Indigenous Animal Healthcare Practices from Udaipur District

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 7(2), April 2008, pp. 355-359

Traditional veterinary herbal medicines of western part of Almora district, Uttarakhand Himalaya

Rohita Shah1, PC Pande1 & Lalit Tiwari2* SSJ Campus, Kumaon University, Almora, 2Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, Kamla Neharu Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh E-mail: [email protected] Received 12 December 2005, revised 14 February 2007

A preliminary survey of an age-old veterinary practice of the western part of Almora district, which is inhabited by hill communities, was made. The main emphasis was given to 24 most common livestock diseases and disorders. For the treatment of these veterinary diseases and disorders, locals use about 57 plants. The biomedicines are composed of single drug or combination of drugs. These medicines are presented disease wise. This type of traditional knowledge is a wealth for the human being and has great value in the context of today's Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) scenario. Keywords: Ethnoveterinary medicine, Almora, Uttaranchal IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P1/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/04, A61P1/06, A61P1/10, A61P1/14, A61P17/00, A61P17/02, A61P17/14, A61P19/00, A61P27/14, A61P27/16, A61P29/00, A61P31/02, A61P39/02

The western part of Almora district in the state of people. The information was further verified by cross Uttaranchal is endowed with rich and diverse plant checking with other knowledgeable person of the wealth. The study area bordered in North by Chamoli, study area. Voucher plant specimens were identified in West by Pauri Garhwal and South by the Nainital with the help of floras and deposited in the herbarium district lies between 79º 5` to 79º 56` E long and 29º of Botany Department, Kumaon University, SSJ 7` to 29º 40` N lat. This area is inhabited by large Campus, Almora. The ethnoveterinary medicinal data section of rural population. People of the area practice are presented alphabetically disease wise followed by agriculture. Most of the people largely depend on plant names with their local names (Table 1). plants, resources growing in their surroundings to meet their requirements including ethnoveterinary Results and discussion herbal medicines. Very little attention has been paid 1-10 People of western part of Almora district have a to ethnoveterinary aspects of plants in Uttaranchal . vast knowledge of ethnoveterinary practices. Analysis Keeping in view, the paper is an attempt to compile of data indicates that 57 plants are used directly and the ethnoveterinary medicines of western part of indirectly to treat 24 various veterinary diseases and Almora district of Uttaranchal Himalaya. In all, 57 disorders. Most of the uses were found to be new plants species are used by the natives of the study area when compared with those reported in published for the treatment of 24 diseases of domestic animals literature on veterinary medicine. Most of the (cow, buffalo, ox and goat). Most of the uses were remedies consist of only one species; some are found to be new compared with those in published 11 mixture of species which adds to enhance their literature on ethnoveterinary . efficacy to cure diseases. Decoction, paste, aqueous extracts, infusion, powder and mixture of plants or Methodology plant produce or products, etc. are the common Remote villages of western Almora district of methods employed for the preparation of herbal Uttaranchal were surveyed during the 2000-2001 and drugs. The materials used in the treatment are usually ethnoveterinary information was collected collected from surrounding forests or localities except interviewing local medicine men and experienced in few cases, which is/are purchased from the local ______markets. The study will provide basic data for further *Corresponding author studies aimed at conservation, traditional medicine 356 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 7, No. 2, APRIL 2008

Table 1—Traditional veterinary medicines of Almora district

Diseases Plant name Uses

Bone fracture Carpinus viminea Wall. (Harjojan), Paste of two plants, eg Harjojan (Dendrobium amoenum Wall. ex Curcuma domestica Vallars (Haldi), Lindl.) and Dhyar lagul (Parthenocissus semicordata (Wall.) Debregeasia salicifolia (D. Don.) Rendle, Planch.) plastered around fractured bone are bandaged using splints Dendrobium amoenum Wall. ex Lindl. of wood of Debregeasia salicifolia (D. Don.) Rendle until cure. (Harjojan), Paste prepared from Chamarhmau (Carpinus viminea Wall.) bark, Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees Urd (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) seed and pine needles (Pinus (Bans), roxburghii Sarg.) is applied on fractured portion and bandaged Parthenocissus semicordata (Wall.) using splints of Bans (Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees). Planch. (Dhyar lagul), Paste of Chamarhmau bark, soaked seeds of Urd and fresh rhizome of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. Haldi (Curcuma domestica Vallars) along with egg yolk is applied on Rheum australe D.Don (Dolu) and fractured bone as plaster and bandaged using wooden splints. Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Urd) Paste prepared from soaked seeds of Urd and Dhyar lagul is plastered on infected portion along with human/animal hairs and bandaged using splints of bans. Paste of Chamarhmau bark and Dolu (Rheum australe D.Don) stem is plastered around fractured bone and bandaged using splints of Debregeasia salicifolia (D. Don.) Rendle.

Broken horns Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem), Fresh cow dung is applied on paining horns. Paste of Haldi is applied Curcuma domestica Vallars (Haldi) and broken horns. Pine resin is applied on broken horns. Juice or pas Pinus roxburghii Sarg. prepared from Neem (Azadirachta indica) is applied on wounds to prevent bacter infection.

Carbuncles Leucas lanata Benth. (Pipsos) and Paste prepared from tender shoot of Ataruwa (Oenothera rosea Ait.) Oenothera rosea Ait. (Ataruwa) is applied until cure. Leaf paste of Pipsos (Leucas lanata Benth.) is also applied.

Constipation Plumbago zeylanica L., Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague) powder along with Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour is fed to animal. Juice made from (Ajwain), leaves and shoots of Plumbago zeylanica L. and fruits and leaves of Triticum aestivum L. and Zanthoxylum Timur (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) is also given to animal. acanthopodium DC. (Timur)

Diarrhoea Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f., Salted churning cured, grond leaves of Dhania (Coriandrum Coriandrum sativum L. (Dhania), sativum L.) and juice of lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.) is given Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lam. to animal. Wheat flour is given with first pudding of rice. Rice husk, (Kaddu), grains of Jhungar/ Madira (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link. Link.), flour of Jau (Hordeum vulgare L.) and ripe fruit of Kaddu (Jhungar/ Madira), (Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lam.) are given during diarrhoea. Hordeum vulgare L. (Jau) and Triticum aestivum L.

Dog bite Capsicum annuum L. (Lal mirch) Lal mirch powder is applied locally on the wounds. Wounds portion Solanum melongena L. (Baigain) is brunt with the help of burning woody stem of Baigain (Solanum melongena L.).

Eczema or Allium cepa L. Juice of onion mixed with milk or curd along with sulphur powder Scabies Cicer arietinum L. is applied on infected skin of animal. Black Bhatt or gram (Cicer Glycine soja Sieb. (Black Bhatt) arietinum L.) along with salt is given in diet.

Food poisoning Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f. Lemon juice boiled in water and is given orally to animal three Coriandrum sativum L. (Dhania), times a day. Paste prepared from fresh rhizome of Adrak (Zingiber Mangifera indica L. (Amchoor), officinale Rosc.) and leaves or seeds of Dhania mixed with churning Saccharum officinarum L., curd is given orally to animal. Paste of Amchoor (dried fruit powder Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague of Mangifera indica L.) and lemon juice along with water is given (Ajwain), to animal orally. A mixture of powder of Methi (Trigonella foenum- Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Methi) & graecum L.), Ajwain and Soonth (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) along Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Soonth) with jaggery is fed to animal. Contd. SHAH et al.: TRADITIONAL VETERINARY MEDICINE OF UTTARAKHAND HIMALAYA 357

Table 1—Traditional veterinary medicines of Almora district—Contd.

Diseases Plant name Uses

Foot and Mouth Carissa spinarum L. (Karunj) and Paste prepared from root bark of Karunj (Carissa spinarum L.) is diseases (FMD) Cinnamomum tamala Nees ex Eberm. applied on affected part. Infected cleft of feet are washed with (Kapoor) phenyl and Kapoor (a product of Cinnamomum tamala Nees ex Eberm.). Red mud is also applied on the cleft of foot.

Haematuria Musa paradisiaca L. Juice obtained from pseudostem of Musa paradisiaca L. is given orally to animal several times a day.

Impaction/ Brassica campestris L., Mustard oil (Brassica campestris L.) or Desi Ghee is given to Tympany Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f., animal. Leaves of Akhrot (Juglans regia L.) and Chalmori (Oxalis Coriandrum sativum L. (Dhania), corniculata L.) pounded together are given to animal. Leaf paste of Juglans regia L. (Akhrot), Dhania along with churning curd is given to animal. Leaves of Oxalis corniculata L. (Chalmori) and Rameshwar grass (Saccharum sp.) is fed to animal. Fresh juice of Saccharum sp. (Rameshwar grass) Nimbu is also given to the animals.

Indignation Capsicum annuum L. (Lal mirch), Dried powder of Lal mirch with limewater is given orally to animal, 3 Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. (Maduwa), times a day till cure. At least one hour earlier to this prescription, 100 Saccharum officinarum L., and gm of jaggery should be given to animal. Fresh paste of leaves and Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex stem of Gurch (Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. f. Hook. f. Thoms. (Gurch) Thoms.) and dried powder of Lal mirch is meshed with the flour of Maduwa [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.]. Bread of this meshed flour is prepared and given to cattle 3 times a day for three days during indignation.

Internal wounds Cannabis sativa L. (Charas), Thick paste prepared from seeds of Bichhu and sugar is applied Pinus roxburghii Sarg. externally on the affected site. Powder of Charas (resinous product And Urtica dioica L. (Bichhu) of Cannabis sativa L.) mixed with resin of pine is applied externally on internal wounds.

Mastitis Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lam. Leaf extract of Shahtut is applied locally on affected parts. Paste (Kaddu), prepared from fresh rhizome of Haldi and rice is applied on Curcuma domestica Vallars (Haldi) mammary glands, 2 to 3 times a day for 4 to 6 days. Ash prepared Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (Doob from dried plants of Kaddu mixed with butter is applied on udder. grass), Fresh and pointed Doob grass stem is used to open the blocked pore Morus serrata Roxb. (Shahtut) and of the udder. Oryza sativa L.

Neck sore Urtica dioica L. (Bichhu) Fresh leaves of Bichhu are tabbing gently on neck sore.

Prolapse of uterus Ficus auriculata Lour. (Timul) and Uterus is availed pushed inside with the help of leaves of Timul or Musa paradisiaca L. banana.

Pterygium Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop. (Pinnar) Fruit juice of Mehal mixed with salt is dropped into infected eyes. and In some cases, aqueous extract of Pinnar bulb is also dropped into Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don the eye, 3 to 4 times in a day. (Mehal)

Redness of eyes Berberis sp., Aqueous extract of the Chuthar (Berberis sp.) is dropped (2-3 Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lam. drops) in the eyes, 2 to 3 times a day until cured. Aqueous extract of (Kaddu), the fresh rhizome of Haldi is mixed with dilute alum solution and is Curcuma domestica Vallars (Haldi) and sprinkled on the infected eyes. Aqueous extract of the fruit of Mehal Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don is dropped in the eyes. Kaddu is given to animal in diet during (Mehal) redness in eyes.

Retention of Saccharum sp. (Rameshwar grass) & Fresh juice of Kapunaya is given to animal. Leaves of Rameshwar placenta Strobilanthes sp. (Kapunaya) grass are fed to the animals after birth of young one for expulsion of placenta. Contd.

358 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 7, No. 2, APRIL 2008

Table 1—Traditional veterinary medicines of Almora district—Contd.

Diseases Plant name Uses

Skin disease Allium sativum L., Paste prepared from Black Bhatt along with dried powder of Haldi (locally known as Capsicum annuum L. (Lal mirch), is given to animal. Wheat flour or cleaned rice and seeds of Black Damari) Curcuma domestica Vallars (Haldi), Bhatt socked in water and made into paste are given to animal. Paste Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (Doob prepared from Ganjarhu, Doob grass, fresh rhizome of Haldi and grass), seeds of Black Bhatt are given to animal, twice a day for seven Glycine soja Sieb. (Black Bhatt), days. Crushed stem of Gurch is given to animal till cured. A Oroxylum indicum (L.) Venten (Tater), mixture of powder of 22 dried fruits of Lal mirch, 9 dried flowers of Oryza sativa L., Laung, 13 seeds of Kali mirch with water are given orally on 1st, 4th Piper nigrum L. (Kali mirch), and 7th day. Paste of Black Bhatt and Ganjaru leaf is given orally Stephania glabra (Roxb.) Miers. twice a day for a week. Seeds of Tater along with paste of Black (Ganjarhu), Bhatt are given twice a day for a week. Paste of Black Bhatt with Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. Lahsun (Allium sativum L.) along with a pinch of red sterile soil is (Laung), given orally to animal. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. f. Thoms. (Gurch) and Triticum aestivum L.

Snout blisters Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link. Paste prepared from the boiled seeds of Jhungar is applied (Jhungar/ Madira) externally on snout.

Sprains Curcuma domestica Vallars (Haldi) Paste prepared from seeds of Urd and rice is applied externally on Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (Doob grass) sprains. Oryza sativa L. Fresh rhizome of Haldi, Doob grass and a pinch of calcium oxide Pinus roxburghii Sarg. are boiled. Prepared lukewarm decoction is sprinkled at the sprained Urtica dioica L. (Bichhu) site. Fresh needles of Pinus roxburghii Sarg., ash and pinch of salt Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Urd) are boiled. Prepared solution is used for fomentation on the affected site. A glass of lukewarm milk along with a teaspoon full of dried Haldi powder is given to the cattle twice daily. A fresh twig of Bichhu is tabbed gently on the sprains. Pine resin is also applied on sprains till cure.

Sterility Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link. Leaves of Jau pounded with cooked grains of Madira and Methi (Jhungar/ Madira) seeds are administered orally once or twice a day for one month. Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. Boiled seeds of Maduwa along with a pinch of salt are fed to (Maduwa) animal. Hordeum vulgare L. (Jau) Trigonella foenum-raecum L. (Methi)

Wounds Amaranthus sp. (Chaulai) Paste of whole plant of Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Fleming or leaf Cannabis sativa L. (Charas) paste of Peoli (Reinwardtia indica Dumort.) is applied locally on Reinwardtia indica Dumort. (Peoli) the wounds. Powder of Charas is applied on wounds. Young leaves Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Fleming of Chaulai (Amaranthus sp.) pounded with soaked seed of Urd is Urtica dioica L. (Bichhu) applied on wounds. Seed paste of Bichhu along with sugar is also Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Urd) applied. and economic welfare of rural people of the study suggestion and encouragements. The cooperation area; and such traditional knowledge is a wealth for extended by local healers or knowledgeable persons human being and has value in the context of today’s of the study area is gratefully acknowledged. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) scenario.

References Acknowledgement 1 Bisht N, Pande PC & Tiwari L, Ethno-veterinary practices of Authors are thankful to Prof KN Pandey, Head, Kapkot block of Bageshwar district, Uttaranchal, Asian Agri- Botany Department, Kumaon University, SSJ Hist, 8(4) (2004) 209. Campus, Almora for providing facilities to work and 2 Issar RK, Traditionally important medicinal plants and to Dr DR Lohar, Director, Homeopathic folklore of Uttarakhand Himalayas for animal treatment, J Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, Ghaziabad for valuable Sci Pl Med, 2 (1981) 61. SHAH et al.: TRADITIONAL VETERINARY MEDICINE OF UTTARAKHAND HIMALAYA 359

3 Gaur RD, Bhatt KC & Tiwari JK, An ethnobotanical study of 7 Pande PC & Mamgai L, Kumaun ke Mashi ke Najdeek Uttar Pradesh Himalaya in relation to veterinary medicines, J Bhumka Pani kshetra main parmparagat pashu chikitsha, Indian Bot Soc, 72 (1992) 139. Swadheen Praja, 8, 9, 12-13 (2001) 4, 3. 4 Mathpal Himani & Pande PC, Kamaon Himalaya ke vinayak 8 Pande PC & Chandra M, Kamaon ke Bageshwar kehetra kshetra main paltu pashuon ki paramparagat chikitsa padhati, main pashuon kee paramparagat chikitsa padhyati, In: In: Parvatika, (Lok Chetna Manch avum Mountain Forum, Uttaranchal ke Anchal Se, (Indian Publishers Distributors, Ranibag, Uttaranchal), 2000, 8. New Delhi), 2001, 19. 5 Pande PC & Joshi GC, Kamaon Himalaya ke pashu-chikitsa 9 Tiwari L & Pande PC, Traditional veterinary practices in aadi main pairh-paudhon ka upyog, In: Ethnobotany of south-eastern part of Chamoli district, Uttaranchal, Indian J Kumaon Himalaya, (Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur) 1999, Traditional Knowledge, 3(4) (2004) 397. 113. 10 Tiwari L & Pande PC, Traditional Veterinary Medicinal 6 Pande PC &Joshi GC, Cultivated plants of Kumaon Plants of Bhilangana valley of Tehri district, Uttaranchal Himalaya used for medicinal purpose, in: Himalayan Himalaya, Asian Agri History, 9(3) (2005) 253. Medicinal Plants: Potential and Prospects (Gyanodaya 11 Jain SK, Dictionary of Ethnoveterinary Plants of India, Prakasan, Nainital), 2001, 117. (Deep Publications, New Delhi), 1991.