Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 11 (4), October 2012, pp. 652-657

Traditional remedies in Tarai region of Kumaun,

Anjali Mathur* & Hema Joshi Department of Botany, Kumaun University SSJ Campus, 263601, Uttarakhand E –mail: *[email protected]

Received 21.05.10, revised 06.06.12

A floristic survey of ethnomedicinal plants was conducted in the Tarai region of Kumaun, Uttarakhand. The study was conducted during 2008 to 2011 to assess the traditional uses of plant resources of this area. The study area was divided in three sites and eight communities and the study was conducted through extensive and intensive explorations during different seasons (i.e., summer, rainy, winter and spring) of the year. A total of 41 Angiospermic plants species belonging to 27 families being used for traditional remedies are reported. Details of plant parts, methods of preparation and mode of utilization are also presented. The information on traditional knowledge was gathered through exhaustive interviews with local people as well as migrants of distant places of different gender and class settled in the area. Although people of Tarai region used these plant species for 45 traditional remedies for a long time on trial and error basis, further research and scientific examination is recommended for these traditional remedies.

Keywords: Folk medicine, Traditional remedies, Tarai region, Kumaun division, Uttarakhand IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K 36/00

India has one of the oldest, richest and most diverse well known for its richness of flora however, a little cultural traditions called ‘folk tradition’ associated work is reported on traditional uses of the flora. In the with the use of medicinal herbs based on indigenous present scenario due to profound developmental belief, knowledge, skill and cultural practices. activities, especially in the post-independence period, According to World Health Organization (WHO), as as evident in the form of conversion of natural forests many as 80% people of the world rely on traditional to human-controlled mono-species plantations of medicine for their primary healthcare1. Kumaun industrial and non-industrial uses, extensive and region of Himalaya has been the reservoir of intensive agriculture, and recent industrialization, the enormous natural resources of medicinal wealth. central Tarai region of Kumaun has experienced The foot hill region of Kumaun includes unique remarkable anthropogenic influences. It has also physiographic ecosystem as bhabar and tarai. affected the flora of the area. The region is In contrast to Bhabar, the Tarai region is water logged characterized now with settlement of human beings of alluvial plain with gentle South-East slope, different culture from eastern , Bihar, deep and fertile moist loamy soil forming marshy West Bengal, adjacent Nepal and war refugees land free from boulders and gravels. Some notable besides the Kumauni migrants from district , ethnobotanical studies are available for the , Almora and Bageshwar prominently. mountainous region of Indian Central Himalaya2-10. These human beings have interacted with flora and Compared to the studies on Angiosperm flora of hilly vegetation of the region in characteristically different region of central Himalaya, limited taxonomical and ways based on their traditional culture, beliefs and use ecological studies are available on the vegetation of values, and utilized even the same natural species for foot hill region11 for sub Himalayan tracts12 and for diverse ethnobotanical purposes. Additionally, they Bhabar and Tarai regions13, 14. Though Himalayan have added to the native flora of the region through area including the foothills particularly Tarai region is introduction of economic species from their respective native places13-16. Present study therefore, —————— *Corresponding address is an attempt to document the traditional knowledge House No.1331, Ta colony, G B Pant University of Agriculture & (medicinal) of some common plants from the tarai Technology, Pantnagar 263145, Uttarakhand region of Kumaun division. MATHUR & JOSHI: TRADITIONAL REMEDIES IN TARAI REGION OF KUMAUN, UTTARAKHAND 653

The study site includes Tarai area around Lalkuan names and age were recorded in writing as most of in district Nainital, and Pantnagar and Kichha in the informants were illiterate but their traditional district Udhamsingh Nagar. Geographically, the area knowledge was very strong. Extensive and intensive is located approximately between 28o 41’ - 29o 05’ N explorations were undertaken in the study area during latitude and 79o18’ - 79o31’E longitude with altitude different seasons i.e., summer, rainy, winter and ranging from 200 to 256 m asl (Fig. 1). The area is spring of the year in different ecosystem habitats viz. ensheathed by somewhat tropical and sub-tropical natural forests, plantations, agro ecosystem, grassland, vegetation dominated by woody species, viz. Savanna, amphibious sites (marsh-meadow), and road Dalbergia sissoo Acacia catechu, Albizzia lebbek, sides. The explorations of each habitat were made A. amara, and A. procera18 and Phragmites- following collection of plants along transects from Saccharum-Imperata grass cover19. In this region, periphery to centre in each habitat. The primary Phanerophytes dominate the biological spectrum, information for each species collected such as local followed by Therophytes13. The site enjoys typical name, ecological condition of occurrence, availability, monsoonal climate with rich humidity during July to habit, and association etc., was collected during field mid-September. Nearly 70 % of the annual rainfall is visit itself. monsoonal during July to September. In order to explore the traditional uses of the plant species of the area, regular informal visits to colonies Methodology and villages of the sites were made seasonally; open The study was conducted as per prescribed 17 and frank interaction meets were organized with the standard methodology of ethnobotanical studies . site–specific people. After achieving a workable The entire study area was divided into three sites, i.e. status, the ethnobotanical studies started. site 1(Pantnagar), site 2(Kichha), site 3 (Lalkuan) and The ethnobotanical significance of the collected plants were surveyed in eight communities, i.e. species was recorded following open ended door to natural forest, planted, agriculture field, grassland door interaction / interview with the knowledgeable vegetation, savanna land, waste land, road side and inhabitants at each location within the study area. amphibious site. The study area included a number of Persons belonging to both genders, different age villages and slum colonies where interactions with groups, economy classes and activities like marginal local people were made. The plant survey covered an farmers, labourers, landless wagers etc. and migrants area of about 30 km in each site. About 100 and nonimmigrant were interviewed for collecting informants residing in these sites were consulted. The information on use values, part(s) used, seasonality of periodicity of visits was bimonthly in every season ethnomedicinal use(s) and mode of utilization. Plants throughout the year. During the survey participatory of ethnomedicinal values collected from the study rural appraisal (PRA) method was adopted for data area were preserved following20 and identified using collection and all the informants participated very flora and research publications21. The identified actively in this study. The consent of the informants specimens were confirmed by comparing them with was taken verbally and their names, village/ colony already identified specimens preserved/maintained in the herbaria of Kumaun University Nainital, Forest Research Institute and northern circle of Botanical Survey of , Dehradun. Voucher specimens are submitted in the Department of Botany, Kumaun University, SSJ Campus Almora.

Results and discussion A total of 41 Angiospermic plant species belonging of 38 genera, 27 families were recorded in the study area. The species richness of medicinal value was maximum (4) for Moraceae and Poaceae followed by Apocynaceae (3) and Solanaceae. Majority of species belong to herbaceous form (25 species) followed by tree (9 species) and shrub (8 species). The trend of

Fig. 1- Map of the study area plant part used for folk remedy was recorded as leaf 654 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 11, NO. 4 OCTOBER 2012

(8 species )>fruit (7 species)=root (7 species)> whole The Table 1 depicts information on the medicinal plant (4 species) > rhizome (3 species)=seed uses of 41 Angiospermic plants against the diseases (3 species)>bulb (2 species)=grain (2 species)=latex the people suffer from. Usually the medicine is being (2 species)>exocarp (1species)=leaf & root taken from the whole plant or from the plant (1 species)=flower (1 species)=receptacle (1species). parts or in combination with other plants. The The ethnomedicinal details of plants are enumerated important diseases being cured are diarrhoea, heart in Table 1. ailments, cough and cold, fever, piles, high blood

Table 1—List of medicinal plant species of the study area

Plant name /family/local name/part used Mode of application Abelmoschus esculentus (Linn.) Moench Root is sundried and powdered. Powder is infused with water at night, (Malvaceae), Bhindi, Root strained through a cloth in the morning. It is used for 21days to improve vitality. Allium cepa Linn. A good quantity of onion bulbs kept in a pot is buried in mud for one (Alliaceae), Pyaaz, Bulb month. One whole onion or more is taken daily as vitalizer. Allium sativum Linn. Crushed garlic with lemon juice is taken twice daily to improve (Alliaceae), Lehsan, Bulb digestion and flare up normal hunger. Amaranthus blitum (Linn.) Twenty five gm of fresh leaf is rubbed in little water. This mixture is (Amaranthaceae), Chaulai, Leaf taken thrice for 15 days for the treatment of stone of urinary bladder or kidney. Asparagus racemosus Willd. Ten gm dried powdered root mixed with powdered methi (Trigonella (Liliaceae), Shatavar, Root foenum-graecum Linn.) in equal quantity is given once daily for a month in diabetes. Butea monosperma (Lamk.)Taubert Twenty five gm seeds are burnt to ash and mixed with equal quantity (Fabaceae), Palash, Tesu, Seed, Flower of asafoetida. One third of this mixture is taken in the morning with milk for 3 days after menses to stop conception. Decoction of flower in water and 10 ml of this is given twice a day for 7 days to treat post delivery backache. Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton (Asclepiadaceae), Aak, Latex mixed with the oil of arandi (Ricinus communis Linn.) is applied Madar, Latex locally with light massage for one month on affected part for the treatment of Parkinson disease. Capsicum annuum Linn. Three chilies are soaked in water and paste is made. This paste is (Solanaceae), Lalmirch, Fruit applied on the index finger of the left hand supported by muslin bandage to control fever. Carica papaya Linn. Milky juice of unripe fruit is dried. Ten gm of this is taken with cow (Caricaceae), Papita,Unripe fruit milk twice daily for 10 days as abortifacient. It is useful in pregnancy up to 3 months. Carissa carandas Linn. Roots are crushed and squeezed to get the juice and poured on the (Apocynaceae), Karonda, Root wound to cure. Chenopodium album Linn. Fresh plant juice is taken to treat jaundice. (Chenopodiaceae), Bathua, Whole plant Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle Instillation of fresh juice of fruit stops the flow of blood from nostril (Rutaceae), Neebu, Fruit and checks the epitaxis. Coccinia grandis (Linn.)Voigt Root with equal quantity of kulthi (Seeds of Dolichos uniflorus Lamk.) (Cucurbitaceae), Kundaru, Root and isabgol (seeds of Plantago ovata Frosk.) are crushed. Twelve gm of this mixture is given twice daily for 15-20 days in the treatment of kidney stones. Coriandrum sativum Linn. Leaf juice is applied on the head to reduce baldness. (Umbelliferae), Dhaniya, Leaf, Seed Ground seeds mixed with sugar and 1 teaspoon ghee is baked for 4-5 minutes. Two teaspoonful of this mixture is taken daily before going to bed to reduce the frequency of bed dreaming. Curcuma aromatica Salisb. Ten gm of powdered rhizome with cow milk are given daily for 5 days (Zingiberaceae), Haldi, Rhizome in discoloration of the skin due to injury. Cynodon dactylon Linn. Fresh juice of whole plant is used in diarrhoea and dysentery (Poaceae), Doob, Whole plant Cyperus rotundus Linn. Take rhizome of 3-4 plants mixed with kalimirch (Piper nigrum Linn.) (Cyperaceae), Motha, Rhizome are given once daily for 1 week for treating dog bite. (Contd.) MATHUR & JOSHI: TRADITIONAL REMEDIES IN TARAI REGION OF KUMAUN, UTTARAKHAND 655

Table 1—List of medicinal plant species of the study area (Contd.) Plant name /family/local name/part used Mode of application Desmostachya bipinnata (Linn.)Stapf Twelve gm of Kusa grass with equal quantities of almond kernel (Poaceae), Kusa,Whole plant (Prunus amygdalus Batsch.) and black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) is crushed and added with water and sugar to prepare a drink. This is used to keep body healthy and young. Ficus benghalensis Linn. Two drops of latex are administered orally in gonorrhea. (Moraceae), Bar, bargad, Latex Ficus glomerata Roxb. Four unripe receptacles are eaten with the common salt for 7 days to (Moraceae), Gular, Receptacles check excessive menstrual flow. Ficus religiosa Linn. Some leaves are soaked in water at night and filtered in the morning. (Moraceae), Peepal, Leaf 50 ml of this is taken thrice daily to relieve insanity, palpitation of the heart and all other types of cardiac debility. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. Decoction of leaves and root are taken in fever. (Malvaceae), Gurhal, Leaf, Root Lantana camara Linn. Ten ml of leaf juice is taken once daily for 21 days to cure chicken (Verbenaceae), Kuri,phool button,Leaf pox. Lawsonia inermis Linn. One hundred gm of Mehandi leaf is boiled with 250 gm of mustard oil (Lytheraceae), Mehandi, Seed, Leaf (Brassica compestis Linn.) half an hour. The filtered oil is used to massage the head for a few months to cure baldness. Decoction of leaves is taken orally to cure renal colic. Lycopersicon lycopersicum (Linn.)Karst. Fresh juice of ripe fruit is regularly used to reduce acidity of stomach. (Solanaceae),Tamater,Fruit Mangifera indica Linn. Unripe fruit is boiled with water for 15 minutes. The boiled fruit is (Anacardiaceae),Aam, Fruit crushed and sugar and salt is added for taste. This drink is used in summer to keep away heat effect and improve digestion. Melia azedarach Linn. Leaf juice is used orally to kill intestinal worms and for proper (Meliaceae), Bakain, Leaf urination. Morus alba Linn. Decoction made from root is used to treat stomach worm. (Moraceae), Shahtoot, Root Musa paradisiaca Linn. Twenty five ml of root extract is taken once daily for 7 days to induce (Musaceae),Kela, Root sterility in men. Nerium indicum Mill. Thirty to forty gm green leaf juice mixed with 5-10 gm sugar is used as (Apocynaceae), Kaner, Leaf nasal drop to get relief in migraine. Ocimum sanctum Linn. The leaves mixed with kalimirch (Piper nigrum Linn.) and adrak (Lamiaceae), Tulsi, Leaf (Zinziber officinale Rosc.) in equal quantities are crushed. 5 gm of this mixture is taken twice daily for 5 days in Malaria. Oryza sativa Linn. Paste prepared from the roasted and powdered grain is applied on the (Poaceae), Dhaan, Grain chest 2-3 times a day to cure pneumonia. Punica granatum Linn. One teaspoonful dried powdered exocarp is taken with water to treat (Punicaceae), Anar, Exocarp irregularity of menstruation. Raphanus sativus Linn. Fruit juice is applied on head to treat baldness. Fruit juice is taken (Cruciferae), Mooli, Fruit orally in jaundice till cure. Rauvolfia serpentina (Linn.)Benth.ex Kurz Three gm of root powder is soaked in rose water and mixed with little (Apocynaceae), Sarpgandha, Root quantity of kalimirch (Piper nigrum Linn.). The drink prepared with this mixture is taken every 2-3 hours to control insanity and bring down high blood pressure. Sesamum indicum Linn. Five gm of seeds with some butter are swallowed early in the morning (Pedaliaceae), Til, Seed for 3-4 days to remove worms. Solanum nigrum Linn. Juice of whole plant is given in chronic enlargement of liver, in (Solanaceae), Kalimakoi, Whole plant bleeding piles, dysentery. Freshly prepared extract of plant is useful in treating cirrhosis of liver. Trachyspermum copticum (Linn.)Link Hot fomentation of fruits on the chest is used to relieve asthma. (Apiaceae), Ajwain, Fruit Triticum aestivum Linn. Ten gm of grains is soaked in water for overnight. It is ground and (Poaceae),Gehun, Grain mixed with curd and stirred to make a precipitate. It is taken with water twice daily for 15 days in spermatorrhoea. Zingiber offcinale Rosc. Ten gm of rhizome is cut and fried in ghee with salt. It is taken twice a (Zingiberaceae ), Adrak Rhizome day for 3 days in cold, cough, bronchitis, headache and body pain. 656 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 11, NO. 4 OCTOBER 2012

pressure, gonorrhea, stone in kidney and urinary root, bark and rhizome), and paste. Sometimes bladder, diabetes, jaundice, epitaxis, baldness, for treatment involves combination of more than one abortion, regaining vitality and as contraceptive etc. plant. During the study it was observed that people of Tritium aestivum Linn., Abelmoschus esculentus tarai region had tremendous knowledge of traditional Linn., Allium cepa Linn., coriandrum sativum Linn., remedies, though a number of informants were Musa paradisiaca Linn. are being used for curing illiterate but they have very sound knowledge of sterility in men. The plants being used for curing different and unique uses of plant species. Some times baldness are Coriandrum sativum Linn., Lawsonia during the discussion, all the family members of inermis Linn. and Raphanus sativus Linn. Two plants, informants participated in the discussion, indicating Allium sativum Linn. and Rouvolfia serpentina Linn. the tradition of passing the folk knowledge to the are used in high blood pressure. Stone in kidney and younger generation. in urinary bladder is being treated with two plants Amaranthus blitum Linn. and Coccinia grandis Linn. Conclusion This use of these two plants is less known earlier. The importance of the traditional medicines has Asparagus racemosus Willd. is used in the treatment been realized world wide and some of them have of diabetes. Calotropis procera Willd. is used in proved to be very effective by clinical trials. Although Parkinson disease. Leaf juice of Nerium indicum Mill. the local people and migrants use the reported plants is used in migraine. Citrus aurantifolia Christm. is for the diseases they suffer, it is very difficult to judge used for epitaxis. Juice of whole plant of Solanum the effectiveness of these traditional medicines. nigrum Linn. is used in liver cirrhosis. In Jaundice, Further research on these medicinal plants is Chenopodium album Linn. is reported very effective. necessary to judge and improve the quality and Punica granatum Linn. and Coriandrum sativum effectiveness of reported traditional remedies. Linn. are reported very effective in treating excessive Prescriptions of these traditional uses may be menstruation. beneficial to humankind only when thorough All these plants are common plants of Tarai and scientific analysis is conducted for their properties. At some of them have been reported earlier for being the same time the complications caused by some of used in other regions too; however their use pattern is the medicines prescribed should also be taken in to much different and new as a traditional remedy being consideration26. adopted in this region. For example, Coccinia grandis The study on traditional remedies being used in Linn. has been reported for treatment of diabetes in Tarai region of Kumaun is important as it explores the tarai region of Nepal22 whereas in tarai region of treasure of traditional knowledge which can provide Kumaun it is used for treatment of stones in kidney. an opportunity to get the benefits of Intellectual Calotropis procera Willd. is used in the treatment of Property Right (IPR) to the persons having this guinea worm and asthma in some parts of Rajasthan23 knowledge. The documentation of the information whereas in our study area it is used for treatment of generated through this study has significance for the parkinson disease. Cyperus rotandus Linn., rhizome is researchers in order to prepare the data base so that used in curing stomach trouble and jaundice24 in some impact due to various factors can be studied. The parts of Odisha whereas it is used in dog bite in this study adds to the traditional knowledge system of our region. Abelmoschus esculentus Linn. is used in the country as a repository which can be exploited for the treatment of urinary tract in some parts of Manipur25 welfare of mankind. whereas it is used for vitality as folk medicine in tarai of Kumaun. Acknowledgement The mode of administration of traditional remedies The authors are thankful to the rural folk of the mostly involves raw plants or their parts or plant study area for sharing useful information on the products in the form of juice, powder, ash, paste, medicinal use of plant species. The assistance in decoction etc. In some cases plant parts are taken arranging meetings and information provided by either in powder form or in ash form. Other following persons is highly acknowledged: administration methods include use of extract (Sri/Srimati) Ram Murty 30 yrs; Deepa Devi 60 yrs; obtained by crushing fresh plant, ash of plant for Shanker Singh 50 Yrs, from Shantipuri. Jeevanti Devi poultice, decoction (by boiling of plant parts i.e. stem, Bisht 55 yrs; Chandra Devi Kanyal 35 yrs, from MATHUR & JOSHI: TRADITIONAL REMEDIES IN TARAI REGION OF KUMAUN, UTTARAKHAND 657

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