Natural Product Radiance, Vol. 8(5), 2009, pp.537-541 Explorer:Research Paper

Studies on ethnomedicinal plants used by traditional practitioners, Jhankri, Bijuwa and Phedangma in Himalaya

Pranay Bantawa1* and Ritu Rai2 1Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya P.O. Pundibari, Cooch Behar-736 165, , 2Department of Botany, College, P.O. Kurseong-734 203, Darjeeling, West Bengal *Correspondent author, E-mail: [email protected] Received 5 September 2007; Accepted 24 April 2009 Abstract ethnomedicinal plants used by Jhankri, Biodiversity of eastern Himalayas including Sikkim and Darjeeling is well known. Many Bijuwa and Phedangma, the present ethnic groups reside in this beautiful Himalayan region. Although the modern medicinal facilities work was undertaken3, 5, 6, 9-18. are available in the urban areas of Darjeeling yet local population of far flung places still prefers to use traditional plant resources. An ethnobotanical study was conducted among the traditional practitioners: Jhankri, Bijuwa and Phedangma. Mostly they rely on locally available plant Materials and Methods materials to cure many diseases and disorders. In this paper a total of 41 species of plants as used For the present survey intensive by traditional practitioners of this area are listed alphabetically by botanical names, followed by field work has been done among Nepali family (in parenthesis) and medicinal uses. tribal communities and for this present Keywords: Ethnomedicinal plants, Jaributy, Jhankri, Bijuwa, Phedangma, Darjeeling study fifteen different villages and tea Himalaya. gardens were selected. These areas were IPC code; Int. cl.8—A61K 36/00, A61K 35/78 visited regularly for observations, development of understanding and Introduction herbal medicine is predominant for long relations with the local people, so that The district Darjeeling lie time4-5. Deeply seated in its antiquity but they feel free to divulge their long between 26º 27’ and 27º 13’N latitude and very thinly documented, the Nepali system protected traditional knowledge. Herbal 87º 59’ and 88º 53’ E latitude and is one of herbal survives today in the region as practitioners from these regions like of the major part of the eastern Jaributy or simply as Pahaday Dabai. Jhankri, Bijuwa and Phedangma Himalayas. The total area covered by Hence, the Jaributy system has to bring were interviewed regularly and the plants this district is 3254.7 sq km, of which up the several disjointed systems together of interest were recognized with their help 2417 sq km area is occupied by the hills to get proper status6-8. and also with the help of other village folks with an altitudinal variation between The existence of traditional (mainly of elderly people). Voucher 130 m (at Sukana) to 3670 m (at ). knowledge on medicinal plants and their specimens were properly collected, The region harbours a wide range of uses are more common among the processed and mounted on the herbarium 19 floristic diversity (Plate 1a). Amongst the spiritual healers locally known as Jhakri, sheets . The specimens were identified diverse floristic elements, many plants are Bijuwa, Boongthing, Baidang and using available literature and matching the of religious, socio-cultural and medicinal Phedangma. However, many research specimens with the specimens at values1-4. workers have documented many medicinal herbarium in Sikkim Himalayan Circle Many systems of herbal medicine plants but very little work on the (BSHC), Gangtok. Some published and are in practice in Darjeeling Himalayas traditional uses of medicinal plants by unpublished literature were also including Bhutias system, Nepali system these healers had been attempted. Thus, consulted for relevant information. The and Lepcha system. But, Lepcha system of with the point of view to document the enumeration of the collected specimens

Vol 8(5) September-October 2009 537 Explorer:Research Paper has been arranged alphabetically by Titepathi; Loc: Pokhria Bong, 9. Centella asiatica (Linn.)Urban botanical name, family (in parenthesis), Sungma, Nagri (Plate 1b). (Apiaceae)–Nep: Golpatta, Paise local names (where ever found), locality Shoots are consumed in case of jhar, Athanne jhar; Loc: Sungma, and their medicinal uses. Abbreviations mouth ulcer. Leaves are crushed and Pokhria Bong, Maneybhanjyang, used are: Nep: Nepali, Lep: Lepcha and applied externally on forehead during Singee, , Tung, Dhajay. Loc: Locality. dizziness and headache. Leaves and young shoots are taken 5. Asparagus racemosus Willd. orally in case of tonsillitis. Results (Liliaceae) –Nep: Satamuli; Loc: 10. Clematis buchananiana DC. Species enumeration Sungma. (Ranunculaceae)–Nep: Pinase 1. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Crushed root extract is given orally Lahara; Loc: Sungma, , (Ranunculaceae)–Nep: Bikhuma; in case of diabetes and tuberculosis. Achalal, Chamong, . Loc: *, Pokhria Bong*, Paste prepared from roots is applied Roots are crushed and wrapped in Sonada*. (*= Collected from the externally in case of bone fracture and cotton cloth which produces pungent market). joint dislocation. smell. This is inhaled through nose Rhizome is taken orally against food 6. Astilbe rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex in case of sinuses. poisoning often called harital in D. Don (Saxifragaceae)–Nep: 11. Commelina paludosa Blume local language. Dried rhizome is Budokhati; Loc: Lebong, Pedong, (Commelinaceae)–Nep: Bhaisen taken orally in small quantities Chamong. jhar; Loc: Sukhia, Chamong, Achalal, against bodyache. Rhizome is taken orally to get relief Tung. 2. Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. syn. from bodyache. Rhizome is taken Paste is prepared from roots and is A. vasica Nees (Acanthaceae)–Nep: orally by women against irregular applied externally against boil. Asuru; Loc: Nagri. menstrual cycle. 12. Costus speciosus (Koenig) J.E. Young leaves and shoots are taken 7. Belamcanda chinensis Smith (Costaceae)–Nep: Betlaure; orally against fever, headache and (Linn.)DC. (Iridaceae); Nep– Loc: Chamong, Mirik, Dhajay, Nagri, bodyache. Tarware Phool; Loc: Sungma. Maneybhanjyang. 3. Anthogonium gracile Wall. ex Freshly collected rhizome is Juice of stem is orally taken in juvenile Lindl. (Orchidaceae)–Nep: Bhui administered orally in very small diabetes. sunakhari; Loc: Pokhria Bong, quantity (lesser than 1 mm long) in 13. Curcuma longa Linn. Sukhia Pokhri, Maneybhanjyang, case of stomachache. Same quantity (Zingiberaceae)–Nep: Hardi; Loc: Sonada, Takdah, Tung. is given orally as antidote to food Sungma, Dhajay, Nagri, Mirik. The paste is prepared from the poisoning which is called harital in Paste is prepared from rhizome rhizome and pseudobulb which is local language. Its oral administration powder along with lime in 1:1 ratio applied externally for curing bone causes diarrhoea, which eliminates and is applied on the fractured bones. fracture and dislocation. Bandage is the poisonous substances. Bandage is applied for 4-5 weeks but applied on the affected part and is 8. Berberis angulosa Wall. older paste is removed and new paste retained for 3-5 weeks but dressing (Berberidaceae)– Nep: Chutro; is applied at regular intervals of has to be changed in-between, at Loc: Maneybhanjyang, Lebong 4-5 days. regular intervals of 5-7 days. (Plate 1c). 14. Curcuma zedoaria (Berg.) Rosc. Pseudobulbs are crushed to prepare Mature stem is cut into small slices (Zingiberaceae)–Nep: Kalo paste which is used externally to cure and boiled for 30-40 min and this Haledo; Loc: Mirik, Dhajay. boil. juice is taken orally in blood Rhizomes are cut into small pieces 4. Artemisia nilagirica (C.B. dysentery. Same preparation is also and administered orally as antidote Clarke) Pamp. (Asteraceae)–Nep: taken orally in case of jaundice. to food poisoning (Harital). It is

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Roots are given orally against tonsillitis. 21. Eupatorium adenophorum Linn. (Asteraceae)– Nep: Kali Jhar, Banmara; Status: Abundant. Young leaves and shoots are given orally against dysentery. 22. Ficus clavata Wall. (Moraceae)–Nep: Lute Khaneu; Loc: Chamong, Sungma, Tung, Sonada. Plate 1: Natural habitat and medicinal plants of Darjeeling Himalaya: (a) Floristic diversity, (b) Artemisia nilagirica in Stem is debarked and full bloom, (c) Berberis angulosa in flowering condition, (d) Elsholtzia fruticosa, (e)Heracleum wallichii in latex is freshly fruiting stage, (f) Picrorhiza scrophulariaeflora in alpine pasture, (g) Rubia cordifolia collected which is applied externally on boils. also very effective against acute (Dioscoriaceae)–Nep: Rani 23. Girardinia palmata (Forsk) stomach pain and loss of appetite. Bhyagur; Loc: Sungma, Singee, Gaud. (Urticaceae)–Nep: Bhangre 15. Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. Mirik, Taktah, Nagri, Dhajay. Sishnu; Loc: Somada, Sungma, (Poaceae)–Nep: Dobo; Loc: Nagri, Boiled rhizome is very fibrous thus , Dhajay, Nagri. Singee, Dhajay, Mirik, Achalal. used as anthelmintic and wormifuge Young shoots and inflorescence are Juice is prepared from the freshly especially against tapeworm. consumed in case of hypertension. collected root, which is administered 19. Drymaria cordata (Linn.) 24. Gnaphalium affine D. Don orally in case of liver cirrhosis. Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. (Asteraceae)–Pahelo Bukey 16. Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) (Caryophyllaceae)–Nep: Abizal; Loc: Phool; Loc: Sungma, Maneybhanjyang, Soo (Orchidaceae)–Nep: Panch Sungma, Singee, Tung, Lebong, Lebong, Sukhia Pokhri, Nagri. Amle: Loc: Sukhia*, Sonada*. Maneybhanjyang. Whole plant is crushed and given Roots are crushed and paste is Whole plants are crushed and orally to infants suffering from prepared which is used externally on wrapped in broad green leaves of diarrhoea. cuts and injuries. Roots are given other plants and it is roasted in fire 25. Heracleum wallichii DC. orally against bodyache. for few minutes. This produces (Apiaceae)–Nep: Chimphing; Loc: 17. Datura stramonium Linn. pungent smell, which is inhaled Tung, Pokhria Bong, Sukhia, Mirik (Solanaceae)–Nep: Dhaturo; Loc: strongly in case of sinuses. Same (Plate 1e). Sungma, Chamong, Nagri. preparation is given in case of tonsillitis. Seeds are given orally in fever. Seeds Seeds are given orally against rabies. 20. Elsholtzia fruticosa (D. Don) are crushed and paste is prepared with Seeds are given orally against Rehder (Lamiaceae)–Loc: Sungma, table salt and given orally in case of nervousness, nausea and hysteria. Sukhia Pokhri, Maneybhanjyang bodyache. 18. Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn. (Plate 1d). 26. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn.

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(Malvaceae)–Nep: Jawa Kusum; from the market). of important organs like ear, nose and Loc: Dhajay, Mirik, Tung, Fruit is taken orally in case of navel. Pokhriabong, Achalal, Chamong. tonsillitis. 39. Thysanolaena latifolia (Roxb. Young unopened flowers are given 32. Picrorhiza scrophulariaeflora ex Hornem) Honda (Poaceae)– orally against tonsillitis. Leaves and Pennell (Scrophulariaceae)–Nep: Nep: Amliso; Lep: Pushok-Tim, flowers are crushed and juice is Kutki; Loc: Sukhia Pokhri*, Pachyor; Loc: Pokhria Bong, Sukhia prepared which is used against Sonada*. (*=Collected from the Pokhri, Sungma, Achalal, Mirik. dandruff and hair problems. market) (Plate 1f). Paste prepared from the root stock is 27. Kaempferia rotunda Linn. Rhizome is taken in cold and fever; applied externally on boil. (Zingiberaceae)–Nep: Bhuin also used against snake bite. 40. Tupistra aurantiaca Wall. Champa: Status: Cultivated. 33. Rhododendron arboreum Smith (Liliaceae) –Nep: Nakima; Loc: A paste of rhizome is prepared along (Ericaceae)–Nep: Lali Gurans; Loc: Sungma, Nagri, Mirik. with the roots of Laportea Sukhia Pokhri, Maneybhanjyang, Small pieces of root stock are given terminalis Wight (Urticaceae) and Tung, Sonada. orally in case of food poisoning. aerial portion of Viscum album Flower is given orally to a person 41. Urtica dioica Linn. (Urticaceae)– Linn. (Loranthaceae) and applied whose throat is struck with fish bone. Nep: Sishnu; Loc: Sungma, Pokhria externally on bone fracture and joints 34. Rubia cordifolia Linn. Bong, Chamong, Achalal, Tung, dislocation. Affected portion is (Rubiaceae)–Nep: Majeto: Loc: Sonada, Takdah. bandaged for 3-5 weeks depending Maneybhanjyang, Sonada, Tung, Young shoots and inflorescence are upon the seriousness of the damage Sungma, Pokhria Bong. given orally after properly cooked in on bone. Bandage is changed Paste is prepared from the crushed case of hyper tension. regularly at the interval of 5 days. root which is applied externally over 28. Macropanax undulatum Seem. forehead during headache. Discussion (Araliaceae)–Nep: Chenday; Loc: 35. Rubus ellipticus Smith The 41 plant species enumerated Sungma, Nagri, Chamong. (Rosaceae)–Nep: Aselu; Loc: in present study belong to 26 families Bark is administered against diabetes. Sungma, Pokhria Bong. and 41 genera. These compiled species 29. Mahonia acanthifolia D. Don Roots are administrated orally for are a small portion of the flora of this (Berberidaceae) –Nep: Chutro, abortion (Plate 1g). region, if compared with the flora of Keshari; Loc: Lebong, Chamong, 36. Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Darjeeling20, 21. However, in this work, 41 Sukhia. Benth. (Lamiaceae)–Status: new uses of the herbs to treat various Stem is cut into thin slices which are Cultivated. diseases and disorders are recorded for boiled and juice is given orally against Whole plants including flowers are the first time. Recently, enumeration of blood dysentery, diarrhoea and given against diabetes. 281 species of medicinal plants from jaundice. 37. Smilax aspericaulis Wall. Darjeeling regions were also done, out of 30. Mentha piperita Linn. (Smilacaceae)–Nep: Kukurdine: which, 164 species were newly reported (Lamiaceae) –Nep: Pudhina; Loc: Loc; Sukhia Pokhri, Maneybhanjyang. one17. Tung, Sonada, Sungma, Nagri, Dhajay, Stem is used for brushing teeth which Species like A. heterophyllum, Achalal. is effective against pyorrhoea and N. jatamansi and P. scrophulariaeflora Whole plant is made into paste and gingivitis. have a great trade value in medicinal taken in case of bodyache. 38. Streptolirion volubile Edgew. plants markets. U. dioica, M. piperita, 31. Nardostachys jatamansi DC. (Commelinaceae)–Loc: Lebong, H. wallichii, M. undulatum, C. (Valerianaceae)–Nep: Jatamansi; Sukhia Pokhri. longa and A. racemosa are consumed Loc: Sukhia*, Sonada*. (*= Collected Crushed leaves are applied on wounds directly as food and vegetables,

540 Natural Product Radiance Explorer:Research Paper condiments and spices. Besides, species by AK Panday (Ed), BS Publishers Hills, Trans Bose Res Institute, 1981, like A. nilagirica and T. latifolia have and Distributors, New Delhi, India, 1995, 44(3), 75-81. pp. 118-127. great socio religious values. 11. Yonzone GS, Yonzone DKN and Tamang KK, During the survey it was also 2. Bhujel RB, Studies on the Dicotyledonous Medicinal plants of , learned that the traditional knowledge Flora of Darjeeling District. Ph. D. Thesis J Econ Taxon Bot, 1984, 5(3), 605-616. submitted to North Bengal University, 12. Yonzone GS, Bharati P, Yonzone B and Bhujel regarding ethnomedicine is declining as 1996. there is no proper documentation. The RB, Contribution to the ethnobotany of knowledge is passed down from 3. Rai SK and Bhujel RB, Ethnic use of some Darjeeling District (India), Abstract IV monocotyledonous plants in Darjeeling International Congress Ethnobiology, generation to generation only by means Himalayan region, In: Perspectives of Plant Lucknow, 1996, pp. 388-389. of verbal communication. The traditional Diversity by AP Das (Ed), Bisen Singh 13. Lama PC, A Preliminary report on the Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India, 2002, practitioners believed that knowing these ethnobotanical importance of the Sukhia pp. 635-644. medicinal plants by many other common Pokhri, region of Darjeeling Himalayas, people may reduce the effectiveness of the 4. Basu PK and Gautam B, Investigation on ethnic J Beng Nat Hist Soc (NS), 1989, 8(1), 56-62. use of Dioscorea spp. available in Darjeeling systems and thus they keep it secret among 14. Rai PC, Sarkar A, Bhujel RB and Das AP, and Sikkim Himalaya and scientific evaluation themselves. Ethnobotanical studies in some fringe area of of traditional practices, In: Perspectives of Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayas, J Hill Res, Plant Diversity by AP Das (Editor), Bisen Singh 1998, 11(1), 12-21. Conclusion Mahendra Pal Singh, Publishers, Dehra Dun, Even though the people of India, 2002, pp. 697-711. 15. Rai SK and Bhujel RB, Note on some less known ethnomedical plants from the Darjeeling region are well aware of 5. Biswas K and Chopra RN, Common Medicinal Darjeeling Himalayas, J Hill Res, 1999, Plants of Darjeeling and the Sikkim Himalaya, modern system of medicine yet there are 12(2), 160-163. some places where traditional medicine (Reprinted, 1982), Sony Reprints Agency, is of prime importance. This may be true New Delhi, 1940. 16. Bannet BC, Plants and people of Amazonian Rain Forest—the role of ethnobotany in 6. Rai L and Sharma E, Medicinal Plants of due to the fact that the tough hill terrain sustainable development, Biosci, 1992, Sikkim Himalayas status, uses and potentials, and other natural barriers forced them to 42(8), 599-607. Bisen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, depend on traditional medicine. However, India, 1996. 17. Chhetri DR, Basnet D, Chiu PF, Kalilotay S, in case of ethnomedicinal field further Chhetri G and Parajuli S, Current status of 7. Rai R, Bantawa P and Mondal TK, Survey on detailed investigations are needed. The ethnomedicinal plants in the Darjeeling ethnomedicinal plants of Darjeeling Himalaya, Curr Sci, 2005, 89(2), 264-268. study of ethnomedicine should be used by traditional practitioners: Jhakri, encouraged as to prepare basic data for Bijuwa and Phadangma, Abstract on 18. Tamang KK and Yonzone GS, A brief note on economically important medicinal plants Recent Trend in Medicinal Plants Research, the vegetation from Lebong to Tiger Hill in so that large scale cultivation techniques University of Madras, CAS, 24-25th, Darjeeling, J Beng Nat Hist Soc (NS), can be developed for the welfare of these January, 2007. 1982, 1, 93-95. tribes. Therefore, it is highly 8. Bhujel RB, A successful herbal drug 19. Jain SK and Rao RR, Field and Herbarium recommended to prepare data in case of practitioner of Darjeeling Hills; Baidhya Methods, Today and Tomorrow’s Printers, Chewang Pakhrin, Proc Sem Med Pl New Delhi, 1977. ethnomedicinally important plant and Herb Drug Rural Health, Maxmullar 20. Das AP and Chanda S, Notes on some carry out further studies including Bhawan, Calcutta. 1996, pp. 86-88. phytochemical and pharmacological naturalized exotics in Darjeeling Hills, West 9. Bhujel RB, Tamang KK and Yonzone GS, Bengal, Ind Bot Rep, 1986, 5(2), 144-147. analysis. Edable wild plants of Darjeeling District, 21. Das AP and Lahiri AK, Phytosociological studies J Nat High Soc (n.s.), 1984, 4(2), of the ground covering flora in different types 150-152. References of vegetation in Tiger Hill, Darjeeling District, 1. Das AP, Diversity of Angiospermic Flora of 10. Yonzone R, Mondal S and Chanda S, A West Bengal (India), 1997, 123(12), Darjeeling Hills, In: Taxonomy and Biodiversity, contribution to the ethnobotany of Darjeeling 1176-1187.

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