Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 10(2), April 2011, pp. 281-286

Indigenous knowledge and uses of medicinal in Macchegaun,

Kunjani Joshi 1*, Ranju Joshi 2 & AR Joshi 2 1 Department of Botany, Patan Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, PO Box 2486, Kathmandu, Nepal; 2SchEMS, Pokhara University, Nepal E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected], [email protected]

Received: 27.11.2008; revised: 29.04.2010

Based on a field survey, 87 belonging to 54 families, used by the local people of the Macchegaun, Kathmandu district, Nepal are reported. Local people have remarkable detailed knowledge of species identity, characteristics and their specific uses. These traditional knowledges and practices are disappearing particularly due to unplanned land use change and over-explotation of the species. Some species are under serious threat indicating urgent need of documentation of useful plants with their uses and indigenous practices. An attempt has also been made to recommend some conservation measures for preservation and sustainable uses of these species.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Rural community, Indigenous knowledge, Sustainable use, Conservation IPC Int. Cl. 8: A61K36/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/10, A61P1/14, A61P1/16, A61P5/00, A61P9/14, A61P11/00, A61P17/00, A61P19/00, A61P29/00, A61P31/00, A61P35/00, A61P39/02

The rural communities depend heavily on documentation the useful species with their diversity for the fulfillment of their basic needs and sustainable uses, and existing local level indigenous conservation of other natural resources. They collect knowledge, techniques and practices. The study is useful plant resources from various habitats and designed to fill up the gaps and to recommend some utilize them using indigenous knowledge and strategies for sustainable management of the practices. The vast store of information on indigenous resources. knowledge, practices and technologies is being eroded as a result of fast urbanization, over-exploitation of Methodology resources, unscientific land use, change of lifestyles The ethnobotanical study was carried out in the and behavior 1. Hence, priority ought to be given to Macchegaun and surrounding areas. Macchegaun is document the useful plants with indigenous located in the Southwest part of the Kathmandu valley knowledge, practices as well as technologies from the and lies in the lap of Chandragiri mountain range area before the inhabitants shift over to modern where it is extended Southnorth longitudinally. The lifestyle. In Nepal, very little works relating to the landforms of the study areas are moderate to steep documentation of useful species and their uses to slopey mountainous terrains with temperate climate. improve livelihood, and their roles for conservation The physical ecological factors are suitable for the and sustainable management of environmental development of rich and varied vegetation with resources have been carried out 1-5. There are still gaps various ecosystems. The southern part of the village on the comprehensive study and documentation was covered by the forest with important species such relating to the ethnobotanically useful species and as (salla), (angeri), indigenous knowledge, practices and perception of the Schima walliiichii (chilaune), Castanopsis indica local people for sustainable resource management. (thulo katus), Castanopsis tribuloides (musure katus), Moreover, as Nepal is also one of the signatories of Quercus lanata (banjh), Q. semicarpifolia (khasru), the conventions (Ramsar Convention, Biodiversity Prunus cerasoides (painyu) and the animals like tiger, Convention, and Convention on International Trade in fox, leopard, deer, etc. The Community Forest Endangered Species), priority should be given to the Committees (Macchenarayan Forest User Committee —————— and Chundevi Forest User Committee) manage the *Corresponding author existing forests. 282 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE VOL 10, No. 2 APRIL: 2011

Macchegaun has 9 wards with 2,963 total their parts for the treatment of ailments following the population. The study area is inhabited by different traditional practices. The most popular medicinal ethnic groups (Newar, Magar, Khhetri, Brahamin, preparation are infusion, decoction, paste or juice. Sunuwar, Tamang, Mijar, etc.), with rich in traditional The medicinal uses of the same species may vary knowledge and practices. Agriculture is the main from one village to the next village. For example, the occupation of the villagers, who depend on natural decoction of leaf of Swertia chirayita is given to resources for their livelihood. Several field trips in relieve stomach disorder and fever in the study areas, and around the study areas were undertaken during whereas in the the villages of the Makalu Barun area the July–Dec 2005 and Feb–May 2006. the Sherpa people use the leaves for the treatment of Ethnobotanical information was gathered mainly cuts and wounds. In Barmoche village of through repeated interview and open-ended Sindhupalchok district, juice of Swertia chirayita root participatory discussions with local informants, such is taken to cure liver diseases and paste of leaves traditional healers/ jkankri, teachers and experienced prepared with mustard oil is applied over boils and village elders including midwives and by direct scabies 9,10 . Similarly, juice of Lyonia ovalifolia leaf is observations on the way different plant materials were drink for curing the ringworm by Tamangs in Raitar being collected and used 6,7 . The taxonomic identity of village, Nayapati village Development Committee, the plants was determined with the help of local Kathmandu district, while the decoction of leaves of floras. Voucher specimens are deposited in the the plant is used to get relief from pain in the study Biodiversity and Environmental Monitoring area 11 . This may be due to diversity in culture, Laboratory of SchEMS, Pokhara University, tradition and isolation of one area to other. This Kathmandu, Nepal. knowledge is, however, being eroded with introduction of modern medicines. Results and discussion During the survey, the uses of medicinal plants by During the field survey, ethnobotanical information local communities were analysed. Among the local of 87 species of plants belonging to 54 families have communities of the study area, 71% of the senior been collected from various habitats of the study area people and 56 % of new generation used medicinal (Table 1). Among the documented medicinal species, plants and their products to cure various ailments. The the family Asteraceae was most frequently preferred species are Acorus calamus, Aloe vera, represented with a total of 7 species, followed by Aegle marmelos, Artimisia indica, Azadirachta Euphorbiaceae (5), Amaranthaceae & Rosaceae (4 indica, Centella asiatica, Eupatorium adenophorum, each), Ericaceae, Fabaceae, Fagaceae & Solanaceae Ficus benghalensis, Gaultheria fragrantissima, Jatropa (3 each) and others with less than 3 species. Though curcas, Justicia adhetoda, Pinus roxburghii and these species are distributed in various habitats, most Swertia chirayita. However, the use of medicinal plant of the species are mainly confined to the forests. The was limited to the minor health related problems such data on the medicinally important plants indicte that as cuts, wounds, gastrointestinal problems, fever, 27 species were used to treat gastrointestinal headadch, cough, etc. When questioned about the disorders, 16 for fever, cough and headache, 15 changing status of the existing useful plants, the illnesses of the skeleton- muscular system, 12 for respondents listed some important species, such as dermatological illness, 7 for genito-urinary complaints, Acorus calamus, Centella asiatica, Justicia adhatoda, 7 for respiratory aliments, 6 for dental problems, 2 for and Swertia chirayita, which have also declined in cardiovascular complaints and disease of blood, 2 for abundance during the last decade. opthalmological problems and 28 for others. During the last few years, some initiatives have The people in the vicinity of the forest have a good been taken for the sustainable management of knowledge of useful plant species especially the medicinal plants and their resources 12-19 . Despite the knowledge on medicinal plants. Traditional beliefs implementation of various activities for the and practices are deeply rooted in their culture in such conservation of the species and documentation of the a way that they attribute most of the complicated species, there is still gaps in policy, plan and ailments and other misfortunes to supernatural origin implementation of programs, capacity building due to soul loss, spells or curses cast by evil spirits by activities in an integrated manner. Though some the displeasure 8. The local people use the plants and initiatives have already been taken for conservation JOSHI et al .: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF NEPAL 283

Table 1- Medicinal plants used in Macchegaun, Nepal

Plant name/ Family/ Local name Uses Achyranthes aspera L.(Amaranthaceae) Root juice is taken in case of indigestion; twig infusion is used as a wash for Apamarga tooth pain. Achyranthes bidentata Blume (Amaranthaceae) Stem is used as chewing stick to aid toothcare; root juice is drunk to cure Datiwan, Apamarga asthma. Acorus calamus L. (Araceae) Bojho Fresh rhizome juice or dried rhizome piece is taken to treat cough and throat infections. Adiantum capillus-veneris L. (Adiantaceae) Decoction of plant is drunk to treat whooping cough. Rani uneu Adiantum caudatum L. (Adiantaceae) Uneu Green leaf juice is applied in case of skin infection; dried leaf decoction is drunk to treat cough and fever. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa () Bel Leaf decoction is drunk every morning on an emepty stomach to cure diabetes. Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) Fresh shoot juice is applied on cuts and wounds for rapid healing; plant Ganmane ghans decoction mixed with pepper paste is given in acute stomachache. Ainsliaea latifolia (D. Don.) Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) Shoot paste is applied to treat the bone fracture. Shahadev Shahadeva Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Asphodelaceae) Ghu kumari Leaf paste is used to treat cuts and wounds. Amaranthus caudatus L. (Amaranthaceae) Leaf paste is applied locally to treat skin diseases. Seto late, Latte dana Amaranthus spinosus L. (Amaranthaceae) Fresh plant decoction is drunk to check excessive menstrual flow; crushed Kande lundo,Ban lundo leaves and roots are applied to the infected parts of skin. Artemisia dubia Wall. ex. Besser (Asteraceae) Seeds are cooked with cow milk and taken after delivery; leaf paste is applied Bhate bethu, Titepati on cuts and wounds. Artemisia indica Willd. (Asteraceae) Titepati The heated shoot part is placed on the affected area to treat the rheumatic pain. Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Asparagaceae) Root and tender shoots are used as tonic. Kurilo, Satawari Astilbe rivularis Buch.-Ham.ex D.Don (Saxifragaceae) Dried stem is consumed by the women during pregnancy and after delivery. Budho okhali Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) Neem Root bark decoction is drunk to cure fever; leaf extract is applied on wounds and skin diseases; twigs are used as tooth brush. Bauhinia purpurea L. (Fabaceae) Koiralo Stem bark is crushed along with abhijaalo (Drymaria cordata) and the juice is taken to treat gastritis; flowers and floral buds are taken to treat stomach pain and diarrhoea. Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex DC. (Berberidaceae) Stem decoction is rubbed externally to the affected part to treat muscular pain. Chutro Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. (Saxifragaceae) Juice of the root is used to treat gastritis. Paashanabed Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) Kurkur Tender leaf extract is used to check bleeding as well as for healing of wounds and cuts. Buddleja asiatica Lour. (Loganiaceae) Crushed leaf paste is applied externally in case of scabies. Bhimsenpati, Shinabu Cannabis sativa subsp. indica L. (Cannabaceae) Crushed plant is taken to relieve pain; seed paste is taken to relieve diarrhoea Gaanja, Bhang and dysentery. Castanopsis indica (Roxb.) Miq. (Fagaceae) Bark paste is applied on chest to control chest pain. Thulo katus, Dhale katus Castanopsis tribuloides (Sm) A. DC (Fagaceae) Bark paste is applied to cure snakebites. Musure katus Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. (Apiaceae) Ghodtapre Plant is chewed to get relief from heat; root extract is applied to affected part of the skin. Chenopodium album L. (Chenopodiaceae) Bethe Juice of tender shoots in water is drunk to treat intestinal worms. Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) Ness. & Eberm. Decoction of leaf with aduwa (Zingiber officinale), jwanu (Trachyspermum (Lauraceae) Tejpat ammi) and besar (Curcuma angustifolia) is used to treat cough. Cissampelos pareira L. (Menispermaceae) Tuber juice is taken to treat gastritis; solidified leaf extract is cut into pieces Gudurganu, Batulpate and taken to control excessive bleeding during menstruation. Coix lachryma-jobi L. (Poaceae ) Bhirkaunlo Root is chewed to kill intestinal worms. Contd. 284 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE VOL 10, No. 2 APRIL: 2011

Table 1- Medicinal plants used in Macchegaun, Nepal Contd . Plant name/ Family/ Local name Uses Colebrookea oppositifolia Sm. (Labiatae) Dhusule Infusion of root is given for relieving tonsilites; leaf juice is used in fever and headache; dried leaves are inhaled to cure sinusitis. Curcuma augustifolia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) Paste of the leaves is applied to cuts and wounds. Bakhe sarro Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Convolvulaceae) Akasbeli Plant juice is taken to cure jaundice. Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Vahl. ex Homenn.) Leaf paste is applied to cuts. Thunb. ex Lehm (Boraginaceae) Kanike kuro Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) Mothe Root paste is given to treat stomach trouble. Dichroa febrifuga Lour. (Hydrangeaceae) Basak Plant is used to control fever. Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Discoreaceae) Gittha tarul Tuber paste is applied to cure piles. Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. Plant is crushed and inhaled to treat sinusitis; plant paste is also applied on (Caryophyllaceae) Abhijaalo forehead to treat headache. Dryopteris cochleata (Buch. Ham. ex D. Don) Juice extracted from the fronds is used to treat muscular and rheumatic pain. C. Chr.(Dryopteridaceae) Neuro Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. (Equisetaceae) Dried plants are pounded and paste is then applied in bone facture. Ankhe jhar Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae) Plant latex is applied on the eyelids;root paste is taken to check excessive Dudhe jhar, Aankle jhar menstrual flow. Euphorbia royleana Boiss. (Euphorbiaceae) Latex is applied in cuts to stop bleeding; juice of young leaves is applied during Siundee earache. Ficus benghalensis L (Moraceae) Bar Latex is applied for treatment of genitial diseases. Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) Peepal Latex is applied on the affected parts of skin; bark is chewed to treat stomach pain. Fraxinus floribunda Wall. (Oleaceae) Lankure Bark is boiled with water and the gelatinous paste is applied for curing body pain. Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. (Ericaceae) Leaves and immature fruits are consumed to treat gastric trouble, oil from seed Dhasingare is used in massaging body to get relief from pain. Gleichenia gigarette Wall. ex Hook & Bauer Plant is applied as paste to the cuts and wounds. (Gleicheniaceae) Hande Unyu Inula cappa (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) DC Root juice is taken to treat gastritis and indigestion. (Asteraceae) Gai tihare Jasminum humile L. (Oleaceae) Masino jaai Young shoot is chewed to cure the oral sore. Jatropha curcas L.( Euphorbiaceae) Sajiwan Twig is used as tooth brush to cure gum problem; latex of stem and leaf mixed with mustard oil is applied to itchey parts of the body. Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae) Asuro Fresh leaf juice is drunk to cure cough, bron chitis and asthma; fresh leaf paste is applied to the affected area to relief rheumatic pain. Lycopodium clavatum L. (Lycopodiaceae) Nagbeli Spores are used to treat cuts and wounds. Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude. (Ericaceae) Angeri Paste of leaves are used for massaging the affected parts to get relief from pain. Mentha arvensis L. (Lamiaceae) Babari Fresh leaf and tulsi (Ocimum santum) leaf paste is applied in the forehead, chest as well as administered orally to treat fever, cold and cough. Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don Juice of the stem bark is taken by the women after delivery; steambark (Myricaceae) Kafal decoction is drunk to treat bronchitis. Nephrolepis cordifolia L.C. Presl. Watery tubers are taken to relief excessive thirst and jaundice. (Nephrolepidaceae) Pani amala Nicotiana tobacum L. (Solanaceae) Leaf paste is used to cure skin diseases of cattles; burned leaf powder is applied Lampate surti against toothache. Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) Ban tulasi Seeds are taken to treat chest pain. Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. (Melastomataceae) Leaf paste is applied externally on cuts and wounds. Seto chulsi Oxalis corniculata L. (Oxalidaceae) Chari amilo Infusion of leaves is used to cure cataract in eye. Persicaria hydropiper ( L) Spach Root decoction is taken for removing stone from urinary bladder. (Polygonaceae) Pire jhar Phyllanthus virgatus G. Frost. (Euphorbiaceae) All parts of the plant are used to cure jaundice. Bhui amala Contd. JOSHI et al .: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF NEPAL 285

Table 1- Medicinal plants used in Macchegaun, Nepal Contd.

Plant name/ Family/ Local name Uses Pinus roxborghii Sarg. (Pinaceae) Rani salla Resin is applied on cuts and boils. Plantago major L. (Plantaginaceae) Isabgol Seeds are used as tonic as well as to cure dysentery; infusion of the plant is given in urinary disorders. Prinsepia utilis Royal (Rosaceae) Dhatelo Paste of fruit is applied on warts. Prunus cerasoides D. Don (Rosaceae) Painyu Leaves are used for curing facture. Pteridium aquilinum (L) Kuhn. (Dennstaedtiaceae) Decoction of rhizome is used for the treatment of gastritis. Uneu Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don. (Rosaceae) Fruit juice is taken to cure dysentery. Mayal Quercus lanata Sm. (Fagaceae) Baanjh Juice of the stem bark is taken by the women after delivery to treat giadriasis and gastritis. Smith. (Ericaceae) Young leaf paste is applied on the forehead to get relief from headache. Laligurans Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) Ander Seeds are smoked like a cigarettes to treat worms in the teet h; seed paste is applied to treat skin cracks. Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Fleming (Rubiaceae) Root decoction is taken to get relief from stomach pain. Majitho Rubus ellipticus Smith.(Rosaceae) Ainselu Juice of the root is taken to treat gastritis; young shoo t and roots are used for curing fever. Rumex nepalensis Spreng (Polygonaceae) Root paste is applied to cure scabies. Halhale saag Schima wallichii (DC) Korth. (Theaceae) Chilaune Bark powder is taken with water for the treatment of gastritis. Selaginella biformis A. Br. ex Kuhn. Powder of strobilus is applied on cuts and wounds to stop bleeding. (Selaginellaceae) Sindure Smilax aspera L. (Smilacaceae) Kukur daino Root juice is applied to cure rheumatic pain. Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae) Plant paste is applied to treat wounds. Jungali bihi, kaalo bihi Solanum wightii Nees (Solanaceae) Kantakari Fruit is used to cure headache and body pain.

Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex. Fleming) Karstrn. Leaves are used for curing fever and treatment of stomach disorder. (Gentianaceae) Chiraito Tamarindus indica L. (Fabaceae) Tate amilo Leaf paste is applied to treat rheumatic pain. Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. (Asteraceae) Root decoction is taken to cure juindice and kidney disorder. Tuki phool Tectaria coadunata (Wall. ex J. Sm.) C. Chr. Root juice is taken to treat stomach pain and giadriasis. (Dryopterideaceae) Kalo neuro Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. (Menispermaceae) Juice of the leaves is taken to get relief from heat; decoction of stem is used to Gurjo-ko-lharaa cure stomach trouble. Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) Sishnu Decoction of the root is taken to cure malarial fever; cooked leaves are taken in case of diabetes. Vinga angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & Ohashi Juice of the root is taken to get relief from heat stroke. (Fabaceae) Maaslahari Viscum articulatum Burm. f. Leaves are applied as paste for the treatment of fracture. (Loranthaceae)Hadchur armatum DC. (Rutaceae) Timur Fruits are chewed to cure stomach pain. and sustainable utilization of the useful species, less strongly recommended that major thrust should be priority is given to conserve these resources in an given to an intensive inventory and documentation of integrated manner. Therefore, appropriate national useful species, their chemical constituents, habitats, policy, action plan and program related to the and potential utilization as raw materials. The study conservation and sustainable uses of the plants should indicates that there seem to be a good potential for be formulated taking into consideration both the needs their sustainable utilization. Therefore, emphasis of the people and sustainable management of should be given to implement some pilot programmes resources. Many parts of the biogeographical areas of for plantation, domestication and cultivation of useful the country still remained unexplored. Hence, it is species . This will help in providing additional income 286 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE VOL 10, No. 2 APRIL: 2011

to local people. The people of these villages have 6 Joshi AR & Joshi Kunjani, A Study of the Evironmental comprehensive knowledge about plants and their Relationship of Certain Certain Village Communities in the Central Development Region of Nepal, PhD Thesis, potential uses. The traditional knowledge should be (University of Wales, UK), 1988. documented and conserved. Moreover, top priority 7 Joshi AR & Edington JF, The uses of medicinal plants by should be given to in-situ conservation of the species. two village communities in the Central Development Region Such steps will not only contribute to protect the of Nepal, Econ Bot, 44 (1) (1990) 71-83. habitats but also help to maintain the ecological 8 Joshi AR, & Joshi Kunjani, Indigenous knowledge and uses of medicinal plants by local communities of the Kali processes. Emphasis should also be given to conserve Gandaki Watershed Area, Nepal, J Ethnopharmacol, 73 the habitats and useful species in ex-situ conservation. (2003) 175-183. Attempt should be made to launch special 9 Chaudhary RP, Gupta VNP & Vetaas OR, Traditional use of programmes for raising people's awareness about plants by the indigenous people of Makalu-Barun Region, conservation and utilization of species. Eastern Nepal, In: Vegetation and Society: Their Interaction in the Himalayas, edited by Chaudhary RP, 2002.

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