International Journal of Research ISSN NO:2236-6124

Ethnoveterinary Important Plants of Kasauli Hills (District ), ,

Meenakshi Bhardwaj, S.K. Sood, Rakesh Thakur*, Chandrika Sharma and Vijay Kumar Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, -171005 *[email protected]

Abstract: Animal husbandry is known to play a crucial role in growth and economy of the rural Indian communities. Undeniably, development of this sector can improve their socio-economic standard. In ethnobotany, many plants are being used by the rural populace to cure veterinary ailments as the herbal drugs are cheap, easily available and with no side effects. The present study documents the traditional herbal ethnoveterinary practices of Kasauli (a famous hill station) and nearby villages of district Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The study unfolds ethnoveterinary uses of 31 plant species, belonging to 28 genera under 20 families. Most of these usages are hitherto unknown and new to the science of ethnobotany.

Keywords: Ethnoveterinary, Herbal drugs, Kasauli, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Introduction:

Ethnoveterinary is a holistic interdisciplinary study of indigenous knowledge, skills, methods, practices and management methodologies pertaining to the healthcare of animals (Tiwari & Pande, 2010). Like all other traditional knowledge systems, ethnoveterinary medical practices are handed down verbally from one generation to the another, and are on the verge of extinction due to the advent of modern civilization and changes in sustenance economy. Many indigenous veterinary beliefs and practices persist in a wide majority of stock raisers and farmers, particularly in the developing countries where allopathic veterinary medicines are often beyond the reach of livestock producers. Ethnoveterinary practices are widely adopted for the maintenance of good animal health in developing countries. In the context of Indian Himalaya in general and Himachal Himalaya in particular, available information on ethnoveterinary medicine are scant (Jain & Shrivastava, 1999). Therefore, the present study is initial step in this direction.

Material and Methods:

Study Area: The study area, Kasauli – a cantonment town and nearby villages of district Solan of H.P (30.9’ N latitude and 76.96’ E longitude) is located at an

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average elevation of 1750m amsl. Basically, the rural populace is agriculturist and most of them have their own domestic animals, and have great faith in traditional herbal practices.

Methodology:

Extensive explorations were carried out in the study area for documenting first hand information pertaining to ethnoveterinary aspects in different seasons during the years 2011-2015. The approaches and methodologies adopted presently are those as suggested by Jain (1989) and Martin (1995). The collected plants were dried, preserved and mounted as per the known herborizing practices outlined by Jain & Rao (1977). Authentication of the collected ethnobotanical specimens was later got done after carefully matching these with the specimens at the herbaria of Botanical Surveys of India, Northern circle and Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. Bennett (1987) has been followed for the correct nomenclature. All the voucher specimens have been deposited in the herbarium of the Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (HPU-DOB-SKS-6051-6081).

Observations and Discussion:

A sum total of 31 plant species of angiosperms belonging to 28 genera under 20 families have been recorded presently for animal healthcare. Of these, herbs (15 species) predominate in usage followed by trees (13 species) and shrubs (3 species). Statistically, Fabaceae and Poaceae have been found to be most often used families. For animal healthcare in the region, leaves have been found to be predominantly employed for healing fracture (3), and checking dysentery (3), cough and cold (3) and enhancing the fat content in the milk (3). Decoction, paste, powder, oil and mixture of plants were common methods employed for the preparation of medicines.The collected information has been documented alphabetically with information on scientific name followed by family, vernacular name and use/s. The information has been presented in tabular form for ready reference (Table 1). On comparing upon the presently recorded ethnoveterinary practices of the region with the existing literature (Jain & Shrivastava, 1999; Reddy et al., 2006; Pande et al., 2007), most of these folk herbal drugs have not been described earlier and new to the science of ethnoveterinary.

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Table 1

Sr. Vern. Botanical Name Family Use/s No. Name 1 Aesculus indica Hippocastanaceae Jangli Mature fruits are grinded and given to (Wall. ex Khor animals against endoparasites. Jacquem.) Hook.f. 2 Agave americana Asparagaceae Ram Baan Leaves are used to heal fractured bones in L. livestock. 3 Allium cepa L. Liliaceae Payaj Bulb grinded, mixed with black salt and given to cattle against rashes. It is also used to cure bloat (afara) and fever (bishawn). 4 Allium sativum L. Liliaceae Lassan Bulbs of Allium sativum, Allium cepa and seeds of Piper nigrum grinded, made into small balls and given with jaggery to cows to treat bloat (afara) and fever (bishawan). 5 Bauhinia variegata Fabaceae Karyal Leaves are considered as excellent fodder for L. enhancing fat content of the milk. 6 Berberis aristata Berberidaceae Kashmal Few drops of root decoction applied to cure DC. eye infection in livestock. 7 Bombax ceiba L. Malvaceae Simbal Powdered mixture of bark of Bombax ceiba with seeds of Glycine max given to cows to with water to cure mammary gland infection. 8 Brassica Brassicaceae Sarson Overnight soaked seeds of Brassica compestris L. compestris and Triticum aestivum grinded and given to livestock on empty stomach to cure heatstroke. 9 Cassia fistula L. Fabaceae Amaltas Pods fed to livestock to cure constipation. 10 Celtis australis L. Ulmaceae Kharak Leaves fed to cattle to increase the milk content. 11 Curcuma longa L. Zingiberaceae Haldi Rhizome powder is mixed with mustard oil is rubbed over udder to treat blockened mammary glands. Its paste applied externally to heal broken horns. 12 Eruca sativa Mill. Brassicaceae Tara mira Seed powder along with with black salt given to livestock against dysentery. 13 Euphorbia Euphorbiaceae Churro Plant fed to cattle to check abortion. royleana Boiss. 14 Ficus relegiosa L. Urticaceae Peepal Decoction of its leaves and rhizome of Zingiber officinale given to cows to treat throat infection. 15 Glycine max Merr. Fabaceae Soyabean Powdered seeds given to cattle to treat dysentery and foot and mouth disease. 16 Grewia disperma Tiliaceae Bulee Leaves fed to increase the fat content of milk Rottb. in Spreng. in milch cattle. 17 Grewia optiva Tiliaceae Buel Bark paste applied as plaster and fresh bark Drumm. ex Burret is used as bandage on fractures of cattle. 18 Hordeum vulgare Poaceae Jau Plant fed to milch cattle to increase fat L. content of milk. 19 Juglans regia L. Juglandaceae Khod Paste of its bark with buds of Lyonia ovalifolia in mustard oil applied externally against skin diseases in cattle. 20 Justicia adhatoda Acanthaceae Basuti Tender leaves fed to cattle for 4-5 days to

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L. treat anorexia (loss of appetite) and also against cure cold and cough. 21 Lyonia ovalifolia Ericaceae ---- Paste of leaves and buds applied externally (Wall.)Drude against skin diseases and ectoparasites. 22 Murraya koenigii Rutaceae Gandhela Leaves considered as blood purifier and are Spreng. fed to check dysentery. 23 Ocimum basilicum Lamiaceae Bhabhro Decoction of its leaves and that of Justicia L. adhatoda given to animals against cough. 24 Ocimum sanctum Lamiaceae Ram Tulsi Decoction of its leaves and that of Justicia L. adhatoda and Carum copticum given to check cough in animals. 25 Prunus persica Rosaceae Aru Leaf paste applied externally to heal wounds. Benth. & Hook. f. 26 Psidium guajava L. Myrtaceae Amrud Leaves fed as medicine against stomach problems. 27 Triticum aestivum Poaceae Kanak Seeds paste and applied externally to cure L. burns. Soaked seeds given to cattle as coolant. 28 Urtica dioica L. Urticaceae Bichu Powdered inflorescence given to cure Buti sterility as well as to increase fat content of milk in cattle. 29 Zanthoxylum Rutaceae Timro Seeds fed to cure indigestion. armatum DC. 30 Zea mays L. Poaceae Kukadi Ash of cob mixed with mustard oil applied externally to against lice and ticks. 31 Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae Adda Paste of its rhizome, seeds of Carum Rosc. copticum and fruits of Piper longum is used to cure bloating (afara).

References:

Bennett, S.S.R. 1987. Name Changes in Flowering Plants of India and Adjacent Regions. Triseas Publ., Dehradun, India.

Jain, S.K. 1989. Medicinal Plants. National Book Trust, New Delhi.

Jain, S.K. & Rao, R.R. (eds.) 1977. A Handbook of Field and Herbarium Methods. Today & Tomorrow’s Printers & Publ., New Delhi.

Jain, S.K. & Shrivastava, S. (eds.) 1999. Dictionary of Ethnoveterinary Plants of India. Deep Publications, New Delhi.

Martin, G. 1995. Ethnobotany – A Method Mannual. New York.

Pande, P.C., Tiwari, L. & Pande H.C. 2007. Ethnoveterinary plants of Uttaranchal - A review. Indian J. Trad. Know. 6(3): 444-458.

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Reddy, K.N., Subbaraju, G.V., Reddy, C.S. & Raju, V.S. 2006. Ethnoveterinary medicine for treating livestock in eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. Indian J. Trad. Know. 5(3): 368-372.

Tiwari, L. & Pande, P.C. 2010. Ethnoveterinary medicine in Indian perspectives: Reference to Uttrakhand Himalaya. Indian J. Trad. Know. 6: 11-17.

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