to 22. Lantana camara L. Unnu Verbenaceae anaesthetic alleviate pain in swellings and cuts.

Leaves for Fresh leaf juice is used Leucas aspera (Willd.) 23. Thumbai Lamiaceae Nasal block as nasal drops for nasal Link and Headache block and headache.

The leaves of two plants boiled and a special type of a stone called Leaves for “vengachengal is placed Leucas aspera (Willd.) Thumbai & Sinusitis in the boiling mixture to 24. Link & Ocimum Lamiaceae Thulasi related retain the heat for long tenuiflorum L. troubles time and the steam is inhaled to get rid of headache and sinusitis related troubles.

Mimosa pudica L. & Thottal surungi Mimosaceae & Plant extract The plant extracts is 25. Acalypha indica L. & Kuppaimeni Euphorbiaceae for Piles used to cure piles.

Decoction made from the leaf and fruit extracts of M. tinctoria with Leaves, Fruits 26. Morinda pubescens Sm. Nuna Rubiaceae Jaggery is said to take for Mesmerism internally to get rid from mesmerism/ mind control.

The leaf paste is applied Phyla nodiflora (L.) Leaves for 27. Poduthalai Verbenaceae externally to relieve Greene Inflammation inflammation

Fresh decoction made from the leaves used for Leaves for Bad 28. Psidium guajava L. Koyya Myrtaceae gargling to freshen the breathe breath and used as a mouthwash. Resin collected from its Pterocarpus marsupium Resin for Skin stem bark and mixed 29. Vengai Leguminosae Roxb. disease with coconut oil. It is mainly used to protect

-220- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

and prevent children from skin diseases, esp. Senkiranthi (Prepared medicine is applied externally). Decoction made from Flower buds the flower buds, taken 30. Punica granatum L. Maadulai Lythraceae for Stomach orally to cure stomach ache ache. 5 to 10 gms of Roots are boiled in 400 ml of Root for Skin water, and condensed up disease, to 100 ml. The 31. Rubia cordifolia L. Senchooriver Rubiaceae Anaemia & decoction is given Male infertility internally, to cure Skin diseases, Anaemia and Male infertility.

Semecarpus Peduncle is 32. Serankottai Anacardiaceae Peduncles are edible. anacardium L.f. Edible

Leaf extract is applied Leaves for externally to get rid 33. Sida cordifolia L. Kurunthotti Malvaceae Pruritus (Skin from itchy skin due to itching) Pruritus. 3-5 Leaves are crushed and are put on the Compositae / Leaves for affected teeth for few 34. Spilanthes acmella L. Palvalipoondu Asteraceae Tooth ache minutes once in a day up to 3 days to cure tooth pain. The decoction made from T. populnea bark is Thespesia populnea (L.) Bark for 35. Poovarasan Malvaceae taken internally twice/ Sol. ex Corrêa Leucoderma thrice per day to treat leucoderma.

Animal / Other origins

3 ml of oil is taken Varanus species Oil for 36. Udumbu Varanidae internally for impotency (Monitor Lizard) Impotency in male.

The water obtained from the hail stones said to 37. Hail Stone Alankatti - Scorpion Sting alleviate the pain caused by scorpion sting.

-221- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

C

A B

F

D E G

Figure 4. Habit of plants employed in the present study

A. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet., B. Achyranthes aspera L., C. Aristolochia indica L., D. Azima tetracantha Lam., E. Cadaba fruticosa Druce., F. Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br., G. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.

The inhabitants of the study area depend on herbal medicines to treat common health issues such as constipation, cough, earache, dandruff, skin diseases, nasal blockage and head- ache, bad breath, stomach-ache, tooth-ache etc. Leaves of Aristolochia indica and the fresh stem of Cissus quadrangularis are reported as effective for bee stings and poisonous bites. Milky sap of Croton bonplandianus is said to alleviate snake-bite, and hail stones collected during rain were used to cure scorpion sting. Furthermore, Rubia cordifolia, Sida cordifolia, Thespesia populnea, Pterocarpus marsupium, Indoneesiella echioides and Curculigo orchioides were employed in skin diseases like pruritis, dermatitis and leucoderma. In addition, leaves of Dodonaea viscosa, Kedrostis foetidissima and Azima tetracantha were reported as veterinary medicine in curing joint pain in cattle and udder swelling. Achyranthes aspera, Leucas aspera and Ocimum tenuiflorum were reported to cure nasal blockage, headache, cough and sinusitis-related troubles. Leaf extracts of Lantana camara is reported to act as local anaesthetics, Citrullus colocynthis and C. lanatus were used in treating

-222- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

dandruff. For reproductive system related complaints, village dwellers and traditional healers depend on the oil extracted from Varanus species and the root of Rubia cordifolia. To improve sperm count/ spermatogenesis, the root tubers of Curculigo orchioides and Hybanthus enneaspermus were used.

I H J

K L M

N O P

Figure 5. Habit of plants employed in the present study

H. Dodonaea viscosa Linn., I. Dregea volubilis (L. f.) Benth., J. Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell, K. Indoneesiella echioides (L.) Sreem., L. Justicia adhatoda L., M. Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., N. Mimosa pudica L., O. Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn., P. Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene

-223- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

Q R S

T U V

Figure 6. Habit of plants employed in the present study

Q. Punica granatum L., R. Rubia cordifolia L., S. Semecarpus anacardium L., T. Sida cordifolia L., U. Spilanthes acmella L., V. Thespesia populnea (L.) Soland. ex Corrêa

Of note, the aphrodisiac or rejuvenating property of Curculigo orchioides and Hybanthus enneaspermus in male is clinically proved (Chauhan et al. 2007; Narayanswamy et al. 2007; Chauhan and Dixit, 2008). Leaf powder of Cadaba trifoliata was administered internally with cumin and pepper powder to cure polycystic ovary in females, while the leaf paste of Cadaba fruticosa was said to improve fertility in women. Prolonged medications were prescribed for some severe problems like rheumatic pain, hyperthyroidism, piles, anaemia and thorn wounds in the leg (ulcer) etc. Some ethnomedicinal plants were previously reported from the Palamalai hills of Salem district by Kumudha and Yogeshwari (2016) and Thamaraiselvi et al. (2018).

4. CONCLUSIONS

The study report in Salem district of Tamil Nadu revealed that a diversity of medicinal plants and the varied ways in which they are exploited in the field of folk medicine. 33 plant species were documented to treat 37 human and livestock ailments. The report includes both common and serious health issues such as headache, stomachache, cough, anaemia, rheumatic pain, piles and hyperthyroidism. Reproductive health related troubles were treated with drugs

-224- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

from both herbal/ animal origin. This indicates that the ethnic community of the study area depends on indigenous knowledge on herbal wealth to prevent and treat various human and livestock ailments. Clinical study to prove the validity of the recorded treatments could spread indigenous herbal knowledge worldwide; hence, action should be taken to conserve herbal knowledge, as well as the medicinal plants.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge the encouragement by the Director General, CCRS, Chennai in the endeavor. We are thankful to the tribal and rural people residing at Salem district of Tamil Nadu for providing valuable information about ethno medicinal plants and their application in the various illness and human needs. The authors also acknowledge the officials of forest department for their support during the medico ethno botanical survey.

References

[1] V. Subhose, P. Srinivas, A. Narayana. Basic principles of pharmaceutical science in Ayurvěda. Bulletin of the Indian Institute of History of Medicine 35 (2005), 83–92. [2] R. Shankar, G.S. Lavekar, S. Deb, B.K. Sharma. Traditional healing practice and folk medicines used by Mishing community of North East India. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 3 (2012) 124-129. [3] A. Vickers, C. Zollman, R. Lee. Herbal medicine. Biomedical Journal 319 (1999) 1050- 1053. [4] S. Mills. The essential book of herbal medicine. London: Arkana. 1993. [5] V. Kadirvelmurugan, K. Raju, T. Arumugam, V. Karthil, S. Ravikumar. Ethnobotany of mediflora of Kolli hills, Tamil Nadu. Archives of Applied Science Research 6 (2014) 159-164. [6] M.P. Kumar, J.S. Kumar. Ethnobotanical studies on Thenmudiyanur village, Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, India. International Journal of Plant Sciences 6 (2011) 352-357. [7] C. Alagesaboopathi. Ethnobotanical studies on useful plants of Kanjamalai hills of Salem district of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Archives of Applied Science Research 3 (2011) 532-539. [8] K. Senthilkumar, V. Aravindhan, A. Rajendran. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by Malayali Tribes in Yercaud hills of Eastern Ghats, India. Journal of Natural Remedies 13 (2013) 118-132. [9] K. Kadavul, A.K. Dixit. Ethnomedicinal studies of the woody species of Kalrayan & Shervarayan Hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 8 (2009) 592-597. [10] T. Thirumalai, E.K. Elumalai, S.V. Therasa, B. Senthilkumar, E. David. Ethnobotanical Survey of Folklore Plants for the Treatment of Jaundice and Snakebites in Vellore Districts of Tamil Nadu, India. Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14 (2010) 529-536.

-225- World Scientific News 135 (2019) 214-226

[11] M.P.S. Subramanian, V. Chelladurai, M. Thiruvalluvar, M. Manokari. Folklore medicinal claims from Kani tribes of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, South India. World News of Natural Sciences 23 (2019) 306-320. [12] S. Ignacimuthu, M. Ayyanar, K.S. Sivaraman. Ethnobotanical investigations among tribes in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu (India). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2 (2006) 1-7. [13] N.P.M.M. Tariq, S.M.R. Ifham, A.M. Ali. Data collection methods in research for medicinal plants of Javadhu hills, Tamil Nadu, India. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 2 (2013) 83-88. [14] C. Muthu, M. Ayyanar, N. Raja, S. Ignacimuthu. Medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2 (2006) 1-10. [15] J.S. Gamble. Flora of the Presidency of Madras. Adlard & Sons Ltd., London (1915- 1936). [16] A. N. Henry, G.R. Kumari, V. Chithra. Flora of Tamil Nadu, India, Ser. 1, Vol. 2. Botanical Survey of India, Coimbatore, 1987. [17] K.M. Matthew. The Flora of Tamil Nadu Carnatic, Vols. I - 3. The Rapinat Herbarium, Thiruchirapally, Tamil Nadu, 1981. [18] Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III (APG III). An update of The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 161 (2009) 105-121.2

-226-